El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-01-23

That SuGEeESlAl ldA-NtlllloL must
possess both the scientific knowledge
Of z. naturalist and the artistic ability of
a sculptor was strikingly illustrated in
the recent Made in FL PasO Show by the
exhibit of Mcclellan Bros. Of this city,
taxidermists, manufacturing furriers
and tanners. Visitors at the Made in
FL Paso show will remember particu-
larly the extraordinary beauty and nat
uralness of the broad-winged eagle
which was feature Of the Mcclellan ex-
hfbit. and inquiry reveals the fact that
naturalists and sportsmen in many parts
OF the world have long since recognized
the notably artistic quality Of all Nc
LeIlan taxidermic work
The members Of the firm are J. Ellis
and Nyron Mcclellan. and the secret of
their exceptional skill in very diff
cult profession is partly inherited and
partly due to unusually valuable ex-
perience On their mothers side the
McLeIlans are members of the Ward
family-and those familiar with taxi
dermic lore need not be told that the
name Ward has for many generations
stood for pre-eminence in taxidermic
art, both in England and in the eastern
part Of the United States.
J. Ellis Mcclellan, head taxidermist Of
the firm, spent fifteen years as a nat
uralist in the employ Of the United
states government his work in that
capacity taking him over all the more
important game fields Of North Amer
lea. As a government naturalist, he
had plenty Of opportunity to develop his
exceptfonal natural abilities as a sculp-
tor. and the results Of his studies and
practical bench work along this line are
strilzingly evident in the life-like beauty
OF all his mounted pieces. Many speci-
mems of Nr. McLellan's work are now
parts Of the wonderful government col
lection at Washington, and experts
everywhere agree that his work is with
out a superior anywhere.
An inspection Of the wonderful boar's
head illustrated on this page) will
give an idea of the perfection of Nc
I.ellan taxidermic methods. In the first
Mace. J. Ellis Mcclellan, as a scientific
naturalist, had TO know the anatomy Of
a boar's head. Then as a sculptor, he
modelled every detail of the boar's skull
in the way which his artistic sense told
him would give the most natural eX-
preston. From this sculptured model
a paper mache form was made, and this
naper mache form is the foundation OF
the head shown above. It should be re-
membered. too, that the size and shape
Of the teeth, and the coloring of the
laws and tongue are all absolutely true
to nature. These are just a few Of the
myriad details which go into the pro-
duction of a good piece Of taxidermic
work. The boars head is mentioned
merely by way Of illustration. Every
animal or bird submitted to Mcclellan
Bros. is handled in the same careful and
artistic way. Every head Is made over
a paper mache form, taken from
sculptured model. And herein lies the
secret Of the fact that Mcclellan Bros.
annually receive orders from prominent
sportsmen and naturalists in every part
Of the United States.
The Mcclellan business was first es-
tablished at Douglas, Ariz., where the
firm first established its enviable
southwestern reputation About three
years ago the esta blishment was moved
to Ell Paso, as being more central, and
since then the growth Of the business
has been rapid and continuous.
Myron Mcclellan, who acts as business.
manage of the firm, has, like his
brother. inherited all the familys ar
tistic tendencies. Before he became
associated with his brother some years
ago, he had held a responsible position
with an eastern art goods house. The
general artistic bent Of the family is
further indicated by the fact that sis
ter, Miss Mera Mcclellan, is an instruc-
tor in the art department Of the Ne
braska State Normal University.
The mounting Of animals and birds
is only a part Of the business Of Nc
Lellan Bros. They are also manufac-
turing furriers, being equipped to man
ufacture furs and rugs Of all kinds