New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-11-20
THE ONoYDAGA STONE IMAGE.

DIR. BOYNToNs Observation-Disclosures WITH
GYPsUM-vIsIT OF PALMER THE SCULPTOR.
The Cardiff Giant" as the colossal gypsum
image recently dug mp in Onondaga County snow called
is stln object OF curiosity TO few scientific men as
well as TO the crowds Of people vino are visiting 1t in
Syracuse The idea OF petrefacon" discarded at
the first by all parties not financially interested in adding
mystery to the very profitable discovery Tho questions
still remain however what is the antiquity Of this
statue and by whom was 1t probably exccutedf DR..
BOynton, the eeoogst first reported In favor OF the
theory cut by the jesuit missionaries about
three centuries ago. He and Prof. Hall, with several
other professional gentlemen agreed that 1t must have
lain IN the ground many account OF the elect
which had been produced upon the gypsum by water and
other causes Dr. BOyntOn after further examination
and experiments with gypsum, has written letter to
Prof Spencer Of the Smithsonian Institute, Washington
In which he says:
DEAR SIR: Your communication Of Nov. 6 (makng IN
duries is received The absurdty Of the existence Of
petred human fesh giants OF stone that once hved
Is such that would not speak OF II u men OF your ex'
perence IL the community not agitated TO Its core,
and all kinds Of opinions expressed and false reports put
in circulation 70 keep excitement, mysty and De:
ceve the public am going make ont full report Of
tue entire history proceedings, discovery resurrecton
and journey Of the Giant TO It's present resting place
have maps made from actual surveys, photo
graphs Of all the matter that could be obtained IL
is simply reclining statue. carved from gypsum but
certain that the block quared IN this county
but think have the means OF knowing whore 10 came
nearly covered with water. hoped IL was "a
Swallowed history OF tho German, spanish ana
French settlements In the OnOndaga Valley. be-
tween the years 1920 and Co But fear that are not
to be enlightened much for my veneraton for the hlgh
antiquity OF the Onondaga giant fast waning TO taper
been making experiments on the sOubility OF va
riOus kinds Of gypsum under different creusahees ana
although IL Is laid down IN the text books OF the quantity
OF gypsum that will dissolve In given quantity OF water
vet know OF no abatement experiments showing the
rapdity with which 10 dssOves As there mas been no
occasion for Investigation In that direction, to my knOw
edge, was somewhat startled, aiter making expert
nens, TO find results as Will now describe hrst TOOK
word from his quarry near Fayetteville In this county
about four inches wide, five long, and two and half
the edges and weighing and Onesixteenth pounds,
and suspended 1t from tho spout OF ranwster els.
water. such would be produced in ordinary In a
family OF four taking no extra pains more than oeea
sOnRy giving the pump stroke two. just TO Keep tho
surface Wet and ounce dissolved In IS hours or
ll7h OF the whole This water was from roof OF white
pine shingles. took another piece about the same
shape weighing Is ounces. and suspended IL In the hot
water tank the stove, where It renamed for 4S hours
over ounce. This has induced me 10 repeat my ex
perments In the most careful manner Yon that
by asceraning the superficial surface OF the pieces
permented upon and the quantity dissolved from them
Ia Il length OF tne that We have basis Of cacu
latOD. What Is the superficial surface Of giant ten
feet hight and other dimensions In proportion As you
well known TO be versed In mathematics leave you
would have remained in his watery grave had not tho
dsOylng process been arrested by bis early resurrec
carry back over 800 years." but noe certain
that the known principles OF chemistry Will justify me IN
asserting that the period between his burial and
resurrection was over three years. It's antlquated
appearance has been produced, not by abrasion,
as many have said, but by the dissolving action
~ water, which think could have been accom-.
plished In a few months more careful and accurate
calculation admitting the possible chance OF some unds
covered creeping into the calculation, may show
the burial 70 have taken place about $40 or 81 days ago
as IL may have happened between two days. However
nyestiganons are constantly being made, and hope
may be able to report progress weekly hope this
monument will not be allowed TO enter into history clan
destluely with any fasehOOds attached One author
has stated that historians sometimes tell the TRUTH,
and hope the Giant will not be accused falsely but may
present true and clean record" lam respectfully
yours, j. K. BOYNToN.
Mr. Palmer the sculptor visited the "GIant" at SYRIA
cuse on Tuesday. He was accompanied by Mr.. Brown.
the sculptor Of Newburgh, and Prof Arsby OF the AL
bany Medical College, They will probably publish
port OF their examination reporter of Tie Syracuse
Journal gathers the following opinions from these gen
tlemen as they were conversing on the subjects DR..
Armsby pronounced the statue, In M anatomy perfect
model Of human body. Mr.. Palmer aud Mr.. Brown said
there tool marks the chest and legs, that the
plemens used not stone flint but seuptOrs tools
OF steel These marks exceedingly fresh where the
legs connected The minute puncinres, which have
Impressed many spectators with the belief that they
were the paplg OF the human body, Mr. Palmer imputed
chemical action OF the soil Both scuiptOrs pro-
nOuBced IT most extraordinary work OF art and the
artist "A great genius.