Master Crafted In America Since 1913. Don't be fooled by our upscale appearance, our prices are usually lower than lesser quality name brand production or imports, because "We Are The Factory."

Here is the queer story of David William Duck, related by himself. Duck is an old man living in Aurora, Illinois, where he is universally respected. He is commonly known, however, as "Dead Duck." "In the autumn of 1866 I was a private soldier of the Eighteenth Infantry. My company was one of those stationed at Fort Phil Kearney [Wyoming], commanded by Colonel Carrington. The country is more or less familiar with the history of that garrison, particularly with the slaughter by the Sioux of a detachment of eighty-one men and officers--not one escaping--through disobedience of orders by its commander, the brave but reckless Captain Fetterman. When that occurred, I was trying to make my way with important dispatches to Fort C. F. Smith, on the Big Horn. As the country swarmed with hostile Indians, I traveled by night and concealed myself as best I could before daybreak. The better to do so, I went afoot, armed with a Henry rifle and carrying three days' rations in my haversack.

"For my second place of concealment I chose what seemed in the darkness a narrow canon leading through a range of rocky hills. It contained many large boulders, detached from the slopes of the hills. Behind one of these, in a clump of sage-brush, I made my bed for the day, and soon fell asleep. It seemed as if I had hardly closed my eyes, though in fact it was near midday, when I was awakened by the report of a rifle, the bullet striking the boulder just above my body. A band of Indians had trailed me and had me nearly surrounded; the shot had been fired with an execrable aim by a fellow who had caught sight of me from the hillside above. The smoke of his rifle betrayed him, and I was no sooner on my feet than he was off his and rolling down the declivity. Then I ran in a stooping posture, dodging among the clumps of sage-brush in a storm of bullets from invisible enemies. The rascals did not rise and pursue, which I thought rather queer, for they must have known by my trail that they had to deal with only one man. The reason for their inaction was soon made clear. I had not gone a hundred yards before I reached the limit of my run--the head of the gulch which I had mistaken for a canon. It terminated in a concave breast of rock, nearly vertical and destitute of vegetation. In that cul-de-sac I was caught like a bear in a pen. Pursuit was needless; they had only to wait.

"They waited. For two days and nights, crouching behind a rock topped with a growth of mesquite, and with the cliff at my back, suffering agonies of thirst and absolutely hopeless of deliverance, I fought the fellows at long range, firing occasionally at the smoke of their rifles, as they did at that of mine. Of course, I did not dare to close my eyes at night, and lack of sleep was a keen torture."I remember the morning of the third day, which I knew was to be my last. I remember, rather indistinctly, that in my desperation and delirium I sprang out into the open and began firing my repeating rifle without seeing anybody to fire at. And I remember no more of that fight.

"The next thing that I recollect was my pulling myself out of a river just at nightfall. I had not a rag of clothing and knew nothing of my whereabouts, but all that night I traveled, cold and footsore, toward the north. At daybreak I found myself at Fort C. F. Smith, my destination, but without my dispatches. The first man that I met was a sergeant named William Briscoe, whom I knew very well. You can fancy his astonishment at seeing me in that condition, and my own at his asking who the devil I was." 'Dave Duck,' I answered; 'who should I be?' "He stared like an owl. "'You do look it,' he said, and I observed that he drew a little away from me. 'What's up?' he added. "I told him what had happened to me the day before. He heard me through, still staring; then he said:

"'My dear fellow, if you are Dave Duck I ought to inform you that I buried you two months ago. I was out with a small scouting party and found your body, full of bullet-holes and newly scalped-- somewhat mutilated otherwise, too, I am sorry to say--right where you say you made your fight. Come to my tent and I'll show you your clothing and some letters that I took from your person; the commandant has your dispatches.' "He performed that promise. He showed me the clothing, which I resolutely put on; the letters, which I put into my pocket. He made no objection, then took me to the commandant, who heard my story and coldly ordered Briscoe to take me to the guardhouse. On the way I said: "'Bill Briscoe, did you really and truly bury the dead body that you found in these togs?' "'Sure,' he answered--'just as I told you. It was Dave Duck, all right; most of us knew him. And now, you damned impostor, you'd better tell me who you are.'"'I'd give something to know,' I said. "A week later, I escaped from the guardhouse and got out of the country as fast as I could. Twice I have been back, seeking for that fateful spot in the hills, but unable to find it."

As Shown: Iron Hand Forged By our master Blacksmiths Solid Steel Table Base, Color: Patina P-500 Black - Hand Forged Iron - 36" Round X 28"T. This table base is designed from 1" solid round hand forged iron stock. Features silhouettes with a western rodeo theme. The intricate pattern has been hand forged and anvil hammered by our master blacksmiths the old fashioned way. The iron has a hand hammered distress texture and is brushed, finished and sealed with a high quality clear lacquer. Mar proof leveling feet are included.

New Age Style Arched Back Steel Chairs, Leather Seats - Hand Forged Iron, Top Grain Leather - 18"W X 18 1/2"D X 43"T. These chairs are hand forged from 1/2" sq. heavy iron stock. The seat is 3" thick high density foam with top grain leather upholstery. - Smooth Texture - 19 1/2"W X 18 1/2"D X 42"T. These fine chairs are hand forged from 1" round heavy walled hollow iron stock. The backs are designed with 1/2" round iron stock in a bezier curve shape. The chairs have a hand hammered smooth texture and are finished with an iron patina and a high quality clear lacquer sealant. The orthopedic slight pitch of the back allows for the most comfortable dining seating. These furnishings are truly custom and that means you may order your chairs to fit your particular comfort requirements at no extra cost.

Upholstery As Shown: Full Wrap Leather Seats Customer's choice of fabric or leather. You may choose from hundreds of fabric styles or leather colors in stock or supply your own to further customize your dining room set. The seats are 2" high density foam with genuine leather upholstery .

Details As Shown: Finish, Color: Chairs Are Color: P-512 Patina Brown, Various Colors Of Patina On Theme - or water based non-toxic lacquers. It is applied, cured, rubbed and re-applied depending upon whether your order is limited edition or original works. Every surface of this table and chairs is finely finished including the undersides and hidden areas. These furnishings are built to investment family heirloom quality and are finished to be virtually maintenance free and will stand the test of time. You may choose the natural color, from over 400 standard stain colors or computer color match to any color stain. Most of our finishes are water based and earth friendly. You may order any color or texture finish at no extra charge.