Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-09-09
ALEX GAZETTE

dunUm.
The FIRE-PRooF MANA newspaper ex-
tract of somewhat doubtful origin was circula-
ted some time ago, giving an account Of the
wonderful performances Of colored man in
Talbot county, Maryland, III handling red-hot
iron and doing various other teats with fire, and
now correspondent Of the New York Herald
has furnished details Of the matter: with names
Of witnesses, to that journal.
"A day or two after first heard OF this re-
narkube negro, Mr.. Z. K. Robson, editor OF
the Easton Star, called at my room and stated
that the negro was in town, aud that the physl-
clans were going to make All examination OF hlm
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 we've assembled Drs. An
derson, Godsborough and Cumegys, OF Easton;
DIR. j A. johnson, editor OF the journal at
Easton: Mr.. A. A. lascault and Mr. John I.
Henry. all prominent citizens ol Talbot county.
\ brisk fire of anthracite coal was burning III
a common coal stove, and an iron shovel Was
,,Iaced in the stove aud heated to white heat.
When all was ready, the negro pulled OF his
boots aud placed the hot shovel upon the soes
Of his feet, and kept it there until the shovel
b.caue black His feet WIS then examined By
the physicians, and no burns could be found,
and all declared that no evidence OF heated
substance having come in contact with them
was visible The shovel was again heated red
hot. and taken from the stove ami handed to
him. He run out his tongue, as tur as ne could.
and laid the heated shovel upon it, licking the
iron until it became cooled. The physicians
eyuminea the tongue, but found nothing to in-
.l,, H., b.1 uutfnra1 N thp leans from
the heated iron.
\ large handful of common squirrel shot,
procured from store near DR.. Stacks Office,
WAS next placed in an iron respectable 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, al
lowing it to run all around his teeth and gums.
He repcated the operation several times, each
time keepiug the melted lead in bis mouth
until soIdfed After each operation the ply
siciuns 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 per-
iornances with the lead lie deliberately put
his hand into the stove, in which was very
hot fire, took theretrom handful ol 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 burn
WAS visible upon his hand after he threw the
Goals back into the stove.
| will state that in April last, while the
Judges of this judicial circuit were holding
court at Denton, Caroline county-the county
in winch this man lives-Judges Wickes and
stump, accompanied by Sheriff Richardson
went to the blacksmith shop Of this negro,
which is situated about six miles from Denton,
off the farm OF W. T.. Richardson. The Sher-
if make known to him the object OF their VI
sit, when, in the language Of the Judges, ''he
performed most astounding teats such as
handling rcd-hot iron with his bare hands,
forging it into shape without the use OF tongs'
putting it upon his tongne, &c., &c. At i
later period he was visited at his shop by Dr.
G., r. Tarr, editor of the Denton Journal; j.
Marion Emmcrson, editor Of the Denton Amer
lean Union; James B. Steele, Il. II. Kemp,
Clerk of the Court; +. }. Jump, late State
Comptroller Of the Treasury Col: Il. F.. Car
ter and DR.. P. o. Cherbonier These gentle
men came upon him wholly unawareS, and
when requested by them to perform some OF
the feats he has become so famous for iu this
locality, he Immediately went through with
the same wonderful performances have neil
tioued. ..
After he had concluded his performances in
DR.. Stacks Office sought an opportunity to
converse with him. l found him very igno-
rant, not able to read or write, and III all re-
spects an unadulterated negro. His name Is
Nathan Coker and he is about fifty eight years
Of % ars He was born in the town Of Hills
borough, Caroline county, Maryland, aud was
the slave of Henry L. Sellers, of that place, by
whom he was sold to Bishop Eulary. In re-
lation to his ability to haudle fire, and how he
first became aware OF it, he said BOSS:
when was about thirteen years old, OLD Massa
Emary hired me out to Il lawyer whose name
was Purnell. He treated me badly, and did
not give me enough to eat. | spied around the
kitchen one day, and when the cook lett ! shot
in, dipped my hand into the dinner pot and
pulled out red hot dumpEng The boiling
water did not buru and could eat the not
dumpling without winking so after dat l Of
ten got my dinner dat way. | has often got
the hot fat off the boiling water and drank IT.
drink my coffee when it is boiling, and 1t
does not give me half SO much pain as it does
to drink a & lass Of cold water ;, always hkes
it lust as hot as can get It, then lnterro-
gated him rs to the effect heated substances
had upon his flesh, and asked him when ne
handled them with his hands if he did not sut-
fer more than when he took them inwardly, to
which he replied, mo, Boss, | often take my
iron out the forge with my hand when red
hot, but it don't burn. Since was little
bow have never been afraid to handle fire.
He then stated that often when by himself he
would pick up red hot iron because his tongs
were not handy, and that he never felt any
discomfort from it. He felt no more harm, he
said from handling fire than stones.
could cite great number OF IN instances s pet
Il large number of gentlemen Of high standing
who have witnessed the wonderful doings Of
this untutored African but do not deem it
s necessary, as what have stated can be more
than authenticated by almost any prominent
man living in this locality. | am thoroughly
convinced, from personal observation; that fire
has no effe ect Whatever upon his flesh, and |
AIN sustained in that belief by the united
Judgment Of all gentlemen who have seen hlui'
including a large number Of physicians.
WE'LL GOODS By THE YARD.