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

hrmamenG. At the Inree LoggerheaQs,
a dingy old inn near the docks, was
received the first warrant ever grant
ed the United States lodge from Great
Britain. This was curious sign
swung on an iron pole. On each side
were painted two very ugly faces,
with the words: ''We three logger
heads be-"
In Annapolis, until very lately,
there were some curious signs of tie
Old Dominion, the Kings Head, the
Raleigh tavern, and the Duke of
Cumberland. On a livery stable
around an awning was a procession OF
small wooden horses, prancing, run
ming, and trotting, signifying all were
to be procured there, sort Of toy
stable. Excepting the Growing
rooster" the favorite old Dutch wealth
ercock, there are few signs left In New
York Of the old Knickerbeckers. The
oldest inhabitants remember the Pew
ter Mug. the resort of the old Tam
many; the Bulls Head, in the "Bow-
erie.' and the River God of the Man
haitian waterworks. An old cofee~
house in the city, much frequented By
bon vivants, bore The sign Of sirloin
steak, with the words from Shak-
speare: "If 'twcre done when It's
done, then, 'twere well 'twere done
quickly"
To our country belongs the honor
of originating the wooden figures SO
much used by tobacconists. These
were very nUmerous-more SO than
even at the present day. A story is
told of foreigner, landing in New
York, inGUiring if they were statues
of distinguished Americans. Ben
johnson in his 9 Bartholomew Fair .
speaks of the "Black Boy" where to
bacco was sold; also of the Indian
Queen" Old fgureheads of ships
were often used and added TO, ana
were very funny. All know Dickens
"Wooden Midshipman" and Cap'n
Cutie. Sir Walter Raleigh, the in
troducer of the wsed, is a favorite to-
baceonist sign in England; Jim
Crow" "Uncle Tona," and captain
Jinks," all of American parentage.
The Indian Kiag" was popular after
171O, owing to the visit of four Indian
chiefs, who were received with much
ceremony by Queen Anne and were
much sought after by sightseers. The
''Three Kings Of Cologne" by a
strange tranforp1ation became the
"Three Merry Devils" and was q
favorite tobacconist sign IN country
towns, bat is not aow seen.
Although old signs deserve q pass
| ing mention and would be an inter
esting corner in antiquarian research,
man would require considerable in
genuity to trace their origin and
applicability. A pair of 'snow-shoes'
mystifed the inhabitants Of Chelsee
in the revolutionary war. They were
set up over an inn when snow-shoes
were supposed to be & needful part OF
the equipment Of soldiers sent to tight
''Mr. Washington and his rebels. .
But have drifted back to signs, my
original "mOutons" from our Apaeri-
can specially, the wooded ''manikins, >
and before closing the interestln g
subject 10 dst mention the 'holly-tree
inns" These were established in Eng
land III the interest Of temperance,
and it is only fair TO give them q
passing mention, as mostly the signs
mentioned have been to the adverGis-
ing Of Baceehus. These inns were
admirable In their arrangements,
bright, COSY, and attractive. They
adopted the old-fashioned sign, and
were economical and comfortable
so that the sight of the bright berries
and shining leaves of the holley were
very attractive. These holly-trei
inns" are still scattered over England