Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-05-24
Shepherdsovn Jefferson County, Virginia Thursday, May

time interest in the forthcoming test of
"crazy Rumsey's flying boat" had been
aroused TO high pitch. Asudden freeze
in the river compelled further delay of
the test.
In March, 1886, the machinery was
placed in the boat for the purpose Of
trial trip TO test her new tubular boiler,
which Rumsey had constructed during the
winter. The trial was made at night.
with no one on board save Rumsey, his
brothers-iu-law, Joseph Barnes and Chas.
Morrow, DR.. McMechen and Francis
Hamilton, the latter taking the helm.
The trial was successful, the craft steam
ing up the river at fair speed against a
strong current But RumSey'S usual ill
fortune pursued him. for just as the boat
was about 10 complete the journey de-
feet became apparent in the boiler, and II
finally collapsed, the occupants OF the
boat being compelled 10 guide it TO the
landing with poles placed against the
bottom OF the river. This necessitated
another postponement OF the public trial.
The inventor found il impossible 10 un-
denake the construction OF a new and
costly boiler until the following SUMMER
1876. Rumsey was wholly dependent
upon his earning as secretary and super
intendent OF the Potomac Improvement
Company, and the demands upon his
purse incident 20 the construction OF the
boat and the machinery had practically
exhausted his resources. The MINIS
pride, stung by The open derlslon OF the
uneducated and the plying demeanor OF
his friends, forbade him seeking assist
auce but, urged into activity by the exl-
gencieS OF the situation, he sought and
obtained leave OF absence from his duties
upon the river and bent his energies to-
ward the construction OF new boiler.
In this work he was aided by Joseph
Barnes, whose devotion 10 the inventor
forms one OF the most remarkable features
of the development OF the steamboat.
Together the men succeeded IN getting
the boat in trim for the long-delayed
public test, and time was fixed for the
trial. Rumsey was not yet 10 realize his
ambition, however, for few days before
the time appointed sudden rise in the
river brought down mass OF floating
debris which struck the craft at her
mooringS, tore her loose and carried her
down the river 10 the jagged rocks, upon
which she was cast wreck.
Undaunted by repeated failures, un-
moved by the mockerY OF his fellow
townsmen or the rebuffs which beset his
every step, RumseY faced this critical
period in his fortunes with that indom-
liable AM unflinching courage which
characterized his whole career Although
impoverished by this latest calamity, he
yet set TO work 10 repair his boat and re-
place the machinery. Again he was aid
ed by Barnes. and their united efforts
succeeded in restoring the craft 10 con-
dition which would permit the announce
ment OF day tor the trial. In Septem-
Der. 1887, the boat was taken up the
stream to Shepherdstown, and when the
last detail OF repairs has been completed
il was announced that the public exhlbi-
ton would take place on the river in front
of the town on December 3. The news
spread rapidly throughout that section,
and when the hour arrived the Virginia
bank OF the Potomac was lined with an
eager multitude.
The late Congressman A. r. Boteler,
OF Shepherdstown, whose life spanned
the period between 1915 and 1892, and
who, perhaps, devotedm more time and effort
TO establishing the fame Of Rumsey than
any other man. was personally acquainted
in his youth with many OF those who
witnessed the trial trip OF Rumsey's boat,
and heard from their lips the incidents OF
that remarkable occurrence. Among
those who were present when the inVen-
Tor moved up the stream in his boat are
mentioned Mrs. Ann Baker, Mrs. Eleanor
Shepherd, Major Henry Bedinger. Capt.
Jacob Haines, Michael Fouke and Peter
Fisher. Congressman Boteler has left a
graphic account OF the incidents Of the
day, which is here given in part:
although more than century has
now elapsed since that memorable day
December3, 1787-when it was first dem
onstrated TO the public that an effective
plan TOR steam propulsion had been in
vented, il is not difficult for those familiar
with the physical features Of the locality
where il occurred to form proximate
idea Of the scene as il then appeared,
with the attendant circumstances Of the
occasion, for the meddlesome hand OF
modern improvement has not yet done
much to mar the general aspect Of The
quaint old town and its picturesque sur
roundings. It's rocky cliffs, which rise
for more than hundred feet above the
southern bank OF the river, are as I'M
changed, with the exception Of passage
way at one point for railroad, in their
tilne-tinted ruggedness and romantic as
sociations, as on that eventful day.
"The day was beautiful one. On
rocky knoll near the cliff, and beneath the
sheltering branches Of clump OF cedars
which formed natural canopy Of ever
greens above them, was group OF ladies'
and gentlemen whose names, being iden-
titled with the occasion, may properly be
mentioned here. The most conspicuous
figure in the group was that OF HoratIo
Gates, late msjor-general IN the Cont
nenIaI Army, and at that time residing on
his Travellers Rest estate, five miles
from Shepherdstown. BY the side Of
General Gates was Major Henry Bedin-