Evening star., 1933-10-15

"To the general visitor to the dead
letter Office" says an article in The
Museum of the Dead ber M 10, 1853,
r.++.r n%n. 'the most in
'eA o0e' teresting fea-
ture is its museum, composed Of an al
most endless variety of articles many Of
them rare and curious, that have been
collected from the mails and remained
unclaimed. These articles are very
tastefully arranged in large cabinets,
of the reception room. In one cabinet
there is fine collection of fireworks. a
specimen Of lava from the California
lava beds, the inside works of clock,
and several varieties Of pipes, embracing
the common corn cob and the Indian
pipe of peace. Adjoining the pipes are
tambourines enough to supply the end
men of q modern minstrel show, and
alongside this Is q sample card Of
horn combs.
Above these is complete outfit for
a cavalier, provided he owns his own
horse. There is a saddle, bride, curry
comb and brush, tenders, driving gloves,
saddle blanket, halter, and even q
hitching post, with a set of sleigh bells
for good measure. Many of the articles
were evidently intended as souvenirs and
presents, such as beautiful tidy of
homemade lace, a gorgeous table cover
of varied -colored silk, and other articles
of needlework. A pair of Indian moe
casins are next to q carpenters rule,
and adjoining it is an old shoe, much
worn and run down at the heel. In
the collection are dishes Of different
kinds from a large steak dish down to
the most diminutive sauce plate.
"A variety of pistols, big and little,
revolvers and derringers, one of which
was, when the package was opened.
found to be loaded, are in the collec-
ton. Among the many other articles
taken from the mails are several old
Army cartridge boxes. old and much
worn horseshoes, a pair Of stirrups, par
lor skates, engraving plates, mask,
set of old teeth. several dental instru-
ments, q silver watch, samples of barbed
wire fences, several hand saws, ther-
mometer, bottles of medicine, hatchet,
an old faded umbrella. shoe lasts, cook
ing. uteAsils, a common old gripsack
and many agricultural implements.
Among the most curious articles Of
the collection are q human skull, seven
teen snakes Of different sizes, now pre-
served in alcohol, but which were alive
and wriggling when taken from the
mails; several tarantulas, which were
also mailed living; horned frogs, butter
flies and insects, several alligators, liz
ards and scorpions, cows hOof, q pet
rlf1ed human ear, an eagles claw,
stuffed animals and birds, fine COL
lection of geological specimens and a
variety Of agricultural products. There
are also q number of Confederate notes
and bonds, a collection of stamps, and
numerous shells from different quarters
Of the globe.
I'm this museum are many things of
great value. For instance, there is
beautiful and costly casket full Of gold
nuggets, just as they were taken from
the mines, and some fine jewelry. There
is medallion containing a portrait
painted many years ago, the intrinsic
value of which must be considerable.
in dimension the Lords Prayer is writ
ten in fifty-four different languages 1t
is executed with the highest skill and
must have been the work Of many weary
days. Another parchment contains the
certificate Of character Of q German
grocer's clerk. This writing. according
to the date, was executed in Germany
ninety nine years ago.
"Then there is the first record of the
dead letter office, kept by Benjamin
Franklin, written by himself and con-
tanning list of the valuable letters re-
ceived from 1777 to 1778. There is
collection Of old coins, one of which Is
lated $40 BIC; some exquisite specimens
Of hand painting, a quill pen orna-
mented by the work of an artist, pieces
of china beautifully and artistically
embellished and two boxes Of wedding
cake"