Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-09-20
NUMBER 3S.

not engage in any active business after
graduating, bu. became what might ba
termed a recluse student. The subject
that interested me most, and the one TO
which devoted my active life, was Pai-
eontology. To this science, 1t may DO
truly said, became an ahjoct slave. Ev-
erything pertaining to the subject in an
cient or modern language was carefully
studied and ollected--everythin relating
to the finding of fossil remains, published
in the papers and periodicals of the pres
ent day, was carefully read and preserved
and sn extensive correspondence main
tained for years with the dscoverers OF
FOSSIL REMAINS.
From the fact that most OF tie renal MS
found were OF an extinct species, OF whose
living history wo have no knowledge
whatever, the theory was established and
very generally believed for time that
their petrescence was of very slow grow,h
and might have required hundreds and
even thousands of years. But the fact is
that while the petrhed remains of animals
now extinct have been preserved for per>
haps hundreds OF thousands of years,
they may have turned, and no doubt did
turn, to stone in short time after death.
Had there been any decay whatever, tho
form of the body could not have been pre-
served. In tho course of my extensive
correspondence learned of many human
bodies that bad become petrifed within
twelve and eighteen months Il ON the time
! of their interment. A tter n careful study
of some of these subjects, became salts
fed that all organic bodies, II properly
prepared, could be petrifed in a short
time. When | at length became imbued
with this theory, | Mt once started, with
my faithful old servant, for tie regions OF
the Rocky Mountains of America, MS the
country best suited to carry on my invests
cations. Arriving n: Bismarck. on tho
Missouri River, with servant and small
laboratory, sought guide to accompany
me into the interior, and met with half
breed Grow Indian, who had been em-
ployed MS scout by tho American Cow
ernment. Ile seemed quite intelligent
for an Indian, and was recommended rs
faithful and reliable by the officers Mt Fort
Abraham Lincoln. On explaining to my
guide that | had no particular plnce in
view to 20 to, but was in search Of and
would prospect about for section Of
country where the greatest number OF
petrimctons could be found-at the same
time showing him number OF small fos,
sill specimens procured on my route
through America said he knew a laad
far away beyond the country oi his tribe,
full of specimens of that kind. Ho then
described to mo in his simple way the place
we are now IL, and, of course, with my
object in view, 1t was the very place was
seeking. have Iow been here over two
years. The few articles | have required
have been brought TO me by
MY FAITHFUL GUIDE.
| was very fortunate in finding this locali-
ty. TIE earth all around US is one great
laboratory. The process OF inillliaion is
still actively going on, and have been
eminently successful in my work. havo
now sure process by which can turn
any organic body into stone In very
short time. have also succeeded in i'm
parting TO tho object to be etrifed tho
same coloring il had in its al state.
My collection of potrilactions consists OF
nearly all the small animals and ins' CTS L
have been able TO secure here. About
twelve months ago band of Sheep. ters,
a small tribe of Indians occupying tho
neutral ground between the Binnacks,
Crows and Sioux, camped on the creek q
short distance below. While there one Of
their children Ia le boy died. Through
n kindness had done the tribe l was per-
milted to take the body. Having had con-
siderable experience in the tax idermic art,
| was enabled by that experience to poiss
the body, while yet warm, in an easy and
graceful attitude Of prayer. After bath
ing the body in a solution necessary to in
duce petrescence, | placed 1t away in my
rude laboratory and patiently awaited the
result. No mother ever watched her first
born with greater solctude than watch-
ed my bantlng. Accretion set in at once,
ard am proud TO say that II is the finest
specimen ofpetrifaction ever found or pro-
duced. / have nearly accomplished my
mission, and will soon be ready TO go back
to Germany. In reciting this strange story
do not pretend TO give the Professors ex-
act language, but the substance Of What he
said. / am not familiar enough with tho
subject to do him justice. When he had
ceased speaking asked him If he intended
to exhibit hs specimens when he returned
home. lie replied that he did not intend
TO make any ostcntotious ofvulgar display
Of them. He would, however, exhibit
them to few scientists and leading public
men. lie said that he was glad TO learn
from me that the Emperor Wilhelm was
still alive. By the order of nature the
good old King could not live much longer,
and when be died, If permitted, he would
preserve his majestic old form in the pur-
est silica. The Professor will no doubt be
surprised to see his story in print but as
he did not enjoin me to secresy, felt that
was betray;ng no confidence in giving il
to the public Cor. Helena (lfontana)
Herald.
=.-a-----.-~-s--
THE man who minds his own business