06/11/2026
Carlisle Weekly Herald - Thursday October 1, 1874:
An eagle designed by Schimmel, now surmounts the flag staff on the roof of the “Thudium House.” This is one of the finest hotel properties in this town to-day.
The Sentinel - Tuesday October 2, 1888:
A display of carved wood, by Mr. Schimmel, showed great skill and workmanship.
Carlisle Weekly Herald - Thursday September 1, 1887:
Schimmel, the old German, who was injured at Vance & Co’s machine shop is improving. It will be a hard matter to kill Schimmel as about a year ago he fell off a train at Greyson which was running at a rate of thirty miles per hour and received no injury.
The Sentinel - Thursday August 7, 1890:
“Old Schimmel,” the German who for many years tramped through this and adjoining counties making his headquarters in jails and almshouses, died at the almshouse on Sunday. His only occupation was carving heads of animals out of soft pine wood. These he would sell for a few pennies each. He was apparently a man of very surly disposition.
These and a few other newspaper articles describe a man, Wilhelm Schimmel, as an angry German, a drunk and a tramp who sold his wood carvings. Often paying for food and boarding with his carvings- now worth several thousand dollars.
To learn more about his life, how he carved and see many talented craft folk inspired by his work you can visit The Historic Heishman's Mill as part of the Spirit of Schimmel Wood Carving Expo this Saturday from 9-4!
