The Yazoo Democrat. [volume] (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1858-18??, 1859-08-13
FOR THE DEMOCRAT.


Shrinking STUMP.
/ Mr.. EnIToR: You were Kind enough to notic
our communication under the head of "a CurioS
| ity," and in q reference found in the editoria
column you intimate the belief that the specimen
of wood seat you belongs to the Ash variety. W
should rest here were VIC not positively certai
that you are mistaken. This curiosity is excitin
no small inquiry from our neighbors and GU
mechanics, all of whom have examined it, and n
two Of whom agree as to what it is or to wha
class it belongs. We handed you beautiful gave
made from it, which was fashioned by saving an
rasping and its exquisite polish put on by rubbing
with the naked hand, on which was few drops O
olive oil. As for its susceptibility to finish, it
unrivalled by mohogany or any other furnitur
wood. 1t is amusing to hear the different name
given it by the wood workmen of the county
some calling it mulberry, some oak, some suga
tree, some pine, some every kind of forest growth
whilst few affirm the specimen to be ash. W
assert it is neither the one nor the other of tn
above mentioned growths. 1t cannot be ash, be
cause this growth is not common to sterile oal
hills; because the growth is decidedly too large
measuring, as it does, from IA to Is feet in cir
conference, consequently more than four feet il
diameter, which is greater than the surrounding
timber because there are seen distinctly on it
surface, radii, diyerging from its centre to it
circumference, an appearance which we defy am
man to point out in a stick of ash; because ever
farmer knows that this wood rots soon when ex
posed to the weather, and dryrots just as soon il
the shade--a fact SO well known that few farmers
waste the time to make this timber into rails fol
common fencing, unless in the absence of all Other
available wood; because, of all ouF forest timber
the soonest to decay, under the most favorable
circumstances, and yet this specimen has been il
preservation for Deity only knows how long; be-
cause it resists the action Of fire to remarkable
degree logs Of oak timber having been piled on il
and fired for the purpose Of consuming it, which
experiment failed, burning only short distance
in the stump, while the piles Of ashes about attest
that wood was no object when the effort was made
to consume it because its permanent odor is not
common 10 ash because ash will not receive SC
fine q polish; because it has not the remotest
found there lives an cid gentleman mechanic, who
has done service under the American flag in five
hard fought actions in what is commonly termed
the late war, and he, although seventy five years
opinion should weigh something, since, like my
friend in YOzoo City, Mr.. H. is colder than any
body" Therefore, Mr.. Editor, it is not ash, and
again we ask you, what is it? We have in our
possession two vertebr@ of such enormous size as
to stagger the belief that they once belonged to q
living animal, but the anatomst is at no loss to
class these petrefactions He knows, too, that
these monsters were antediluvian to history I'M
known These remains were found in this comfy;
and now we would ask, may not this specimen be
antediluvan also, reft from its native soil and
hoated here by the food?
The specimen is in our possession, and when
you have satisfied yourself what it is, please give
US its name, and satisfy most unpleasant Curl
osity
In our first, we described this stump as having
a top root. This was mistake, as we have since
it is destitute of roots, without the
semblanCe Of one. WHAT'S this "stinking stump~
It stands there, solitary sentinel to passing ages,
md like the builders of the ancient mounds, with
,rigin unknown. As of them, we would say
Ye Wondering relic of a growth departed,
Your name has persisted, not tree remains,
Save here, lone and moody sentinel,
Placed on the bosom Of your native plains.
Benton, Aug. 0, 1859. PAX.