Jacob Haish barbed wire canes

Jim Hovis, of DeKalb, holds his Haish cane. | Photo by Jessi LaRue

For many barbed wire fanatics, you've "made it" once you've acquired your very own Haish cane.

This information on the canes, below, was provided by the Joiner History Room, who had reached out to barbed wire expert Jim Goedert, of Kearney, Neb., for more information about the canes in 2005. 

Goedert said:

"These canes were given away as advertising tools during the Chicago's World Fair in 1893 and the St. Louis Exposition in 1904. In addition, a cane was placed in each boxcar load of "S" Barb that was shipped West.

We also know a few things about the canes themselves. They were made with five different shapes of brass tops. The most common is the top that is eight-sided or shaped like a stop sign. The rarest is the round top. The barbs on the canes can either be bent around the wire or stick out. For a collector this would make 10 different canes to collect. They have sold on eBay for as much as $5,000 each and for as little as $1,000."

Steve Bigolin, of DeKalb, holds his Haish cane. | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Jeff Marshall, of DeKalb, has a wealth of photos and information regarding the canes on his website here.

Haish canes on display at the Ellwood House | Photo by Jessi LaRue