Historic Treasure of the Week - July 18, 1982
By Dorothy W. Jerse
Curator, Vigo County Historical Society
Historic Treasure of the Week - July 18, 1982
By Dorothy W. Jerse
Curator, Vigo County Historical Society
Tootootch, a Wabash Valley treasure, stands proudly on the lawn of the Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 South Sixth Street. However, sometimes his presence is questioned: "Why is a totem pole a part of an Indiana museum?"
Visitors who ask this question know totem poles were part of the life of Indians living in the Northwest Coast of southern Alaska and British Columbia and not of the Woodland Indians who once called the Wabash Valley home. What they don't know is the local origin of this particular object.
Mrs. Chapman J. Root ordered a totem pole constructed for the grounds of the beautiful Root Estate in Allendale. A 28-foot long pine tree was transported by rail from California. The late Huston Isaacs, a teacher and authority on Indian lore, and his friend Charles Eggleston carved the stylized figure in the way of the Northwest Indians.
The totem pole was a part of the Root Estate from 1938 until 1963 when it was given to the Society by Chapman S. Root in memory of his grandmother Mrs. Chapman J. Root.
"Tootootch" is the Indian word for the thunderbird which is carved at the top. Symbolic faces and figures appear below with a bear symbolizing strength at the base. The colors represent the heavenly skies (white), sunlight and happiness (yellow), the earth and trees (green), power (black), the waters and sincerity (blue), and war and valor (red).
Dr. Fred Isaacs, son of one of the carvers, supervises the care of this local historical treasure. The most recent painting was accomplished by Louis R. Williams, professor of art at Indiana State University, in 1978.