New-York tribune., 1896-05-15
FRIDAY,
MAY IS. 1896.
RARE INDIAN RELICS.
THE COLLECTION OF WILLIAM WALLACE
TOOKER NOW IN BROOKLYN.

ING-wIIL. IT BE PURCHASED FOR THE
BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM
For the last two days William Wallace Tooker, Of
Sag Harbor. has been busily engaged at the All
Building of the Brooklyn institute. In Montague-st.
in unpacking and arranging his extensive collection
of Indian relics of Long Island which to be put
on exhibition in that place on Monday. Mr. Tooker
has had the assistance OF his wife In this work, ana
during the time they have not been busy In Brook
yn they have made their headquarters at the Astor
House in New-York
Mr. Tooker is druggist In Sag Harbor but for
nearly twenty years he has devoted much time 70
the collection OF relics Of the Indian tribes that for
merly iourished Long Island His collection -
the largest and important Of the KIND In exist
ence. and there s feeling In the minds or some
Brooklynites who familiar with II that II snouio
not be allowed to leave Long Island, now tnat Mr.
Tooker has expressed his willingness to part with IT,
The natural and inevitable place in Brooklyn Tor
such collection Is the new museum or the BROOKLYN
Institute OF Arts and Sciences. and movement aas
been started to purchase It and give 1t a prominent
position in the museum building as soon as II -
ready for occupancy. The collection Is valued Al
about 5000 but the institute those acting In ts
behalf may have the opportunity of securing 1t Tor
somewhat less.
1t was nineteen years ago that Mr.. Tooker had ms
interest aroused in the Indian relics to be found In
the eastern part OF Long Island and his collectlon
has steadily grow, until it became difficult for him
10 display it advontageously his home in Sag Har-
bor As his interest in these matters extenden' IL
came about that when any memorials OF the lnoians
were found they would be sent or taken TO hiIn ana
he has purchased large number Of valuable speci-
MEMS In addition TO those discovered by himself In
all he has spent a large sum OF money In getting
his collection together, and to 1t he has devoted
good deal of time
At the Art Building he found yesterday after
noon with his off hard at work in arranging tho
large number of exhibits, and yet having time enough
he most objects
visitor The collection includes mortars, corn uIis
axes adzes hammers arrow-heads, spea4-neaos'
bone fshhooks personal ornaments and large vari-
ETY. of other interesting objects
One Of the most interesting is canoe paddle'
which was found at Canoe Place. the point where
the waters OF the Peconic and Shnnecock bays
nearly meet and where the Indians used to carry
their canoes from one water 10 the otner IL lhoeeo
they did not have canal to connect them, as 'ho
white men have had for the last decade. The alb
original paddle was made OF oak. and is In fairly
good state of preservation Mr. Tooker SAID mar
was the only implement Of the kind that had peen
found. so far he knew
The array Of arrowheads and spearheads IN the
spearheads' which were found cached or secreisd
together Sugar Loaf, the hgnest OF sIie ~, NJ
Tooker who chanced to see one two Of the bits
Of stone protruding from the. the ground ana WIN
There are many pestles arranged in one & Of ,s the
sSse S % Tt s5Gns o WSss This last looks
Saseball bat of about half the regulation size. Mr.
Tooker knows OF no other like IL and believes II 70
be unique. A variety Of ch.seis, or 'celts 10
shown together with sknning kniyef ana olner I'M
mention the axes and adzes. which make one Won
der how the Indians ever succeeded IN uoins ene
work for which iron and steel are now regarded as
INDISPENSABLE The use to which some or the I'M
piements were put by their makers IS matter OF
guesswork but in the main there Is little doubt
about II. a.. ..,.u,, -.
The Indian pipes curiosity. especlaly ono
that Is in an unfinished state; the DoW OF thls ppo
has been excavated In the stone, but the aperture
by which the stem 10 connect with the powl
in the Collection were the product OF the Montauk
Indians who occupied the eastern end OF Long
Island and were further advanced In the arts tnan
most OF the other tribes. . . 49,.
The collection cannot fail to be or interest 10 tne
people of Brooklyn, who will have the opportunity
pf Viewing IL during the next two weeks. and they
will be glad second the effort which is pelng put
forth 10 place IL in the museum OF the Brookiyn
Institute The prospects that this movement WIZ
succeed are considered excellent a warm friend
OF the Institute said yesterday: ,
The museum that is now approaching completion
seems to be the most natural place for collection
like that of Mr. Tooker, which Is Indigenous so 70
speak TO Long Iscand. II certainly ought not to
be allowed be taken from this Island am
sure that Nh Tooker would much rather have It
as understand It. has an opportunity to purchase y
on specially favorable terms. and trust that IL
will be availed OF. While the collection Is large
one |: can be shown advantageously without taxing
this Chance 1t Will be likely have another one
In fact 1t is practically Impossible for II 10 have
another for the collection of Mr. Tooker cannot be
DUPLICATED The island has been pretty we'll raked
over now, and more finds OF extreme value are TO
be looked for. or at least few of them