I work at Jauquet Lumber Co. in Greenbay, Wis. Around 1900, they
were a logging company: Cleerman & Jauquet Logging in Newald,
Wis.
We are unsure but think the gadget in the photos was used to
measure logs for sawing. The total length is 66 feet; 64 feet 9
inches minus the handles and the first (short) link. The links are
connecting links. Nine charms in five different designs hang off
this gadget. They are 79 inches apart. The center link (or charm)
is round and made of brass, and has “Chesterman, Sheffield,
England” stamped on it and “J.C.” in the center. The first link
attached to the handles is only 2-1/2 inches long, 7-1/2 inches
including the handle. The characters “4P” are stamped on the end of
the handle. Can anyone tell us what this is and how it works?
– John Lemke
N. 4953 Hintz Road
Krakow, WI 54137
(920) 899-8989
Editor’s note:An item currently on display
at the Kansas Museum of History and Kansas State Historical
Society, Topeka, Kan., may answer this question. The item is part
of the exhibit “Beyond Lewis and Clark: The Army Explores the
West,” which ends Aug. 14, 2005. Within the collection is a
Gunter’s Surveyor’s chain set, an item quite similar to John
Lemke’s photos. The exhibit’s tag states: Gunter’s surveyor’s chain
set with pins and flags, circa 1800. Used to measure land, the
chain could be stretched up to 66 feet, held in place by the pins,
and marked with the flags.
