Post #618329 by TikiTomD on Thu, Dec 22, 2011 4:58 PM

I’ve found a bit more in the news archives of Dr. Bernhard (Bernard) Funk in action. I know that this is a bit heavy on the archaeology for the Tiki Drinks and Food forum, but it seems better to keep this in one thread. The man, place and times are fascinating. Keep in mind that the articles were written a hundred or more years ago, so cultural sensibilities were different than now.

The first article from Google News reports the death of Robert Louis Stevenson, in the presence of Dr. Funk as an attending physician...

The Sydney Mail December 22, 1894 (page 13)

In this Google News article, Dr. Funk, in his first year of service in Samoa, helps a boy who almost got served up as “long pig”...

The Sydney Morning Herald December 23, 1880 (page 4)

Uprisings and a civil war erupted in Samoa over the appointment of Malietoa Laupepa as King of Samoa by the colonial powers. Malietoa was an ineffectual leader and a puppet to carry out the will of the colonial nations. The Samoan people’s choice was Mataafa Losefo, Alli Sili O Samoa (Supreme Chief of Samoa), who outranked Malietoa among the indigenous royalty and was a widely respected, charismatic leader. When civil war broke out, we see Dr. Funk in the middle of the horror tending the wounded from all sides, as this article digitized by The National Library of New Zealand illustrates...

Auckland Star August 11, 1893

After tidal waves strike the R.M.S. Alameda, Dr. Funk is presented with the mangled lower extremities of the popular Chief Officer, from another article digitized by The National Library of New Zealand...

Auckland Star December 29, 1892

Who do you call when a shark dines on a swimmer? Dr. Funk, of course...

The Auckland Evening Star September 9, 1890

A later article indicates that, under the skillful treatment of Dr. Funk, the swimmer suffering grievous wounds from a shark attack actually recovers...

Auckland Star October 6, 1890

And that, my fellow TC'ers, was the really real Dr. Funk!

-Tom