The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-01-05
THE CARDrFr IuposrrRB.

Its Illinois Original Missing Link sup
piied-Tbe journey from Chicago 90 Dee
troit, aud thence To BaGdio-A shaver
ms n Detective Where it was Manu'ac-
turcd.
Correspondence OF The Fun.
JACKSON, Mich, Dec. PAL am in possession
Of few facts which think will throw some light
the origin Of the so-called Cardiff giant. About
three weeks since, while purchasing provisions for
a lumbermen's camp in Saginaw, Mich, bought an
illustrated New York weekly containing picture
Of the giant, which took TO the camp with me.
about twenty miles from saginaw, and gave 10 the
men. One Of them. upon looking ut the picture de-
carcd that he had seen that "stone man before;
whereupon all Of the other laughed at him,
and then he woud say nothing more about 1t, and
coon turned in for the night. The next day
caught the man alone and questioned him In regard
TO his declaration OF the previous evening. He re-
nerated his assertion that he had seen the giant
and, after enjoining secrecy in regard to tho other
men, he told me the following story, which win
relate In his own words as nearly as can;
During the spring Of 1sCs was in Detroit, Mich,
sailor by occuration-ond while standing on the deck
was accosted by n man who asked me " was q
the sr r soia me he would give me one At
| good pay asked him where bis vessel was, and
he pointed TO small schooner which lay little way
| of from tile dock and We went on board, where
| found four other men before me,
"The captain told that he intended 20 take some
probably leave that same night az ha expected them
| from Chicago, via Michigan Central Railroad. They
did not arrive. however that night, but telegram
was received from Chicago saying that they would
come the next day. During the next evcnins iar ,e
conveyed il on board the schooner, and let 1t down
! mto the hold but a. VIC had 1t almost down one Of
the ropes gaye Nay and one end OF ths 9oH ven
| lamp, immediately went on deck, aud then sent US
TO the ears again TO watt until he came there. rs he
| board.
\ i" We started to obey, but after proceeding short
distance II began TO rain aud returned u the yes
sci for my coat, which had left in the hold while
| lowering the box. While feeling around for my
oSa saw the CSfsn 9GmipS WITH lantern me- MANI
he had placed the lantern on the box. And then for
| the first time remarked that several boards had
been broken OF the box by the fail: Asking me
why was there, aud being informed OF the renson,
he told me that might help him, but made me prom
ise Tint ! would say nothing about what lad seen
held tne lamp, and he began to nail on the
part Of the side Of the fell of where IL had bee
fractured, aud disclosed 70 me the Cardiff giant I
wwas SURPRISED. but was told to keep sti and help.
around e. Tie Captain then told inc n would keep
quiet about y he would pay me extra whcn We ar
| at the depot to tell them that the Captain had re-
ceiyod atclegrlm saving that they could proceed
| "Thc next day we up anchor and went on our way
10 Bufino. After we arrived there the Captain dis
would nay me esi would ss with y" BIN a few days VS.
longer. remained on the vessel Eve days. and the
| Captain sent nc to the telegraph ofice with mes
| sage for n man III Chicago
| "Three days AFTER This man boarded the vessel
| whom the Captain called Mr.. Hunt and heard the
strany tell the captain that everything work
| ing finely. I should judge IRON remarks which I
overheard that the image had been made on board n
small scoD near Chicago. thought AZ the time that
| II was model for statue. but now know that 1t
was the Cardiff Giant, which the owners pretend TO
say WIS never seen by any of the present generation
| " a o.
OF five days the Captain gave me- $40 extra, and LETT
| the schooner"
| believe every word Of this story TO DC true, rs
the narrator. II. d. Crawford, is a sober and, AZ far
| as have seen, an honest man. II. y. DREW.