Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-09-30


the old defunct saw mill were lined with
spectators. No doubt there was much
chatting and cheap wit leveled at the old
tub that "Crazy Rumsey" expected 10
hump along with washkettle. Strange
TO say, the boat, without paddles or poles,
was propelled up and down the current
with rapidity sufficient TO astoniSh the na-
tives. Likely enough Rumsey walked
up the long hill with his head feelingvery
large and found difficulty in getting if into
the little Lighthouse home where he re-
sided, on the site now occupied by Miss
Brotherton. They do whisper down the
aisle OF time that he was not averse to
that other route for caputal enlargement,
that his name at times was very appropri-
ate, as Maryland Rum in those days was
the usual route to the joys of exhilaration
and intoxication. Temperance was not
so much vaunted as today, for patriotism,
the crowning virtue OF that age, seems,
like modern politics, to need spiritual
stimulation, which made the latter very
popular and prevalent; and possibly
Rumsey found it was a convenient fuel TO
be used in getting up steam.
The experiment being satisfactory,
Rumsey went TO Philadelphia, where
society was formed to further his impor-
tant invention, its president being none
other than that pinnacle of wisdom and
economical foresight, old Ben Franklin.
We are not told what kind Of send-ott
was given by Poor Richard in his famous
almanac TO the missionaries OF steam
power. Likely it was safe and non-com-
initial. Old Ben should have made the
witticism, "Don't prophesy until you
know" But faith was large and the
fund required quite small, SO they sent
Rumsey to London TO inquire into the
steam engine as used thereabout in sta
tionary hosting and to perfect his model
for water locomotion. For three years
he worked there, making, by the way,
that most important invention OF the tu-
bular boiler, used even unto this day.
Here he met young Robert Fulton, then
studying painting under the famous Ben
iamin West. Fulton became intimate
with Rumsey-hiS models and plans
and seeing more hopeful pictures OF sue
cess in steam than in paint, he turned his
attention 10 the latter and crowned the
invention with success after his friend
Rumsey's death. Being last IN the game,
he raked in all the cards, honors and
stakes, and stamped his name as the pc
culiar genius Of the age of steam. About
this question OF precedence it must be
noted that RumseY had a controversy
with the Kentuckian, John Fitch, who
claimed that RumSey purloined the idea
and plan from him in colloquy at Win
chester, Va, in 1881. This was settled
by the Legislature of New York in legal
Investigation, and the patent applied for
by both was granted to Rumsey.
Never had any great worker for the
good OF mankind such heroic struggle
with adverse tate as had poor RumSey.
BY much labor and sacrifice he had an
other and larger boat constructed for
trial on the Thames at London, and now
felt himself on the eve OF SucceSS-he
should have his triumph and be hailed as
a second Prometheus bringing down 10
earth new fire and force for the service
of man. He was solicited 10 lecture on
his model before the Society OF Art at the
Adelphia, in Liverpool. Going thither,
he was confronted with a metropolitan
audience that atastonished the lonely dream
er from the wids of the Western Hems-
phere. So startled was he that ere he
could speak he was stricken with apo
plexy, and was carried away speechless,
to die the next day.
Thus have Fulton and The Hudson
claimed and carried off the honor Of the
Unsuccessful application ofsteam, though
not perhaps belonging strictly TO either,
for long before steamer had run out Of
the Clyde, as also earlier still in French
waters. Yet, from its peculiar history,
Rumsey and the Potomac here should
have special interest and fame in the an
nails of steam locomotion. But il is usual
for the North to assert precedence and
superiority in every way, and strangely
oblivious 10 the fact that its religion and
science both came from Southern and
Semetic sources. The first from the Jew,
the second from the Arabian. Nor was
art indigenous in the Arctic Zone. The
telescope is from Galilee and Italy, and
from the same place came the modern
discoveries in electricity, through the
work OF Galvani, while we OF the Saxon
race only credit Italy with the hand-organ
and opera ditties. Honor 10 whom honor
is due. Surely the work and devotion OF
poor "Crazy Rumsey" merit some mon
ument or commemoration. Steam has
changed the face Of the world, so the
triumph which human genius gained over
the dumb force OF nature in thus con-
quering and consecrating il 10 the service
of man should deserve loftier column
than those which blazon the names Of
Caesar, Napoleon or other ambitious mur-
derers Of mankind.
Nor could this old town have done IL
self brighter honor than 10 rear such a
column on the peak OF cliff overlooking
Rumsey's walk and the scene of the first
steamboat trial, and thereupon manfully
and truthfullY assert its claim as the spot
whereat modern civilization and all the
grandeurs of this age had their birth
though it be sad boast, for the material
advantages have never been brought here
by the railway or steamboat; in fact,