Charles Cist's Philadelphia Cherry Wood Walking Stick.

The Charles Cist Heirloom: An Unassuming Secret Messenger

In the Cist family, there exists an unassuming heirloom that holds a significant historical narrative. This modest walking stick, standing about four feet tall and crafted from cherry wood, features a silver cap with "Charles Cist" etched into the front. What makes this ordinary-looking cane exceptional is its secret compartment, concealed within the silver cap.

During the Revolutionary War era, this Philadelphia walking stick was ingeniously employed as a clandestine courier for written messages exchanged among patriots. The secret chamber housed within the cane's silver top was used to transport letters to and from the printing shop of Cist and Styner. As the British authorities could stop and search anyone in the streets, patriots carrying these messages would boldly offer, "Go ahead, search me."

Upon initiating the search, the patriot would hand the walking stick to the British soldier while stretching out their arms as a silent gesture of cooperation. Unbeknownst to the British soldiers, they were, at that very moment, holding the key to revolutionary communication—the secret compartment containing the vital message to be printed by Cist and Styner.

Andrew C. Allen   April 16th, 2015