The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-02-10

81 ,40O,OOU annually pald 70 Agcnts
| for collecting pensions, and 1857 500
paid for notary fees and for preparing
pension papers.
The Cardiff Giant Interview
"Gris." of the Cincinnati Times,
recently paid a visit to tie "great
Onondaga Giant" which he describes
as follows:
found his slantship reclining in a
wo oden enclosure that looked like an
aquarium from which the water had
been drawn off. Encircling it was a
platform so elevated as to afford o
good view of the monster. There
were but few visitors when l was
there. The height of the giant is 10
feet Al inches, or would be if
stood erect, which he is not calcu
ted to do very well. He reclines up
on his back, with his right hand
pressed upon the side and his left
upon his back, indicating that he died
Of the liver complaint aggravated by
the bilious colic. He evidently died
hard and he has been getting harder
ever since, The right side of tho
face is nearly perfect; showing a no.
BILE profile, but the left side is very
much worn away by the action Of
water. as is indeed the entire left
side of the body and limbs, 1t is tho
form of powerfully developed man
who died in the vigor oflite.
The skull is perfectly smooth, show
ing no indications of hair. woods
hair restorative is being tried by Mr..
Wood to bring it out but SO far in
vain. The material from which the
giant is carved, [and by which the
nroprietors are carving their fortuncl
ia gypsum, mineral consisting OF
suiphate of lime and Fl per cent of
water. When calcined it becomes
PLASTER OF PARIS. If this is n pet
rified liant he couldn't be one OF the
modern giants who travel with
shows for none of .hem ever get Il
per cent of water in their systems
In all their lives. They might get to
be gyp SOME, but not altogether.
An enthusiastic spiritualist who
was viewing the giant with me
averred his entire belief that he was
petrified gi mt, and declared that
being himself medium, he had act
ually received communications from
the g:ant's spirit. asked the medi-
um il | could be permitted to pro
pound few questions to the giant
through him and lie sail could. |
propounded as follows.
aWho are youl
"I'm A. Sumner.
"Were you always as hard as you
are now?'
"No, simply IL hard case that's all
now I'm hard all through
"Wer your parents hard!"
ayes, hard OF hearing"
"W hat is your weight?'
"rhrce hundred stone"
"Why did you turn to stone?",
"Becuuse | didn't know what else
to turn to at that time"
"What were you petriticd WITH"
"Witn astonishment
ssEver have any infantlie dis
eascs?"
"Yes, stone bruises on the heels"
"What were your boyish amusc-
ments?'
playing marbles, riding on
stone boat, and running around stoao
quarries."
"What is your occupation?"
LAYING STONE, at present"
''Got brothers.?
Eyes"
"Are they like your"
"Yes, all in the stone business.
"Did that stony heart ever feel tho
softening power ef love! olds st ever
have any sweet heart?'
cat mention Of sweetheart he soft
ened visibly; . sigh heaved his mas
siye chest while something like n
tear tr;ckled down his tiny check,
(washing away some more gypsum
but he recovered and was stone again
He was silent and | didn't press the
question: -,
GLOW do you feel now, anyhow
II feel good deal worn especially
on my loft side, besides | don't like
idol life'
"Nhat is your drink?
'Stone fence
Would you like to throw in glass
now?"
mo; those who live in stone houses
shouldn't throw glass"
"Was you killed in Cardiff; and
how?"
eyes, killed by the cars. Got a car
DIFF in the stomach"
"Was you ever a rolling stone?'
'tNo, and that's the way | gather
ed my moss =,
lizard feelings toward any body
eyes, I'd like to punch the head OF
the man who dug me up"
The interview was entirely sat
isfactory; and l left with feelings
of lofty admiration for the stone
man