The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-10-25
THE INDIAN sENTINELs.
10000 Wooden Chieftains on Guard
in New York.

in New York.
From the New York Commercial Ad-
vertiser,
A census of the wooden Indians
throughout this country has never
been taken. 1t is estimated, however,
that the number of white pine" saw
ages guarding the various cigar stores
with hatchets and other intruments of
defense is in excess of the entire red
skin population of the government
reservation. In this city alone there are
said to be at least 10000 Of the race.
These Indians, like the original tribes
of aborignes, are of various sizes and
descriptions. and range in price from
a small Indian hunter bringing $25 to
the big chief hourishing a tomahawk
that sells for $3.50. There are a few
made of metal, and these are some
what more expensive, ranging from $40
to IT'S, according to size. The old wood
en- warrior, however, smoking the pipe
of peace, or Hiawatha with his arrows
is considered just as good as a metal
brave" and, according to the maker,
lasts with ordinary care-that is with
q little II6SA pdlIlL HOW dlAd IAACAi NDONS
fifty years, or, generally speaking, a
lifetime. 1t may be added that the alb
original Indian also liked paint and
generally lasted a lifetime, points OF
similarity that may well be noted. or
late some sentiment has crept into the
business of carving these figures and
lovely MinnehahaS and Pocahontases
have been the result. Minnehaha may
be seen shading her eyes with one hand
while a shawl hangs over the left arm
and the left hand holds bow with ar
rows. Pocahontas was copied from the
pictures, but is not saving Capt. Smith,
as might be suggested. She is generally
presenting some tobacco to the passing
pedestrian.
There is not the business done in
these figures that there used to be, "
said an old wood carver, whom the
cigar trade calls 1.-THE Indian" Il am
the only one left in Manhattan out of
six or seven. For thirty-seven years /
have been at this work, having taken
during the early days a nine-year
course of study at the old Academy OF
Design. During my time I have made
all kinds of figures, including the fancy
figureheads that are placed at the bows
of sailing vessels. This business how
ever, has played out, because most of
the steamers have straight bows now
and the sailing vessels that possess
f1gureheads are no longer built here
For twenty long years I supplied P. I.
Barnum with all the cherubs, reptiles,
elephants and liberty statues used on
his circus tableau wagons. At one
time 1 sent seventeen Indians, black
boys, Scotchmen and the like to New
Zealand, all on one order, and at an
other thirteen wooden men were sent
81 10
wooden men living here. The export
trade also has died out. still have a
demand for about 200 figures each year,
which keeps me busy. Occasionally
some one wants a King Gambrinue, the
enc who invented lager beer, to be
placed before a liquor store, and there
is some demand for eagles, ranging in
price from $25 to SIS. All the work is
done by hand and each figure is hewn
out of Canadian or Michigan white
pine. Nothing IS added to the solid
piece except the arms and the like.
This Indian here" and he pointed to
a savage he was just finishing has
in his hand an old musket from the
Philippines. There are many such an
achronisms. A great deal OF work
done now Is refinishing old Indians
which have been neglected and have
partly rotted. A liberal discount, too.
is allowed when old figures are swap
ped for new. Sometimes the arms legs
or heads have been mutilated In a fall
and must OF need be amputated 10
make room for new ones.
Cigar stores are decreasing ! am
told that large dry goods and grocery
stores now sell tobacco cheaper than
the small dealer can purchase II at
wholesale. This viii affect business.
But "a good wood carver need never
worry as there VIII during this gener-
alton at least. always be some one that
wants a wooden Indian