Legacy Of 13-Year Old Left To Fairfax Historical Society

Ernest Charles Tinker, brother of Lizzie (Tinker) Wright was born September 10, 1924 and died August 29, 1937. He is buried here in Fairfax in Sanderson's Corners Cemetery. Suffering from Chronic Nephritis, his niece Harlene Wright told me that he spent much of his time in bed and to while away his time he built the barn shown below:

Mike Cain, Fairfax Historical Society President, Matt Ryan, grandson of Lizzie (Tinker) Wright and Harlene Wright unload the barn built by young Ernie Tinker in the mid 1930s. He even has a light in it powered by an old style battery that is about the size of a D battery, although definitely not made the same.

He also spent his time carving and I took three photos of his work, although I did not arrange them for the photo:

Above is a piano & piano stool he carved and looks like he painted the keys on it.

A bed, table, chairs, a rabbit, team of oxen and traverse sled are shown above

A vanity with a mirrow, a chest/seat and an owl are also shown above and all done by a sick 13 year old boy.

Matt Ryan is shown with Lucia (Sweeney) Tinker's BFA Graduation picture. They also brought her graduation diploma which interestingly enough shows her graduating from BFA with a teaching course. Apparently in those days, this made you qualified to go out an teach.

There were also many other items that I didn't get to take a photo of, but will try to do it later and maybe get some better photos of his carvings.

The Fairfax Historical Society is extremely grateful to the Tinker/Wright Family for these Historical objects.