The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-09-28
Our Olio.
The Fire-Proof Maryland Negro.

doubtful origin was circulated some time
ago, giving an account of the wonderful
performances Of u negro in Talbot coun
ty, OF this State, in handling red-hot iron
and doing various other ieats with fire,
aud now correspondent Of the New
York HeraM has furnished details Of
the matter, with names of witnesses, to
that journal. We give below his letter,
written from Easton last mouth, as pub
lished in the Herald. He says:
Business recently called me to the East
ern Shore of Maryland, to the point from
which We write, the county seat OF Tai
bot county. While there heard from
several gentlemen of prominence the
story of negro blacksmith, who lived
IN an adjoining county, upon whom fire
had no effect whatever. The story was
50 incredible that gave it little heed.
although it came from most reliable
sources, aud was related to me by gen.
tlemon of tho highest standing in the
community for honor and integrity.
4 day or two after first heard of
this remarkable negro, Mr. 7. X. Rob
son, editor Of the Easton Star, called at
my room and stated that the negro was
IN town, and that the physicians were
going to make an examination Of him
at the Office of DR.. Z. Stack, and invited
me to witness the operations, which |
very gladly did. Mr. Robson and my
self went at once to DR.. Stacks Office,
where were assembled Drs. Anderson,
Goldsborough and Comegys, of Easton
DIR. j. A johnson, editor of the Journal
at Easton Mr. A. A. Pascault and Mr..
John c. Henry, all prominent citizens
OF Talbot county.
a brisk fire Of anthracite coal was
burning in common coal stove, aud an
iron shovel was placed in the stove aud
heated to white heat. When all was
ready tho negro pulled off his boots and
placed the hot shovel upon the soles Of
his feet, and kept it there until the
shovel became black. His feet we're
then examined by the physician, and no
burns could be found, aud all decIar ID
that no evidence of heated substance
having come in contact with them was
visible
The shovel was again heated rod hot,
and taken from the stove aud handed
to him. He ran out his tongue as far
as he could, aud laid the heated shovel
upon it, licking the iron until it became
cooled. The physician examined the
tongue, but found nothing to Indicate
that he had suffered in the least from
the heated iron.
A large handful Of common squirrel
shot, procured from store near DR..
Stacks office, was ncxt placed in IN
iron receptacle and heated until melted.
The negro then took the dish, poured
the melted lead into the palm of his
hand, and then put it into his mouth,
allowing it to run all around his teeth
and gums. He repeated the operation
several times, each time keeping the
melted lead in his mouth until solidifed.
After each operation the physicians
examined him carefully, but could fiud
nothing upon his flesh to Indicate that
he had in the leost been affected by the
heated substance he had been handling
After the performances with the lead
he deliberately put his hand into the
stove, in which was a very hot fire, took
thercfrom handful of hot Goals and
passed them about the room to the gen.
tlemen present, keeping them 10 his
hand some timo. Not the slightest
evidence of a burn was visible upon his
hand after he threw the Goals back iuto
the stove.
The exhibition was regarded by all
who witnessed it as most remarkable,
for there was no opportunity for the
practice of chicanery.
Every gentleman present was there
for the purpose of detecting, if possible,
any trick--if trick there was--and none
could have had the least interest in aid.
ing or abetting the negro in his per
formances. Whatever solution may be
had Of this matter, there can be no
doubt but that this negro handles FIRE
iu the manner set forth above, without
the use Of any mechanical or chemical
appliances whatever, for he has been
subjected to the seyerest tests possible,
not only at the time specified by me,
but at several other times and places,
...1 a.. a L.. g =.