Postcard - Denver, Colorado

"The Civic Center is adjacent to the main business district and at the foot of Capitol Hill and the State Building. Here are the Public Library, the Greek Theatre, Voorhies Memorial, and many interesting statues. Across the Civic Center from the Capitol is the new City and County Building recently completed at an approximate cost of $5,000,000."

1930s

Phone photo 2767

Tumwater, Washington

Favorite Movie Quotes: Sea of Love

"People are a lot of work, Brother. A lot of work."

Phone photo 2766

The Demon Child, I am sorry to say, reigned supreme.

Morty Comix # 2636

Morty Comix # 2636 was part of performing a public service. Once in awhile I'll bring my lunch and drive Nadine down to this always deserted little park at the end of a dead end street in Tumwater, Washington. Recently I noticed the top bar of part of the cyclone fence had been knocked out. So before setting it back, I rolled up a Morty Comix and placed it in there.

Yes, my method of comix distribution is not really financially profitable, but it is more original and fun.

Phone photo 2765

Giant Peace Symbol over the former Olympia Brewing bottling plant

Tumwater, Washington

Knife Blades Found in "Human Ostrich"

From the Ellensburg Dawn, Apr. 7, 1908

This is the second character I found in Washington State who billed himself as the "Human Ostrich." The other man, who was around at the same time, was James Fitzgerald, who was said to have two sets of teeth. Like Harrison, Fitzgerald had to eventually undergo stomach surgery.

Phone photo 2764

No Shooting Resid. Area

McCleary, Washington

Postcard - Buena Vista, Colorado

"A Nice Place to Stay - 'Wright's Lodge', Buena Vista, Colorado"

1940s?

Looks like this place is now called Bunny Lane Cabins

Phone photo 2763

Close detail of the Demon Child in McCleary. That enigmatic grin cannot hide the malice deep within those eyes, those endless pools of black, those portals into Hell.

James Abbott, what did you unleash into the world?

The Problem With Being a Farmer

I grew up on a farm, and I know it is hard bein' a farmer. All dat criticism from others. But dat's just part of de game. All de farmers have de tractors.

Phone photo 2762

Of all the faces on all the work by James Abbott, none have so much power as the Demon Child on the mural on Gordon's Grocery in McCleary, Washington. This painting is actually sentient, and has the ability to sway us mere mortals to do his evil bidding.

Here he is instructing me to go in the store, buy some Pringles Potato Chips, go home and eat the whole package in one sitting while watching reruns of Petticoat Junction. Fortunately, his spell was broken but only after I exerted a tremendous amount of willpower.

What I want to know is how Mr. Abbott, who seemed like a nice enough fellow, could create such a little monster.

Buster Brown Ad, 1908

 Advertisement by Richard F. Outcault featuring Buster Brown, 1908.

Phone photo 2761

Restored James Abbott mural, Elma, Washington

Favorite Movie Quotes: Saint Joan

"Light your fire. Do you think I dread it as much as life as a rat in a hole? My voices were right!"

Phone photo 2760

James Abbott mural on a tavern front, Elma, Washington. Several of Abbott's works have already vanished or been wrecked by the elements, but this is one of the very few that was freshened up with a restoration effort by other artists in recent years.

Meeting Notes, 8-30-13

Phone photo 2759

Elma, Washington

Relic of Heathenism, Vampires in 1913

From the Camas Post, Sept. 19, 1913

Phone photo 2758

James Abbott mural detail, Elma, Washington. One of the few instances I have found where he created a face that was not (A) Lifeless or (B) Demonic. Like I mentioned earlier, he was great on landscapes, but portraying people was not his strength.

Buster Brown Ad, 1908

Advertisement by Richard F. Outcault featuring Buster Brown, 1908.

Phone photo 2757

McCleary, Washington

Postcard - Universal City, California

"Famous Universal Studios. 'The World's Largest Movie Studio' with the beautiful San Fernando Valley in the background."

1970s

Phone photo 2756

Blank headstones waiting for urns

Tumwater, Washington

Favorite Movie Quotes: Royal Wedding

"There's a fella who won't take 'yes' for an answer."

Phone photo 2755

James Abbott mural, McCleary, Washington

When I Almost Died

Back in 1995 I almost died but a last minute surgery saved my life. While I was on the operating table, I left my body and found myself on the bank of a very shallow river, no deeper than waist high.

On the other side of the river was Mr. Death, beckoning me to wade across and join him.

"Yeah, right," I replied. "If you want me so bad then why don't YOU cross the river and get me?"

"Silly boy," he said, "Death wades for no one."

So I was spared.

Phone photo 2754

James Abbott mural in detail on cinderblock, which combined with the long exposure to weather has given the work sort of an unintentional impressionistic style. McCleary, Washington

Morty Comix # 2635

Morty Comix # 2635 was placed in a latch for an auto air/water machine

Tumwater, Washington

Phone photo 2753

Blank spots waiting for urns

Tumwater, Washington