The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-31
THE 0NONDAGA GIANT.

Tho Interest in the Wonder Iucrea sing-Let-
tiers from Professor Hall, State Geologist,
and DIR. WOODWORK, Secretary of the Ke-
gents Of the University-They Declare il n
Wonderful Statue of Gypsum-The Jesuit
cal Theory.
SYRACUSE, Oct. %, 1859.
The excitement raised here about 'the giant"
more than ten days ago. has not abated in the least
but has rather increased with the lapse of time Go
where you please about the Salt City, in private or
public places and You encounter the topic. Even IN
the midst OF the prevailing bad weather hundreds
daily go to see the statae-or petrnactlon rs many
fully believe it to be. There have been days when
the number OF visitors TO the locality OF this strange
object might have been counted by thousands.
Please do not credit the statement that the statue
was brought IN wagon and buried year ago by
the light OF dark lantern" Nobody who has seen
the figure IT lies there in all majesty believes
the yarn. The story. as am credbly informed, was
concoced in this CITY, and is circulated by parties
who attempted to an interest In the purchase
OF the statue, but failed in that endeavor IL has no
claims to credibIty. The weight OF the figure can
not be less than 1900 to 1000 pounds and how could
one or two men handle such an object unaded by
machineryY Twenty stout men might carry 1t from
q wagon in 'ironb bound box' and deposit 1t
there, but less than that number would ind 1t a diff
cult job to manage. Besides 1t ID evident that the
earth about the object has not been disturbed since
II was deposited there by natural causes.
While every intelligent person ridicules the idea
OF fraud deception the question as the age OF
the statue, or FOSSIL or the date Of It's lodgment
there, remains unsolyed. Nothing has been discov-
cred by unscientdc persons which throws any light
upon The matter. With them 1t Is all speculation.
ms class or persons even much divided respect
ing the real nature OF the figure. A great number
cling 10 the belief that IL is veritable petriacion,
anu they MAKE what appear to be some good points,
establishing their side of the case. The advocates
Of the statue theory appear, however, to have the
preponderance, aud tney are probably correct IA
But admitting it to be work OF art, when was it
created and how came 1t buried in the On0ndaga
Valley ! cannot divest myself OF the Impression
that 1t was brought there by the Jesuits at the tune
they attempted to plant themselves permanently in
this valley about 200 years ago. Their facilities for
transporting 1t here were ample. IL could have
been brought from quebec by the way OF the Sc.
Lawrence, Lake Ontario aad the 0swego and Seneca
rivers. The Onondaga creek, which before the
destruction OF the timber in this valley was n
much larger stream than at present. afforded sum-
eent water for floating such an object from Its
mouth to The point whore the statue discovered.
There IS certainly nothing Improbable In the theory
thar these people brought the figure here Tor some
purpose connected win their mission. II lies in
what was evidently once the bed OF the stream,
and IL might have GOT there accidentally or by de-
sign. IL Is well known that the Jesults faied in
their enterprise, after a trial or more than forty
years, and when they lett finding the statue Of no
portation, nothing would have been more natural
for them than TO throw IL into the stream hastily
bury III on tne margin. Or IL requires no stretch OF
imagination To suppose that it might have been
wrecked, and for want OF means disposition, left
where II fell into the water.
But aside from these specuations as to the date OF
the figure or the means by which 1t came there,
thing Is certain, 1t IS no 'humbugr or "fraud.u
On the contrary connoisseurs in art pronounce 1t
remarkable creation OF the scupters chisel.
IL must have taken years to work our
perfect figure OF the human form divine. One Is
not satisfied with single view OF 1t. Many persons
have visited IL two, three or four times, and only
wait Tor opportunities TO so again ana again. 1t re-
mains in the bed where 1t was found. Plans In ref
erence to Its removal are under consideration by the
parties 10 whom it belongs, but several days Will
probably eiapse before anything is done.
Several scientific persons have already seen and
examined the statue. Professor Hall, State Geolo-
gist accompanied by DR.. Woolworth. Secretary
OF the Board OF Regents, went out to see II last
week, and both these gentlemen were profoundly
interested In the object. They consider it the most
remarkable archaeological discovery made upon
this Continent. This Is their published opinion.
Professor Ward, OF Rochester concurs in this
opinion. Professor Agassz, the eminent savant has
been urged to make IL VISIT and win undoubtedly
comply With the request. His opinion, when
obyained, Will settle many doubts in the popular
mind concerning tine origin OF the statue and its
geological Neutrality-suspicious. with which the COM
munty are deeply agitated at present, and which
Will continue TO provoke discussion until disposed
Of by some recognized authority on such matters