Primitive Bee Box

Today, most bee keepers purchase “nucs” or package bees when they are interested in acquiring a new hive.  This primitive “Bee Box”, with original red paint, was used when bee keepers had to hunt and capture ferrel bees.  Traditional bee keepers used the box by putting something sweet in the chamber.  This attracted a bee, who then communicated the location of this resource to her sisters.  More bees entered the chamber to feed on the sweet treat.   Once several bees were captured in the chamber, the bee keeper released the bees.  They typically made a “bee line” to their hive, located in a tree or log.  The bee keeper followed the bees to the hive, and was thus able to steal a little honey or capture the bee colony for “keeping”.

Entrance to Chamber

Bee Box With Chamber Door Closed

This is a cabinet card photograph of a circus or carnival performer holding a very large snake over her neck and shoulders.  The card is rather faded, but intriguing, nonetheless.  The name “Susie Miett” appears on the back of the card in pencil.

Obermuller and Son were known for their photographs of freaks, carnival and circus performers.  Both father and son came to gruesome ends.  Frederick, the son, committed suicide in 1900 by drinking carbolic acid several months after his two sons died due to illness.  August, the father, reportedly killed himself as well, by drowning in a tank of chemical developer.

We have read the NY Times’ account of Frederick’s death (May 13, 1900).  We have not, however, found any authoritative source describing August’s death.

We will be interested in learning more about the Obermullers, about “freak” photography, and the reputed rivalry between the Obermulers and their competitors in the trade, and will welcome your comments