The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-09-28
Human Skeleton from Cusaac's
Quarry.

quarry.
As the facts in this case are of the high.
est importance in geology, we insert with
q great deal of satisfaction the following
remarks published by our friend DR.. Axline
in the GAINESVILLE Courier of August 90.
Dr.. A. is a highly respectable and intelli'
gent physician, and implicit confidence
may be placed in his statement of facts.
We think that this fairly settles the point
as to the embodiment of the "Skeleton in
. solid sand stone" leaving that matter
just where it was, namely, that no nell
authenucated case Of human remains in
solid rock of this description has hitherto
been discovered.-Luth. Standard.
FULToNHAM, Aug. 90, 1853.
The discovery OF a human skeleton in
Cusaac's quarry has elected much atten.
ton. This arises from the fact that it was
reported to have been found in solid sand
stone rock. From the shape this matter
has assumed before the public, it deserves
Investigation. that it may be known for
certain that a skeleton was found in a solid
rock. There is a great difference in the
conclusions OF those who claim to have
this subject, yet on this point
,resss all that is important in the discovery.
Being almost daily in the vicinity of the
made repeated examinations,
and had repeated conversations with the
workmen. The rocks, Immediately after
their removal, were so altered by the ham.
mel and chisel as to afford nc assistance
in the investigations; except the one form.
ing the cover, which has a cavity on one
~ ;te e,,rca -, IN vuhioh nor,o nca rrnort
ance has been attached.
In investigating this subject our infor-
.mation must be derived from the nature
and appearance of the quarry, from the
workmen, and from the cavity alluded to.
A few words about the quarry will suffice
for our purpose. 1t is of sandstone, and
on the side next the creek rises to the hight
of so feet or more, not rising ~perpendicu.
larly, but at different nights the rocks pro-
ject more or less, and form proportionate
caverns beneath them. Upon the under
surfaces Of these projecting rocks, as we'll
as upon the surface OF all others, are nu
merous cavities of almost every shape and
form. Hundreds Of these are to be seen
in this, and the quarry on the opposite side
of the creek. The workmen report that
in one Of the largest caverns of the quar-
ry they found two human skeletons. ami
NAL bones. large and small, but no infant
bones, as was enormously reported. They
were all found imbedded in the same kind
of sand which contained a considerable
quantlty OF charcoal. The first was found
in an irregular space. which contained
sand to The depth Of 10 or l2 inches, and
which space was formed by three or four
separate rocks. James Callahan, who is
one of the three men that removed the
stone which covered the skeleton, asserts
positively. that this stone had no attach
inent to the others. but thai three men re-
moved it with facility.
Mr.. Cusaac, proprietor of the quarry.
an intelligent man. daily at the quarry.
entertains the same ~opinion-that the skel.
eton was not contained in a solid rock.
In considering the cavity said to resem
BILE in shape the human body. we should
keep in mind that it is in the stone which
covered the skeleton; that the skeleton
was imbedded in sand to the depth Of 10
12 inches; and that all was found in the
bottom Of a cavern, the roof of which was
formed Of rocks, having On their surfaces
cavities Of almost all shapes
and sizes, and that the rock which cover
ed the skeleton may have fallen from this
roof-the sand and edges Of the rocks by
which the skeleton was surrounded pre-
venting il from being crushed. should
place more Importance on this irregular
cavity if there were not hundreds of 9TH
ers in the quarry, som bearing a little re
semblance 10 one object and some to an
other. Just as this does in the Imagination
of some persons to the human body, be.
cause it happened to be found over a hu
man skeleton.
It may not be amiss to state that the
workmen amused themselves very much
in telling wondrous tales. and answering
questions to suit their purpose for sport.
| have repeatedly heard several d~esignat-
ed as being very expert in this process. Ii,
was this that gave mystery and importance
to this plain matter, and which in my o.
pinion is not worthy Of much attention.
In short, | think it one Of the greatest hum
bugs that ever occurred in this part of the
country. | have some fine specimens OF
the bones which any one can see who will
Z AXE the trouble to call at my Office, or |
will send some Of them to persons who
may wish, for analysis. ]. AXLINE.
Russia and Japan.