Evening star., 1938-02-01

Steigel built himself q home which
took two years to complete. In one
part he built chapel where he liked
to preach sermons to his people. On
the roof Of his house he built q bal
cony where musicians, paid by him,
played on every and any occasion.
Here he lived like feudal baron, de-
naanding and giving q great deal.
"ELIzABETH FURNACE" still con-
tinued to do = thriving business
but development in the new town of
Mannheim seemed . bit slow to the
dynamic baron. He felt there was q
need for = bustling industry to keep
the town going. So he decided to
erect q glass factory. Glassmaking
was the principal trade in the region
in which Stiegel was born. 1t is
possible that he had received techni-
cal training in his youth, but in any
case he showed great understanding
and appreciation when his own fac
tory was started He made several
trips and brought back skilled glass
workers from Germany and Bristol,
England. Work began in the new
factory in 1853 and here the first fine
flint glass was made in America. The
business prospered, and Stiegel glass
was sold in all the principal cities. In
1869 Stiegal bought out the Stedman
brothers share in Mannheim and was
reputed to be the wealthiest man in
Pennsylvania. He did his utmost to
live up to this reputation and as his
prosperity increased his lavish mode of
living increased proportionately. That
he spent unwisely is no doubt true,
but he also was the Lord Bountiful to
his dependents, giving them religious,
musical and intellectual instruction
and setting up for their protection
probably the first welfare association
in this country.
Finally the evil days came. Threat
ening war stopped all business Stiegal
tried to save his interests but men he
had trusted failed him and he was
forced into bankruptcy and debtors
prison. He was finally released, and
by selling his glassworks and all his
real estate he satisfied his creditors.
For a time Government orders for
cannon kept Elizabeth Furnace" run
ming day and night, but when those
stopped he faced the same ruinous
situation again. Finally he sold every
thing and settled down in tiny house
near the Furnace" to keep books for
the factory, teach school and do
bit OF surveying. He later died and
was buried in an unmarked grave.
Fantastic and tragic as his life
story may be. he left monument to
his effort and good taste in the many
pieces Of fine glass that remain. Beau
tiful in design and proportion, in
workmanship it is also excellent. Its
soft color and deep surface polish
make it outstanding today. It sets
a high standard that is yardstick for
all modern effort.
There is now great. new interest
in glass. Fine artists with small fac
tories under their management are
trying again to achieve the quality
and individuality that we love in these
old pieces. Modern factories are turn
ing out fine new things and are find
ing . ready market. The Baron
would have considered his struggles
well worth this new appreciation.
II you have any question to ask
regarding interior decoration. fur
niture. ETC., write to Margaret
Novel; in care Of the Woman's
Page Of The Evening Star, and
the answer will appear in her Sat-
urday column as quickly Is space
permits.