Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-07-21
miscellaneous.
Handy With His Jaek.Knife.
THE CURIOUS THINGS A Missouri MAN
Has WHITFIELD Our.

Has WHITFIELD Our.
One of the most eccentric characters IN
Missouri-if not in the entire Mississippi
VALLEYS William Yohe. of kirkwood
He is better known as "Bill the Whittier.
Bill claims to be the champion whittier in
the world With an ordinary pen-knlfe
he has demonstrated his ability to make
almost anything a carpenter, cabinet
maker. or wood-carver can make with
full set Of edged tools, He occupies an
old church in kirkwood. which he has
filled almost completely with curiositles OF
a novel, as well as useful character, with
the aid Of his trusty bone-handled knife.
The spectators who take the trouble to
visit this museum will find the collection
as interesting as the pictures OF famous
art gallery. A short time ago Bill made
the announcement that he would throw the
church doors open on certain day in
order that those who desired to see his
contrivances might crafty their curiosity.
After that date no person would be adj
mitted. as he proposed to begin the great
est undertaking of his life, viz, the con-
struction of a gigantic automatic concern
that would surpass anything of the kind
the WOTiu udtI ever stcu uC p'PuiotiOh
of Kirkwood, with scarcely an exception,
accepted Bits invitation, and ali day dur
ing his reception the church was filled
with people. Ever since that eventful
day the people of Kirkwood have looked
upon Bill as the eighth wonder OF the
world. A Republican reporter Visited
Kirkwood yesterday and had very pleas
ant interview with Bill" Bill was Sit
ting on bench with section of cigar
box in one hand and his favorite bone
handled knife in the other, whiting away
as though the destiny of the world
depended upon his ability to complete his
work. The blade of the knife he used
was about an inch long and tapered all the
way from the hlt to the point.
''Well, Bill" said the reporter, ''they
say you are the champion whittier of the
world"
Yes. and am willing to white any
thing against any man living. There is
only one other whittier on the face
of the earth who can even approach my
work, and that person is Monkey John,
of Chicago Monkey John would not
white against me, for he and have
whitfield together and he knows what
can do | was born in St. Louis. on
Morgan street, in the building occupied
years ago by the old Mound City Bakery.
When in my teens became the apprentice
of millwright, but before my time was
out, at the beginning of the war, | ran
away and Joined the Union army as a
member of Capt. G. w. PENIS company.
While serving as soldier | had one of
the toes of my right foot shot off, and
could have had a pension had seen tit to
apply for one. However, | had little
never call upon Uncle Sam for assistance
as long as could use knife and obtain
livlihood by whiting, 1t may appear
strange to YOU, but it is true nevertheless,
that never knew had any extraordinary
gift for whiting until | had reached my
twenty-third year. Then | made a toy
house for my sister. which was SO univer
sally admired that | determined to manu-
facture other curiosities. The first piece
of Importance | whitfield was complete
model of the Castle Bingen- on-the- Rhine.
This piece was finished in 1873. and con-
tanned $50 windows. 1t is now owned by
gentleman residing in Clay county. Texas.
! The next piece was the model of the
steamship Bristol, copied from an engrav
ing on a hand-bill.'
II defy any artist to eclipse my work
with either pencil or brush. An artist
may draw picture as perfectly as he pos
siblv can and hand it to me to reproduce
in wood, and will improve on the pic
ture. Some men think because they can
make a wooden cham with a knife they
are great whittlers. There is no trick in
making a simple chain, as the man who
makes one link can make 40. SCrOlling
is by far the most difficult work man can
do with a knife. | can carve perfectly a
leaf or an animal With simple
pocket-knfe have made over 800 models
which occupy places in the Patent office.
about Il year ago | made the model OF
a steam ship for parties in Europe. They
were so well pleased with it that they
paid me $3.50 for my work. This model
was run by steam and could travel through
the water at the rate of sixteen
miles an hour. NY aptitude for whiting
is gift as natural to me as an ear for mu-
sic is to some other men. After piece
of work is finished often look at it with
establishment and wonder how ever sue
ceeded in making it so complete in every
detail. | cannot draw. and know next
w hOtulHS dDoHI NCl pIO-
portions in every piece of work make
are always remarkably correct. When
look at picture which intend to repre-
sent in wood, unconsciously measure its
proportions with the eye. | will wager
my life almost that can white out any
automatic cOntrivance ever invented in the
space of year. l was not aware that any
thing more than living could be made
by whittier, but now | entertain differ
ent opinion. The most ever made on a
piece prior to this year was 500, which
was cleared on rattle In two weeks
can complete in every detail the model of
any ship ever built, and will construct
any kind of machine ever invented and
make it run in an eight-ounce bottle. All
this sounds very strange to you, yet every
word of it is true. Prom the ST. Louis
! Republican.
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