THE CHAMPION CRADLING FEAT OF THE WORLD - Over a half century ago, on a beautiful July morning, just as the sun appeared above the horizon, a modern Hercules stepped forth, in the person of Michael Cromer, to perform a feat of prowess and strength never equaled before nor since. This 12th day of July, 1858, was destined to go down in the history of Mercersburg as an eventful one, for on that day Mr. Cromer accompliched the Hurculean task of cutting twelve and one-half acres of wheat, from sun-up until within a few minutes of sun-down, at which time every blade of wheat was severed from its root by the mighty swing of that cradle, and to him was acceded the honor of having accomplished an unparrelled record, a feat of which the performance did not seem so much the victory over a super-human effort, as one of natural-born pluck and strength, to which various other big day's work in the harvest field testifies..."the report reached the Millard Scythe Company, of Claysville, New York. The proprietors wrote the cradler to ascertain weather, if they should make and present him with a suitable cradle...The blade was five inches in width, by sixty-five in length, and made of silver steel...the champion, in the prime of life, just thirty years old, six feet three inches in height, and weighing 230 pounds...Since the above was written, the cradle has been procured from the State Agricultural Society, and is now owned by one of Mr. Cromer's grandsons. After this famous day's work, our hero's interests and ambitions turned to the gold fields of the then Far West, and, late in the year of 1859, he made a trip to Pike's Peak with General Fremont, locating there valuable claims. He remained at Pike's Peak until the breaking out of the Civil War, at which time anxiety and a desire to be near his family hastened his return, leaving all interests in the hands of a trusted partner, who was subsequently killed by the Indians. Later in life he was engaged in railroading..." - (The above was transcribed from a portion of the book "Old Mercersburg, copyright 1912, pages 142-144).