Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1822-11-09
From the New HaUen Herald.
CURIOSITY.

nal OF Science and arts, conducted by pro-
lessor Silimsn, contains letter from MIR.
Scboocraft, accompanied by another from
Thomas II. Benton, Esq. member Of con-
gress from VI issourI, describing two prints
of the human foot discovered 10 lime
stone rock at St. Louis. on the west bank
of the Mississippi river, The comlnuni'
cation was accompanied by an accurate
drawing which has been engraved tor the
Journal. The following is an extract from
Mr.. Scboolcratt's letter.
"These prints appear 10 have been no.
ticed by the French soon after they pene'
trated into that country from The Canadas
and during the progress OF settlement al
st. Louis, were frequently resorted 10 as
a phenomenon in the works OF nature. -
But no person appears 10 have entertained
the idea OF raising them from The quarry
with view of preservation, until Mr..
Rape visited that place Sve or SIX years
ago. He Immediately determined to re-
move the stone containing them to his
village of Harmony, then recently trans
ferred from Butler county. in Pennsy va
MIA, to the banks of the Wabash; but this
determination was no sooner known, than
popular sentiment began to arraIgn his
his motives, and people were ready to at
tribute 10 religious ianaticlsm or arch de-
ceptlon, what was, more PROBABLY, mere
tact OF momentary caprice, or settled taste:
His followers, it was said, were TO regard
these prints as the sacred ampreSS OF the
feet of our Savior Few persons thought
OF interposing charitable remark in favor
of religious tenets, of which we can Judge
only by the peaceful. industrious and de-
yotlonal lives: the neat and Clearly ap..
pearance: and the iRofenslve manners OF
those who profess them. Still less could
be conceded in favor of personal taste
for objects Of natural history or curiosity,
oil which the act is, at least proof, BE
this as it may, Mr.. Rape contracted with
a stone mason TO cut out the block win
the impressions. paying him at the same
time liberal price for his labor, and or
dered it 10 be transported by water 10 his
residence in Posy county, Indiana. Visit
ing this place during the last summer, in
the suite of Gov. Cass, Mr.. Rape con-
Quoted US to see this curiosity, which has
been placed upon mason work IN paved
area between his dwelling house and gar
den. ia the manner represented in hgure
2 of the drawing. The slab Of stone thus
preserved. forms paraileIlogram oil eight
feet in length, by - in breadth, and has
thickness OF S inches, which appears to be
the natural thickness Of the stratum OF line
stone rock, OF which it is a part l his
limestone possesses firm and compact
structure of the peculiar greyish blue TIM,
common 10 calcareous rocks OF tbs MlSsIs-
sippi valley, and contains fossil encrnltes,
and some analogous remains very plentl-
fully Embedded. 1t is auarried at st. Louis,
both for the building stone and for quick
lime, 1t becomes beautifully white on
parting with its carbonlc acid and water,
and those who have used it, observe, that
it makes good cement, with the usual
proportion of sand.
The prints are those of man standing
erect, with his heels drawn in, and his toes
turned outward, which is the most natural
position. The distance between the heels,
by accurate measurement, 1851 inches,
and between the toes l35 inches but it
will be perceived, that these are not the
impressions of feet accustomed to close
shoe. the toes being very much spread,
and the foot aattened in manner that
happens TO those who have been hablua-
ted 10 60 great length OF time without
shoes, Notwithstanding this clrcum-
stance, the prints are strlkIngiy natural,
exhibiting every muscular impression,
and swell Of the heels and toes. with pre-
cislon and failhtulness to nature, which |
have not been able TO copy, with perfect
exactness, in the present drawing. The
length of each foot, as indicated by the
prints, is l05 inches, and the width across
The spread OF the toes, inches, which
diminishes 81 inches, at the swell OF The
heels, indicating as il is thought stature
oil the common size.
The rock presents plain and smooth
surface. having acquired polish from the
sand and water. to which its orig lnal po-
sition periodically subjected it. Upon
this smooth surface, commencing IN front
of the tracks, there is kind OF scroll
which is twofeet and halt in length, The
shape of this is very irregular. and not e.
ously plain and perfect IN all parts. and
would convey to the observer the idea OF
a man idly marking v ilh his hugers, or
with smooth stick. tanc'tul figures upon
soft surface Some pretend to observe
in this scroll, the figure OF an Indian bow,
but this inference did not appear to any
of our party to be justified, "
Mr.. S. remarks, that every appear,
ance will warran: the conclusion that these
impressions were made at time when the
rock was soft enough to receive them by
pressure, and that the marks OF the tee'
are natural and gcuuine Such, he says
was the opinion OF governor Cass and