The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1880-05-06
> 4 REMARKABLE DISCOVERY.
The Petrified Remains of an Indial
Chief
Washington National Republican.

| Tuesday afternoon, while Messrs.
John l. Hampton and Samuel r.
Walker were engaged in digging a
trench on piece of ground belonging
TO the latter, about two hundred yards
from Shell bank, on the Eastern
Branch, back of Bladensburg, their i'm
plements struck, as they thought, a
very hard and substantial substance,
and concluding that it was only a
stone, continued to remove the earth to
pry the stone from its position. After
working for some time they managed
to clear away sufficient earth to permit
a view of the great mass. They were
greatly astonished to find that it resem-
bled in shape human being and was
very weighty. After many futile at
tempts to raise the mass. they wisely
concluded to rig derrick. Mr.. Walk.
er sped away to his home and soon re-
turned with the requisite apparatus,
which they speedily put in working or
der. Placing strong ropes around each
end of the body, they began to haul
away, and when the object was brought
out in full view their astonishment
knew no bounds. So unexpected was
the discovery that in their great excite
ment they almost lost control of them
selves, and had the rope not been
twisted round tree, to make the haul
ing easier, the suspended body would
have been precipitated back into its
former resting place, and no doubt
some of its portions would have been
broken. The object which had thus ex
cited these men almost to frenzy was
nothing more or less than the body of
a human being. The men placed it up.
on the ground near by, and, procuring
some water from the Branch, proceed
ed to wash off the dirt. Each douse of
water revealed something more and
more startling to their astonished eyes.
at last the dirt was all of, and on
closer examination the body proved to
be that Of an Indian petrified-turned
into stone. 1t measured six feet
three inches in length, and was Lroad
in proportion. The chest, arms, and
legs were magni6cently shaped, and
well preserved, and the head and the
rest were perfect, it had evidently lain
upon its back. One leg was sliehtly
drawn up, and the left hand was clench-
ed, but there was nothing in it. The
right hand grasped tomahawk. The
hair was 1umpled and matted. A
large mole was found in the forehead
over the right eye, which looked as lift
had been made by a. bullet. The theo-
ry advanced was that this was some
great chieftain who had fallen in battle
with the early settlers, and his braves
being worsted, were obliged to retreat.
Not having time to carry his body off
with them, and not wishing the whites
to fall heir to it, they hastily dug
grave and here deposited the mortal re-
mains of their beloved leader. Messrs.
Hampton and Walker believe that they
had made wonderful discovery. Al
ter viewing the body to their hearts
content, they procured a vehicle, with
the assistance of derrick and two col
ored men, deposited the body therein
and conveyed it to the railroad station
and made arrangements for it's trans
portation to this city. Mr.. Walker,
yesterday came to this city, visited Pro-
fessor Baird at the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition, and made arrangements for the
body to be deposited at that institution
temporarily. 1t will arrive at the Bal
tirnore and Ohio railway depot this
morning, and will be Immediately re-.
moved 10 the Smithsonian by the aid
of Knox's Express, in order to avoid
the crowd which would gather later in
the day. The great curiosity will be
placed on exhibition, and will remain
until the National Museum is ready
for occupations. Messrs. Hampton and
Walker have determined to become
public benefactors, and will donate their
curiosity to the government 1t will be
formally transferred to the authorities
about the middle of summer. Presi.
dent Hayes will be asked to receive the
donation on the part of the govern
men:. Professor Baird and other en-
inent scientists pronounce this discov-
cry to be of ixestimable value A pet
riiied human body is regarded as one
of the greatest curiosities. The petrifi-
cation of human flesh is a matter of
doubt, not only among the general citi-
zens but among some scientists. The
skeptical are no longer in need of tanei-
bic proof. The body weighs nearly O..
600 pounds and is in perfect form and
preservation, the features Of the lace
depicting the death agony.