The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1869-11-23
The 0nondaga Wonder,

composed Of solid stone. From top of
head to instep of sole was ten feet three
inches, as it lay partly bent up. If stand
ing in a perfectly upright position the
hight would be ten feet seven or eight
inches. Its dimensions in other directions
equally large. There was Il great rush
to view the wonder and excitement rap
high and it has not yet fully subsidized.
The first theory advanced was that it was
petri6ed human being but few if any
scientific men adopted it. How this figure
came here, by whom carved, from what
quarry taken, how remote in point of
time its originate still questions Of doubt.
Some facts with regard to it are known
however. 1t is composed Of gypsum of
a quality not found any where near the
place of discovery, is carved in the per-
feet shape of man and lies upon his
back on bed of clay, slightly bent up
as if in the natural position of sleep or
rest, weighs 2990 pounds and has every
indication of having lain upon its bed for
many ages. More than twelve thousand
persons have visited the scene of its dis
coyery and several men of high scientific
attachments have given the subject
thorough examination. The Statue has
been removed to Syracuse where 1T is
now on exhibition. A correspondent
from that city writes a long and interest
ing account of it but we only give an ex-
tract, as follows"
"The composition Of the Giant is de-
clared to be sulphate Of lime or gypsum.
On the supposition that it is hewn from
rock, where did it come from? Could it
have been made here, Or hereabouts ?
Prof Hall, after most careful examine
ton of all Of the gypsum quarries or beds
in this country land there are none near
elsewhere), has decided that no gypsum,
either in kind or quality exists in this re-
zion, from which this stone Giant could,by
any possibility have been taken. Ifthen,
his Giantship be carving, or the produc-
ton of the artists chisel he is foreigner.
This is further shown by the fact, that
from first to last, there is not the least
shadow of evidence tending to show that
the work was done anywhere near where
he was found. The figure is wholly
unique in design, and in the surface left
in every part Of the body and limbs where
they are not corroded by water. The
figure is that of male, entirely nude,
with every part fully shown, but without
any attempt at representing hair or
whiskers. 1t is made, neither to stand
up or lie down. having neither pedestal
or tablet accompanying it. 1t is carved
as perfectly upon the back as upon the
front side, and was found lying upon a
clay bed, which underlies the surface of
the whole valley, which is alluvial and
vegetable mold, to a depth varying from
one to five feet throughout the valley. 1t
was found lying upon its back, almost
exactly horizontal, and in the direction
corresponding to that Of the stream as it
is supposed to have run at some former
period. On its removal there was no
trace of anything whatever to indicate its
origin.
The statue is most imposing and inn
pressive. 1t has now been seen by not
less than twelve thousand persons, includ.
ing many Of the most scientific men of
the nation, and, so far as | am informed,
or have had the means Of knowing, not a
single individual has ever examined it
who was not impressed with the feeling
and belief that it is the most extraordinary
and gigantic wonder ever presented to
the eye Of man. BE it what it may, it
presents most perfect human form, of
colossal size, defying the present state of
science, whether geology or archaeology
Its origin, we have to confess, is as deep
a mystery as when first brought to light.
Any theory, traced but a few steps, in
wolves a belief in hitherto unproven facts
or assumptions having, mainly imaginary
foundations. Had it ever been well estab-
lishcd that the human body was capable
of becoming petritied so. as to preserve the
entirety Of every part, it would be far
easier to suppose this yeritable petrifac-
ton of one Of the Giants that lived Sin
those days than to suppose it a statue.
But the negative of this having been as
sumed, and all subsequent reasoning and
facts, made to square to the assumption,
that the petri6cation Of the human body
was impossible, the statue theory is, OF
course, the only thing left, and the con-
clusion is, that it is q statue, because it
cannot be a petrifaction.'