Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1921-12-01
James Rumsey and His Steamboat.
Miss Mynna Thruston in the Spring.
field Republican.

we leave Maryland and pass in'o
West Virginia, all tourists notice a
beautiful monument high up on the
cliff before them that overhoks the
river far below. This graceful white
shaft seems 10 rise from the leafy
foliage that surrounds quaint and pic
turesoue old shepherds Town."
where the first settlement in West Vir-
ginia was made, as early as 1920.
This monument was erected TO do
honor to Shepherdstown's most dis
tinguished citizen, James Rumsey, who
made the first steamboat in the world
that moved up the river without sail
or oar in 1887. He may not have been
the first person to conceive such a
thing was possible, but he was the
first no successfully accomplish it.
For three years he worked steadily
on his invention, 'often walking in
deep thought on the cliff where now
his monument stands, until il became
known as "Rumsey's Walk" His life
was SO tragic that it makes one hope
that some of the things that happen
on earth are known and that James
Rumsey has knowledge of the ocean
liners that cross from continent to
continent, due to his tireless work
for many years, under every kind of
encouragement that ever befell an in
ventor.
This man of great genius was born
in Maryland, in Cecil county. of
English parents, and came to Shepherds
twn when boy with his family. He
began his work on the steamboat after
his marriage to Miss Morrow, of this
town, and his final success was hasten
ed by the loyalty of two brother-in-
aws-Capt. John Morrow and Joseph
Barnes, when many people called him
"crazy" Rumsey." Maj Henry Bed
niger, one of Shepherdstown's most
educated citizens, also gave him his
sympathy and encouragement, as well
as valued friendship.
His little family required all his
efforts, as his means were small. but
he never failed TO give all the time
he could spare to his invention. At last
on December Sd, 1887, he considered
his steamboat was ready TO move up
the Potomac river. His boiler con-
sisted OF large iron kettle, used so
much in those days for cooking. On
board his steamboat were many in
vited guests, principally women, his
brotherin-law, Capt. Morrow, and Gen.
Horatio Gates, the only men in the
company, while hundreds of spectators
lined the banks Of the river. His
boat glided smoothly and gracefully
up the river, then was turned and
came safely back to shore, much to
the wonder and establishment Of all
who beheld it.
His work seemed ended when il
indeed had just begun. There remain
ed to make his invention OF practical
use. for it was hard to induce people
to believe of what great value it was.
His success also made him enemies,
although Gen. Washington ndorsed
his invention personally. One Of his
rivals heard from fellow-engineer in
Kentucky that James Rumsey was try
ing to make boat move by steam, and
he came to Shepherdstown in disguise,
found out where his workshop was and
spied through knothole in the boards
on Rumsey and his brother-in-law, Mr..
Barnes. as they worked on il.
The citizens Of the town found out
his errand and would have tarred and
feathered him before he left if Mai.
BedinRer had not stopped them with
wise advice. This man was his great
est enemy, for he built a steamboat
after his visit to Shepherdsnwn that
never moved up any river. but he
claimed it would do so and that he
was the hrst inventor of a steamboat.
James Rumsey was without means to
push his invention enough to have
the old way of moving boats aban-
doned and the new one adopted. He
went to Philadelphia, where he found
much interest displayed by Benjamin
Franklin, who became the president OF
the Rumsian society land there is
still this society in Shepherdstown to-
day.
Rumsey's jealous rivals defeated
every effort of his 10 get patents in
the different States for his invention
with the exception of a few, including
the Ctofe oe U;ro;.:o