The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-27
SERVICE OF HISTORIC OAK.
Wood From Philadelphia State House
md Bits of the Liberty BELL.

Mrs. Susan Margaret Miller, Of Phila-
delphia, is the owner of what Is known
as "ye old seventy-six table service"
No gold or silver goes to make the value
of this service. IT Is OF the cheapest ma
terials. plain wood and old metal. but the
wood is from the cradle of American lib
critics and the metal from the bell that
rang out freedom to America on the
great Fourth Of July, 1776.
When Ii was deemed necessary to re-
pair the old Philadelphia statehouse In
1876. because Of the coming centennial.
George Lyman Miller was employed in
that work Oak joists beneath the floor
ing OF the historic building had rotted
away and 1t was necessary to insert new
ones. Mr.. Miller made a successful bid
for those old. rough, ugly tiEbers. He
also got part of the yellow flooring that
In revolutionary days echoed under the
stride of buckied shoes or clicked under
the dainty high heels Of the fair colonial
women. The king-post. true relic OF
colonial architecture, was another acqut-
sition. He also secured n few precious
bits from the Liberty bell. at that time
moved from its old place and hung over
the hack hallway.
With these treasures Mrs. Miller con-
ceiyed the idea OF making dinner serv-
Ice So the shapeless pieces OF wood and
metal went into the hands of the turner.
the owner sitting by and watching care
fully the work done. Never once would
she allow the smallest piece to go out OF
her sight and many were the luckless
artisans discharged for trying to substi-
tute common wood for her revolutionary
relics.
At last the dinner service was COM
pleted, seventy-six pieces In number,
symbolical of the heroic year OF Amer
lean history. and every piece designed by
Mrs Miller herself There are six napkin
rings. six salt dishes and cheese dish.
the bell Of the latter being made of a
piece OF the Liberty bells frame. which
Is SCARED and scanned with age. A Iadle
or dipper is cleverly conceived, not to
mention the spoon and forks and knife
handles. There are six coasters" too,
in which glasses or cups find safe anchor
age Besides the coasters" are tiles
made from the original flooring. goblets
made at the Centennial exhibition. a
stand for q liquor castor, glasses and
bowls for various purposes. cake stand
and bread board
The browning features OF the service
ere the loving cup and a great flower
vase made from the kingpost. The stand
which supports the large pieces Is a per-
feet cabinet Of treasure. Ingeniously
made, IT can he taken to pieces, reveal
ing compartments in which repose many
relics dear 10 pdtTioNic heaTts, ana aps0-
iuteiy priceless. Bits of the Liberty bell,
q the original wood OF the frigate Com
stltGtion. Of Commodore Perry's flagship.
the Lawrence: Of the flag which fioatei
over For. MciIenry during Britsin's bonn
sardment in 1914. ana Mrs. Msllers orig
inal catalogue. sworn TO before Mayor
Filter in which each article is labeled.
One Of her most cherished possessions IL
a letter from the poet Whittier congratu-
lating her on the possession OF the service.
During the Columbian exposition she
was solicited TO exhibit the service, but
feared 10 do so on Washirgton's birth
dav and the Fourth OF July Of each year
Mira Miller dressed in her Martha WASH
irStosi wedding dress. receives pilgrims
wha desire 10 do homage az her wooden
shrine II Is her pride and pleasure %
serve old-fasbioned spice cake and other
colonial goodies from these dishes, each
OF which 10 worthy Of place tn some
museum OF the relies Of American pa TIL
cfisr,,.-Ssw York Tribune