This photograph shows the name of Ray Ludwig scratched on the inside of the bay window at the current Botetourt County Museum of History and Culture. The glass and building date back to 1871 when Baptist minister Rev. Gabriel Gray rebuilt his home after the 1870 Fincastle fire. From the mid-1800s to the early 1900s scratching a name in glass was a popular practice. Women would use their engagement ring on glass to see if their diamond was real. Rena Worthen found the name Raymond A. Ludwig in the September 12, 1891 Roanoke Times City School newspaper listing honor roll students. She also found a Pennsylvania death certificate (1880-1928) showing that Raymond wasn’t married and died of cirrhosis and acute hepatitis at the age of 48. Is he the same Ray Ludwig and who scratched his name in the window?
~ Botetourt County Museum of History & Culture
