The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1901-10-25
CHRlST'S LIFE IN WOOD.
The Work of Twenty-scven Years with
Pocket Knife.

Pocket-knife.
To illustrate the life of Christ in
wood with only one tool, and that tool
a pocketknife, twenty-seven years of
John O'Donnelrs life was required. He
has finished the work. 1t stands in his
home, at No. 100 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 100 !
life-like figures, each one of which was
carved by hand out of solid block of |
wood. The whole, in its 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 as 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 little
white altar that the whole passion pie
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 says, and on many occa-
sions, after working all day on a piece
l.. i . fol Il
Instead of picking it up and dashing it
against the floor on the other end, he
would at such trying moment con-
-clude it was out of order and pick up
another block. This was the disposition
that accomplishment of such a piece
of work called for. 1t required the pa
thence of Job.
description falls short of conveying
q 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 a church, which stands
about three feet high, is four feet long,
and two feet wide. The first group of
figures is in smaller church on the in
side, and describes the birth of the
Savior. The infant is seen with its
mother and foster-father at the man
ger, while the three wise men are max
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, is represented. The
last supper is described by thirteen fig
ures seated around a table, and Jesus
is standing as though addressing his
apostles Christ is shown again wash.
ing the feet of his apostles The capture
and trial of Jesus are depicted with
minuteness, even to the kiss of be-
trayal.
The scourging at the pillars and the
placing of the crown of thorns upon
the Savior's head are other pictures
The journey to Calvary is followed out
and Simon of Cyrene is shown taking
the cross from the Savior when he falls
under its weight. The crucfiXion is
represented by several groups of fig
ures. The piercing of his side, the of
fering of the sponge of vinegar, the
mailing of Jesus to the cross, and the
removal of the body by st. Joseph
Nicodemus, Mary Magdalene and John
the ascension, and the descent of til,
Holy Ghost to the apostles are anon!
the other scenes represented. There ar,
many others not here enumerated, bu
each important event in the life of tn
Savior is given place.
The figures are from three to min,
inches in height Some are in hardwood,
and others are in lighter material The,
are ali vanished or painted, and will
exist long after the author is dead an,
gone. Mr.. O'DOnnell intends to leav
his work to some one who will appre
ciate it. 1t never entered his mind t
sell or part with it for remuneration
but he has spent all his time and labo
out of pure love for the subject. He ha
lived in Salt Lake for the past clever
years.-Salt Lake Herald
The COnfederate's Reyenpe