Presented to
William Sulzer
(American, 1863 – 1941)
Cane
1900-1925
Place madeAlaska, United States, North America
Wood, horn, metal, brass
Overall: 37 3/4 x 5 3/4 x 5 x 5 3/4 in. ( 95.9 x 14.6 x 12.7 x 14.6 cm )
Gift of Honorable William Sulzer
1936.409
According to donor correspondence in accession records, these canes are rare and only found on the mountain sides of Alaska. The wood, referred to as diamond eye mountain willow, was discovered by Native peoples and prospectors who searched for it.
William Sulzer (1863-1941), nicknamed "Plain Bill", was the 39th governor of New York and a long-serving congressman for the state (1895-1912). In Congress, he was known as a Populist. Sulzer was elected governor in 1912 with the support of William Jennings Bryan, William Randolph Hearst, and Woodrow Wison, as well as the reform and Tammany factions of the state Democratic Party. He was the first and only New York State Governor to be impeached.
DescriptionWooden cane composed of a shaft with naturalistic carving, L-shaped horn handle, engraved metal collar and tapered brass ferrule.MarkingsEngraved on collar: "Sourdough Bill Sulzer"
InscribedInscribed on shaft: "To Sourdough Bill Sulzer- / From the Sourdoughs of Gulkana- / Alaska-"
ClassificationsPERSONAL ACCESSORIES
