Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-09-16
A REMARKABLE NEGRO.
Eats Fire and Handles Red Hot
IrOn-Plays with Molten Lead ana
in Pronounced Ffre-ProOf.

IrOn-Plays with Molten Lead ana
il Pronounced Fire-Proof.
From the New York Herald.l b ae q
An Easton, Talbot county, Maryland,
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 heard from
several gentlemen of prominence the
story of negro blacksmith, who lived
in an adjoining county, upon whom
fire had no effect whatever. The story
was so incredible that ! gave it little
heed, although it came from most re-
liable sources, and was related 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.. 7. r. Robson, 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 exam
ination of him at the office of DR.. p.
Stack, and invited me to witness the OPP
erations, which i very gladly did. Mr..
Robson and myself went at once to DR..
Stacks office, where were assembled
Drs. Anderson, Goldsborough aud Com
eggs, of Easton; Mr.. j. A. Johnson, ed
itor of the Journal at Easton; Mr.. A. A.
Pancoult, and Mr.. John G. Henry, all
prominent citizens of Talbot county.
A brisk fire of anthracite coal was
burning in a common coal stove, and an
iron shovel was placed in the stove and
heated to a white heat When all was
ready the negro pulled off his boots and
placed the hot shovel upon the soles OF
his feet, and keptit there until the shovel
became black. His feet were then ex-
amined by the physician, but
NO BURNS COULD BE FOUND,
and all declared that no evidences of
heated substance 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 he
could, and laid the heated shovel upon
it, 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. attta
A large handful of common squirrel
shot, procured from store near DR..
Stacks office, was next placed in an
iron receptacle and heated until melted.
The negro then took the dish,
POURED THE HEATED lead INTO THE PALM
pa f OF HIS HAND,
and 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 solidifed. After each ope-
ration the physicians examined him care
fully 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 perform
ances with the lead he deliberately put
his hand into the stove, in which was a
very hot fire, took therefrom handful
of hot Goals, and passed them about the
room to the gentlemen 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.
The exhibition was regarded by all
who witnessed it as most remar kable, for
there was no opportunity for
THE PRACTICE OF CHIcANERY.
Every gentleman present was there
for 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 his
performances. Whatever solution may
be had of this matter, there can be no
doubt but that this negro handles fire in
the manner set forth above, without the
use of any mechanical or chemical ap-
pliances whatever, for he has been
SUBJECTED TO THE sEyEREsT TESTS
pc ssible, not only at the time specified
by me, but at 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 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, che performed
MOST ASTOUNDING FEATs,
Such as handling red-hot iron with his
rare hands, forging it into shape without
the use of tongs, putting it upon his
for. que" etc. At later period he was
visi, ed at his shop by DR.. c. e. Tarr,
editm. of the Denton Journal; j. Marion
Emerson, editor of the Denton Ameri-
can I'm, on; Jas. B. Steele; T. II. Kemp,
Clerk Of the Court; r. j. Jump, late
State Comptroller of the Treasury
Colonel r. q. Carter and DIR. p. o. Cher
honier. These gentlemen came upon
him wholly unawares, and when re-
by them to perform some of the
feats he has become so famous for in
this locality, he Immediately went
with
THE SANE WONDERFUL PERFORMANCES
| have mentioned. | have conversed
r l.. rrrhr, he