The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-10-10

G )LUMBIA. 81. g.
Tues lay Mornine. October 10 1871.
THO BIecsk Flre king.

f,A1 newspaper extract OF somewhat
doubtful origin was circulated some time
ago. giving an account of the wonderful
performances OF negro man in Talbot
County. Maryland. in handling red-hot
i lr0n, and doing various other feats with
fire, and now correspondent of the
New York Herald has furnished details
OF the matter with the names Of wit.
nesses. He-says: s5 ts. -or
BusinssB recently called ne t0 The
County seat OF Talbot County. While
: there-I heard from several gentlemen OF
prominepd sf9eTs satory OF negro blapk.
smith, wh9 lived in an adjoining Oouih-
ty. upon!wkom fire had no effect what.
ever. The story was 30 incredible that
gave is'littlet heed. "A day or two after
,,L heard of this remarkable negro, Mr.
n!T. TX, Robson, editor of the Eastern
7 sSidr, called and stated that the negro
> was in town, and thnt the physicians
were going to make an examination of
him, and invited me to witness the. .ppe.
rations. Stdirs R1baon aud. myself Went
at once to DR.. Stacks office, where we're
''iiqasaepbled n . Dts. Anderson, Goldsbo-
Ir9Sg6 and, Comeygs, of Easton; DR.. J.
I; a. eJohRson, editbr Of the Journal at
I'cEsston; Mr. a. A. Pascanlt and Mr..
S'JUHh 20: Henry, all prominent citizens
, sof' rHlbot. County.
i ,gA,tbrisk fire of anthracite coal was
burning IN common coal stove, and an
iron shovel was placed in the stove and
heated to white heat. When all this
was re7dyi the negro pulled of his boots
ana plhGed flfe hot shovel npon the aoles
-roe oesSiaaaet, and kept it there until the
,sah9Kak becsme black. His feet we're
| anaihed by the physicians, and
9nG6 fb,gnsa could sSbs found, and all de-
HpfaseaAhkt a no esidenee,of heated sub
ssa9dS haSIng GONE in contact with them
VI 1.-THE sl99el was again heated red.hot.
i.,hhd taken from the Stove and handed to
hiGEt @ He,rsn out his tongue as far az
ahe Sould,i andnlaid his tongue upon it,
y licking u until, it became cooled. The
physictans examined the tongue, but
found nothing to indicate that he had
suffering the least from the heated iron.
"A large hanafHl; Of common, squirrel
ehot, procuyeh fsbm store near DE
Stacks of6de, AB&a next placed: in DIN iron:
receptacle and heated until melted. The
negro then took the heated lead into the
.EhanS Of Il8 band Ahd then put it into
his mouth, ealuwing it to- rnn around his
1t. teeth and gums. He repeated the opera
,ssJtIo4 seyefAl times. each, time keeping the
- tfmelsed lead In his mouth until it solidi-
lied. After each operation the physi-
cians examined him carefully, but could
,tind Hothing upon his flesh TO indicate
that he had been in the least affected by
aftsf shs psrformanoss orr S 1eep With ban%, tSa
lead he deliberately put his hand into
! the stoYe; in which was q very hot fire.
took therefrom O, handful of hot GOALS
and passed them about the room to the
gentlemen present, keeping them in his
'h@9hd @ some time. Not the slightest evi-
odsnce OF burn was visible upon his
hand after be threw the GOALS back into
the stov6..=sS So u h~i3 a-aY!'+' .'f>
The exhibition lwwas regarded by all
who Witnessed Il as most remarkable.
for there was no opportunity for the
practice Of ohicanery. Every gentleman
present was there for the purpose of de-
teoting. if possible, any trick-if trick
there was--and none could have had the
least intsrest in aiding or. abetting the
negro I'M bis performances. Whatever
/ eolntion may be had of this matter, there
: Gsn be no doubt bat that this negro
. handles fire in the manner set forth
lnbove. without the use Of any mechani-
$ GAl or chemical. appliances whatever, for
athehas been subjected to the seyerest
tests possible. not onlyla the time spe-
~ .A4oS OuI hb nottTAl QUIET Glmf.S
and places. aud in the presence of some
II 2sh 81 the first men in, the State Of Mary
land. have conyersad. with great
4. number Of people who have seen him.
gentlemen OF education and integrity.
all OF whom declare that they do NOT
believe that fire has the least effect upon
his flesh. ''f m
After he had concluded his perform
ances in DR.: Stacks office. sought an
opportunity to converse with him. I
fonnd him very ignorant, not able to
read or write, and, in all respects, an un.
adulterated negro. His name il Nathan
Cocker, and be is about ffty-eight years
An6f age He was born in ths town of
Marlborough, Caroline County, Mary
land. and was the slave of Henry L. Sell
lers. OF that place, by whom he was sold
atoi Bishop Emery. In relation to his
ability to handle fire, and how he frst
became aware of it, he ssid: Boss.
when ! was about thirteen years old, old
MnaaR Emery hfrAd ma ont n q lasanar