The New York herald., 1871-09-07
a Maryland Negro Puz-
zles the Doctors.
He Declares that Fire Has No Ef.
feet Upon His Flesh.
<~~<<~~<N~~~~~~.-->-~-> +A
He Eats Melted Lead, Handles with Bare
Hands Red-Iiot Iron and Does any
Number of Stunning Things.
The Doctors Witness Ills Exhibition and Pro.
nounce Him FireprOof.
A Full Description Of the Man and His
Performances with Fire. ',

"A Fuu DsSCrlptl0n OF the man ana Hn
Performances with Fire 20
EAsTON, Talbot Co., Nd. August 1871.
The magician may, surrounded with the thousand
appliances, both mechanical and chemical, neces-
sary to the successful operation Of that calling, per-
form feas that sarle the behOder, ana seem 70 this
uninislstcd as contrOverring well established pno-
sOphica laws: Indeed to such perfection have they
brought their feats c leserdealn that their doings
are in many instances truly wOnderful; but, aftor
you have looked in amazement at the tricks OF
seignt-of-nand performer, you leave his presence
In fact you know, while wondering at their execu-
ton, that they tho fruits Of education and can
be explained upon natural principles.
1t is my intention, however, to detail in the follow
ing lines an instance recently coming under my
own observation, where most wonderful perform
ances have taken place that seem to entirely act at
defiance well established natural laws, and furnish
the most - ,,
FRUITFUL SOURCE FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
Instances where the exhibition and performer
have been stripped OF oil the drapey OF magical
appliances and educatlOn and where the principles
OF legerdemain do not furnish practical solution OF
the teats accomplished. ,.r ..,.
Business recently called me to the eastern shore
OF Maryland, to the point from which we write, tho
County seal VI lbiUOt CouHly. VIhlo shC'C hOatN
from several gentlemen Of prominence the story OF
negro blacksmith, who lived In an adjoining
county, upon whom fire had no erect whatever.
The story incredible that gave it little heed,
although 1t came from most reliable sources, antt
was related to me oy gentlemen OF the highest
standing in the community for honor and integrity.
A day or two after first heard of
THIS REMARKABLE NEGRO, ar ls
Mr.. T. r. Robson, editor Of the Easton star. called
81, frvr~
and that the physicians were going to make an ex-
animation OF MIN at the office OF Dr. p. Stack. and
invited me to witness the operations, which very
gladly did. Mr. Robson and myself went at once to DR..
Stacks office, where were assembled Drs Anderson.
Goldsborough and Comegys, Of Easton; MI. J. A.
johnson, editor OF the Journal at Easton; Mr. A. A.
Pancoult, and Mr.. John G. Henry, all prominene
citizens or Talbot county.
brisk fire or anthracite COL was burning in
common coal stove, and an iron shovel was placed
In the stove and heated 10 white hcat. When al
was ready the negro pulled or his boots and placed
hot shovel upon the sOles OF ms lee and kept 1t
there until the shovel became black. His feet we're
then examined by the physician, but
NO BURNS COULD BE FOUND,
and all declared that no evidences OF neated
substance having come in contact with them was
visible. ' ~
the stove and handed TO HIM. he ran OUT his tongue
far as lie could, ana laid The heated shovel upon
IT, licking the iron until 1t became cooled. Tne phY
sician examined the tongue, but found nothing to
indicate that he had suffered IN the least from tho
large handful of common squirrel shot. procured
from store near Dr. stacks oflCe, was next placed
IN an iron receptacle and heated until meitcd The
POURED THE HEATED LEAD INTO THE PALM OF HIS
and rpen put into his mouth allowing to run all
around his teeth and gums. He repeated the opera
Sa s an %s ae
ti0n the PHYSICIANS examined hun carefully, but
could find nothing upon his hesh to indicate THAI no
ha In.
stance he had been handling. After the performs
ances with the lead he deliberately put hs hand Into
the stove In which was . very hot hre, took tnero-
from handful OF hot Goals and passed them about
the room to the gentlemen presenl, Keeping them in
his hand some time Not The slightest evidence OF =
burn was Visible upon his hand alter he threw tho
Goals back into the stove. ..
IL as most remarkable, Tor there was no opportunity
THE PRACTICE OF cHlCANERY.
Every gentleman present was there Tor the pur-
psse OF detecting If possible, any irick-n trick
rest In aiding or abetting the negro 10 his perform
auces. Whatever solution may ne had OF this mat
handles Ore IL the manner get forth above, without
the use OF any mechanical Or chemical appliances
whatever, for lie has been
sUBJECIED TO THE sEvEREsT TESTS 80
possible. NOT only at the tlme specified By me- but at
Of some M Of the frst men in me siaie Of Maryland
In addition to the case cited, which came under my
%se Se uass Of n apr
court at benton, Caroline county the county In
which s man ~ wSKes a1a ~ mp
blacksmith shop OF this negro, which Is situated
about six miles from Denton, on the farm OF W.
richardson. The Sheriff made known 10 him the
object OF their visit, when, In the language OF the
Judges, "hc performed
such as handling redhot iron with his bare hands'
forging 1t into shape without the use OF tongs put,
Of the benton jou1aai; ]. Garion Emerson, editor
r H. KEMP clerk OF the Court r. j. jump, late
state ComptrolIer OF the Treasury; Colonel X. r.
came upon him wholly unawares, and when re-
auested by them to perform some Of the ieats ne mas
become SO famous for In Ills locality, he imme'
THE SAME WONDERFUL PERFORMANCES
have mentioned. ihaye convefsed WIN n,,a greas
education and Integrity. all on whom declare thas
they 40 not believe that fire has the least elect upon
Alter he had concluded his performances In Or.
Stacks Office sought an opportunity to converse
with MIN. found him very Ignorant not ao'e 10
read or write, anu In all respects
AN UNADUITERATED NEGRO
eight years OF age. He was born in the town OF
iiisD6rongh, Caroline county Mo- and nS,, was the ne
to handle nrc, and how he drst became aware IT,
Old, old Massa Enary hired me out to lawyer whose
name was Purnell. lie treated me badly, anu % aio
Kitcnen one day, and when the COOK left shot In.
dIppcd my hand into the dinner pot and puied ou'
The boiling water did not burn and could cat tho
hot dumping without wlnkinR; 80 aiIer uas ~
got my dinner dat way has often got tar S mVs @ s
on the boiling water and Drank IL. l orann my
coffee when It Is boiling and It does nOs XIV % ne
half 80 much pain as It does to drink eaSs v eV
water. always likes II just as hot as can ss' H.
then interrogatcd him as 10 the enect neaSeu SUI.
stances had upon his nesh, and asked nun wnen no
handled them with his hands IL nc uiu NOT suuer
more thau when he took them inwardly 70 wnlch
he REPLIED mo, Boss. often take my iron out the
Jorge with my hand when red hot,''
hut 1T DON'T BURN.
Since was little boy have never been AFRAID 70
handle fre.n lie then stated that often when ~
himself he would pick up red hot iron because MS
longs were not handy, and that nc never lelt any
discomfort from 10. lie felt no more narm, nc saiu
from handling fre than stones
! could cite . great number OF instances be-
aide those mentioned, and give the names OF u
large number or gentlemen Of high standing who
nave witnessed the wonderful doings OF this un-
tutored African; but do not deem IL necossary az