Jack Luttrell

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	Re-Enactor of the Month


	by Jim Cummings


	We are preserving living history today so that the past will not be forgotten. Jim Cummings


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	Jack Luttrell

		by Jim Cummings

“Indians are made and not born.” This could be the motto for the re-enactor Woodland Indians. There is a lot that goes into the making of a native re-enactor. Most of them started out by trial and error. They knew that they had to be period correct with the right dress, head piece and paint.

For a settler re-enactor there is a lot of documentation - old drawings and stories that are available and 90% correct. (Nothing is ever 100% accurate - for something can always be found to disprove it.)


	But as an Eastern Woodland Native Re-enactor 12 years ago it was quite different. There was not a lot of provable correct information. Fortunately this was and is changing almost on a daily and weekly basis. There are a lot of new books and tapes on the market.


	This new information is helpful in getting started in the right direction. This can save a re-enactor a lot of time and money and help in the choice between being a settler and a native.


	Enter our Re-enactor of the Week - Jack Luttrell. When Jack first started re-enacting it was as a Civil War Re-enactor.

Then came a pioneer and finally the bug hit him to go Native. Jack delved into the study of the Native Woodland Indian in a big way. He has spent his time at Native seminars and learned a lot from his peers. Jack has approximately 100 books on the subject along with volumes of notes on his hobby. He is always asking questions of other Native Re-enactors when he sees them doing something different. It has taken 3 years for him to hone his craft and work on his persona. He is now making a lot of his own accouterments - pouches, bags, weapons, moccasins and leggings.

In short Jack is a self made Woodland Indian. And a convincing one at that. At 6’4 he makes a towering Native American. Jack takes his time and is always patient when talking to wannabe re-enactors and especially to children at events. Jack does about 12 to 15 events a year and is a great help in promoting re-enactments that he participates in. Jack is always there with a helping hand. If he has the time (when not working as a Jefferson County Paramedic) he’s always willing to help.


	JACK WITH WHITE TURTLE AND THOMAS D. CLARK AT CUMBERLAND GAP


	AN INTERVIEW WITH JACK LUTTRELL

JIM: Do you like portraying an Eastern Woodland Indian and what made you start going native?

JACK: Yes, I really enjoy it. And like a lot of people a shortage of natives at events really got me started. White Turtle was also a real influence on me. But once started I never looked back. It’s just great fun.

JIM: Do you still do Civil War Re-enactments?

JACK: Yes when I can get the time. Last year I did the Battle of Perrysville.

JIM: Why do you think it’s so hard to get Native Re-enactors.

JACK: The unknown. Some people would like to try it but are unsure how to go about it or are afraid to ask someone for help. But we’re changing that on a daily basis. Gordon Garrett and I made a 3 hour videotape explaining “How To.”

JIM: How far would you like to take your persona?

JACK: That’s a hard one. I want to be as correct as possible, but when you go to a trade fair or re-enactment you see something that you just have to find out about.

JIM: How correct is your persona?

JACK: It is about as correct as my research can get. If I learn of something different then I research it thoroughly or ask a colleague.

JIM: From what I’ve seen you’ve come a long way in both your dress and acting. Has it been easy?

JACK: Yes and no. In the service we re-enacted war games and mock battles. It was continuous. That was the easy part because someone is telling you what to expect, what to do and how to react. But doing 18th century re-enacting you are on your own. You want it to look real and not fake - you want to do it right.

JIM: When you were at The Pigeon Roost Massacre you had your two children with you and they took part in the re-enactment. What do they think of your native persona?

JACK: One thing that I expressed to my kids is that this was an actual historical event. I told them the story of Pigeon Roost and that what we were portraying really happened in 1812. As far as my persona - they like it.

JIM: How did they like being in the re-enactment?

JACK: They thought it was great. They were able to meet other re-enactor’s kids. This was also the first event were we dressed kids out of the crowd and put them in the re-enactment. They really hit it off with some of those kids.

JIM: Your girlfriend Kathy and her daughter also took part. How did that work out. From where I was it looked very real.

JACK: Yes it was their first re-enactment too. Kathy knew what to expect and she really got with the program. I think by explaining to them all what was going to happen it really made it look real. This takes a lot of planning.

JIM: What did you think of the Re-enactment at Pigeon Roost and the true story line.

JACK: When you can get the descendants to come and even take part you need to make sure everyone does their homework. It needs to look real. It was great.

JIM: What would you like to see change on the re-enactment scene?

JACK: More public information and knowledge. More from the native point of view. People need to hear and see how the native felt in the 18th century.

JIM: Are there any groups or clubs strictly for native re-enactors?

JACK: No but there are conferences and programs held throughout the Eastern US. I’ve met some great people there - like Mary Brandenburg and Jim O’Neil.

JIM: I noticed that you are sporting a leg tattoo. Did you do it on a whim?

JACK: I had it done this spring. It is a snake and it wraps around my upper leg. And no I didn’t do it on a whim. I gave it more thought than anything I’ve done in a long time. I researched it and even discussed it with the tattoo artist long beforehand.

JIM: Anything you wish to add in closing?

JACK: This is my second year of going native. The natives were here first. I do not like the term massacre. When whites were killed history calls it a massacre and when Natives were killed they call it a battle. For further reading and study check out Jim O’Neil’s books “Their Bearing is Noble and Proud” Parts I and II. Also our own production - “The Warrior’s Path.” (Available on this web site)