New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-28
THE SACRED WHITE ELEPHANT.
modelled ty MaeNornie' a, the age Of six year
IN HIS TEENS

| Modelled iy Ma Morni's
.a,.. oil .,cb ATTEMPTS TO be frutless 1t never
has been widely known tina, Mr.. MAcM'n'''
| achieved his frs; successes as Sculptor o"
artist long before he entered hi- iee"s. IFS ia
lives In Brooklyn. however. have In Their i' ''
several specimens OF the young mans cary "''N'
which 10 them are perhaps more vaiuani" Una" "'s
later rieces and which thcy could no, be inlu''i
| TO part with for any amount OF money IL Is 'of
This last reason that art collectors VII ma Il eN-
ceellnsly diif-ult to purchase these relic
Almost as soon as young MacM onn'e@ "as OH
! enough 10 walk ana talk he began 70 show an u'-
usual interest in all kinds OF p.rures. There prob
ably never was A chilG who could no; be amused
by plcture-books. after many other means % az
pcaling rs mind had failed. but hile Fr"is &C.
! l,rh, In all kinds OF ar, was o. deeper nature
/ than the ordinary cnlis
HIS FIRST ATTEMPT.
Upon his first visit 20 picture store. when he
was not more than six years OLD, - hts mof'r
! says be seemed 10 be completely enhanced "i'h
! the paintings around him lie brea;hel heavily
his eyes bulged and his hands ana fingers relaxed
and contracted involuntary. Afier tina, wsi'
youug Fred wanted no other outing than yls.' -
I all art store 0 10 a gallery.
When tho boy seven years old he made one o.
! hls first pieces which his mother now keeps IN az
honored position in her pnror II IS miniature
likeness Of an elephant anI Is remarkably hi''He
| In all respects
one morning the boy with his paymates won't
| downtown 10 ses Earnuin's big circus parade The
embryo pcuiptor took in the Whole show from be-
ginning to end. but was especially interested III :"
certain white elephant, then making It's nrst star
ring tour: Before the last notes from 10" ba''l"
in the procession had died away the boy was hurry
ing home There he secured some clay and tn an
| hour or two he had moulded the wonderful Atte
| in.uo which many curio hunters would doubtless
u. glad 10 get OF any cost The drawing OF the
o.nrs shown herewith IL the first presented 10
the public
USED HIS FINGER NAILS FOR TOOLS
Tools and material were not costly found by me
voung sculptor for his early attempts but inc o'd
proverb: Where there's a viii. there's way
was proved true. one day the boy saw MS mother
! cu.;ing out cookies and from that time on for TWO
or three years the pantry was h's favor'e pay
ground and his only toys were Jumps OF do"s"
! Tho dogs families Of rabbits. deer and dozens or
o,,er little figures that he would mould were OBJ
iec,s ~ w,necrrncnt and delight TO the children.
and their parents az well Mrs. MacMonnies became
IN. mos, famous cook in The nelghborhool' Du'
her fame was founded less upon her own culinary
skill than upon the cunning OF the you'hini
sculptor.
| In the absence OF better implements. the boy
conce,v.A the idea Of allowing his nails 70 grow
| Chinese fashion. to unusual lengths lie men n"p
,oos which were far better than none. even II iheV
wcrs no, perfect with the aid OF his nails he
made come OF the most exquisite pieces III VIA
ONE OF HIS GROUPS.
| o,o ~ them was a prairie scene. In when Inc
grass the foliage OF the trees and the hg"res from
u,o wer. almost perfect. The boys long. delicate
Ills enabled hin TO carve out the slender. branching
| an,,.rs % deer with the utmost accuracy. Ills
s,mue device for making good the lack OF tools did
not. however. appeal 10 ms mothers ''n'y' '"'
WAS pleased 10 notice his skill but AZ the san" ti"'
could not reconcile herself to his form Of d!sigufins
| nj. hands II therefore came 10 pass that there
| y,or. freouent gentle but stern demands made by
h,s ,pofh.r that the scissors should be applied 10
| his prolonged nails. once or twice 1t happened
| that Mrs MacMonnies had 10 take matters into her
own hands and perform the operation herself
A, these times there was always sure 10 Dc
,roubie The boy protested vigorously against the
/ 10. -, bis nails and refused TO be comfortel when
! his mother cut them of But when al last they
were gone he straightway sought elsewhere Tor
| the means with which 20 carry on his pet WORK
Nails harpina old knives and ali sorts OF Things
were brought into service. and Tor m''er', 10
work upon although he was often hard pressed ne
~as always fertile In resources. he soon gre"
DISSATISFIED with the dough from his mo'nef pan
| try, ana was sometimes "''' - ' "
kind OF clay.
MODELLED CIRCUITS IN CHEWING CUM
ore day II occurred 20 him that. In the absence OF
| anything better chewing gum might serve his pur-
| noses so FOR several weeks h. saved up an MS
| rennies until he had on hanl IhIf" s"PPS
| n, that article His aunt now has small pu'
| ufeItke ,,atiette OF General Washington standing
hv the side OF his horse which the young sculptor
| formed fror, the gum with no model to WORK l'o'"
! For artistic finish and beauty this little piece OF
| uo,k cannot be surpassed. when the age OF 'he
sculptor and the difficulties under which ne iaoo'e"
are considered $1,000 ,uoa
when Mac Monies boy lis father ia',u
| T., hus,,ess and II was decreed that Fred should
leav. his school and enter store as clerk ms
| tea uss absolutely revolving 10 the youth VINO
niteousiy begged that ne might be allowed 10 nahe
rrictures for living. This was before his paie.s
baJ FULLY r.rogn zed his genus. and they were III
s.-,usptly inclined 10 consider the boys PROPOSE
ton OF little value. But after Fred had seT p
hrief iiceship Ia drygoodS store IN bIOai
80 <ew-Y ork. and his dislike for his WORK
seemed T. Increase. his parents gave h'in prr'"s-
| nion TO leave the store. ~, 81. ,,c,,
Shortly aIterward he entered the studio OF t"sn--
,us 81 Oaudens a a pupil ana helper. HIS iAIher
| also built FOR HIM studio at the old house ""e'c
| The family lived at No. CAB Madisot-si.. now oc-
+, cupled by A. stewart Walsh. prominent iwenly.
| ,hird Ward Republican. one ot the boys most
| prstentIous early works was plaster bust OF rs
fs,b.r abou, ,wo-ihirds full see This bust now
stands on a table In Mrs MacMonniess paror al
No go Hancoch-st Ii was considered remark
.hiv ynol Tx ness members or me