The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-10-10
IIy4 &.
THOMAS MAST.


Mr. Mast ID a native of Landau, bavaria,
where hs was born September q, 1870 His
father was musician, and few years after
tho birth Of young Mast he started with other
musicians ON a tour through France. The
outbreak Of the French revolution caused
him to enlist on an American cruiser, writing
TO his family TO meet him in New York So
they, young Mast his mother and sister sailed
from Havre in 1876. arriving in New York
three years before the cruiser on which the
father had sailed
On his arrival in this country young Mast
was sent to school where he made good pro-
gress But his tendency was toward art
His father could see no bright prospects for a
draughtsman, so he frowned on his aspira-
tons, suggesting that his son learn the trade
Of Matchmaking Through some good for
tune young Mast was permitted to continue
the art studies, which he had now begun in
earnest. About this time he became door
keeper Of Bryant's gallery Of paintings, then
situated on the corner Of Broadway and Thir-
teenth street, New York Fere he had the
privilege Of copying some of the paintings
and receive as pay the money received from
visitors
At the age Of fourteen young Mast applied
TO Frank Leslie for employment as a
several attempts he was at last received and
granted salary Of s. per week, which was
raised to $50 soon after Here he worked
for three years, studying at the school of de-
sign in the evenings When The New York
Illustrated News was started he secured moro
remunerative work, being sent to England
to make sketches Of the Heennn and Savers
prize fight, about which the greatest excite
ment then prevailed. This event was tho
making of Mast. He made several sketches
OF the fight which caused sensation at tho
time Of their publication In New York lion
izlng him among the sporting community
While in London he made the acquaintance
Of the editor Of The illustrated London News
who sent him to Italy at the outbreak of the
Garibaldian insurrection, Heenan advancing
him 500 to pay his expenses thither. During
the campaign he supplied the principal illus
tratcd papers in London, Paris and New
York with sketches, thon he visited Rome
and Florence, the principal cities Of Ger
many and Switzerland, returning to New
York in 1881 with plenty OF experience and
$50 in cash. He commenced work on The
Illustrated News again, presenting from
time to time sketches to Harpers' Weekly,
which were ss often returned to him.
The breaking out of tho rebellion gave
fcluisi0c Vi
his skill at battle scenes Then did tho
Harpers gladly secure his services, and their
pages since, with the exception of an interval
Of few years, record his ability in depicting
humorous and pathetic illustrations, allie
gorical and satirical representations, list of
the titles Of which wou fill column
But the strongest work that Mr.. Mast has
accomplished was the series of about forty
Eve pictures on the Tweed ring in New York
city. These were the height OF the satiric
art, and proved that whatever else the artist
achieved he was above all a caricaturist.
The versatility Of invention he displayed in
presenting the characters that composed that
ring is amazing, when it is known that he
always illustrates his own ideas His treat
ment Of q subject is 30 incisive and bitter
that he often makes an implacable pers sonal
enemy Of the party or individual he attacks.
Mr.. Nast's home is at Morristown, N. j.,
and here surrounded with everything that
an artistic taste could suggest is his work
done. He is a very close reader Of the daily
papers and from them gets the suggestions for
his cartoons One of the notable features of
his studio is the enormous collection of photo
graphic portraits it contains. Mrs. Mast is
bis constant companion, and it is she who
attends to his correspondence. They have
five children