The Republican journal., 1871-09-28

Correspondence OF the New York Herald.
I7,eroN. Talbot 90 MI Aup %

whatever The story was so incredible
that gave ii little heed, although it came
from most reliable sources, and was re-
lated 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. r. Rob
son, editor of the Eastern 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 invited me
10 witness the operations. which | very
gladly did. Mr. Robson and myself went
nj once TO DR.. Stacks office, where were
assembled Drs. Anderson, Goldsborough,
and Comegys, OF Easton; Mr.. j A. John
son, editor of the journal, at Easton Mr..
A. A. Pancoult, and Mr.. John c. Henry,
all prominent citizens of Talbot county.
A brisk fire of anthracite coal was burn
ing in common coal stove. and an iron
shovel was placed in the stove and heated
to n 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 ii there until the shovel became
black. His feet were then examined by
the physician. but no burns could be
found, and all declared that 10 evidences
of a heated substance having come in con-
tact with them was visible.
The shovel was again heated red-hot,
taken from the stove, and handed to him.
He ran out his tongue as far MS he could.
and laid the heated shovel upon ii. 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.
Stark office, was next placed in an iron
receptacle and heated until melted The
negro then took the dish, poured the heat
ed lead into the palm of his hand aud
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 Soidiicd. After each operation the
physicians examined him carefully, but
could find nothing upon his flesh to indi-
cate that he had been in the least affected
10y the heated substance he had been
handling. After the performances with
the lead he deliberately put his hand into
the stove. in which was 4 very hot fire.
took theretrom Il handful of hot Goals and
passed them about the room to the gentle
men present keeping them in his hand
some time. Not the slightest evidence of
q burn WAS visible upon his hand after he
threw the Goals back INTO the stove
The exhibition was regarded by all who
Witnessed it Us most remarkable. for
there was no opportunity for the practice
OF chicancry.
Every gentleman present was there for
thp lDID.DOSt. of 1ptpptiuu if noSSihln any
trick-lf trick there was-and none could
have had the least interest III aiding or
abetting the negro i'll his performances.
Nhatever solution may be had of this
matter, there can he no doubt but that
ms negro handles llre IN the manner set
forth above, without the use OF any me-
Ghancai or chemical appliances whatever,
Tor ne has been subjected to the severest
tests possible. not only at the times speci-
lea by me, but at several other times and
places, and m the presence OF some of the
1lrSt men in the State OF Maryland. In
addition to the case cited, which came I'M
der my own observation, Will state that
m April last, while the Judges OF this judi
riaI circuit were holding court at Denton,
'irollhe county-the county IN which this
man llves-'judge Wickes and Stump, ac
companled by Sheriff Richardson, went to
the blacksmith shop OF this negro, which
is situated about six miles from Denton,
ON the farm OF W. /. Richardson. The
sheriff made known TO him the object Of
1her VISIT. when. IN the language OF the
Judges, he performed most astounding
lealS, such rs handling red-hot IRON with
ms bare hands. forging 1t INTO shape with
out the use OF longs, putting 1t upon his
tongue Nr: AT a LATER period he was
VISITED al ms Shop ny Df. [. T. lafr, edl-
Iof "l Inc Denton journal; d. Marion
Emerson, edltor OF the Denton American
mon James Il. Steele, l. IL. hemp,
clerk OF the court Il. d. Jump. late State
comptrolIer OF the treasury Col. Il. +.
carter ana i)r. L. .. Cherbonler. These
gentlemen came upon nm wholly una
wares and when requested by them to
perform some OF the ieats ne has become
SO FAMOUS Tor IN ms iocailty, he lmmedl-
NGIy went through with the same wonder
lul performances l nave mentioned.
nave cohNer'ed with 4 great number OF
people VINO nave seen INN, gentlemen OF
education ana integrity, ALL OF whom de-
clare that they do not believe that lire has
me least effect upon his flesh.
Alter he had concluded his periorman-
ces IN Dr. Stacks Office, l sought an OPP
portJnlty to converse with him. found
hlm very ignorant not able to read or
Wflte' ana m all respects an unadufterat-
ca negro ms name Is Nathan Coker,
ana he is ABOUT iily-elght Years OF age.
ne was porn IN me town OF lllllsDorough,
caroline county Md, and was the slave
OF Henry l.. Sellers, OF that place, by
whom he was SOLD to Bishop Emary. In
feillioh 10 ms AFFINITY to handle ire and
now ne lirSt became aware OF 1t, he said:
boss, when l was about thirteen years
OH MaSsl Eihafy hlfed me out to law
Ne'' whose name was Purnell. He treat
e" me baqIy, ana dld not give me enough
TO eat Shied around the kitchen one
Ity' ana Wien Inc cook lett shot in,
"lPPen my hahh lhto the Gunner pot ana
pulled ont Il fed not dumping. Inc boil
In9 "lter oia not nurh, anu couio eau
me NOT jumping without wih6lng; so al
yer o'ir l olleil 9ol my oahher dat way.
mas often @ot me not Iat OH the boiling
wafer anu crank H. ! drink my coffee
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