The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-03
OLD TREASURES IN
CURIOSITY SHOP
Resident of New England Town
Has Large Collection
RICH IN HISTORIC LORE
Some Priced Articles of Furniture,
Chinaware and Pewter Date
Back to the Days Before
the Revolution.
RICH IN HISTORIC LORE

Walpole, n. H.. March 2.4Walpole
has an old curiosity shop of more than
local fame. For a number of years wal
pole has been noted for its summer WIS.,
itors. Through them the little old Gu
riosity shop has gained a wide repdta-
ton, and with its proprietor, a lifelong
resident of the town, is now pointed out
as one of the sights of tile vil4age.
Walpole is one of the most historic
plces IN the state, and lies III historic
country. Just across the river the hrSL
blood of the revolution was shed at the
Westminster courthouse, and The hrst
bridge across the Connecticut was eoA-
structed. Here Was the first settlement
in this part of New England. Most of
the houses are 125 years or more old, ana
many date back even earlier.
About ten years ago Daniel W. smith,
then quite an old man, became interested
in family relics and helrlooms, and began
slowly to gather together collection OF
antiques. Since that time he has picked
up valuable and historic articles from the
Most improbable places. He takes the
material collected from miles around TO
his little red shop, near the center OF the
town, and there it lies until under ms
mastery touch it is transformed from
rusty relic of the past into thing of
beauty.
Mr. Smiths shop itself looks its part.
1t Is situated well back from the road,
and Is as ancient looking as the contents
within Mr. Smith himself is quiet I'M
assuming person. He is white-haired ana
old. but his kindly eyes shine forth
welcome to all visitors.
If one is able to strike him in remin-
iscent mood he will tell interesting tales
of his most valuable pieces, relating to
the deeds and lives of the first inhaoi-
tants of the town over two hundred
years ago.
Many articles were picked up under pc
culiar circumstances, and their history is
most entertaining.
This building is his workshop ana
home, where he spends all of his time
when not travelling about the country.
One of the most interesting rooms is filed
with the skeletons of former glory, which
he has gathered to gether from every Ill
rection In one corner is an apparent
pile of iron junk, but from this Will come
an ancient clock of majestic proportions
Bits of broken china almost worth their
weight in gold will be cunningly glued
together Battered pewter sets Will be
hammered into shape again.
In the next room may be seen opJects
ready for the finishing touches
AS soon as he finishes an article Mt.
Smith stores it in the rooms upstairs.
Here several rooms are filled with beauti-
full pieces of furniture, precious china
brought over from the old country many
wears ago, pewter plates and platters
cherished by the thrifty Puritan mousse
wife as well as the many curious lhple-
| ments used in those days.
The most valuable thing in the shop Is
a clock which Mr. Smith picked up sew
eral years ago in farm house away
| back on the hills. The children had
played with the works until they were
| almost beyond repair and the case was
| about to be consigned to the wood pile
| Its exact age is not known, but II Is Ger
! tain that 1t was brought to Walpole by
| one of the early pioneers, John klburn'
| about 1850. This clock is especially val
| liable to the town, as Mr.. Kilburn was
| prominently connected with It's carry ms
tory. 1t is Mr.. Smiths intention to pre-
sent it to the library of Waipoie'
Mr.. Smith has several high boys, ou-
, reaus and desks brought from Honaiiu
and England fully hundred ana my
wears ago. some of which are beautltuily
carved and inlaid. A picture empfoluery
made before the revolution IS announcer
valuable relic, rs is a flint lock piston cap
tured from a British officer in the battle
of II prominent family near here. other
ancient firearms, including a sword rom
the battle of Bunker Hill, are numerous.
In china Mr.. Smith has several rare
pieces of old Dedham ware which are es-
tin,ated To be at least hundred anu
twenty-five years old. \ pewter set
from England about 1850 is another val
liable relic.