The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1901-10-24
ChRlSr'S LIFE IN WOOD.
The Work of Twenty-seven Years with
Pocket. f..

wood with only one tool. and that tool
pocketknife, twenty seven years or
John O'Donnells life was required. He
has finished the work. 1t stands In his
home, at No. l29 East Fourth South
street, u marvel OF ingenuity and an
example of patience and perseverance
the equal of which may not be found
in history. There are more than 100
life-like figures. each one of which was
carved by hand out of II solid block OF
wood. The whole in its frame. repre-
sents three years actual whiting. 1t Is
called The Crib II. Bethlehem"
Mr.. O'Donnell. who is of the Catholic
faith. lived in Brooklyn. n. V. in 1874,
during which year he did his first piece
of work on the subject. He was stu
dent of the Bible. and had ionged for
the ability to paint such scenes as the
scriptures suggesi ed TO his mind. But
he was not an artist. The only work he
had ever engaged in was WOGu carving.
1t was after he had whitfield out a little
white altar that the whole passion pic
ture suggested itself. and from that day
to the present every hour of his spare
time has been put into the work. He
used only common pocket knives. wear
ing out fifteen in the twenty seven
years he was at work. Many time the
sharp blade slashed his fingers or hand.
Mr. O'Donnell saws. and on many occa-
sions, after working all day on piece
of wood. he would see 1t fall and break.
Instead of picking it up and dashing it
against the floor on the other end, he
would at such trying moment con-
clude 1t was out Of order and pick up
another block. This was the disposition
that accomplishment OF such piece
of work called for. 1t required the pa
thence Of Job.
A description falls short of conveying
a correct idea of the work. and it will
not convey any Of the spirit and enthu-
siasm which prompted the author to
accomplish his task.
The whole is inclOsed In cabinet
representing a church, which stands
about three feet high. Is four feet long.
and two feet wide. The first group Of
figures Is in a smaller church on the i'm
side, and describes the birth OF the
Savior. The infant Is seen with ita
mother and foster-father mt the man.
ger. while the three wise men are mak-
ing their offerings. and the shepherds,
the ass and the OK are shown. The
flight into Egypt, with the mother and
child seated upon the ass. while Joseph
leads the animal. Ii represented. The
last supper Is described by thirteen fig
ures seated around a table. aud jesus
Is standing as though addressing hia
apostles. Christ Is shown again wash
ing the feet Of his apostles. The capture
and trial Of Jesus are depleted with
minuteness. even to the kiss Of be-
trayal.
The scOurging at the pillars and the
placing of the crown OF th0rns upon
the Savior's head are other pictures.
The journey to Calvary Is followed out.
and Simon of Cyrene ls shown taking
the cross from the Savior when be falla
under Its weight The crucifixion Ia.
represented by several groups Of 6g>s
ures. The piercing Of his side. the Of
fering OF the sponge OF vinegar, tho
mailing of Jesus to the cross, and the
removal OF the body by st. Joseph.
Nicodemus. Mary Magdalene and Johns
the ascension. and the descent OF the
Holy Ghost to the apostles are among
the other scenes represented. There are
many others not here enumerated. but
!, each important event IN the life Of thu
Savior - given place.
4 The figures are from three to nine
inches in height. Some are 10 hardwood
and others are In lighter material. They
are all varnished or painted. and Will
exist long after the author Ii dead and
gone. Mr.. O'Donnell intends to leave
his work to some one who win appre-
ciate It. 1t never entered his mind to
sell or part with It for remuneration.
but be has spent all bis time and labor
out Of pure love Tor the subject He has
lived In Salt Lake for the past eleven
years.--6alt Lake Herald.
n