The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1901-11-14
cHRIsr.s Lie in woop.
The Work of Twenty-seven Years with
Pocket KNIFE.


To illustrate the life of Christ in
wood with only one tool, and that tool
a pocketknife, twenty-seyen years of
John O'Donnelrs life was required. He
has finished the work. II stands in his
home, at No 129 East Fourth South
street, a marvel of ingenuity and an
example of patience and perseverance
the equal of which may not be found
in history. There are more than $50
life-like figures. each one of which was
carved by hand out of a solid block of
wood The whole, in it's frame, repre-
sents three years actual whiting 1t is
called "The Crib at Bethlehem"
Mr.. O'Donnell, who is of the Catholic
faith, lived in Brooklyn, n. Y. in 1874,
during which year he did his first piece
of work on the subject. He was a stu
dent of the Bible, and had longed for
the ability to paint such scenes rs the
scriptures suggested to his mind. But
he was not an artist. The only work he
had ever engaged in was wood carving
1t was after he had Whitfield out a little
white altar that the whole passion pic |
ture suggested itself, and from that dag
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 says, and on many occa-
sions, after working all day on Il piece
of wood he would see it 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-
crude 1t was out of order and pick up
another block. This was the disposition
that accomplishment of such niece
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 a cabinet |
representing church, which stands
about three feet high, is four feet long
and two feet wide. The first groun of
hgures is in smaller church on the in >
SIDE and describes the birth of the Il
savior. The infant is seen with IFS =
mother and fOster-father at the man
ger, While the three wise men are max r
ing their offerings, and the shepberds
me ass and the OK are shown. The II
1lght into Egypt, with the mother and
'hlld seated upon the ass, while Josenb III
eaus the animal, is represented. The
ast supper is described by thirteen flo.
Tres seated around a table, and Jesns
standing as though addressing bis
postles. Christ Is shown again wash. II
ng the feet Of his apostles. The capturo II
ma trial Of Jesus are depicted with III
nihuteness, even to the kiss of he. II
rayal. III
Inc scourging at the pillars and the Ia
placing of the crown of thorns mon II
ne me eaViors head are other pictures. IL
Inc Journey to Calvary is followed ont II
ma simon of Cyrene is shown talsin, III
ne CROSS from the Savior when he faIls III
under Its weight. The crucifxioD 10 ii
represented by several groups of flo.
ures' The piercing of his side. tha os
lerlng OF the sponge of vinegar tbo
naming OF Jesus to the cross. and the
removal of the body by St Josenh
Nicodemus, Mary Magdalene and Jobn.
tne ascension, and the descent of tbo
holy Ghost to the apostles are amono
the other scenes represented. There are
many Others not here enumerated hrt
each important event in the life of tho
Savior is given place. - '"e
The figures are from three 70 n,u
inches in height. Some are in hardwonS
ana others are in lighter material Tbo,
are all vanished or painted. and win
exist long after the author is dead ona
gone. Mr.. O'Donnell intends to lao
his work to some one who win ann.
clate 1t. 1t never entered his nina -
sell or part with it for remunerati ou ~ a
but he has spent all his time and Iapor b
OUT Oh pure love for the subject He bos a
llVed IN Salt Lake for the mast eloI las S
Sears'-Salt Lake Herald. :" h