Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 84, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 July 1901 — A Notable Collection. [ARTICLE]

A Notable Collection.

Lieutenant Bates Tucker, brought back with him from the Philippines a very excellent collection of curious articles, and a large chest full of these he brought to hie old home, Wednesday, and has left them in care of Rensselaer Post, No. 84, G. A. R., and they are now in Memorial Hall, at the court house. The various weapons used by the famed “bolo-men” of Mindanao constitute the largest feature of the collection. There are all kinds of strangely shaped daggers and swords, included several forms of the Malay “creese,” swords with zig-zag or “flaming” blades, and with both edges sharp as razors. Also single edged swords, with straight blades, some short and very heavy, and some very long, All these swords and daggers have wooden scabbards of native manufacture. There is also a large, heavy weapon much like a butcher’s cleaver. These are used in the decapitating operations formerly so liberally engaged in in some portions of the Philippines. An iron spear, and a wonderful quiver full of arrows are also among the collection. The bow which goes with the quiver is too long to go in the chest and Lieut. Tucker will send it later. There is also a full and very gorgeous dress suit of a Filopeno dude, and also some articles of female apparel. Also many natural curiosities such as sea-shells, corals etc. The collection, which is a very valuable one, from a money as well as educational point of view, will be left in care of the post here for a long time, and as soon as it can be placed in a suitable glass case, and the articlesjproperly labelled, will be placed on public exhibition.