Mr. Richard Thomas Cook was born November 18th, 1874. In 1929, at age 55, while living in Cartyville, Mr. Cook began building riding sleighs known as "cutters," which were used as single horse-drawn modes of transportation. These handcrafted sleighs were constructed mostly of spruce and juniper, and painted and decorated free-hand. Mr. Cook built at least five of these sleighs from 1929-1940. The only sleigh remaining today and still in use is owned by Charmaine Piccott, daughter of Freeman Piccott of Heatherton, NL. This photo of Mr. Cook sitting, with his son Edward holding "Bonnie Jean" hitched to the sleigh, was taken in 1940. Mr. Cook passed away on March 8th, 1951 at age 77.   Submitted By: NULL