At Weeks End
Along toward the end of July Allen County Historical Societys summer meeting will pique the interest of anyone who has a bit of adventure in their soul.
Presentations will delve into metal detecting, a hobby which has all of us who follow it thinking we have some of some of the blood of Indiana Jones coursing our veins.
A chap from near Fort Scott, who has great expertise in finding lost coins and other pieces of metal, will be the main speaker. I have been asked to join in.
My task will be to give the program a local flavor.
Although I have not yet completely decided on my approach, it will contain at least two components looking into early Allen County history.
I mentioned here a few of weeks ago about finding what may be the sites of three cabins connected to the Vegetarian Colony, a short-lived (about a year) scattering of pioneers who moved in near the Neosho River south of Humboldt. They came to establish a settlement, but drought, ill-prepared support by organizers they may have perpetrated a scam and Indians keen on visiting the settlers gardens and fields spelled disaster for the colony.
The wagoneers came in 1855 and within a year many had died. Of those still living, most pulled together what they had and headed back to whence they came as fast as ox carts would take them.
Of the three possible cabin sites, one has produced two hand-forged spikes, a small decorative hinge, a flange of like origin and shards of salt-glazed pottery, which may date to the early 1800s. I have found nothing with a date attached or otherwise categorically diagnostic, but I think its only a matter of time. Perhaps by late July Ill have something in hand to give me more confidence in the particular site that has my attention.
Ive hunted with a metal detector since the 1970s and, as anyone given that much time would, Ive found many coins.
What I find more interesting nowadays are artifacts that date back as far as the 19th century. Among those are some connected to the Civil War.
Ive found a number of Minié balls, the bullet of choice for muzzle-loading rifles during the war between the states.
The Minié ball, similar in configuration to modern bullets, had grooves that were filled grease. Many had a conical base. Those features improved accuracy in smooth-bore rifles and increased velocity. Typical round balls also were used in the Civil War. I have found those, as well.
The Minié ball was developed in the 1830s by Claude-Etienne Minié, a Frenchman. Millions were manufactured and fired during the Civil War.
I also will bring to the ACHS meeting a brass tube, somewhat of a rarity, that was used by both Union and Confederate forces to tighten tent ropes.
Date of the meeting will be announced later.
