On August 12, 1929, an amazing exhibit made its debut in Kingsport, Tennessee.
On display were several tables, boxes, cups and other objects made from wood. These items were so intricately made that designs were visible in them, all made without paint or stain but instead from different types of wood inlaid in them.
These items were crafted by hand using only a handsaw, a pocket knife a hammer and a plane over a period of 13 years by a self-taught farmer from Carroll County, Virginia.
You may have heard of him for this man is a part of Appalachian history.
His name was Sidna Allen, the brother of Floyd Allen, and one of the men involved in the infamous shootout at the Hillsville Courthouse. Sidna Allen was tried and convicted and sentenced to 35 years in prison for his part in the incident, but was pardoned after serving 13 years. It was during those 13 years that Mr. Allen honed his talents for woodworking, making all the exhibits on display that day during his time in prison.
I wonder how Mr. Allen had access to the tools while he was in prison?
I’d guess this time was way too early for the rehab programs (woodshop, etc.) in today’s prisons.
That was what he told the reporter in the newspaper story I found. I wondered about that, too, since one of his “tools” was a knife!
Just found this: https://myfox8.com/news/the-story-of-sidna-allen-57-shots-in-90-seconds-episode