In the 1950's John was comissioned to carve a large wood frieze commerating the Blackfoot heritage. It took him 4 years to carve the 1800 pound, 4' X 13' cottonwood carving but when he was finished, the carving, (titled Blackfoot Encampment) was considered the most accurate depiction of the Blackfoot people. For years it hung at the hospital in Browning, The Harry Adams Fieldhouse at the University of Montana in Missoula, and The School for the Deaf and Blind in Great Falls. It now has found its permanent home the Montana Historical Society in Helen, Montana.
John spent most of his life on the Blackfoot Indian Reservation next to the eastern boundry of Glacier National Park. Along with carving, John spent much of his time hunting, fishing, and exploring the country side. This enabled him to carve what he saw. This carving of mountain lion attackng a doe and fawn was surely inspired by personal observation.
It was said that John's bear carvings were so realistic you could smell them.
The noted western artist, Charles M. Russell would spend summers at his cabin, Bullhead Lodge, on the shores of Lake McDonald. He and John would become friends and when John asked for advice on how to sell his carvings, Charlie Russell replied; "Your work is like mine, many people like to look at it but there are few buyers..." Like Charlie Russell, John's wife would become his marketing manager.
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