Featured in this lot is this early 1870-1890s splitting fork used for cutting ice blocks, found in a dried lake bed in Las Vegas, New Mexico, attributed to the William T. Wood & Company. William T. Wood arrived in Arlington, Massachusetts in 1841 and began working with Abner Wyman to make and repair ice tools. He bought the business in 1845 and ran it on his own until 1858, when he partnered with his brother Cyrus. He died in 1871. His son, William E. Wood, took over and kept the name William T. Wood & Company. In 1905, the company merged with Gifford Brothers of Hudson, New York, to form the Gifford-Wood Company. Small cuts would be made in the ice blocks, then the splitting fork would be thrust down onto the small cut in the ice and spilt it into two. It features a ring on the top for easy handling and sharp prongs used for splitting the ice. The splitting fork shows fair condition with wear present from its age and use over the years and oxidation present. No major signs of damage is noted. It measures 57 3/4" L x 5 3/4" W x 3/4" D and weighs 16 pounds. Provenance: From the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum in Tombstone, Arizona.