The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-09-11
The Fire.proof Maryland Negro.

A newspaper extract of somewhat
doubtful origin was circulated some
time ago, giving an account of the won
derful performances of negro in Talbot
county, Maryland, in handling red-hot
iron and doing various other feats with
fire, and now correspondent of the
New York Herald has furnished details
of the matter, with names of witnesses
to that journal. We give below his
etter, written from Easton last month,
as published in the Herald. He says
Business recently called me to the
Eastern Shore of Maryland, to the point
from which we write, the county seat
Of Talbot county. While there heard
from several gentlemen Of prominence
the story of a negro blacksmith, who
lived in an adjoining county, upon whom
fire had no effect whatever. The story
was so incredible that | gave it little
heed, although it came from most rella'
bic sources, and was related to me by
gentlemen OF the highest standing in
the community for honor and integrity.
A day or two after first heard Of
this remarkable negro, Mr.. T. K. 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.. P. Stack, and invi,
ted me to witness the operations, which
l very gladly did. Mr.. Robson and my.
self went at once to DR.. Stacks office,
where were assembled Drs. Aderson,
Goldsborough and Comegys, of Easton
DR.. 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 a common coal stove, and
an iron shovel was placed in the stove
and heated to white heat. When all
was ready the 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 were
then examined by the physician, and
no burns could be found, and all de-
clared that no evidence Of a heated
substance having come in contact with
them was visible.
The shovel was again heated red hot
and taken from the stove and handed
to him. He ran out his tongue as far
as he could, and 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 a store near DR.,
Stack office, was next placed in an iron
receptacle, and heated until melted
The negro then took the dish, poured the
heated 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 solidified. After each
operation the physicians examined him
carefully, but could find nothing upon
his flesh to indicate that he had been
in the least affected by the heated sub
stance he had been handling. After
the performances with the lead he delib.
erately put his hand into the stove, in
which was a very hot fire, took there
from a handful Of hot Goals and passed
them about the room to the gentlemen
present, keeping them in his hand some
time. Not the slightest evidence of a
burn was visible upon his hanG after he
threw the Goals back into 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 perform
ances. Whatever solution may be had
of this matter, there can be no doubt
but that this negro handles fire n'the
manner set forth above, without the use
of any mechanical or chemical appli
ances whatever, for he has been subjected
to the severest tests possible, not only a,
the time specified by me, but at several
other times and places, and in the pres
ence fsome ofthe first men in the State
of Maryland. In addition to the CASE
cited, which came under my own obser
walton, will state that in April last
while the judges of this judicial circuit
were holding court at Denton, Caroline
county-the county in which the mar
lives-Judges Wickes and Stump, &C
companied by Sheriff Richardson, went
10 the blacksmith shop Of this negro
which is situated about six miles from
Denton. The Sheriff made known &c
him the object Of their visit, when, IL
the language of the Judges. "he per
formed most astounding feats, such as
handling red-hot iron with his bare
hands, forging 1t into shape without the
use Of tongs, putting it upon his tongue
&c" A. later period he was visited
afhis shop by DR.. E. c. Tarr, editor o
the Denton Journal; J. Marion Emer
son, editor of the Denton American
Union; James B. Steele, 7. H. Kemp
Clerk of the Court; R. j. Jump, late
State Comptroller OF the Treasury
Colonel r. E. Carter, and DR.. T. u
Cberbonier. These gentlemen came
upon him wholly unawares, and wher
requested by them to perform some o.