The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1897-03-25
FROM FOREIGN LANDS
SPECIMENS IN
SALEM ACADEMY MUSEUM.
An Exact Miniature Reproduction of
the Large Wagons Used in South
Africa-Shipped Last Fall by
MOraVian Missionary.

1
the Large Wagons Used in South
! Africa-Shipped Last Fall by
/ Moravian Missionary
| The museum department of Salem
| Female Academy and College has been
gathering, for some years past, inter
| esting specimens from foreign lands
bearing upon the life and habits OF
the people, or showing natural objects
of interest.
A few days since box was received
from distant South Africa, contain
ing an article of unusual interest. 1t
is an exact miniature reproduction
of the large wagons used by the beers
or farmers as they moved northward
from Cape Colony to Orange Free
State and later still further north to
the IransVaal.
The beers are sturdy, well-to-do
stock of Dutch or of German extrac-
tion, and they resented the somewhat
oyerbearIng methods of government
on the part of the English. Hence
when Cape Colony, the extreme south
end of Africa, became too unpleasant
for them they travelled or "treked"
northward in great wagons, each
wagon drawn by 16 oxen. 1t was a
rough journey over the unbroken
wilds, much like crossing the plains
States. But the hand of England
followed them even here in the Orange
Free State, and the patient beers or
farmers took up the line OF march and
went onward into the interior of the
country, again using the famous great
wagons with their 16 oxen each FL
nalIy the Transvaal was reached and
here they took their stand, and as is
we'll known to the reader, detied En-
glish power to further annoy them,
and old President Kruger whipped
the English forces at Johannes burg
last year. This however, is Of no
special interest to US in the present
connection. The miniature wagon
referred to is an exact representation
Of the great vehicles used during the
past generation or two for the long
and rough journeys. It is about
foot high, and foot and half long.
With the yokes for the oxen the
length is about four feet. The shape
cred wagons, for while the wagon
sheet extends slightly beyond the
rear of the wagon bed, the front of
the wagon is exposed. The yokes,
too are quite unlike our yokes used on
the necks OF oxen. The wagon bed
has a chest in front and one in the
rear, and between these are benches
on VIII i the passengers wcrc seated.
The comparative length OF the tongue
OF the wagon is very great. The
wheels are much like those in our
own section.
The interesting part of this m odel
wagon is that it was made by native
of South Africa with his pocket knife
only. The Rev. Mr.. Poiet, Mora
Wan Missionary, (who resided in the
Twin City several years ago for his
healthy now in South Africa, purchas-
ed it and sent it to Cape Colony. La
ter he found that no steamers sailed
directly to our country, so the box
to New York and finally expressed to
North Carolina. 1t vas a long jour
ney and although the box left South
Africa last Fall, it arrived here only
a few days ago.
1t is the intention to send to Silesia,
Germany, and have 16 oxen carved
from wood and then make the wagon
more realistic.
The model which we have just de-
scribed is of interest to Moravians,
coming as it does from one of their
others because it is a true model of
the wagon of another part Of the
world. And it is teIesting to still
others because it is the ingenious
work of native kaffir. Therefore it
was decided to place the model where
any who desire to examine it could do
so, before it was put into the Acade-
my Museum. Mr.. ii. A. Giersh has
given the Use of his large store win
Moi or
pose of displaying this and other
specimens which have recently been
received from different parts Of the
world. Mr.. William Pfohl has kindly
furnished the neatly marked cards
which describe the article. The col
lection will be in Mr.. Giersh's window
from Monday, March 22nd to Monday,
March 29th.
The following is a list of articles
which seemed to recommend them
selves as being of general interest:
l. Miniature Wagon, described above
2 Kayak, or Skin-Boat, used by the
natives of Alaska for fishing or travel.
3 Snow Shoes, used by the Eskimos
in travelling over snow fields (child's
size.)
4 Tooth of Mammoth (Elephas-
Mendionalis). These teeth are often
found weighing II pounds and more.
Alaska.
5. Dert-tooth belt, from Alaska.
Made of the teeth of several score of
deer.
6. Sword of Sword-flsh. Fish is Of
ten II or Is feet long, aud with this
sword, which is prolongation of the
nose, can kill whale or pierce hole
through the bottom of boat.
I Two large bomb-shells, fred at
Fort Fisher, N. c., by Union war ves-
sells.
Two large specimens of Fan Sea
weed.
The specimens all form a part of
the Academy Museum.