I own a gavel whose head is made from timber salvaged from the "Star of the West" which was sunk in Mississippi in 1864. Simkins was a cadet at the Citadel. He came from Edgefield, S.C.home of the Simkins family. After the civil war Wm Simkins went to Fla where he founded the Fla KKK. Later moved to Texas and served as distinguished law professor(see Simkins Hall Univ Of Texas Austin).Simkins was with Haynsworth when first shot was fired. Edmund Ruffin of Va. is given the honor of firing the first shot,but we know better. The Simkins family of Edgefield has produced many historical figures easily found on the net. The "gavel" is not for sale. Good luck in your search.