Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-12-06

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it had hardened sufficiently she was
carefully lifted up and off the mat
tress, leaving perfect impression OF
her form in the white plaster
She hurried to her dressing place.
quickly returning dressed in wrap.
She became highly Interested at this
point and vas Il, eager for success
ful ending of the experiment rs Mr..
Griffith himself. While the model
rested Mr.. Griffith talked CT casts and
cast making.
There is one method" said he,
which is used sometimes. but | think
with little success. Any cast made OF
nard substances must be made in
parts so that it will come apart in such
manner as to release the model or
cast. We will suppose the cast of a
hand is wanted. Sometimes a waxed
thread is placed midway around the
hand. The entire hand is covered with
plaster, and when the plaster has be-
come sufficiently hard to retain it's
shape the thread is pulled and the cast
is cut into two equal parts. This re-
quires an expert and is rarely success
full.
"Some years ago | made several
casts, among them TIE face of my
mother. In this l was assisted by my
| brother Ed, who some weeks after
went to spend vacation with his
cousin Sam. He had impaired the
story of my cast making to his cousin
and told how easy it was done. They
determined to procure Il lot of plaster
and make cast of Sans foot. 1t
seems l had explained the waXed
thread idea to my brother and he
thought this quicker Way than by
making piece mould. Ed placed the
waxed thread around Sans foot and
after soaping the foot the work began.
Ed insisted on making the mould good
and thick SO that several copies could
be made if wanted. While they talked
the mass became hardened and when
an attempt was made to draw the
thread and cut the mould in two it
broke. Here was a dilemma which
i they solved by removing the cast with
a Ratchet Of course it was failure"
But come, my little girl" said Mr..
Griffith, 81 think you must be ready
by this time, and we will begin again"
The model again disrobed and was
placed in position. Commencing at
the foot, the edges of the mould were
well creased with vasaline and new
lot of plaster poured over the foot and
ankle. Thus the piece mould began.
TO this was added another and an
other, each so arranged that it would
draw from the model without diff
Guilty. Each piece was locked to the
surrounding ones, so that when it was
put in place all would hold in position.
The model was lifted out, allowed to
rest and placed back into position
many times, and much planning and
skill were required to so adjust the
pieces of the model so that it could be
| taken apart or put together without
falling in when the model was re-
moved.
The model was frequently asked how
she felt and if she was tired. If the
reply was in the affirmative the mould
was removed piece by piece with the
greatest care and the model released.
After a short rest she was again
placed in the form and encased in the
different pieces. When she was CON-
pletely covered she presented the ap
pearance of mummy. She fire.
quently complained that the hand I'M
der her head "had gone to Sleep"
This hand was then taken and rubbed
even when the rest of the body was at
ease.
Her head which was done up in a
cloth which took Oh the appearance
of turban, the bangs on her forehead
just peeping beneath it.
, At last all was done except the face.
A small piece OF cotton was inserted in
each ear though but half the face
would be done at time. A piece Of
cotton was also inserted in the nOstril
on the side of the face of which a cast
was to be taken. She was told to
breathe regularly by the opertor,
through the other nostril and to close
her mouth and eyes and not finch
when the cold plaster came in contact
with her face. you must also smile
and look your sweetest" said he.
Where the flesh was soft as on the
cheeks, bat a small amount of the plas-
ter was poured on. When this hard
ened more was added to give it
strength. A large amount of plaster
poured on the cheeks or any portion
of the body where the flesh was soft
would make it fall in on account of
the weight.
Slowly the plaster gilded about the
forehead, eye, lip, nose and chin thick
ening and hardening into shape.
After a short time this piece was re-
!newed, and the entire face again eX-
posed. Where the nostril showed a
small hole was cut. This was fiared
greatly on the outside to permit of the
models breathing when the other side
Of her face was covered. Another rest,
and the pieces were again placed back
on the model. The other nostril is
filled with cotton. The last piece is
about to be made, and the success OF
the work depends upon it. The model
is told to make sure that she can
breathe through the hole in the last
piece cast She can, but insists on an.
other rest before the plaster is again
, placed on her face. The so pieces are
removed, but reluctantly. She, too, is
anxious to have the work pushed, and
soon reports through her sister thai