Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-09-29

Correspondence New York Herald.
A Maryland Negro Puzzles tll
DOctOrs..He Declares that Fir
Has no Effect Upon His Flesh.
EAsToN, Talbot Co., Md, August 1877.
Business recently called me to the Eas
ern Shore of Maryland, to the point fro1
which we write, the county seat of Talbt
county. While there heard from sewers
gentlemen of prominence tell the story of
negro blacksmith, who lived in ON adjoinin
county, upon whom fire had no effect what
ever. The story was SO incredible that
gave it little heed, although it came fron
most reliable sources, and was related t
me by gentlemen Of the highest standing il
the community for honor and integrity. 4
day or two after I first heard Of this remark
able negro, Mr.. T. R. Robson. editor 0
the Easton Star, called at my room, ant
stated that the negro was in town, and tina
the physicians were going to make an ex
animation Of him at the Office Of DR.. P
Stack, and invited me to witness the opera
lions, which I very gladly did. Mr.. Rob
son and myself went at once to DR.. Stack
office, where were assembled Drs. Ander
son, Goldsborough and Comgeys, of Eas
ton Mr. j. A. johnson, editor Of the
Journal at Easton Mr.. A. A. Pancoult
and Mr.. John G. Henry, all prominent citi
zens 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 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 physi.
clans, but no burns could be found, and all
declared that no evidence of a heated sub.
stance having come in contact 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 as be could,
and laid the heated shovel upon it, licking
the iron until it became cooled The physi.
clans examined the tongue, but found moth.
ing 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 Of
fee, 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 bis
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 care
fully, but could find nothing upon his flesh
to indicate that he had been affected by the
heated substance he had been handling
After the performances with the lead he de-
liberatlely put his hand into the stove, in
which was very hot fire. took therefrom q
handful of hot Goals and passed them about
the room to the gentlemen present, keeping
them in his hand for sometime. Not the
slightest evidence Of a burn was visible up.
on his hand after he threw the coal back in
to the stove. .5
The exhibition was regarded by all who
witnessed it as most remarkable, for there
was no opportunity for the practice of Chi
oanery ats +-e
Every gentleman present was there, 70,
the purpose Of detecting, if possible, any
trick-if trick there was-and none could
have had the least interest in aiding or
abetting the negro in bis performances -
Whatever solution may be had of this mat
ter, there can be no doubt but that this ne
gro handles fire in the manner set forth
above, without the use Of any mechanical
Or chemical appliances whatever, for he has
been subjected to the severest tests possible
not only at the time specified by me, but al
several other times and places, and in the
presence Of some of the first men in the
State Of Maryland. In addition to the case
cited, which came under my own observa
ton, 1 will state that in April last, while
the judges of this judicial circuit were hold
ing court in Denton. Caroline county-tht
county in which this man lives-Judges
Wickes and Stump, accompanied by Sheriff
Richardson, went to the black -smith sho1
of this negro, which is situated about sis
miles from Denton, on the farm of W P
Richardson. The Sheriff made known te
him the object of his visit, when, in thu
language fthe Judges, che performed mos
astounding feats, such as handling red
hot iron Nth his bare hands, forging it in.
to shape without the use of tongs, putting
it upon his tongue, &C., &c." At a latel
period he was visited at his shop by DR.. G
e. Tarr, editor of the Denton Journal J
J. Marion Emmerson, editor of the Dentor
american Union; James B. Steele, T. II
Kemp, clerk Of the court; r. j.. Jump
late State Comptroller of the Treasury
Colonel R. E. Carter and DR.. P. o. Cher
bonier These gentlemen came upon hin
wholly unawares, and when requested By
them to perform some Of the feats he hal
become SO famous for in this locality, hi
Immediately went through with the same
wonderful performances have mentioned
/ have eonverscd with a great many people
who have seen him, gentlemen of education
and integrity, all of whom declare tina
they do not believe that fire has the leas
effect upon his flesh. ..o la =
After he had concluded his performance
in DR.. Stacks Office 1 sought an opportuni
ty to converse with him. I found him very
| ignorant, not able to read or write. in al
respects an unadulterated negro. sasg1s
His name is Nathan Cocker and he il
about fifty eight years Of age. He was borr
in the town Of Hillsboroqgh. Caroline coun'
+ y, Nd, and was the slave Of Henry I
Sellers, Of that place, by whom he was sold
to Bishop Emary. In relation to his abili
| ty to handle FIRE, and how be became aware
Of it, be said: "Boss, when I was about
thirteen years old, old Massa Emary hired
me out to lawyer whose name was Pur'
/ nell He treated me badly, and did no
give me enough to eat. I SHED around thu
kitchen one day, and when the cook lef
7 shot ip. dipped my hand into the dinner
not and pulled out a red hot dumping, 81