Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-06
laiIu Henuebff yournd.
The Cardiff Giant.

cOnUuent III hlo eOpiii1oa ssc"' ''S
giant found in Cardiff, Onondaga county
N. (which has caused so much of a
sensation among scientific men and others,
was carved out of block of gypsum that
was taken out of the quarries near that
place. Here is the Northwests account
of the matter:
On the 9th of June, 1868, twomcn came
to Fort Dodge, stopped at the St, Charles
Hotel, registering their names-George
Hull, Binghamton, n. Y, and IL. Is. Mar
tin. Boston. Mass. Hull was tall, port
ly man, weighing probably 200 pounds
had black hair. moustache and beard on
his chin was stoop-shouldered, red face
and ewes, denoting the free use OF whiskey.
He dressed in black, and wore plug
hat.
Martin, who seemed to be his compan-
ion, was a small man, and was less no
ticed Soon after their arrival they went
down to c. b. Cummins' gypsum quarry,
and tried to make contract with him to
get out an immense block of gypsum. AT
one time they wanted to exhibit it in New
York as specimen of the products OF
Fort Dodge and vicinity. When it was
suggested that such an immense block,
twelve feet long and three and halt wide,
would be very expensive, and that small
er pieces would be much cheaper and Just
as good for exhibition, they said they
wanted to send it to Washington, rs lowas
contribution to the Lincoln monument.
Mr.. Cummins doubted their authority to
work tor Iowa in so important matter,
and after submitting them to severe
concluded they were
impostors and engaged at some attempt
at swindling, and refused to get out the
block for them at any price. They then
went south of the town and purchased an
acre of gypsum land, paying sloofor it.
They built a shanty on it, at an expense OF
abou S75; employed workmen to open the
quarry. Not succeeding to their satisfaction
they employed Mike Foley, who went on
section 80 and got out an immense block,
and, getting Geo. Weber and others to
help load it, they started for the railroad
at Boone Its weight was so great that
their wagon was crushed down, and they
were compelled to dress it down to Il feet
5 inches, width of feet 2 inches, and
% inches in thickness. We saw it while it
was on the road to Boone.
The s.giant-makersn left our place some
time late in July with their undeveloped
block, and were seen in Chicago by the
writer hereof on the 18th of August, and
at different times for ten days following.
On the 22d of September they were seen
bye. M. Hull, merchant of our place, in
Chicago, and stated they were staying at
the Garden City House. They were in
Chicago at least two months; how much
longer we do not know. 1t was there,
that the giant was carved
out, ready for shipment to New York.
The time elapsing from the date of their
leaving Fort Dodge and the date of their
appearance at Cardiff with the resurected
giant in all his glory and immensely,
gave ample opportunity to carve out the
statue, ship and bury him, allow time for
the creek to wear away parts of the head,
back and legs. 1t is well known fact to
all who are acquainted with our gypsum,
that it is worn away very rapidly by the
action of running or dropping water;
few months viii suffice to make the action
of running water plainly visible on our
hardest gypsum.
This Cardiff fellow was found lying in
the course of little stream, and most in
geniously placed there, too, by Hull and
his companions, who were well informed
as to the effects of running water on our
gypsum. This action of water was inten-
ded to prove its great antiquity, but is one
of the important evidences to us, of its
identity with our gypsum, which has long
been noted for this peculiarly, injuring
its value for projecting caps and stills, as
the driving rains soon furrow out little de-
pressions in it.
While these men were here, they were
regarded as suspicious characters, and it
was generally believed that the great
gypsum block which they took away would
be heard of in some swindling game to be
concocted at the East. 1t was the COM
mon talk here after the great block was
carried away, that it was to be used in
New York as a specimen to show in sell
ing shares in some imaginary gypsum
quarry company to be organized to gull
the unwary.
This same Hull now turns up with his
gypsum block transformed into monster
giant, to the great wonder of our gaping
Eastern cousins There is one test that
will settle the point of identity of the giant
with our gypsum; the stone in its natural
state is dark, blush notified gray is soft
and entirely free from grit, can be cut
with knife or saw, and when pulveriz ed
turns white.
Now, if some of the scientific men of
the wise and learned East will take jack