The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-06-02
THE INDIANA STATE SENTINEL TUESDAY JUNE g. 1874

A
masfodon was found almost entire in New
Jersey, Near u were also found the skulls
of four or five others. The same year
A GIGANTIC SKELETON
of msstodon was found In peat bog near
Newburg. in Orange county. N. Y. When
found it stood in an erect position, as if the
animal lost its life by sinking in the mire
while searching for food. This skeleton is
now i'm Boston. Its weight is something
over 1000 pounds, and yet it is greatly in
ferior in size to the Dansville mastodon. 1t
is a curious fact that in unearthing the
latter as the men removed the soil from that
part of the animal where his stomach and
intestines must have been, a large mass OF
fossilized twigs and grass were found.
probably the contents of his stomach
Portions of this mass, when subjected to a
powerful magnifying glass, strongly
sustained the position that the substance
was really the contents of the animals
stomach at the time of its death. 1t is a
fact that where the stomach and intestines
of the Newburg monster lay, there was
found large mass of fragments OF twigs
and other vegetable substance but trih- ngly
fossilized. DIR. John G. Warren, of Boston,
who purchased this skeleton, after a very
thorough analytic examination of this mass,
unhesiJatingly pronounced it the contents
of the animals stomach. IL is contended by
the biologists who have examined these re-
mains that the creature must have lived at
least six thousand years ago, as there is no
record in profane or sacred history, and no
tradition that even refers to the existence or
an animal like this.
THE DISCOVERY.
The remains we have described were found
two and a half miles southeast of this village,
on the Wayland road. Mr.. Whiteman, on
whose land they were found, was engaged
last fall in digging ditch through marshy
piece of ground. In doing this two great
teeth and some other bones were thrown out
Ey the men. No attention, however, was
paid to them until this spring, when gen.
tleman who was walking along the ditch
discovered the teeth. Their immense size,
great weight and peculiar construction
struck him with establishment, and he
obtained the consent of Mr.. Whiteman
to bring them to the village. Here
their appearance created great ex-
DR.. Perine, believing that
the remaining part OF the skeleton was
buried where the teeth were found, imme- |
diately entered into contract with White |
man, which gave him the privilege of dig |
ging for the other remains, and also giving |
him the control of whatever he might find. |
The result thus far is the discovery of the |
bones we have already described. They are
attracting visitors from distant towns and
cities. IL is, perhaps, safe to say that no
event ever occurred in Western New York |
that has reated in the world of learning
among the curious and enlightened portion
of our community. so much interest as has
the discovery of these remains of an extinct
colossal animal, who once roamed about the |
where these ruins of his tremendous |
frame have been found. The work of search
ing for the other remains will continue until |
all or the giant form which was imbedded |
there. surviving the work of decay, is found. |