The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-04-23
SWORD 1000 YEARS OLD.

frcsoneou W the Cser OF NuboAe 20 Ff60-
tdcnt johnson.
]. P. Farmer, the county surveyor Of
Columbiana county, O., who resides at
Lisbon, has IN hia possession one Of the
rarest historical specimens In existence
It Ia an old Damascus blade which, 1t is
claimed, Is over 1000 years old. It Is Of
crude design and workmanship and was
made entirely by hand, the irregularity Of
Its lines proving more conclusively than
anything else los antiquity.
Shortly after the assassination of Presi-
dent Lincoln an unsuccessful attempt was
made upon the life OF the GEAR of Russia.
A fleet of American warships was sent on
cruise across the ocean and incidentally
carried message Of congratulation to
Russia's ruler from President johnson.
Assistant Secretary Of the Navy Fox &C.
companied the squadron on board the
Miantonomoh commanded by John J.
Cornwsll of Lisbon, o. Secretary Fox was
presented with the sword by the car In
person, as token Of his high esteem, ac-
companied by the following speech:
II present to you, sir, as the represent
ative Of one Of the foremost and mightiest
Of modern nations, this saber, as a ma
terial appreciation Of your nations high
regard for my welfare and safety. Through
ages it has been treasured In the archives
of my fathers as a semblance Of the mighty
races that swayed the destinies of future
generations on the shores of the Mediter-
ranean; it was carried through scenes of
carnage which marked the upbuilding of
the powerful sovereignty Of western Asia
and has Outlived the Kingdoms it helped
build
The ancient treasure was accepted by
the secretary, with an appropriate re-
Spouse, and as the fleet steamed out of tho
Russian port he presented the sword to
Commander Cornwell.
While the fleet was off Toulon, France,
Commander Cornwell died suddenly of
heart failure. The vessels pulled In at the
port and telegram was sent to Paris for
burial casket. A squad of marines under
command of lieutenant was sent OH
shore to receive tho casket from fhe train
and convey 1t aboard the dead command
er s vessel. The caskot missed connections,
bat the sailors, who were unaware Of the
fact, hustled casket which arrived on
tho train off to the ironclad. The fact that
the box WAS quite heavy did not excite the
suspicion of the sailors and after 1t had
been taken to the cabin the mate opened
the cover. Consideration reigned on board
when there was disclosed tho body Of
beautiful young lady, buried in wealth
of flowers.
The lid of the oasket was hurriedly re-
stored to its place, and preparations were
promptly made to return the body to the
depot In Toulon. But the story Of the al
legged seizure had spread, creating intense
excitement In the French port, and u city
official was preparing to board the Ameri.
can warship with a search warrant. Ex-
plantations were made, but the mistake
came near causing an international dis
ruption.
The French newspapers characterized
the actions ST the American sailors in the
most seathihg terms, assuming that the
taking of the body Of the young lady was
prearranged plan.
Commander Cornwell was buried at
Toulon, and the old sword was given into
his widows keeping, and she in turn pre-.
scented 1t to her brother.in law, Mr.. Farm
er.
The blade is 2s11 inches long and inch
wide, tapering to point. The hilt is made
OF horn, ornam0nted with twisted brass
wire, and IL as hard as adamant. The
orosspieces are Of leather, tipped with sheet
brass. The scabbard is as interesting as
tho blade, being fashioned from wood,
with a sheet brass covering. 1t was orna.
mcnted in crude style by indents Of
pointed tool Near the hilt, on tho blade,
are number Of odd characters resembling
ancient Hebrew inscrjntions -philadel