Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-17

ban revolution began. In February. 1855,
Spain purchased thousands OF mics OF II
from US. and Weyler used IL in making
the approaches to his two trochas 40
! difficult as possible. These trochas are
bitches and earthworks, with block
house or fort garrisoned by soldiers eve
cry mile or two along the line 1t was .
substitute for what the armies OF Eu-
rope have known as the chevaux Dc
! frise, hastily constructed substitute
for regular abasis (trees felled in the
direction from which an enemy may be
expected) Co stay the progress OF an adj
vancing foe. Sometimes IL is formed Of
pieces OF timber or iron barrels trav-
efsed with iron pointed spears or spikes
or o feet long. used to defend pas
cage. stop a breach or impede the adj
vance of cavalry. AT Badajoz, Spain,
during the penlnsuiar war, in the early
part of this century. when Wellington's
hosts were defeating the armies Of
France, great service was rendered by
chevaux de frise formed Of sword blades
fixed into beams OF wood. The engineer
corps Of q large army frequently carries
chevaix de frise formed Of cylindrical
iron barrels about feet long. each hav.
ing II holes to receive a corresponding
number of spears, the latter being pack
ed in the barrel when not in warlike use.
SPANS modification OF this has been to
use barbed wire. Washington Irving
long ago wrote Of obstruction az chain,
boom and chevaux de frise'
1t is q statement OF interest that the
United States sent 1850 tons OF barbed
wire to Manila few weeks ago. for
what purpose can only be conjectured,
though Admiral Dewey and General
Merritt will undoubtedly make proper
use of IL.
All this has revived interest i'm the
history, invention and manufacture Of
barbed wire. There Is today In Chi
cago one of the giant manufacturing in
dustries OF the world. the American
Steel and Wire company. with capital
of S2i000,0O0. 1t is the sequence OF the
life story of two humble women OF De-
kalb. Ills, one of whom turned a grind
stone in the woods to help her husband
perfect his invention in the summer Of
1873 He was trying 10 develop an idea,
but was ashamed to have the world ses
him at work lest il should crlticise him
for wasting his time for ne was a farm
Ell. The other woman reused the anger
OF her husband who was a stoPeKeeper
and was also secretly trying 20 find am
effective means OF keeping stock within
bounds, because she honestly declared
that the other mans device was better
than the one he had originated. The
two women. however. later helped to
lay the foundations OF the mighty capi-
talistic concern before mentioned
1t was Mrs Joseph II. Glldden who
turned the grindstone, and il was Mrs.
Isaac l.. Ellwood who once made her
husband so angry he would noe speak
to her for an afternoon and night. She
aided her husband to achieve great
riches in wire--barbed wire--that row
forms the basis OF the great fencemak-
ing industry. Mr. Ellwood had more
money than Mr. Gldden, tho successful
inventor, and after due consideration of
his wife's decision begged her pardon.
accepted her judgment, purchased
half interest In Glldden's fence for 81
and is today worth. according to public
estimate. 10000 900. The other man,
while not so wealthy Is still very rich.
The story OF their combined struggles
through adversely and the subsequent
litigation inflicted upon them is a pa
thetic one, but finally organized capital
rescued them from the slough OF despair
and made them men envied Of their fell
lows. There are thousands Of American
soldiers al Santiago. however. who have
had good reason In the past few weeks
to heartily rue the day when American
barbed wire. useful in peace, was made
useful in war.