Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-04-02


Philadelphia Times.
The democratic ''rooster," lately so
prominent, was an old Dutch emblena
formerly much used as weathercock
In New Amsterdam. Signs aud en-
blems in all countries are a curious
study, and one who has travelled much
can always recall curiosities IN this
line, found more espe sially in old
country towns and oat-of -the-way
places Advertising is now SO gener-
ri and run to such an extent that few
of the old-f&shioned signs remain Ia
the large cities except the tObacconists'
figures, the three balls of my uncle,
tAe BARRIERS poles, and occasionally 9
pestle and mortar at q druggists, and
q gilt hammer or some implement OF
trade The lager beer saloon signs
King Gambrinus and others-are
modern conceits. | am inclined to-
think this divinity IS q sort OF modlti-
cation OF Bacchus, a nineteenth CEN
tury creation for presiding over malt
and hops instead of the juice Of the
grape, and as is fit more warmly
clothed than his youthful originator.
In the small towns at the south
many of the inps and taverns have
the old signs Of the colonial times,
such as ''The White Swan" THE
Golden Lamb" and other equally in
applicable emblems on battered boards
I'M washed-0ut colors. Not very long
ago q sign painter was an important
person and regarded as no mean ar
tist, being Hospitality entertained as
he travelled through the country with
his materials of trade. Many impe-
cunious portrai6-painters decorated
signkoards with heads of Washington
Franklin, ord other distinguished
heroes. Much ingenuity was spent
on emblematlc signs, figureheads, and
weathercocks, almost equal TO that
now expended IN painting rocks and
covering walls and fences with pufs
of trade medicine cure alls. 1t IS a
wonder shopkeepers and tradesmen
have not adopted armOral bearings,
Labor EST Nobills." Each mIght
have on his cscutcheon some emblem
or devise signifying MS trade or occu-
patton.
England was famous for her signs,
some of which, the Boar's Head, the
Star and Garter, have historical fame.
Ia Nuremburg and cd continental
cities it is interesting to declpher the
weather-be signs and emblemS
still hanging IN the narrow, crowded
streets and alleys, and in our own
country their history is quite well
worth tracing. In the historical
museum of the old South church, in
Boston, is preserved a colonial sign of
flowing punch bowl, once much
admired as a work of art. New Eng
land discouraged all such worldly
emblems and an old traveller COM
plains, after journey IN stage
coach, that ''the passengers were a
thirsty set, who got out atevery sign
board, thus showing that there were
a considerable number IL spite Of
Puritan seruples and denunciations.
Philadelphia signs are early spoken Of
rs being remarkably well painted, A
sign-painter named Matthew Pratt
earned distinction fer himself In his
calling. He painted the sign for the
federal convention in 1888, put up first
on the corner of Fourth and Chestnut
streets. Pratt was a schoOlmate of
Benjamin West, but found his art of
painting portraits insufficient to sup
port an increasing family, and took
TO the more lucrative calling of sign
decorator Several of his signs were
quite famous in Philadelphia. One,
a game cock or beer-house In Spruce
street, and fox chase on Arch street,
were quite artistic pictures. He seme-
times put poetical couplets at the bot
tom of his signs.
Many Of the old Pennsylvania
towns were noticeable for their sign
boards In the days of turnpike roads,
toll bridges, and numbering stage
coaches, and latter the long wagon
trains of western travellers. To these
"Rising .Sun" painted IN ilavish
colors, a Hen and Chickens" or the
head of the ''father of his country
were joyfully greeted as notices OF
refreshments for weary men and
beasts. On the stage route from
Philadelphia and Baltimore some per-
sons now remember the Heart IN
Hand, expressing a welcome; 1.-The
Three Tuns, " promising great joviah-
ty; also tavern with full length
portrait OF Mad" Anthony Wayne
on swinging sign in on iren frame.
Only few years ago this was still
hanging, battered and weatherbeaten,
among cars and locomotives. The
old "Wheatfeld Inn" has been de
nuded Of its field of waving grain
overrua by hungry rats and is now a
modern hotel. The" "Indian Queen"was
> noted hotel on this route, said to &C
commodate two hundred guests and
have bells in every room"
The Fountain inn, where Washing
ton always stayed on his way north
from Virginia, was built round 8
court, IN which was fountain, and
had shady galleries on each floor. The
inn was constructed after the pattern
of those in England in the time OF
Shakespeare, where he used to act
plays with his comedians for the
amusement of his friends and pat
rons.
At a Baltimore inn, the Seven Stars