Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1908-01-09
A Fence Of Gun Barrels.


claim to the ouly fence in the world
built of gun barrels. aud there is little
reason to doubt that this claim will
go undisputed.
More than half century ago there
lived in Georgetown lock aHi gun
smith named REUBEN D,w. whose
shop was on NJ street, in the business
section. His large shop WAS packed
with all kinds of pistols, guns aud
knives, which be had bought At differ
ent times, and many trusty frearm
bought from him may yet bs fouud In
the oil homes Of Gseryeto En. Tnsse
old citiz.ns will say II bought that
gun from Reuben DIE long before the
war, and she's as good and true as the
dsY l bought her"
There are old citizens who will re.
mem ,er the arnory established at
H4rper's Ferry by the Ulitei States.
Here we're made the first brsechlo4d-
ing rifles, but which proved rather
tricky aud dangerous weapons. 0 h
er IN axes of guns were turnei out At
the arsenal TO take the place OF the
Hall rlAs. sul these were called in
and stored.
Later the Government decided to
dispose Of the worthless guns at the
aruory. aud puolIc Auc I1u WAS held
R.uosa Dlg, tue GsorsstoEn gun
smith, attenleI the sale aud bought a
large nunbsr Of the yuas. having them
shipped to his home q. s)ld few
OF them and then decided that he
would utlllzs the stock on htnl 10
building fence arouui bis two houses
at the corner of Twenty eighth aud
P streets, he then occupying the resi-
dsncs In Ne lately ou ths north vest
corner Mr. DIE to)k the barrels
from the stocks All place 10 the eni
of each barrel forxs fancy toppIng.
thu, N sklng upright lroa All steel
plcset5, abjIJ a5 sub5tanltl ant Al
tr4ctlve As auy u'ei in 0ulliIng tns
fences around the old MANSIONS in
Gsorgeto "a. a. had the posts an |
other portions of the fence mtuuftc-
tured to order, and with his Own
hands he did the larger part OF the
work in putting up his gun.b4rrel
fence, which today Is 10 s!m)st per-
tect condition.
On some of the old barrels may yet
be seeu.the sights, but most Of them
have besn broken off oy souvenir
hunters, as have also been taken away
many Of the top pieces Tae two
splendid old Orlcx and stone dwell
inga are occupied by the families Of
Charles AMI EIRArd DiR. soas Of the
mtn who built the historic fence -
Baltimore Sun.
Shepherdstown can show a fence
almost as curious as that above de-
scribed. Il is made Of the walnut
stocks of guns, aud though it has been
exposed to the elements for about a
half century, it is still In tolsr4bly
good condluon. II IL the fence dI
vldlng the property Of Misses Bette
and K ,tie Snesz from that OF Mrs
Bette NJ MiOn4n In this place, and can
De seen from King strest by any wac
cares to look. William NJ. SleeiZ,
the father Of the Muses. S1s.tz VAS a
guu.m.ker bV occupation, s-d had
MS shop 10 the building on King
street COW falling into rim. Mr..
Sheetz not ouly male and reP4lre
guns and pistols, but be also furnlshsi i
parts Of these weapons for the trade.
He had accumulated q considerable
quantity OF walnut gun stocks, sawed
OUT to the shape desIrel. bat for SOM
reason they we're never u-ei in gun
making Tney we're atterE4rd used
As plcksts for fence, and there they
stand TO this day in orderly array
ali that Is left Of once apurishlns
business that had an iupDrttnt part
in the history OF Shepherdstown. Dr
William Sleetz WAS knoEG rar al
near as a splendid workman and Al
hoLest man in whom every conf ienc'
could be placed.
Mr.. Sles,z suffered another loss 10
gun. making materialiu peculiar way
When his business was in it's mos
a,urisling condition in the 6rst hal
of the last century the oll-tims flint
| - -...a-,I ma all ana n,