Visitors from the past
BY ALYSSA MEIER
Editor
The ointments and powders making up his medical supplies were hand-ground and mixed, according to historic recipes. His winter hat was made by sewing together a raccoon and two rabbits. He built his chair out of twigs, sews on buttons with horse hair and crafts his own bullets with melted lead.
Donal Wilkinson is the picture of an authentic fur trader.
A teacher from Idaho, Wilkinson was one of a half dozen fur traders that camped out at Fahlgren Park last week, educating visitors on the Corps of Discovery, trapping, crafting and trading.
Wilkinson has only been “living this life” for about six years, but has amassed a mountain of historical artifacts and handmade replicas.
“I just dove in feet first,” Wilkinson said with a laugh as he looked over his items.
His collection included medical tools, like devices to pull teeth. He also had some tins of ointments and powders, like nutmeg that would be used to numb a patient’s mouth before a dental procedure.
