Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-10-29
Tatt0Ofng.

In South street, where many ships from
all over the world lie at the wharvss,
there is an old man who for thirty-two
years has been busy from morning gill
night tattooing people. He tattoos
about 5000 persons every year, and, to
show that tattooing Is not confined to
the barbarians Of South Sea islands, Il
maybe said that he has tattooed nearly
$1,000 white people in his lifetime.
He has tattoosd not only white peo-
pie, but 5arbarians also, for many years
ago he was in the Sandwich Islands and
tattooed the Sandwich Islanders, cover
ing them with American flags. anchors,
eagles aud other devices borrowed from
civilization. When he left the islands
nearly 500 Of the natives were walking
picture galleries.
This curious artist, Professor Thomas,
has large aud airy Office or studio In
South street. He is a genial. elderly
man and wears spec,acles. He began a.
a sailor, and followed the sea for twelve
years, being one Of the crew Of the irst
American war vessel, the Vincennes,
Captain Psulding, that ever entered a
japanese port. lie learned the art Of
tattooing on board ship, and thirty-two
years ago, when his time was out In the
navy, he came to New York aud set up
In business as a tattoo artist.
Many Of his customers are sailors,
who have anchors and stars aud clipper
ships and goddesses OF liberty aud
crosses tattooed on their arms. He says,
however, that mos. OF his customers at
the present time are city people, such
as yaehtsmen and travelling business
men, who have their names tattooed OH
their arms that they may be Identified
In case Of accident or death, and if they
chance TO belong TO some fraternity.
such as the Free Masons or the Odd
Fellows, have its emblem added also,
that they may receive aid II helpless, or
burial II dead, by some member Of their
order.
Many ladies have their names tattooel
on their right arm just below the shoul-
der that II may remain invisible when
they wear ball dress. AT the time Of
the disappearance Of Charlie Ross for
several years after many mothers took
their children to Professor Thomas's
office to have him tattoo their chlldren's
names OH their arms In order that they
might certainly be identified even II
they should be lost for long years.
Captain Costentius, the Greek, who
was captured by the savages and prod
igally illustrated by them, and lived 10
travel with Barnum's show, was tho
most elaboratcly tattooed man ever seen
in any European country. Professor
Thomas said that Costontius was 4 fine
piece Of animated pictorial work, for he
helped to tattoo him.
lie added that the captain was not
Greek, but native Of BIrmah. and that
all the natives OF that country are tat
tooed. Captain CostentIus came to this
country wearing hns coat Of tattoo,
but he was hardly taitooed enough for
the show business, and so several New
York tattoo Artists were put 10 work By
Mr.. Barnum to more amply illustrate
him.
There are Ia the country six tattooed
men and I've ta,tooed women. The story
told by all OF them is that they were
cast away In various parts Of the world
and tattoosd by the savages among
whom they had the misfortune to fall
and from whom they had ultimately the
good fortune to escape. None OF these
tattooed people ever saw a savage, and
all were tattooed by Professor Thomas.
The mystery Of why any person
should consent to be tattooed Is ex.
planned by this incident: A girl worked
on Grand street for ~ week. This
meant starvation or the gutter. A
Snowman offered her t45 week for two
years II she would become n tattooed
woman. She accepted the offer and
after she had Travelled with the show six
months shs msds match with another
curiosity who was rich, and they have
now retired and joined the wealthy
class.
Tattooed men now get from t25 10
$50 week, their wages having fallen
80 per cent, owing to the increased
number.
For tattooing people for the sideshows
and circuses Professor Thomas receives
from sl75 to $3.50. Ii takes him six
weeks, working from three TO six hours
a day, to fully illustrate . tattooed man =.
For making nm achor on sailor's arm
he charges 25 cents; . Goddess Of LIB
erty and the Stars ard Stripes costs
$3.50. Othor designs made on the arm
in India ink cost from 81 10 tI5. Pro-
fessor Thomas has 500 different designs
for tattooiEg. Hi1f ari
lie lately tsttooed two spaniards
from head to foot with religious pie
turss. They are elaboratety tsitoosd ss
Captain Costentius, and are going to II
ally 10 travel In . show In that country.
Ner York Journal.
G>A Vl~-~aS AaA R~Aa~~w