Hello from Hazard!
At last! One brave reader hazard-ed a guess on Item No. 834. Henry Wellhausen of New Castle, Pa., says it looks like a hog ringer, the tool used to place a ring in the snout of a pig so it wouldn’t root in the ground.
Since the individual submitted the photo didn’t know how it was used, and, after three weeks in print, no one else answered our plea, we’ll go with Henry’s answer. Thanks, Henry!
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Story Continues Below Photos
We received four quick responses to Item No. 835, and I’m sure more will follow after this section goes to press.
It is a candleholder, sometimes called a “sticking tommy” or “tommy sticker.” The round portion held a small wax candle and the pointed end was stuck into a mantle or wall. There’s also a hook in the middle that was used to hook over an object like a chair or desk, rather than just sticking the holder into a wall.
When used by a miner, the point was driven into a timber or rock to provide light.
Claude Collins of Norton, Ohio, knew right away what it was because he collects them and has several different styles. Josh Willis of Cadiz, Ohio; Les Howell of Beach City, Ohio; and Dave Mail of Kent, Ohio, also knew how Item No. 835 was used.
Our thanks to these readers, and to Joseph Yanice of Mineral City, Ohio, who submitted the photo.
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Item No. 836 is another item shared by Les Howell. They may all look different, but they share the same use. What is it?
Write to: Hazard a Guess, P.O. Box 38, Salem, OH 44460; or via e-mail to: editorial@farmanddairy.com. Please include your name, hometown, state for proper identification.
Have a Hazard-ous photo to share. Send it to us and include a detailed description of the item and how it was used.
