Ottawa Herald in Ottawa, Kansas

Brothers forge bronze and silver figures in Paola basement

Three Hoffman brothers J D Steve and Rick began casting in a Paola basement three years ago. Now in a two story home they produce hundreds of bronze and silver figures from tiny arrowheads to a foot high cowboy valued at up to 1500 in California shops. They learned from a Pawhuska man and use wax and investment casting to craft pieces priced by size, with small items yielding modest profits and larger works promising substantial future gains. Continued on Page 7A.