Restoring A Piece of Family History

[Reb]

I've been working on this table for some time now. My grandmother gave it to me to re-finish a couple of months ago. With this semester coming to an end, I haven't had much time to work on it.

According to my grandmother. My great great grandmother, purchased this table used from a local auction around 1907ish (around the time my great grandfather was born). While sanding some of the grime off under the table top, I noticed a very faint stencil almost unreadable.



After many photo's and studying the lettering. I came up with a name and location
 J. ROBINGS
MEDORA IL

Medora  (population around 400)  is a small farming community about 10 miles from my hometown of Shipman IL (population 600)

Anyway, did some research on the internet and found an article from a newspaper  dated OCT 7 1897

FLAMING HAVOC AT MEDORA.

EIGHTEEN BUILDINGS BURNED IN THE BUSINESS CENTER -- SEVERAL PERSONS HURT.

Medora, Il., Oct. 7. -- Fire broke out at 3 a.m. yesterday in the rear of Robings hardware store, spread rapidly, and in two hours had destroyed that building and seventeen others adjoining, practically wiping out the business portion of the town and causing an extimated loss of $100,000; insurance one-half. The principal losses are as follows:
J. Robings, $6,000.
Bank of Medora, $8,000.
T. L. Loper & Co., $2,500.
T. A. Loomis, $6,000.
A. Steed, $7,000.
Several persons were more or less seriously burned and bruised while trying to rescue goods from the stores.
Among them are:
C. W. TIETSART, severely burned on hand.
W. T. ROACH, hands burned, will probably lose one hand.
W. F. KELLER, severely burned about the face.
JOE DRENNAN, hurt by a falling piano.
E. E. PEEBLE, bruised and burned.
DR. J. E. WALTON, cut by flying glass.
Before being discovered the fire got such a start that the citizens of the town, which has a population of 1,500, had hard work in getting the flames under control.

I have some idea now that the table pre-dates 1897 before the fire occurred. 104+ years of my family's history is imbedded into the wood. Cigarette/cigar burns and etched knife marks scare a majority of the leafs and table top. Some people might think it would be necessary to sand all the blemishes out. I personally have been doing my best to preserve them. A reminder of the good time that happened through the ages at the dinner table.









The original stain was a very dark walnut. I'm switching it to a lighter pecan colored stain. I have finished all 6 of the table leaves. Still working on hand-sanding the leg ends before I stain the table

[hotglue #43]

Cool!!!!
Reb... don't sand off the writing....

[Dubsvalk]

Awesome, Reb!
Dubs

[bigguy]

Do you folks NOT watch Antiques Road Show?
Value of table with original finish - 6 trillion dollars*
Value of table with new finish - 6 dollars.





* Value figure estimate based on photo and Jeremy Clarkson hyperbole valuation guide.

[old2soon]

I'm thinking preserving a family heirloom takes presedence over bucks.  Looks real good to me. IF that table could talk!! RIDE SAFE.

[hubcapsc]

[The Anvil]

IF that table could talk!!

...you'd never eat dinner off of it again.

[Bob E.]

That's cool.  I have an old farmhouse kitchen table in my basement that was my great grandmother's.  Without any of the leafs in it, is just a round table.  But I have a stack of about 10 leafs leaning up in the corner that go with it that would stretch it out quite a bit.  Its pretty wobbly and is painted an ungly greenish color (non of the leafs are painted).  So I was thinking I'd like to refurbish it one day.

[hal47]

Enjoyed your story Reb,the value is in the memories. Best wishes over the holidays.

[Tim H]

Nice job Preston.  Now you'll have a nice piece to pass along to your family, and since you did the research someone else will care about it.  Although it might be a good idea to write down your findings and attach them to the underside of the table so that down the road it won't be forgotten.  So many pieces in my family have some story behind them, but seldom things get written.  After it becomes 2 generations old no one knows where it comes from and it becomes just a item.  Your work has helped this table survive many years longer.

[fudgie]

Wow thats cool.  I like finding history on stuff.

[Flat6Valk]

you are very fortunate to have such a great piece of family history to have, use, and display.  a family treasure for sure.