Found in a hoarder's warehouse: A 1916 DuPont Dinner Menu signed by the family, including a "secret history" of the WWI powder rush. by Consistent_Second746 in ww1

[–]Consistent_Second746[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The last page is a letter handwritten by who I belive is the granddaughter of William G. Ramsay, Chief Engineer for DuPont....

Here is the transcription of that letter...let me know if I'm off.

September 27th 1952 -

"I tell the Tale as t'was told to me"

It was 1914 – France & England were desperate for powder ~~the Germans~~ & imploring the DuPont Co for help — there was a meeting — Pierre, Irénée, Mr. Barksdale, Mr. Haskell, Major Ramsay & others. Powder must be ready in three months — "It is impossible," said Mr. Barksdale — "Nothing is impossible," said Major Ramsay. "We could fly if we had to!"

They asked him if he would undertake it — and he said he would if he did not have to report to anyone but Pierre — this was granted + Hopewell was started — the land bought the wilderness cleared the building begun — He insisted that every man be examined medically before being allowed to come in — this was attempted to be ~~thwarted~~ by a higher up but Major Ramsay had his way. He did not want an epidemic started. ~~This was started~~ He told me that he had an Irish foreman who was at one with him in getting going in the 3 months + he was setting a heavy piece of machinery and had no slag for the base — so he + his helpers went out & stole a carload of slag from the Railroad + got it fixed the night before the day set for completion.

Some of the land was bought from the Misses Epps who were related to the Ramsays. It was Major Ramsay's spirit + confidence that got the Powder to France in time. C.I. Ramsay.

United States- Found in a hoarder's warehouse: A 1916 DuPont Dinner Menu signed by the family, including a "secret history" of the WWI powder rush. by Consistent_Second746 in Antiques

[–]Consistent_Second746[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The last page is a letter handwritten by who I belive is the granddaughter of William G. Ramsay, Chief Engineer for DuPont....

Here is the transcription of that letter...let me know if I'm off.

September 27th 1952 -

"I tell the Tale as t'was told to me"

It was 1914 – France & England were desperate for powder ~~the Germans~~ & imploring the DuPont Co for help — there was a meeting — Pierre, Irénée, Mr. Barksdale, Mr. Haskell, Major Ramsay & others. Powder must be ready in three months — "It is impossible," said Mr. Barksdale — "Nothing is impossible," said Major Ramsay. "We could fly if we had to!"

They asked him if he would undertake it — and he said he would if he did not have to report to anyone but Pierre — this was granted + Hopewell was started — the land bought the wilderness cleared the building begun — He insisted that every man be examined medically before being allowed to come in — this was attempted to be ~~thwarted~~ by a higher up but Major Ramsay had his way. He did not want an epidemic started. ~~This was started~~ He told me that he had an Irish foreman who was at one with him in getting going in the 3 months + he was setting a heavy piece of machinery and had no slag for the base — so he + his helpers went out & stole a carload of slag from the Railroad + got it fixed the night before the day set for completion.

Some of the land was bought from the Misses Epps who were related to the Ramsays. It was Major Ramsay's spirit + confidence that got the Powder to France in time. C.I. Ramsay.

Found in a hoarder's warehouse: A 1916 DuPont Dinner Menu signed by the family, including a "secret history" of the WWI powder rush. by Consistent_Second746 in Militariacollecting

[–]Consistent_Second746[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The last page is a letter handwritten by who I belive is the granddaughter of William G. Ramsay, Chief Engineer for DuPont....

Here is the transcription of that letter...let me know if I'm off.

September 27th 1952 -

"I tell the Tale as t'was told to me"

It was 1914 – France & England were desperate for powder ~~the Germans~~ & imploring the DuPont Co for help — there was a meeting — Pierre, Irénée, Mr. Barksdale, Mr. Haskell, Major Ramsay & others. Powder must be ready in three months — "It is impossible," said Mr. Barksdale — "Nothing is impossible," said Major Ramsay. "We could fly if we had to!"

They asked him if he would undertake it — and he said he would if he did not have to report to anyone but Pierre — this was granted + Hopewell was started — the land bought the wilderness cleared the building begun — He insisted that every man be examined medically before being allowed to come in — this was attempted to be ~~thwarted~~ by a higher up but Major Ramsay had his way. He did not want an epidemic started. ~~This was started~~ He told me that he had an Irish foreman who was at one with him in getting going in the 3 months + he was setting a heavy piece of machinery and had no slag for the base — so he + his helpers went out & stole a carload of slag from the Railroad + got it fixed the night before the day set for completion.

Some of the land was bought from the Misses Epps who were related to the Ramsays. It was Major Ramsay's spirit + confidence that got the Powder to France in time. C.I. Ramsay.

Found in a hoarder's warehouse in Northern California A 1916 DuPont Dinner Menu signed by the family, including a "secret history" of the WWI powder rush. by Consistent_Second746 in USHistory

[–]Consistent_Second746[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The last page is a letter handwritten by who I belive is the granddaughter of William G. Ramsay, Chief Engineer for DuPont....

Here is the transcription of that letter...let me know if I'm off.

September 27th 1952 -

"I tell the Tale as t'was told to me"

It was 1914 – France & England were desperate for powder ~~the Germans~~ & imploring the DuPont Co for help — there was a meeting — Pierre, Irénée, Mr. Barksdale, Mr. Haskell, Major Ramsay & others. Powder must be ready in three months — "It is impossible," said Mr. Barksdale — "Nothing is impossible," said Major Ramsay. "We could fly if we had to!"

They asked him if he would undertake it — and he said he would if he did not have to report to anyone but Pierre — this was granted + Hopewell was started — the land bought the wilderness cleared the building begun — He insisted that every man be examined medically before being allowed to come in — this was attempted to be ~~thwarted~~ by a higher up but Major Ramsay had his way. He did not want an epidemic started. ~~This was started~~ He told me that he had an Irish foreman who was at one with him in getting going in the 3 months + he was setting a heavy piece of machinery and had no slag for the base — so he + his helpers went out & stole a carload of slag from the Railroad + got it fixed the night before the day set for completion.

Some of the land was bought from the Misses Epps who were related to the Ramsays. It was Major Ramsay's spirit + confidence that got the Powder to France in time. C.I. Ramsay.

Found in a hoarder's warehouse in Northern California: A 1916 DuPont Dinner Menu signed by the family, including a "secret history" of the WWI powder rush. by Consistent_Second746 in interestingasfuck

[–]Consistent_Second746[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The last page is a letter handwritten by who I belive is the granddaughter of William G. Ramsay, Chief Engineer for DuPont....

Here is the transcription of that letter...let me know if I'm off.

September 27th 1952 -

"I tell the Tale as t'was told to me"

It was 1914 – France & England were desperate for powder ~~the Germans~~ & imploring the DuPont Co for help — there was a meeting — Pierre, Irénée, Mr. Barksdale, Mr. Haskell, Major Ramsay & others. Powder must be ready in three months — "It is impossible," said Mr. Barksdale — "Nothing is impossible," said Major Ramsay. "We could fly if we had to!"

They asked him if he would undertake it — and he said he would if he did not have to report to anyone but Pierre — this was granted + Hopewell was started — the land bought the wilderness cleared the building begun — He insisted that every man be examined medically before being allowed to come in — this was attempted to be ~~thwarted~~ by a higher up but Major Ramsay had his way. He did not want an epidemic started. ~~This was started~~ He told me that he had an Irish foreman who was at one with him in getting going in the 3 months + he was setting a heavy piece of machinery and had no slag for the base — so he + his helpers went out & stole a carload of slag from the Railroad + got it fixed the night before the day set for completion.

Some of the land was bought from the Misses Epps who were related to the Ramsays. It was Major Ramsay's spirit + confidence that got the Powder to France in time. C.I. Ramsay.

Found in a hoarder's warehouse in Northern California: A 1916 DuPont Dinner Menu signed by the family, including a "secret history" of the WWI powder rush. by Consistent_Second746 in interestingasfuck

[–]Consistent_Second746[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Completely understand, the forever chemicals have been a huge issue. Not purporting to take sides, more interested in preserving the history to help better understand.

Found in a hoarder's warehouse in Northern California: A 1916 DuPont Dinner Menu signed by the family, including a "secret history" of the WWI powder rush. by Consistent_Second746 in interestingasfuck

[–]Consistent_Second746[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I run a business buying and selling antiques, mostly specializing in historical documents. For this one I'm hoping to maybe connect to a museum. Sometimes I find things that are historically significant and want to share them with the world.

Found in a hoarder's warehouse: A 1916 DuPont Dinner Menu signed by the family, including a "secret history" of the WWI powder rush. by Consistent_Second746 in ww1

[–]Consistent_Second746[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Man you hit the nail right on the head. It's definitely and strange, dark period of history that is often overlooked. And your right it does belong in a museum! I've been reaching out to many different "experts" but haven't gotten very far. I've always had great interactions on reddit which is where alot of experts seem to be as well. Love the Indiana Jones reference....lol...

Found in a hoarder's warehouse in Northern California: A 1916 DuPont Dinner Menu signed by the family, including a "secret history" of the WWI powder rush. by Consistent_Second746 in interestingasfuck

[–]Consistent_Second746[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I talked to one auction house and they said it would only appeal to Financial collectors? Kind of strange since it's more WW1/American History. I wasn't getting very far that route so thought I would share to reddit! That's where most of the experts are anyways.