New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-03
A CONFEDERATE ARMORER.
HE MADE SWORDS FOE SOUTHERN OFF,
GERS AND PLOUGHS FOR SOUTH
ERN FARMERS.
From The Atlanta Constitution.

From The Atlanta Constitution. -
In this day Of preparation for possible for
eign war. when the desaation wrought In cuba
By barbarous Power has stirred the Nation to
arms and touched into sound the vibrant cord
Of patriotism il is interesting to look back to
the time when the South began her preparations
for the great struggle
There lives in Atlanta now the widow OF
man who was known as THE Swor1maker OF
the Confcdcracy." and during the four years Of
the struggle he wrought many admiralty tenn
porcd blaGos-swoTds that have never been ex-
cecd by American swordmakers. The name OF
this sWordmaker /. iiaiman. and he was
known 10 many Of the older citizens Of Atlanta.
Mr.. Iaman vas born in COlma. Prussia and
came to this country when very young with his
family. They settled in Columbus Ga. then
small village to grow Up with the place AT tho
outbreak Of hOstilities young Haiman Was fol-
lowing the trade Of a timer. His work was
successful and in 1861 hc opened a sword fac
tory to supply to the Confederacy weapon
that the South at the time had poor facilities
for making.
Such was Haman's success that In years
time his factory covered block in the town Of
Columbus. and was the most extensive business
in the place.
The first sword ever made by Haman was
presented to Colonel Peyton II. Coqut'- the
gallant soldier who was afterward Killed al
',hickamauga. The sword was one Of the hand
soonest in all the Southern Army. II was inlao
with gold and was constantly used by Colonel
Colqutt up 70 the time Of his death.
After he had presented this sword 70 Colonel
Colquitt. Haiman made swords Tor the officers
Of the Confederate Army. and his hrst order
came from Captain Wagner. In charge or the
arsenal at Montgomery. Ala.
In his capacity as swordmaker he came in
contact with many OF the head officials OF the
Army. and several times went to MONTGOMERY
and Richmond to confer with the Confederate
authorities.
Later on. 10 supply the needs Of the troops In
Southern Georgia and Alabama, he added
mandatory Of firearms and accouTehehlS "
his establishment
Near the close o.. the war. when the Federal
Army occupied Georgia. and Columbus Yell INTO
IFS hands EIaimans property was connscated
AMI turned into a Federal arsenal
General Wilson. the commander OK the army
u occupation. proposed 70 restore TO lialman
his property If he would take the oath OF allesi-
ance 10 Federal authority but Haiman's I'M
sHerving loyalty 10 the cause u the south would
not for moment allow MIN 70 brook suIn d
suggestion, and with the departure ~ the Fed
eral troops his factory was RACED TO the ground.
His swords came to be famous In the ranks OF
the Confcderacy, and their temper ana dura-
bnity have often called 10 mind the supreme
test Of swords related In Ivanhoe. between the
leaders OF Christendom and heathendoIn. Rich
arl Cpur de Lion and Saladin.
After the war IIaiman. with the resources lett
him after the destruction II his factory. entered
business in Columbus. Strangely enough, the
business in which he embarked was tina, OF man.
uracturing poughs giving striking example OK
the saying that the sword shall! be turned mo
q ploughsharc.
Associated with him In this work Or.
Joe Blunt formerly OF Columbus Mr.. Iairnan
brought his successful qualities into the new
business. and soon was on firm basis once
more The Southern Agricultural Works, the
name Of the establishment. was known all over
the South Mr. Haiman continued at the head
Of this business until 1873 the year OF his death.
His wife who was Miss Brasch. also native
OF Germany. came 10 Atlanta some years after
the death OF her husband and is at present
living on Crew-st. with her three daughters.
Mr. Ua.man was 4 brother OF Elias Haiman
once prominent in Atlanta business circles. and
now a resident Of Cleveland Ohio lie was
never u member Of any company during the
war. although he offered 70 take up arms and
fight in the ranks.
He proved far more valuable in the capacity
OF swOrdmaker for the Confederacy than could
any company Of men the field Of battle.