Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-11-11
From the .NsIo-York Courier, .Nop. 4.
MOVING STONES.

our EeauSTS, anu VIC tilllh IL VIII SldyIcT
the most incrcdulous.
SlR.-IIaving before informed that you
had expressed desire to receive detail
Of the extraordinary occurrence which has
lately taken place in this vicinity, en-
brace the opportunity of communicating to
You the following particulars, as the result
Ofmy enquiries. Reports had become so
various, and the whole transaction was so
mysterious that in order to avoid if posi-
bic, all misrepresentation, resolved to vi
sit the place said to be the scene of the
transaction, and make my enquiries OF
those who had heen its witnesses.--Ac-
cordingly, on Tuesday the 4th of this
month, the Rev. Mr.. Gosman, of this vii
lage agreeing to accompany me we went
to the spot, and told the person living on
the farm what our business was, and re-
quested him to relate as precisely as he
could, what had occurred lie said. that
on Wednesday the Goth Sept. his son, a
young man about 10 years old, and lad
about IA. were in the field topping corn; ;
that while thus employed, the former was
hit on the bacx by small pumpkin, which
appeared to have proceeded from small
wood adjoining the corn field supposing
that IL had been thrown at them by some
person concealed in the wood they thought
no more oft, until they saw several stones
FILLING in succession about the corn field,
and apparently coming from the same
wood ; they then were cunfirmed in their
suspicion, and Immediately searched the
wood, but found nobody. One of the
stones had hit the lad, but so gently as to
do no iujury.-Ihey then told the owner
of the farm. Mr.. Snyder) what had hap
pened, he thought as they did at first, that
the stones had been thrown from the wood,
and was resolved to ascertain it for this
purpose he went IL the field with the young
men and soon witnessed what they had be-
fore related. All three then went in pur-
suit. but could find no person. After hav-
ing left the field for some time, abont d
O'Clock in the afternoon they returned to
it, and on going across the corn field to-
acards the wood, Mr.. Snyder, was hit on
his hack by a stone but Gas in the former
CASEY so greatly as to do no injury. At
this time they saw several stones moving
IN different directions about the field, and
so contrary one 10 another, as made it I'M
possible that the whole were thrown by
one, two or three persons. The stones
were generally from a half to two ounces
III weight, but some much larger one in
particular, which was seen coming over
tree abont so feet high and landed about
10 yards from it, weighed 8 pounds -
This state, upon the principles of projec-
tiles, describing parabolo, must have
moved through distance of ESQ yards |
have they stone in my possession,
The held on which all this occurred, is q
low, level piece of good, remarkably free
IRON stone, and Of fine loomy soil.
The next day THURSDAY the same two Young
men, together with boy of ten years of age
went to another field, = quarter of mile distant
from the former; and were there also at work
topping corn they had mo- been long there be-
fore the same phenomenon appeared. Stones
moving in every direction, and in great numbers
some falling perpendicularly from height of
about 30 feet, others appearing as if they had
been tossed distance Of 10 or 20 Yards, some
apparently proceeding from an orchard at the
foot of the hill, upon which this field was situa-
ted others, by their motion, seeming to have
commenced and ended Their movement in the
corn field. One fthe stones struck the Young
lad on his knee, but as In the two former cases.
was perfectly harmless The establishment OF
The family now became so great that they were
induced 10 send for two of their neighbors, who
csme, and together with the female part of the
family making number Of nine persons, who
stood and witnessed the scene.
On This day the moving Of the stones ceased
ana was not renewed until Friday 30th Sept
before this time they had finished topping the
corn, ard consequently tie field was so cleared
that appearances were stu more distinct Til,
following fact, / think, deserves particular notice
Mrs. Snyder vent 10 the field andas SHE was
walking where there was no other person, stone
Of about q lbs W.T. passed closely by and fell a
few feet before her size Immediately looked
sround but raw nobody. She followed tie stone
took u up, and found It moist on one side, as #
just taken from IS he'd on the ground. She re.
iuirCd towards the place from whence it appear.
III 20 Gene, AMI perceived an iudcnted spot on
the ground moist, and designating evidently,
thar stone had lately left il. She applied Che
storet the hole and found that they exactly
corresponded here that stone remained until
Nv Gosman ard myself saw It, and were convin-
ced % the fact. The distance which IT moved
is II yards.
As II regards the credit due to the whole mar.
Tative, Mr.. Gosnsn aud myself can say, that mot
doubt exists IN our minds, independent Of the
consideration that no motive can be assigned, for
misrepres CREATION or deception. The character
OF biz. Sn} der is such, that no person acouaint.
cd with BIN, can question bis veracity not On
~ Is be a man Of acknowledged truth, and OF
hig,i religious standing, but he appears To have
q mind perfectly free from all snpcrstitious pre-.
JUDGE OF biasj thus placing the transaction as