Small ear of corn in a cylindrical Alka-Seltzer lidded bottle. Note inside states corn was raised by William Henry Alexander in 1861 in the Keylor Garden close to Hope School, near Kirkland in Colerain Township, during the summer he enlisted in the Union Army. Presented by Alexander's niece or nephew [Nibbis] L. Book.
Provenance
Corn in a bottle donated by niece? or nephew? Nibbis? L. Book.
Evidence of insect activity with holes, frass and missing kernels. Residue of tape adhesive on side of bottle.
Object ID
1942.007.2
Notes
The U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles has a record of a William H. Alexander, private, enlisting in Company 1, Pa. 12th Infantry Regiment on 25 Apr 1861. Mustered out on 05 Aug 1861 at Harrisburg, PA. Dates coincide.
A Cannon Pinion, 2 pieces (in a small circular metal container with lid.) Accompanying patent documentation in file). A part for inside a clock.
Cannon Pinion is the heart of the motion works. This piece translates the movement of the wheels on the back into the time keeping display on the front.
A "Galena 'Catwhisker' Wireless Detector" used in early crystal radio. Precision crystal detector with iron pyrite crystal, used in commercial wireless stations.
Mounted on a 3/5-inch square, .5-inch high with beveled edge. 2.5-inch glass tube secured between metal pieces. Screw on side of metal bracket can be removed to uncover the glass tube.
" We now offer to the most particular (wagon) builder a fifth-wheel with gear connections for drop center work which is ideal in every respect. ..has a connection for spring carrier to take the weight off the horse. Can be used on pole or shafts."
Internet: The term fifth wheel comes from a similar coupling used on four-wheel horse-drawn carriages and wagons. The device allowed the front axle assembly to pivot in the horizontal plane, to facilitate turning.
