Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-11-12
THE ONONDAGA GIANT.
A Stupendous Hoax.

IA
the New York Herald The following ex
posure of The "Onondaga Giant" mys,
terry:
1t has been the custom for several
years for Frenchmen to come from Can
ada and work during the season in the
quarrios of Onondaga. Three years ago
4 Canadian bv the name of Jules Ger
aud came to Onondaga TO seek work.
Geraud was nonOmaniac. His one
idea was that he was an artist destined
to rival the fame of Michael Angelo
He was taciurn and Of retired habits
He inhabited secluded shanty. and
when not at work in the quarries always
retired to it. No person was ever
invited into his cabin. and people passing
it on the Sabbath always heard the NAL
let and chisel at full play. This first OK,
cited no wonder, but when the same
sounds Of labor in the slIanty wcIe heard
month after month until late mt night,
the curiosity of people was awakenel.-
This thing continued for nearly three
wears. and the most active curiosity seek
er never penetrated tue mystery of Ger
aud's labor.
In the month Of Octobea, 1868, Ger
aud was missed for several days from
the work of the qnarries. An American
10y The name OF George Hooker, a fellow
laborer, actuated by spirit of philan
tbrophy. visited the shantv of CcrauG
au' found him suffering from low .orm
of fever; lie brought him food and such
medicines as he thought his case required
as Geraud refused to see physician.-
About n week from his first visi.
Hooker visited Geraud in the night and
found him very near his end. Geraud
expressed himself grateful for the atten
! tons Of Hooker, and told he would re
veal 10 him great secret. He request
ed him to pass behind screen that
| divided the cabin and look ut his bcauti
ful statue the most beau iful statue in the
world, Geraud said. The ruling passion
of the poor man was strong in death. -
/ Hooker did as requested. He saw lying
before him an object covered with large
and ragged piece of canvas; he raised it.
and TO his astonishment, uncovered the
(, colossal statue of man lying on his
back. He returned TO Geraud's eyes
cleaned wildly as he answered 1T Is
st. Paul" GeraCd requested Hooker
in the most imprisoned terms to swear
not to reveal the secret until he had been
dead week. Hooker, wishing to obligc
the dying man. complied.
That night Geraud died. But -four
persons attended the funeral. Hooker
among the number, the three others be
irg Caradians. The fifth night after the
burial of Geraud the cabin was observed
to be on fire. No one paid any atten-
ton to it; but Hooker, Who had not seen
the fire during The night on passing that
way 10 the morning saw that the cabin
was burned. He walked up TO the spot,
expecting to find the statue of ST. PAM,
but TO his utter amazement not vrstiI,
| of it was 10 be seen; it had vanished ms
completely us fit had been soap bub
| bic, instead of n ton of carved stcne.-
This mysterious disappearance so i'm
pressed Hooker that he wished la keep
the fact of the statue a secret. Beside
his superstition, which was actively
aroused, he dreaded the laughter of his
companions if he revealed his discovery.
Hooker has been employed as team
ster in this city. A few days before The
discovery Of the statue, Hooker had an
attack Of acute pneumonia. Ona iiame
weakened by exposure and dissipation
the disease made rapid progress. The
news of the discovery flew j Ike wiIdlire,
and was mu h talked of by tlh,sn in at
tendance on the sick man. He was deeply
affected by the discovery On the day
il was rumored that Professor Hall, the
State Geologist, was TO sisit the scene al
discovery, Hooker made an urgent re
quest that his ply stefan be sent for
DR.. - FASTENED 10 his bedside. Hook
err asked the doctor if ae iheueht he
would recover; the doctor replied that
he could not live much longer. Hooker
then told the doctor he would reveal The
secret Of the Cardiff giant. DR.. -
then told Hooker that lie should like
responsible witness present DIR. -
therefore sought INC as he knew took
deep interest in The subject. We both
repaired 10 The house occupied by Hook
er. near the west suburbs of the city,
We found the patient but little excited,
and, in the opinion Of Dr.l--, perfect
sly7sane. Hooker then made The state
ment which | have above detailed. After
| had writtenit. almost in The very words
of the above: | read it 10 Hooker. and
he then affixed his mark TO the following
dying declaration: re siaF g h9aa9i
l. George Hooker, knowing myself TO
be near my death. have heard read 10
me the above statement, and it agrees
with the statement already made by me.
y bicb | solemnly declare TO be truth. !
hox. Il n