National Republican., 1880-04-01
TURNED TO STONE.
The Petrified Body Of a Man Found
Near BIadensburg.
Wonderful Discovery Made by Two Men
While Digging Trench-An Imperish-
able Role of the Aboriginal Race
Tho weli-Preserved Form of
nn Indian Clieitain Un-
earthod, Etc, Etc,
A Remarkable Discovery.

Tuesday afternoon, while Mcssrs. John L.
Hampton and Samuel Il. Walker were engaged
in digging trench on piece of ground be-
longing to the latter, about 200 yards from tho
Shell bank on the Eastern Branch, back of
Dladonsburg their implements struck, as they
thought, very hard aud substantial sub
stance, and concluding that II was only huge
stone, continued to remove the earth to pry
tho stone from its position. After working
for somo timo they managed to clear away
sufficient earth to permit a view of tho hugo
mass. They were greatly astonished to find
that it resembled in shape ahuman being, aud
was very wOighty. After many futile attempts
to raise the mass thoy wisely concluded to rig
derrick. Mr.. Walker sped away to his
| home and soon returned with the requisite
apparatus, which they speedily put
in working ordor. Placing strong ropes
around each end OF the body they began
to haul away, aud when tho object was brought
out in full view their astonishment knew no
bounds. SO unexpected was tho discovery
that In their great excitement they almost lost
control of themselves, and had the ropc not
been twisted around 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 excited these men almost to frenzy
was nothing more or less than the body of
human being. The men placed it upon the
| ground close by, and procuring somc water
| from the Branch, proceeded to wash off the
| dirt. Each dOuse of water revealed something
more aud more startling to their astonishCd
eyes At last the dirt was all of, aud on
closer examination tho body proved to be
that of an Indian pctrifed-turned to
stone. 1t measured six feet three inches in
| poT, md n he
chest, arms aud legs were magnifcently
shaped and well preserved, aud the head and
the rest were perfect 1t had evidently lain
upon its back. One leg was slightly drawn
up and the left hand was Clcnchod, but there
was nothing In it. The right hand grasped n
tomahawk. The hair was rumpled and mat
ted. A large hole was found in tho forehead
over the right eye, which looked as if it had
been made by a bullet. The theory advanced
is 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 heirs
to it, they hastily dug grave and here depos-
tied the mortal remains of their beloved
leader. Mcssrs. Hampton and Walker be-
lavSd Tia: :hSy led made a wonderful dis.
covery. After viewing the body TO their
hearts content, they procured vehicle, and
with the assistance of the derrick and
therein aud conveyed it to the railroad
station aud made arrangements for its trans.
portation to this city. Mr.. Walker yesterday
came to this city, visited Professor Baird at the
Smithsonian Institute, and made arrangements
for the body to DO deposited at that institu.
tion temporarily. 1t will arrive at tho Balti-
moro g. Ohio railroad depot early this morn.
, ing aud will be Immediately removed to 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 occupation,
1t will then be transferred to that building
and will occupy conspicuous position
Messrs Hampton and Walker have deter.
, mined to become public benefactors, and will
- donate their curiosity TO tho Government. II
will be formally transferred to the authoritie;
about tine middle of summer. President
J Hayes will be asked to receive the donation
on the part Of the Government. Professor
70 Baird aud other eminent scientists pronounce
this discovery to be of inestmablo value.
petrifed human body is regarded as one o
the greatest cf curiosities. The petrilactior
of human flesh Is a matter of doubt not only
among the general citizens, but among some
scientists The skeptical arc no longer il
need Of tangible proof. The body weigh
nearly 1900 pounds, and is in perfect form
and preservation, the features Of the face
depicting the death agony.