The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-09-28
STMINSTER, Md THURSDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 2s 1871

shop OF this negro, which is situated
about six miles from Denton. on the
farm of W. z. Richardson. The Sheriff
made known to him the object of their Wis
1t, when, in the language of the Judges,
"hc performed most astounding ieats
such as handling red hot iron with his
bare hands, forging it into shape with.
out the use Of tongs, putting it upon his
tongue, &c, &C." At u later period he
was visited at his shop by DR.. G. f.
Tarr, editor Of the Denton Journal; J.
Marion Emerson, editor of the Denton
Anaericau Union; james B. Steele, T
II. Kemp, Clerk of the Court; r. j.
Jump, late State Comptroller of the
Treasury Colonel R. Il. Carter aud DR.
?. y. Uherbonier. These gentlemen
came upon him wholly uuawares, aud
when requested by them to perform
some Of the feats he has become so
famous for in this locality, he imme
diately went through with the same won
derful performances have mentioned
| have conversed with great 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.
After be had concluded his perform.
ances in DR.. Stacks Office | sought an
opportunity to converse with him.
found him very ignorant, not able to
read or write, aud in all respects an
unadulterated negro. His name is Nathan
Coker, and he is about fifty eight years
of age. He was born 10 the town Of
Hillsborough, Caroline Co., Maryland
and was the slave of Henry II. Sellers
Of that place, by whom he was sold tc
Bishop Emory. In relation to his abil
ity to handle fire, and how he first be
came aware Of it, he said: "Boss
when | was about thirteen years old
old Massa Emory hired me out to 1
lawyer named Purnell. He treated INC
badly, and did not give me enough tc
eat. | spied around the kitchen one
day, and when the cook lett SHOT in
dipped my hand into the dinner pot and
pulled out a red hot dumping, The
boiling water did not burn and | could
eat the hot dumpling without winkiug
so after dat often got my dinner da
way. l has often got the hot fat of
the boiling water and drank it.
drink my coffee when it is boiling, anC
1t does not give me half so much pair
as it does to drink glass of cold water
| always likes it just as hot us can gel
it." | then interrogated him as to the
effect heated substances had upon hi.
flesh, and asked him when he handled
them with his hands ii he did not suffer
more than when he took them inwardly
to which he replied, NO Boss, | oltol
take my iron out of the forge with IN,
haud when red hot, but il don't burn
Since | was little boy | have never
been afraid to handle fire. He then
stated that often when by himself he
would pick up red hot iron because hi.
tongs were not handy, aud that he nev
er felt any discomfort from it. Hi
felt no more harm, he said, from handling
fire than stones.
| could cite a great number Of in
stances beside those mentioned, ant
give the uames of large number O
gentlemen of high standing who have
witnessed the wonderful doings of thi.
untutored African; hut I do not deem
1t necessary, as what have stated cat
be more than authenticated by almos
any prominent maa living in this local
ity. | am thoroughly convinced, from
personal observation, that fire has n,
effect whatever upon his flesh, aud l au
sustained in that belief by the unitet
Judgment of all who have seen him
including a large number Of physicians
This man should be seen and exam
iued by our scientific men, and tn,
causes aud effects of his remarkabl,
performances duly investigated; for it il
certain that his power to handle FIRE
does exist 10 remarkable degree, and
that, too, without the aid of anything
save what nature has bestowed.