The New York herald., 1870-08-31
STRANGE DISCOVERY On TnE POTOMAC

Petrifactions Of u Bear and Two Hu-
mRn Bodies F0und-The Bodice Sup
posed TO be those Of q Woman and q
ChId-ThS Bear Foand Crouching Over
Them-A Question Tor PaleontOlogists.
From the Washington I'd. C.) Chronicle August g.
strange AFFORD a study for those whose inclinatOns
lead them 70 slit out the mysterious workings OF the
natural world. The Cardin Giant. whose mighty
mains were represented as having been dug from
the bowels OF the eartn, Afforded opportunity 10
our geological savans TO expound to the world the
made by them or that wonderful curiosity Each
day brings with IL succession OF new discoveries
and here almost within the limits OF the District oi
Columbia, a tiller or the soil has found upon mis-
homesteada a curious phenomenon OF nature which
should engage the attention OF the scientific world.
On the banks OF the Potomac, near Fort FoOfe.
lives one William DUR, py occupation a farmer
ana who directs the management OF q farm OF some
some time during the year ls09 Mr.. burr found sew
erai Indian relics, such AZ stone tOmanawks, arrow
heads &C., and subsequently las found Others In
common use among Indians which led him TO the
conclusion that either an Indian settlement had at
an early day been located near his farm or that an
lnuiRn warfare had been waged thereon The
eastern end OF the estate IL bordered By wooded
grove Of fine timDered land. Through this grove
Mr.. burr had occasion to pass almost daily In the
prosecution Of his usual work. HIS attention mad
become some time since drawn to what rom
all appearances resembled a large stone
shaped almost In the form OF mound uI a
grave. Many tinies lie passed IL, and seemed
drawn by some unaccouutabe means To give
TACT that ne had already found many articles o
raj Gu ri0sty upon tne place with the thought that
the stone might reveal something still Stranger he
last week made up his mind 10 provide himself with
the necessary looks ana unatiOm the mysteries 10
might reveal. On Tuesday he commenced opera
tOns and upon Striking the stone found his as-
tonlshment that u hao an outer covering OF the
same substance, which yielded readily 10 the ham,
mer consisting OF layer Oi White sandstone vary
ing from one To three Inches IN thickness wulch
alter having been removed, left a smoother surface
and revealed the comparatively distinct outlines oi
petilneo bear, about seven feet IN length and
three feet In height and thickness. Alter further
research was found the disIncJ outlines OF "A female
lace and child, and over the forms OF winch
the bear was complete covering. The head
vi The ANIMAL from the Indications the petrifed
l0rni, had been cleayed open, and rested between
tue two fore paws, II lying In that position. The
hnd legs were evidently broken OF. further out
line VI tnc grizzly appearing
QUESTION FOR PHILOSOPHERS.
The question to be sOived by PHILOSOPHERS ls:-
was the mother and child killed by the bearY or was
the animal killed ana placed the remains OF the
human beings as vigllant watch over the dead
One thing certain, and that is that the bear Tor
wnat supposed To be such) covers the entire forms
OF the TWO bodies. The discovery is OF sucn cha
racter As should engage the attention OF OF our
leading scientific men, who, no doubt, could form
CONCLUSION and enlixhcn those who may have
desire Tor more Information on the mysterious sub.
Ject. The farm OF Mr. Durr Is accessible from Fort
t00te, being but two miles thereirom.