Discover Mid-America — March 2004

“Wild Thing” carousel lives up to its name

Bruce A. White in St. Joseph, MO, is the unofficial king of the carousel animal carvers. Among his other customers, he has supplied more than 1,200 Applebee Restaurants worldwide with horses. Other horses are shipped as far away as Greece and countries on the Persian Gulf.

Sam, the Eagle, a popular figure. White said he carved Sam for a lady who couldn’t ride other carousel figures. (Photos by Ken Weyand)

Some typical examples of White’s work can be seen on The Wild Thing Carousel at the Patee House Museum at 12th and Penn in St. Joseph. White let his imagination run wild on The Wild Thing, built in 1941, outfitting it with a menagerie of animals and birds that he carved over the course of five years. Figures include a Pony Express horse, the original Applebee’s horse, an Arabian Nights winged horse, several other exotic animals, at least one dinosaur, and some oversized birds. A huge hummingbird transports children and adults to the world of make-believe. Another popular carousel component is the unique carved eagle bench.

White started carving plaques while in the army, then graduated to furniture, including cedar chests. A lady asked him if he could carve a carousel horse for her, and he gave it a try. White settled in Kinsley, KS, built a workshop, and began carving carousel horses for amusement companies, restaurant chains and private collectors. When a fire destroyed his studio in June 2000, White and his wife, Cindy, moved to St. Joseph, and Bruce kept producing the horses. The “Wild Thing Carousel” was one of White’s projects.

Bruce White and his Pony Express horse, the final figure on The Wild Thing.

In 2001, White and his wife donated the carousel to the museum, so that future generations could enjoy the pleasures of carousel entertainment. The final carved figure was the Pony Express horse, in keeping with the theme of the Patee House, the Pony Express headquarters.

With help from generous individuals, businesses and government agencies, a unique octagon-shaped building was erected to house the carousel. Located just west of the Patee House, it was first opened to the public in the spring of 2003.

A lot of restoration went into The Wild Thing before it was ready for the public. “When I first set foot on the floor of the original carousel, my foot went right through the rotten wood,” White said. White and his family did some of the restoration work, which was completed by the Patee House staff. Today, the carousel gleams with bright colors and shiny animal figures. It is complete with an ornate organ that plays stirring march music. White is currently working on a smaller carousel with more examples of his carvings. “I hope to have it finished this summer, and it will be available for lease,” he said.

Cost for a “Wild Thing” ride is $1.50, or four for $5. For those who just want to ride the merry-go-round but not visit Patee House, there’s a separate entrance to the Carousel House.
Just west of the Carousel House is the Jesse James Home, where the outlaw was killed in 1882. Visitors can still see the legendary “bullet hole.”

The Patee House Museum, built in 1858 as an elegant 140-room pioneer hotel, is a National Historic Landmark that served as headquarters for the Pony Express in 1860. Owned and operated by the Pony Express Historical Association, it is open through March on weekends only. From April through October, the museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The Jesse James Home is open year-round.

For more information call (816) 232-8206.

Discover Mid-America founder and Senior Contributing Editor Ken Weyand files regular reports on notable Midwest destinations. He can be reached at kweyand@gbronline.com.

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