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COLLECTING Indian relics, a hobby in which he has indulged for a quarter of a century, makes George Murphy of the C. Reiss Coal company of this city perhaps one of the besttoiown authorities of Indian handicraft in this^ection of the stateV^His collection, too, is noted for its many varieties and species of arrow-heads, tomahawks and other pieces of handwork which the Indian so ingeniously moulded as exigency demanded some formidable implement_of_war“in -which-to prove his master among the different warring tribes from time to time.As time went on, and through a process of elimination, Mr. Murphy “selected only the best and the most unusual type of the Indians’ craft so that at the present writing his collection ranks exceedingly high.Mr. Murphy’s hobby which grewupon~him~~ early in life took him to many points and on many expeditions where he was certain to find what he , sought. These included his-George Murphy lorica, lndian moUnds, burialplaces. In addition to the flint grounds and tribal meeting arrowhead collection and .other war implements he has also a collection of stone hatchets, battle axes and other war paraphernalia produced by native skill.An interesting feature is his collection of several pieces of Indian paint-stones, a species of mineral that the Indians employed in applying the vivid coloring to their .aces which found expression on occasions of war or tribal ceremonials.Mr. Murphy explained that flint, jasper and crude minerals, together with allied metals, comprise the material from' which most of thes^; materials are made.The stone cross pictured here has a most interesting history and is a relic of which Mr. Murphy is justly proud. There are only two of. its kind known to be in existence and were made by the Indians along the Mississippi River after the visit of Father Marquette who was known to them as the “White Father.”It will be remembered that Father Marquette succeeded in converting many of the Indians to Christianity and as a momenta of this kindness and untiring effort, they endeavored, in their crude way, to shape a cross to remember his visit among them; for the cross they knew to be the White Fathers’ chief insignia.With true native ability, they carved this cross out of an exceedingly hard piece of flint, adding the extra arm to the symbol which we know so well. Just what particular phase of their imagination they exemply in this, Mr. Murphy is unable to explain. It comprises, however, one of the most unusual and, at the same time, one of the most interesting pieces of early Indian craftsmanship in possession of any collector.Tomorrow; MILITARY TACTICS.
Newspaper Details
Manitowoc Herald News
Manitowoc, Wisconsin, US
Thu, Mar 19, 1931
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Badgerlink
WI, USA 09 Oct 2017
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