Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1883-09-26
Solid Science.

on the cid road from Raywards and San
Jose to Stockton, about twenty miles
southeast of Mount Diably. stands the
Mountain House. The region round
about has celebrity as having been the
rendezvous of a gang of Mexican despe-
radoes of the worst stamp. Its proprie
ter, Mr.. Zimmerman, veteran of the
Mexican war, is well known by all the
pioneers and travellers OF that section,
among whom his linguistic abilities and
his skill as a raconteur have rendered
him a general favorite. But circum-
stances have made him the possessor OF
a secret which surpasses any of his tales
of foreign travel. and which is likely to
prove bonanZi to him. Within a
comparatively recent date an artesian
well was sunk upon his grounds, with a
result to challenge amezement. The
water was desired for irrigating purpos-
es, and one morning, after all the work
about 1t had been completed, Mr.. Zim-
norman went out to survey this new
addition to his property. He observed
that through the carelessness of some
one the water had been permitted to
run during the night. Highly indig-
nant at the sight of SO much water being
wasted by negligent workmen, he gazed
upon pool of it near the overfowipg
trough with growing rage. In the pool
of water the rate eyes of Mr.. Zimmef-
man detected several large potatoes
lying where they had been dropped on
the way to the kitchen. Naturally of
Irovident disposition, this discovery in
creased his disgust for the wastefulness
OF his employees, and. STOPPING down,
he gathered the scattered vegetables
into bis hand. By an involuntary I'M
,,ulse he attempted to press off one of
the ''spud's" eyes.
1t was impossible to do So. and on ex-
amining il more closely MIR. Zimmerman
at once saw that radical change in the
nature of the potato had taken place.
1t could no longer be classified with the
vegetable, but with the mineral king
dom. The potato in fact, all the pota-
toes he had picked out of the pool, were
completely petrified, but quite unlike
the potatoes petrihed through being
carried IN the pockets of rheumatic peo-
pie; each one retained its size and out
ward appearance. When broken in
bits by the repeated blows of a heavy
axe they exhibited a stony fracture
similar IN looks to that of fossil wood.
Thereupon, as natural result of this |
discovery. followed a series of interest
ing experiments, each of which |
strength. ned the feeling of thankfulness |
IN Mr.. ZImmermau's breast that he had |
not used the well water for drinking |
purposes; also that the discovery had |
been made In time to prevent the de |
structlon of his garden and orchard |
by irrigation with this peculiar fluid. |
As preliminary to tins experiment he
built an air-tight structure of one room. |
Within this was zinc tub, connected |
with pipes leading from the well. In
this receptacle have been placed small |
fowls, dogs, and cats. These animals,
after being immersed three or four days,
became perfectly rig
Id ami would stand alone. The
proprietor is convinced |
that they will so remain during all time.
At any rate ne has fitted up an apart
ment with glass cases, IN winch he has
preserved hIs specimens. Forsome time
the wonderful properties of this spring
have been known to a few, but the facts
leaked ont few days ago through the
Zeal OF one of the initia-
ted.
AS might be supposed, there is a
movement afoot to organize a stock
company with simply capital enough to
make this bonanza artesian we'll yield
rs benefits. Preparations are now being
made to petrify human bodies which
alter certain length of immersion in
his spring shall be as stone statues.
The knowledge of this fact having come
10 some of the local undertakers. it is
lnde rstood that they are about to take
vigorous measures tor the overthrow of
he whole scheme, casting dlscredit
lpon the theories of the stockholders of
aus peculiar company. But those who
nave visited the spot and witnessed the
experiment. are confident that the prof.
sct Is feasible. Ii it be SO, the vexed
question of burial, with its attendant
troubles OF cemeteries and deleterious
yIses, viii be settled at once and for
:ver. Its convenience and inexpensive
hess will place 1t tar ahead ot cremation
which is predicted to be the ultimate
ate of generations to come. Embalni-
Dg Is not TO lie mentioned IN comparison
With the new process Of petrificat:Cn,
Dy which as great change may be
wrought in human destiny.
1t is an idea of the company that
Dc dies may he utilized as statues for
rooms, parks and gardens, or
with arms extended for torchlights or
gas Jets on street corners. 1t may be
nile hard to induce conservatives to
ali IN with this plan, but an attempt
Will be made. There is one point in
connection with bis wonderful spring
ret III doubt, and IT is this: What effect
would 1t have upon human beings if
AIKEN internally? There are strong
easons to believe that it would be fatal,
md 1t the company can prevail upon
he Government to allow them to ex
pertinent upon Condemned malefactor.
he question may be satisfactorily decld-
ID. As 1t is, chicken induced to drink
If the water, and closely watched,
peedily gave signs of an internal DIS
urbance, acted wildly, futtered its
wings, spun round aud with a struggle
'ank 10 the ground dead. 1t was at
'nce cut open. though with difficulty,
he knife striking hard obstacle at the
irst cut. The crop and stomach, on
icing closely examined, gave unms.aK-
Ible evidence of the presence of stony ,
ormations.
although China possesses vast coal
Ields of great value, according to Baron
on Richthofen and other explorers, it
ppears only ore coai mine Is now
worked. 1t Is situated at Peking, at a | I