Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-30
swORD-MAKER OF CONFEDERACY
He Was Striking Figure i'm Late
Civil War-L. Haiman, His Name.
ATLANTA COnstitution)

| ATLANTA COnStitutlOn.)
In this day of preparation for a posi-
| BILE foreign war, when the desolatiOn
wrought in Cuba by barbarous Power
| has stirred the nation 10 arms and touch
ed into sound the vibrant cord OF patriot
ism. ii is interesting TO look back TO the
time when the South began her prepare
tons for the great struggle.
There lives in Atlanta now the widow
Of a man who was known as the Sword
maker of the Confederacy" and during
the four years Of the struggle he wrought
many admirably tempered blades-swords
that have never been excelled by Ameri-
can sword-makers. The name Of this
swOrd-maker was l.. Haiman. and he was
known to many of the older citizens of
Atlanta. Mr.. Haiman was born in Colma,
Prussia. and came TO this country when
very young with his family. They settled
i'm Columbus, Ca, then small village.
to grow up with the place. At the out
break of hostilties young Haiman was
following the trade Of a timer. His
work was successful, and in 1851 he opened
swOrd-factory TO supply to the
Confederacy a weapon that the South at
the time had poor facilities for making.
Such was Haiman's success, that in
years time his factory covered a block
in the town Of Columbus, and was the
most extensive business I'm the place.
FIRST SWORD MADE BY HANNAH.
The first sword ever made by Haiman
was presented to Colonel Peyton III. Col
quit. the gallant soldier, who was after
wards killed at Chickamauga. The sword
was one OF the handsomest i'm all the
southern army. 1t was inlaid with gold,
and was constantly used by Colonel Col
quit up TO the time of his death.
After ne had presented this sword 10
Colonel Colquitt. Haiman made swords
for the officers of the Confederate army
and his first order came from Captain
Wagner, in charge of the arsenal at
Montgomery, Ala.
In his capacity as sword-maker he came
i'm contact with many OF the head Off
Gals of the army. and several times
went to Montgomery and Richmond TO
confer with the Confederate authorities.
Later on. to supply the needs CT the
troops in Southern Georgia and Alabama,
he added a mandatory Of firearms and
accoutrements to his establishm snt.
Near the close Of the war. when the
Federal army occupied Georgia, and CO.
lumbus fell into it's hands, Haiman's
property was confiscated and turned Into
a Federal arsenal
General Wilson. the commander Of the
army Of occupation. proposed 20 restore
to Haiman his property If ne would take
the oath OF allegiance TO Federal au-
thority, but Haiman's answering loyalty
TO the cause of the South would not for
a moment allow him 10 brook such a
suggestion. and with the departure Of
the Federal troops his factory was RACED
to the ground.
His swords came TO be famous In the
ranks of the Confederacy. and their tenn
per and durability have often called TO
mind the supreme test OF swords. re-
lated in Ivanhoe. between the leaders OF
Christendom and heathendom. Richard
Occur de Lion and Saladin.
FROM THE SWORD TO PLOWSHARE.
After the war Haiman, with the re-
sources left him after the destruction OF
his factory, entered business in Column
bus. Strangely enough. the business In
which he embarked was that OF manu-
featuring ploughs. giving a striking ex-
ample of the saying that the sword shall
be turned into ploughsharc.
Associated with him in this work was
DR.. Joe Blunt, formerly OF Columbus.
Mr.. Haiman brought his successful quail
ties into the new business. and soon was
on firm basis once more. The South
ern AgriculturaI-Work the name Of the