New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-01-24
BARNUM'S LATEST HUMBUG.
THE COLORADO GIANT OF EASTERN MANI
EACTI'RE

IT--FCIL DETAILS THE MANNER IN WHICH
THE swINDLE WAS CARRIED OUT.
The true history of tho Colorado petrfed man.
that was exhibited recently in this city is given
herewith. 1t was made at Elkland, little noun.
tain town in Northern Pennsylvania, near tao New
York State line, by George Hull, the maker OF tho
Cardiff Giant. =. T. Barnum became interested
in the scheme, and supplied part Of the capital.
The figure was taken to Colorado buried there, and
finally dug up, in accordance with a carefully-ar'
ranged plan An alroit deception was practiced in
regard to the results of the scientific test, which it
was claimed was made. Ground stone. ground
bones, clay, plaster blood eggs and other materials
were used IN forming the image, which was then
baked FOR weeks in a kiln. Hull had intended for
long time to deceive the public with this pretended
perifacion, and had spent much time aud several
thousand dollars in experiments
HISTORY OF HULLS PETRlFACTION.
HULLs CAREER BEFORE HE wENr 10 ELKIAND-
HIS SECRET WORK ruERE--LONG AND LABOR.
Gus FXPERIMEHrs-IHE ARRANGEMENT WITH
BARNUM-PLANTING THE FIGURE ~ COLORADO
A COMPLETE EXPOSURE or THE SCHEME.
tPRoa SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRrBUSFI
ELKLAND, Tioga County. Penn, Jan. 21.-
This little, isolated borough VIII hereafter be noted as
the birthplace OF the "petrifed" Colorado Giant Ar
irving here last evening few minutes before o'clock,
within twenty minutes had visited the ice house In
which the Colorado Giant moulded and baked brown;
had picked out OF the rubbish fragment o the foot and
ankle OF elder brother Of the giant who happened 10
be spoiled in tie making; and before midnight had
learned important particular connected
with the origin aud travels OF this curious
fraud. The public VIII not feel mreh surprise
on learning that The ingenious abglcator of the missing
link" is George HILL, who made the Cardiff Giant Hull
lived four years in the farmhouse opposite this country
tavern and built IN the of IT, that it invisible
from road his zee house giant mandatory. Hulps
confederate was r. T. Barnum With all his disclaimers,
1t plain that Barnum both wet nurse and god
father to he Colorado Giant and furnished the money
ana pIt of the STRAIT gy TO oist the humbug OH what
proved to be an ncredu0us world
Arriving in Iornclsyle On the Erie Road, yesterday
forenoon visited +. Cox, Justice OF the Peace; told
Lin OF information which made the presumption strong
that the Cardiff Giant and the Colorado Giant were hall
brothers. and that he acquainted with their origin
aud whole family history. mr. Cox said he had had no
hond ia the manufacture Of tie Colorado Giant, beyond
lending Hull money for the project; that he
owned an interest in the humOug bat had been mis-
used by Hull that he felt himself no longer under obga
lions to keep the matter secret.
"Thcse papers Will explode the whole affair."" lie said,
handing me bundle Of afi lays aud letters which bo
took from a drawer in his desk. These papers, which
for the present omitted from this narrative are con-
cusye testimony OF the truth Of the story which Mr..
Cox and Others told me.
10 Elkant thrsyhr.e miles southeast from here and
iust across the Pennsylvania line. There you
the Kiln in which the giant was baked and learn good
deal from the villagers and perhaps. NJ HUI hiinself
Mr.. Cox easily induced TO accompany he, in order
time by relating on the way the history OF the
| fraud.
! While he was procuring conveyance learned from
a substantial citizen OF Hornesyile tina, Mr. Cox, who
Is between thirty weight and forty years OF age had re-
sided there the greater part OF five year that he had
been cigar manufacturer, aud, by negecting his bust.
ness 10 engage in politics. had nearly exhausted his
means. In of that facths Democratic friends have
recently elected him Justice OF the Peace Mr. Coxs
reputation for fair dealing and veracity is good.
| AN OUTLINE OF HULLs CAREER.
"This affair will make a sensation where am known
Mr. Cox said rode along. Ny friends know that
Hull beat me out of money bu, they don't know
how why. Tnever had any confidence In Halls bust.
ness honor but had been in each others conf
dence ike brother TO brother had come 70 depend
on his word with Altogether this Colorado Giant
business has cost about $4,000 or $4,000. There
not until recently any written agreement between
u.s. 1t was understood matter OF honor that had
an interest IN the Giant. But when Hall sold large
share to Barnum / made bin sign an agreement with
me- Ipayed nay part all right till they began to crowd
| me out All | wanted was my money back have
given up all hopes OF that and now propose that they
| shall hear from me-
How long have you known Hullr
but he does not look TO be forty-two. lie came
| from Connecticut when he was young man. and
brought a swindle along with him. He was the inventor
of the etarback" play wing cards, which are marked,
and travelling through the country with his cousin
The latter would 30 in advance and sell the CARDS. WHO
HULL who fine looking, well dressed and OF good adj
4 dress followed, and neeced the amateur gamblers
He had trouble IN Binghamton, was arrested for
swndng and then paid visit to his elder brother, who
was living at Fenton, nine miles from Binghamton HIS
brother had two daughters whom Hall had never seem
Hull made impression on his neces, and disgraccd
their family and threw the community Into state OF
! disgust and excitement by marrying OF them, with
whom he is still LIVING, buts not on The good terms that
ought to prevail between husband and wife They have
always lived apart from society which could never Tor
He settled down in Bnghamton and became cigar
| manufacturer. was his foreman In 1863 he vert 10
Chicago. and was gone nine months without GnyOoiys
knowing here ne was insre Ne mS 't t Cn near
had II buried on the farm OF nephew "t ,dlu hetr
Syracuse. Barnum wanted 10 buy the gypsum giant,
but HUH thought il was worth million, ~ realized
about $50 GOO the humbug before biz nephew revealed
the fraud for being treated just as Hui has treated me
and ion s cNisnS?cy in bis business lie told
me several times that he would humbug The public
money and time IN making experiments with gases and
stone claiming that he could discover the principles 81
achemy ana produce Of the metals. He read scien-
ready mind for getting at the principle OF thing.
I Hc WAS born sceptc ana nateralis:. lie
used 10 declare that the world was lraCd,
people were never SO happy as wien they
were being humbugeei Darwlns lhSorl0s Iassinated
him and nc used say be could get the scientific men
cuarrrllng over the origin Of man, aud throw the
ligious world INTO bulyburly OF doubt aud coatro-
versy, hc should he perfectly satisfied a?d wiz great
fame He declared that he would spend the rest OF his
/ life in working Eumbug which would explode tho
truths Of the Bible and Cloctrfy the sCenc World IN
is72 he was forced into bankruptcy with liabilities Of
$4,000 upbradcd him for allowing his business 10
20 10 wreck, but he s1d he must away irOm manknd
| to carry a project winch he had betn m iin.IhE
nUIL's OPERATIONS IN ELKLAND
Captain Amsbry, a cousin OF Imils vile. was living
in Flklaud" continued Mt Cox. To him HUI had pre-.
| nlln NJ In IL IN.