Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-12-30
Ancient Sword and
Pair Duelling Pistols

AllClCllI OWOI "a dllu
Pair Duelling Pistols
Ordered. that there be paid to Mrs. l..
Treble OF birmingham, Mass, from
the contingent fund of the Governor
and Council the sum OF s. for a brace
of pistols and sword presented to Cap
tain Samuel Squirting of Cranberry
Island, state of Maine. by the Ameri
can merchants at Trinidad dc Cuba in
testimony OF the high opinion they en-
te-tained Of his gallantry and good
conduct in rcpellng and defeating d
piratica! vessel off the harbor of
Trinidad on the us; OF January. 1875
thereby not only preserving his own
vessel but those of several Of his coun-
trymen; and that these memcntos OF Il
gallant Maine sailor be kept in the mu-
, scum of the state to preserve for his
countrymcn these testimonials of his
valor and encourage them to follow his
example in times of danger.
The above order passed by the En-
ecutive Council brings out 4 very in
tcresting story. The pistols and
sword mentioned have for some years
been in the State House first in the
possession Of the adjutant generals
department. having been sent to the
state. as told in 4 letter to be men
TONED further along, by a Chicago
man who was disposing of the effects
of a well-known Maine man, their
owner and who had died suddenly in
Chicago. with no known relatives.
The whereabout of the pistols and
| sword later became known to reIa-
tives Of the former owner. who
sought TO secure them but we're un-
successful. a letter was a short time
| ago received by Oberon o. Stetson. o
prominent Grand Army man Of this
city. which follows and tells its own
story:
obcron O. stetscn.
! Dear Sir:
! Soma years since Mr.. Roberts Of Chi
cago sent to the State House q pair Of
! pistols and sword hcon eng formerly
+! TO my father Captain Samuel Squirting,
I Cranberry Isle Ne. Vi, brother, Gen
Andrew B. Squirting. had them in his
! possession. He died suddenly with 4
| shock Mr.. Roberts. not knowing the
| whereabouts of the Generals family,
sent them to tho State House. Augusta.
The adjutant general seems or did sceI1
| unwilling to give them UP. thinkin !;
them in a very good place &c perpetual e
| the name of Squirting.
/ 1 am IS, poor woman. the daughter
OF the said Captain Samuel Squirting.
| rel,
J would sell Them in order to help my
! self. Seeing Your name in a paper il,
why address YOU. ! worn for my liv-
| ing at different places. A note adj
dressed to me at South street Franz
| ingham. will reach me.
! The aged veterans are RAISING away
God bless the remainder. May they live
many years and see this dreadful war
! ended and all countries at peace
Respectfully.
MRS. Z. rreb,e
Thank You
! The above order was III result of this
\ letter
Tho pistols are Of The old OH style
! fucjlIng pistols. made by the T. Ket-
! land & Co. London. "A famous firm in
4 that line. They are in handsome box
ami have with them all the thcn known
, accessories for Il complete OUTFIT. The
| workmanship is Of the finest the bar
rels being inlaid i'll places with gold
The sword appears TO be Z very VAL
: Va bic one. II bears the name "trdria
/ Ferrara- 1856 Tho hit is Of iVocr.
with silver guard and trimmings and tire
( handsome scahhard is silver mounted.
The blade is long and straight and as
\ flexible as it is POSSIBLE to imagine steel
/ can Re. 1t is as bright and smooth rs
when made, showing the wonderful
! quality of tie metal. Nothing is known
the possession OF a Maine sea captain III
1872 through events we'll told in inscrip-
tons which arc Identical on both tho
I cover OF the pistol case and tho sword
/ guard, as follows:
Presented to Captain Samuel Squirting
! OF the schooner Cashier Of Cranberry
Island, state of Maine. by the America II
merchants at Triricia1 ii. Cuba in testi-
mony of the high opinion they enter
| tanned OF his EaIlantry AMI good con-
! cal vessel of tho haroor OF Trinidad N
the 2fst of Januarr, 1879, thereby not
! only preserving his own vessel but
. those of several Of his countrynen.
: Could they but speak, each OF the
articles would thrilling tales unfold.