Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-05-20
THE PETRIFIED BODY

We have already noticed the pe,r6es
body discovered at Quebec; but as the ,,u,h
OF the statement has already been cues.
toned, and as the discovery is reai:v
most singular event, we extract from the
Mercury letter from a correspondent,
which gives some singular details of the
matter
To the Editor Of the Quebec Mercury.
Sir-lt is singular that the discovery Of
the petrifed corpse in the church yard Of
this village, although made, believe, in
September last, did not until lately a,,rac,
public attention. Ii does not appear that
even now it has reused the curiosity of the
sclentihc-although it is perhaps the great
est natural wonder Of its kind.
Passing through Berlhier on the 2ls,
March, paid visit TO the gentleman in
whose house it is deposited, and received
from him every civli,y and explanation
that time would allow. The petrifac,ion,
Tor such | must term it, is kept in large
chest made for the purpose, in a lower
room ia the house, under lock and kew
On removing fair linen cloth, one Of the
most extraordinary sights presented itself
that probably ever came under notice. Bv
rare process OF nature, body committed to
earth in the ordinary way some 20 years
since, instead OF crumblng into orignal
dust, has become the pelrifed image Of the
human form, which once had being, life
and motion. The body, which in life was
composed of both solid and empty parts, is
now entirely solid, hard, and seems 10 be
as completely stone as quarried by mortal
hand. 1t has the appearance Of one of
those ancient statues, abraded by time and
exposure, which are seen in inches on the
outside Of ca,hedrals in Europe In color
it is dark gray or nearly black. The nose
and mouth are destroyed, and one Of the
feet is also gone. The trunk was perfect.
Where the foot is broken it has every ap-
pearance Of mutaied stone.
The small running stream, doubtless
containing earthly particles, over which the
coffin is supposed to have been deposited
in the soil, presented, as | was informed, q
bubbling spring, the exit OF which was not
much larger than the palm Of the hand
On either side two bodies had been inferred
question. All these have entirely disap-
peared; fact which shows that the inhu-
ence ofthe petrifying spring of lapidifc Hu-
id did not extend beyond narrow vein, Of
the breadth or space occupied by the body
which has suffered extraordinary a change
perceive that a New York editor is rathe.
incredulous Of tins being pertrfcation.
and suggests that il may be adipocere. To
its being the latter, the description given
above, if correct, will establish negative.
The body was exhumed in September last
and is still as solid as when discovered; at
all events the coffin could moi be adpocere,
and was in fact described TO be- also stone.
The opening Of the navigation will soon
make Berlhier easy, Of access; and i, is TO
be hoped for the sake of science that some
one skilled to decide on the composition Of
this supposed petrifaction, will proceed 10
close examination and test, giving..his re-
port TO the world. Perhaps the stream will
be found impregna,ed with sal, or iron.
One object, however, in my writing you
this letter, is to inquire if you have ever
heard, or have any means Of ascsrtainins
from that venerable gentleman ',he o!des:
inhabiiant," iha, when the foundation Of
the old fortfications Quebec was dug up,
petrified savage vas found among the last
beds which the workmen proceeded TO ex-
cavate. His culver and arrows were still
well preserved; but whore the story is to
be found in detail, have no means Of dis
covering.
Quebec, April II, l843.