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155 Years Old

155 Years Old image
Parent Issue
Day
18
Month
December
Year
1896
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Probate judge-elect Xewkirk s quite a collector of curios, and has in his posi session a number of interesting relieof various descriptions. Among them is a Turkish seimiter once belonging to Millard Fillmore, president of the United States. Mr. Jiewkirk's motiier was a niece of President Fillmore, and through her Mr. Xewkirk receives this family relie. Tlie scimiter wai presented to Mr. Fillmore in 1854, at Cairo, Egypt, by an oflicer in the Egyptian army. It is of the shape and style so familiar on the badges worn by the members of the order of the Knights of the Mystic Shrine. The curved handle is beautifully inlaid with mother ofpearl, and the blade for about four inches from the handle, inlaid with gold. On either side of the scimiter, inlaid in gold letters, is an Arabic inscription. An Arab, who traveled in this ceuntry lecturing a few years ago, I was much interested in this relie, and translated these inscriptions for Mr. Xewkirk. According to his translation one side reads, " Made for a willing hand," the other side, "To be used in the cause of justiee " The date on the blade is 1119, which is the Mohammedan date, reckoning from Hegira, or flight of Mohammed from Mecca. which occurred A. D.,622. This would bring the date, according to our method, of reckoning, 1741, and make the scimiter 155 years old. The scabbard is wooden, covered with thin sheets of brass. and is indented from the saddle or spurs, showing that it has been in actual service. This is one of many interesting relies in the possession of Judge Xewkirk, but perhaps the most interesting one of the collection, because of its cpnaection with one who has oceupied the highest office within the gift of the American people.

Article

Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Democrat