The Material Legacy

Shop Tools

These tools belonged to my father prior to 1920. Some of them came from my grandfather who died in 1913.

• anvil
• Cold chisels, punch
• Rachet brace
• Ships auger bit
• Small claw hammer
• Carpenter's square (2′)
• Two hand saws (cross cut)
• Oil stone
• Block plane
• Carpenter level (wooden)
• Carpenter chisel (⅜″)

Thread Box

This is the sort of box commonly used in stores which sold spools of thread during the nineteenth century.

This particular box was left by former owners in a ranch house (the Taft house) we moved into when I was about two years old (1915). It was used by me to keep small toys. The ranch was located at Indian Prairie, near Spokane, Washington.

A penciled note on the back of the lower drawer reads: Save this box for Mrs. Taft if empty any time in 11/17/1891.

I removed the old finish, made a new front for the lower drawer of red oak, turned and painted wooden knobs for the lower drawer to match the original black Bakelite knobs on the upper drawer, and applied clear finish.

The box has been used by my wife, Bea, as a jewelry box.

Desk Lamp

Flexible (goose neck) study lamp was purchased for my use when I enrolled at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in September 1931. The dark green color was chosen to harmonize with the green stained dormitory furniture. For two school years I lived in Room 202, Tarrant House, Adams Hall on the university campus.

The lamp was used by me during four student years and subsequently in all the various roominghouses until I entered the army in March of 1941. After the war it continued as part of our household, but was not used so much. During the past few years it has served as an auxillary shop light in the basement.

The electrical cord was replaced once.

Dagger – Civil War

Taken from the body of a Confederate soldier (killed in action) by Joseph Cardinal (soldier in Union cavalry).

Child's Dishes

This set of china is a small tea set for children to play with. There are also two pewter castors.

These items belonged to my mother, Lillie Strahl Cardinal, and date back to her childhood in the 1880's. I do not know exactly how or when she got them, but they were among her prized possessions.

Butcher's Clever with sword handle

Used in Napolean's army.

The sword handle was probably a replacement, used instead of a regular handle because no other was available.

It was later found in a Wisconsin blacksmith's trash pail.

The rescuer brought it home and his wife used it to cut kindling. (Early 1800's.)

It travelled with them to Washington [state] and back, when it got its real workout chopping wood (1930's).

Diary

Gilbert H. Cardinal

Mostly during War with Spain (1898). He served in Porto Rica [sic].)

Pocket Knife

This knife was given to me by my grandmother, Mary Ann Johnston Cardinal, for Christmas 1920 when I was seven.

One side of the handle is marked Alton Cardinal, Green Bay, Wis. On the other side is a picture of me taken on my seventh birthday, April 10, 1920, at Oneida, Wis. The picture was damaged by me while removing rust with kerosene.

Shop Tools

Acquired by me during high school years (1927-31) or before.

• Work bench (made for me by my father)
• Vise
• Claw hammer (marked Alty on handle)
• Push drill (Mr. Punch)
• Auger bits for brace (6/16″, 8/16″, 10/16″)
• Countersink bit
• Twist bit (¼)
• Brace
• Marking guage
• Try square
• Large screw driver (square shank, wood handle) (bought for me by my Uncle Sam Cardinal)
• Screw driver set (3 in 1)
• Wooden handle containing may tools
• Jack plane
• Carpenter chisels (½″ ¾″)
• Spoke shave
• Hand cranked grinder