Antedating "wooden nickel" (1892) and "wooden money" (1907) --something worthless

[sclements at NEO.RR.COM]

OED has "wooden nickel" 1927 and "wooden money" (1915)

26 May 1892 _Anderson(SC) Intelligencer, p. 3 (Chronicling America-LOC)

"I had hoped that I would never be bothered with a bad writing pen again especially when I was trying to write a letter for the Intelligencer, but this one has got a little contrary, and I will not stop to get another one, but I'll bet you a wooden nickel I'll make it write hurrah for Sheppard! before I quit."

01 March 1900  _Railroad Telegrapher_ , St. Louis(MO), p.773  (Newspaper Archive}

"Bros. Myers and Cashmore are attending the Convention at Buffalo. Before leaving they were cautioned against taking wooden money and to be "keerful" of the Falls. However, we expect them to return safely."

I would have expected that "wooden money" as a generic would have preceeded "wooden nickel."  Oh well.

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org