The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1871-09-28
A REMARKABLE NEGRO.
Eats Fire and Handles Red Hot Iron.
PLAYS with Molten Lend, and is Pro.
nOunccd Fire Proof.
From tho Now York Herald

nOunced Fire Proof
From tho New York llcralll
An Easton, Talbot county, Mary
land, correspondent Of the New York
Herald furnishes an account Of
wonderful enigma In the person OF
negro man. The writer says:
business recently called me to the
eastern shore Of Maryland, to the point
from which we write, the county seat
Of Talbot county. While there l
heard from several gentlemen Of
prominence the story Of negro black
smith, who lived In all adjoining
county, upon whom fire had no effect
whatever. The story was 80 incredi-
bic that / gave 1t littlelheed, although
1t came from most reliable sources,
and was related to me by gentlemen
Of the highest standing In the COM
munity for honor and integrity. A
day or two after first heard OF
THIS REMARKABLE NEGRO,
Mr.. T. II. Robson, editor of the Easton
Star, called at my room, and stated
that the negro was In town, and that
the physicians were going to make al
examination of him at the office Of
DR.. p. Stack, and invited me to wit
ness the operations, which very glad
ly did. Mr.. Robson and myself went
at once to DR.. Stacks office, where
were assembled Drs. Anderson, Colds
borough and Comegys, of Easton;
Mr.. J. A. Johnson, editor Of the Jour
nal, at Easton; Mr.. NJ. A. Pancoult,
and Mr.. John G. Henry, all prominent
citizens OF Talbot county.
A brisk fire Of anthracite coal was
burning in common coal stove and
an iron shovel was placed In the stove
heated to q white heat. When all was
ready the negro pnlled of his boots
and placed the hot shovel upon the
soles OF his feet, and Kept it there un-
til the shovel turned black. His feet
were then examined by the physi-
clans, but
NO BURNS COULD BE FOUND,
And all declared that no evidences OF
any heated substance having come in
contact with them was visible.
The shovel was again heated red
hot, taken from the stove, and hand
ed to him. He ran out his tongue as
far as he could, and laid the heated
shovel upon 1t, licking the iron until
it became cooled. The physician eX-
amined the tongue, but found nothing
to indicate that he had suffered in the
least from the heated iron.
A large handful of common squir-
rel shot, procured from q store near
DR.. Stacks office, was next placed in
an iron receptacle and heated until
melted. The negro then took the dish,
POURED TIE HEA1ED'LEAD INTO TIE
PALM OF Ills HAND,
And then put it into his mouth, allow
ing 1t to run around his teeth and
gums. He repeated the operation sew
eral times, each time keeping the
melted lead in his mouth until solidi-
fed. After each operation the physi-
clans examined him carefully, but could
find nothing upon his flesh to indicate
that he had been in the least affected
by the heated substance he had been
handling. After the performances
with the lead he deliberately put his
hand into the stove, in which was a
very hot fire, took therefrom hand
full Of hot Goals, and passed them
about the room 10 the gentlemen pres
ent, keeping them in his hand some
time. Not the slightest evidence OF u
burn was visible upon his hand after
he threw the Goals back into the slove.
The exhibition was regarded by all
who witnessed 1t rs most remarkable,
for there was no opportunity for
THE PRACTICE OF CuICANERy.
Every gentleman present was there
for the purpose Of detecting, II pOssi-
bic, any trick-if tick there was and
none could have had the least interest
in aiding or abettlng the negro in his
performances. Whatever solution
may he had Of this matter, there can
be no doubt but this negro handles fire
in the manner set forth above, with
out the use Of any mechanical or chem
ical appliances whatever, for he has
been
SUBJECTED TO THE SEvERESTS TESTS,
Possible, not only at the time speci-
fled by me, but at several other times
and places, In the presence of some Of
the first men in the State of Maryland.
In addition to the case cited, which
came under my observation, l will
state that in April last. while the
Judges of this Judicial Circuit were
holding Court at Denton, Caroline
county,-the county in which 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, on the farm Of w.
P. Richardson. The Sheriff made
known to him the object of their visit,
when, in the language of the Judges,
'he performed
MOST ASTOUNDING FEATs,
Such as handling red-hot iron with his
oare hands, forging it into shape with
)ut the use Of tongs, putting 1t upon
MS tongue" etc. At later period he
was visited at his shop by Dr. G.. L..
rarr, editor Of the Denton ,JOnrnuL:
J. Marion Emmerson, editor of the
Denton American Union; Jas. b.
Steele; Il. II. Kemp, Clerk Of the
Court; r. J. Jump, late Comptroller
If the Treasury; Colonel II. f.. Car
er and DIR. p. o. Cherbonier. These
gentlemen came upon him wholly un-
.wares, and when requested by them
% perform some OF the feats he has
)ecOme SO famous for in this locality,
lie Immediately went through with
THE SAME WONDERFUL PERFoRMAN-
CES,
have mentioned. | have cOnyer,ed
with great number Of people who
nave seen him, gentlemen OF cduca-
ion and integrity, all Of whom declare
hat they do not believe that fire has
he least effect upon his flesh.
After he had concluded bis pcrfor-
nances In DR.. Stacks Office | Sought
IN opportunity to converse with him.
I,t