Black painted canvas knapsack with "F. / 1st. P.V. / J. Conner" stencilled in white on outside. Belonged to John Conner of Co. F, 1st Pennsylvania Volunteers (Three Months), a company which originated in April 1861 from the Lancaster Fencibles.
Canvas with black waterproof finishe on outside. Machine sewn, squared corners with flaps at top sides that can be tied together to cover top opening. On back are four strips under which belts can be slid. Belt like a "Y"--two ends with holes from one strip that has 2 buckles at its end.
33" x 23.25" hemmed piece, centered along one long (33") edge and sewn to top back of case. Two 8.5-inch strips of twill tape sewn 7 inches apart in center of both 23.25" edges so this piece can fold over, completly covering the case and can be secured with ties.
Grand Army of the Republic badge. "In Union There Is Strength" on top pin. "D. H. Nissley Post, No. 478 / G. A. R. / Mount Joy, PA." G.A.R. emblem in center of badge. Badge is black with gold letters and gold braided trim on bottom with metal fringes.
Civil War veteran delegate badge, Grand Army of the Republic. "Delegate / Dept. of Penna. / Semiannual / Encampment / G.A.R. / Philadelphia / 1876." Blue with gold letters.
Cane or walking stick of hardwood with engraved gold handle. Shaft is round, tapered, ebonized wood. Handle is 3" long, tapered and 8-sided with a rounded crown. Metal fitted tip is missing.
Engraving on all sides of handle. Crown reads "Presented to Genl. Simon Cameron by the Employees of the LOCHIEL IRON WORKS as a mark of their high Appreciation of his Valuable Services in Favor of PROTECTION to American Industry." One facet of side depicts the U.S. Capitol with the slogan "LIBERTY AND PROTECTION." Opposite facet shows the Lochiel Iron Works building above the words "JUSTICE AND EQUALITY TO ALL MEN."
Lochiel Iron Works was organized in 1864. Cameron was one of the owners of the factory located along S. Cameron St. in Harrisburg. Cameron apparently championed some legislative protection for the iron industry, perhaps during his 2nd tenure as U.S. Senator, 1866-1877.
Provenance
Possession of the portrait by the Slaymaker family is probably due to the intermarriage of the Slaymaker and Cameron families. Cameron's niece (Jane Elizabeth Cameron Redsecker) married Colonel S.C. Slaymaker (1828-1894) on May 28, 1862. Then descent to widow of S.R. Slaymaker II.
Metal handle has multiple small dents, one split where the side meets the crown, and some light corrosion. Wood has moderate wear, esp. around tip. Wood has minor splitting near bottom. Tip is missing, adhesive residue remains.
Object ID
G.98.12.9
Notes
Simon Cameron became a strong advocate for the protection of the U.S. steel and iron industry against foreign imports. In appreciation, the workers at Lochiel Iron Works commissioned this cane as a gift for Cameron. The iron works was named Lochiel by Cameron to honor the Cameron family's ancestral Scottish home.
Credit
Gift of Mrs. S.R. Slaymaker II, Heritage Center Collection
Cane, black wood body with brass headcap. Engraved on end, "A Normal Tribute / D. M. Sensenig / Aug. 30, 1877" Wooden cane or walking stick with carving and metal adornment, smooth dark finish, tapers from .875 inches to .5 inches at bottom tip. Top 2 inches metal button top sloping in the encircle the .75 inch diameter cane. Intricate flourishes around base of button and between 4 petals pointing up from the base. 1.5 inch tip banded in white metal; .125 inches of metal tip shows.
Wood walking stick or cane with silver tip and cap. Four panels with text alternate with four panels decorated with ornate leaves. 1.5 in metal band nailed on at the botton. One nail missing.
cap is engraved: "By the Union Fire Co. / No. 1 Lancaster PA / Presented to Rev. A. H. Shertz / Feb. 25th, 1865 "
