

\ 
A FAKE ELKHEAD. 
In November, ’98, Dr. D. D. Palmer, 
Davenport, Ia., wrote E. B. Wittich, Liv- 
ingston, Mont., that he had heard Wit- 
tich had an elk head with a phenomenal- 
ly large pair of horns, and asking for a 
price on same. In due time the Doctor 
received the following reply: * 
Livingston, Mont., Nov. 29, 1808. 
Dr. Palmer, Davenport, Ia. 
Dear Sir: Yours 22d at hand. Replying. 
the total measurements of horns of my 
choicest elk head is 24 feet 6 inches, as 
per rough sketch herewith. 
John Everett, of this place, owns a 22 
point elk head with a spread 5 feet 5)2 
inches that he took on a debt for $400, sev- 
eral years ago. Understand he said he 
would sell it because it was too large for 
anything but a hall. Respectfully, 
E. B. Wittich. 
Then Dr. Palmer wrote Everett asking 
price of the big head and in due time re- 
ceived this reply: 
ot Livingston, Mont., Dec. 9, 1898. 
Dr. Palmer. 
Dear Sir: Yours of December 2d to 
hand and contents noted. Have been ab- 
sent from home till this a. m., hence the 
delay in writing. Yes, I have a mounted 
elk head that has 22 points, which is too 
large for my home. I took it on a debt. 
It stands me at $400. The points are per- 
fect, and frqm a killed elk. On separate 
sheet I give you a sketch of horns. I am 
no draftsman, therefore you must not ex- 
pect to get a fine picture of them. This 
is the largest head I ever saw, and while 
I don’t claim to know much about game 
heads, I don’t know of a head as large 
anywhere. I will lose $100 on the head 
to turn it into cash. Will sell it for $300 
on board cars here. I hope you will un- 
derstand figures on drawing, and then 
you will know how it will suit you. 
Yours truly, 
J. Everett. 
P. S—I do not know weight of head, 
but it is heavy. 
[Everett’s sketch was not sent to Ree- 
REATION. | 
It seems the doctor was not yet satis- 
fied and wrote Everett for a photo of the 
head. Then came the following: 
_ Livingston, Mont., Dec. 24, 1808. 
Your letter to hand. Will get photo- 
graph on Monday next. Will have to 
put it up on side of my barn as it is too 
large to put up in my house to get photo. 
I don’t feel like paying for crating as it 
will cost me at least $10, I now have $400 
in it. I will send you photo and as good 
a measurement as I can take of it. 
Yours truly, 
J. Everett. 
Livingston, Mont., Jan. 4, 1899. 
I have taken a photo of the great head 
and will ask you to have patience. It has 
stormed every day since I took the photo. 
so the films can not be developed until the 
sun comes out. As soon as I get them I 
will send on to you, and I hope you will 
like them as it is a very large head. 
Yours truly, 
J. Everett. 
Then this: 
Livingston, Mont., Jan. 16, 1899. 
Dr. Palmer: 
Under separate cover I send you photo. 
of my elk head marked as well as 1 can 
make it. I took the head out of my barn 
and set it against a 6 foot light board fence 
and I had to set it on the ground, as you 
will see, to get the photo. 
Even then 

A POOR PHOTO OF THE FAKE ELKHEAD. 
the horns go above the fence, and the posi- 
tion I had to take it it throws its points 
all together; but as you are an expert you 
will make it out nicely. You ask how 
long it will take to crate it. Just about 
one day. You also say you want the horns 
only. I won’t sell that way as the head 
would be a total loss to me. I will take 
$270 on the cars here for the head. If 
you want the head send me draft for that 
amount and I will ship it without delay 
and I will crate it and wind the horns 
with burlap so they won’t get scratched. 
Will make the crate out of as light timber 
as will safely hold it so as to lessen ex- 


