The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-11
MINOR MENTION.


CURIOUS and improbable story of the
longevity of the common land tortoise comes
from Cherry Hill Md, which. unsubstantiatcd,
would find few to credit it. It appears that in
the year 1872 Col. j. G. johnson found turtle.
upon the shell of which he carved hie initials
and the date. In the year 1913, thirty-six years
later, the same animal was found by E. d.
Clayton, neighbor of Colonel johnson, and last
week Mr. Clayton came across it once more.
and curiously enough, it was crawling about
the tomb of Colonel johnson, who has been dead
these forty years Having some doubt about
this remarkable thing the Journal took occasion
to write to Major McWhirter, of Cherry Hill,
well-known citizen of that place, for particulars
and confirmation, little doubling that the reply
would be that it was simply an extravagant
story, with little if any truth in it On June
81 letter was received from that trustworthy
gentleman, and, marvellous as it may seem, con-
firmng ell that had been said and adding even
more wonderful things to it. Major McWhirter
visited the tomb of the lamented Colonel John
son. and there easily found the tortoise. with
the inscription his shell, the initials and date
being quite legible, though nearly three-quarters
of century had elapsed since they were cut.
Age is beginning to tell the animal, and at
this time it is completely bald, though otherwise
it gives indications of being at all older than
on the day that Colonel johnson caught and
carved its shell. Beyond few marks about the
eyes, there is nothing to indicate that this tor
toise is any older than the story that is told
about it, It does not get about with as much
speed as some do, but has been with
in Of fho NJ
the gentleman who was kind enough
to carve it's she'll from the day it was done to
this very hour. On Friday last, when Major
McWhirter visited the place, the tortoise had
taken up its position by the tomb and was pens
lively resting its cheek against the cold marble of
the same, as II to cool it, and suggests that cheek
as rule, is greatly overworked. With its arms
crossed on its BOSOM it seemed to cling to the
spot as though 10th to leave it. 1t uttered no
word and shed no tears, but it was plain to be
seen that it was sadly thinking of the past Gree
only did it give any evidence of being conscious
Of any one being ab out the place, and that was
when it raised itself upon its elbows and looking
far away for moment, heaved weary sigh as
it resumed its wonted vigil, as though to say.
''You make me very tired, young people," The
MAJOR TOOK THIS animated railway sandwich In his
hands and carefully carved on its venerable back
the inscription: "George Calvert, Lord Balti-
more. his tortoise; carved 254 years ago. We
believe this is the oldest carving of the kind now
in existence though it is hard to say what may
be done in the tortoise line in two days.
MATTHEW ARNOLD complains that he is neg
lected by the press and public during his pres
emit sojourn in this country. Previous to his ar
rival, Mr.. Arnold gave out that he was coming
over for tour of rest and recreation. 1t hap
pens occasionally that the American press and
public will take man at his word. and let him
severely alone; but evidently Mr. Arnold didn't
know this.
A GERMAN professor at Portland, Me-, claims
to have discovered an anesthetic with local eff
feet that is more powerful than cocaine. and alb
solutely harmless 1t is said to be made of Ger
man water gas, which is transmitted into kind
of snow and again into mass of beautiful white
crystal, resembling ice, SO powerful that single
touch completely benumbs the member, and