The Washington times., 1914-06-07
Mrs. John Hall Stephens Began
Her Hobby When Child in
Oregon With Duck From
Alaska.
Baskets, Rugs, Chests, Pottery,
and Embroidery Exhibit
Marvellous Work of Tribal
Craftsmen.
BY MARY EDNA MOVES.

When you enter the home Of Con-
gresham and Mrs. John Hall Ste
phens Of Texas for the first time
you find It difficult to go through the
form Of greeting your hosts before
asking: Where did you get all these
wonderful Indian and Mexican
things?"
Then, as you take a second look
and begin to realize that in the re-
certion hall OF the Stephens home
you have before you the most COM
plete assortment. Of baskets, rugs.
chests, burden carriers, pottery,
and bead embroidery you ever
dreamed of, you cannot resist ask
collection was ever made.
Both the Congressman and his
charming wife are accustomed to
this sort Of questioning and they
take pleasure in telling all about 1t.
First Of all, Mrs. Stephens was the
granddaughter OF Elijah Brstow,
one Of the first settlers OF Lane
county, Oregon. She started her col
lection when a mere infant-with q
wooden duck. carved and presented
to her by an Alaskan Indian. She
used this as a baby carriage for her
dollies.
The duck, which now holds a
prominent place on the mantle OF
the room, was one Of her favorite
toys throughout childhood and is still
a valued treasure. When yet very
young. Mrs. Stephens developed the
love Of collecting works Of art and
her Indian pieces were added to
frequently by the Indians of Lane
county, who looked upon her grand
father as their best friend. One
old chief took the name Of Bristow
for his own and his descendants
now are known as the Bristows.
Clock From ireland.
In her many travels through the
northwest, Alaska. and Mexico. Mrs
Stephens has had the good fortune
to be able to secure examples OF
the best Indian handiwork. In her
travels In Europe, she gathered rare
pieces Of china and other interesting
souvenirs. OF these. the mahogany
hall clock probably the only thing
in the reception hall which Is not
Indian or Mexican make. is most
interesting. It is at least six feet
tall and was found by her in Ire
land, where It was disguised In q
coat Of whitewash. Recognizing Its
value, Mrs. Stephens persuaded tho
owner TO sell II to her and. after
bringing II to Washington and hav-
the distinction of being the finest
time keeper in the house.
But to 60 back to the Indian
things-the most attractive are the
rugs. OF the fifteen. the finest and
brightest are placed in the reception
room. They are largely the Navajo
variety, and make a most excellent
covering for the hardwood floor.
Next. a large. round gambling
plaque fastened over the mantle
takes the eye. You are told that
II come from Arizona, and is one of
the finest peces in the collection. and
almost impossible to obtain now,
since gambling has been discouraged
among the Indians This piece is
about eighteen inches In diameter.
and is made in q butterfly design
worked in with black grass. An
other very similar piece Of the same
sort in the swatiska design, the an
cIent and favored motif OF the In
dians is placed over the doorway
leading into the hall.
Present From Sacaton Tribe.
From these you turn naturally to
the huge basket placed near by on
the floor. The basket Is about two
feet high, and was presented to Con-
gresham Stephens recently by the
Sacaton Indians. who wished to show
their appreciation of his interest in
the irrigation question, SO vital to
them. These Indians taxed them
selves cents apiece to purchase the
basket The design was taken from
the old inscriptions on the rocks,
and is very sacred.
OF the collection OF baskets, one
Pima basket is quite the finest Tho
baskets are numerous and are ar
ranged in rows around the edge Of
the room, some adorn shelves and
others are fastened to the walls In