New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-17
HTR1M POVERS as 4 HCMORIST.

"REMINISCENCES OF HIS LIFE IN CINCINNATI
James II. Beard. the artist. tells some anecdotes OF
the early career of Hiram Powers the sculptor winch
20 10 show that he tull OF grim humor When
Powers went to Cincinnati. he was engaged IN making
WA. figures tor a museum owned nv man named
Dorfed. The figures which he moulded we're delicate
and beautiful beyond anything that known at that
time His ingenuity in mechanics remarkable
and Mr. Beard thinks that he would have made as
great success in mechanic arts he did in sculpture
il he had devoted his attention to the former There
WAS popular como singer in Powerss day at Cinc'n-
natl named Alexander Drake Powers moulded
wax head of Drake and fashioned figure to match the
head. One of brakes songs which was in great de-
mand with audiences called Love and Sansages.
Powers took his figure TO the theatre and paced it
on the stage in brakes favorte attitude and when
the curtain rose brakes song there stood before
the audience Alexander brakes both perfectly
natural. The people astoundel. They gazed
and gazed in wOhderment until the curtain went down
and rose again on a single Drake. 1t the
figure but 80 like the singer that the audience cried
and shouted and stamped Tor Love and Sausages.'
The figure silent and the curtain went down
without auv response being made to their calls. II
again and there still was single Drake confront
Ing them. This time the iAndience remained unde-
nJnstrative not knowing what to expect IL was the
trur Drake aud when he proceeded TO sing Love and
Sausages the stery was intensified. For abont
three days the people talked OF this double Alexander
Drake aud then thu secret got out that was one OF
Powcrss freaks.
AT another time Powers at work on a wax bust
of Thomas Jefferson. There a critic IN Cincinnati
in those days named Sinus. who had incurred the
displeasure Of Powers and Others. He was told one
evening that the bust completed and asked to
inspect it, 1t in the DAYS when the only light
from taow candles and as the dark, lie
given candle with which TO make close inspection
OF the bust tie began to comment upon ts unnatural
appearance. declaring that the color of the flesh was
not natural and on. AZ he leaned down tor closer
Inspection the burning candle was brought close TO
the figure which suddenly lodged back, wnked its eye
and shouted Don't burn mo-" Ii was Powers HIM
self Simms in a terrible rage. and when the story
was told some time aiterward in paper owned by
man named Thomas. no going to oastigate the
editor Simns always denied the story, but Powers
told 1t with great gusto.
fayorte trick of the artist which he often per-
formed in the aud in public places. was made
possible by the long cloaks which it the custom to
wear In those days ANY one who has the figures
in a circus which short and squat moment and
apparently ten feet high the will understand the
nature of the oke Powers would gather his cloak
M in his hands and make himself apparently about
three feet In height. and he passed around the
museum he would gradually become taller and taller
until al last taking the collar OF his cloak and the rim
of his hat IN his hands, he would shove them tar
his head make him ell appear vey tall. All the
time lie would 20 peering around at the sights whio
most of the people watching him. the biggest
curiosity of all.