Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-07-09

George Hull, now resident of West
Superior Wis, in whose fertile brain the
Cardiff giant hoax originated, was here
the other day, and To reporter gave the
story Of that humbug as follows:
In 1867 l was over in Iowa Fear Fort
Dodge dealing in gypsum. Looking over
one OF the large pieces, which seemed TO
be in the SHAPE of man, | got interested
in the dark lines which looked very much,
indeed. like the veins IN the limbs of a
human being A grand scheme struck
me, or / struck it / secured the largest,
most solid piece to be found, and shipped
it 10 Chicago. After some time got hold
a man said TO be first-class marble cut
ter. He was splendid designer and
carver. | saw some OF his designs in
marble. told him my scheme was To get
out of the block of gypsum the petrified
remains Of II tremendous giant.
The fellow caught on in moment,
and could see in it the grandest scheme in
the world Both Of us studied over the
prospect for some time. The artist drew
all sorts of plans, took measurements, and
the like. BY and by We got the idea 10 a
T When the arms and hands were
marked out the veins showed up in fine
style-yOu never saw anything more com
plete i'll your life. They were also visible
IN the temples and forehead. Ii cost me a
heap though, to keep the artist at his
work He had my secret, and handled me
as he pleased. Sometimes he'd get on a
spree Tor days or weeks. Several months
passed before the concern was finished. 1t
Was a grand piece of work. The artist
put on II an ancient appearance-there
was an antiquity about it that WAS really
marvellous. | boxed il and shipped 1t
eastward as a block of marble Its weight
was 1885 pounds. l took charge of the
great wonder
BURYING THE GIANT"
AT first | did not know exactly what ]
would do 10 bring it before the people.
When l reached New York state seized
upon plan of burying the giant in Sc
cluded spot-a romantic nook by a noun
tain side. finally selected Cardiff, vii
lage on the Onondaga creek, Onondaga
county, twelve or fifteen miles south of
Syracuse. l contided my secret to a lone
farmer He appeared 10 be all right in
the matter. l gave him money and prom
ised him more. We dug grave by the
river and AS luck would have it-for pet
rlfactiOn purposes-at the depth OF about
The giant WAS InclOsed in a rough case
and deposited in the grave. No one but
the farmer, his wife and myself knew of
this transaction The agreement was
made between us that in one year the far
mer should accidentally find the giant
Word would reach me; would make a
great ado about it and take the people To
the specializing care to lose my way
~ times hafnra raaehfuar ri
The agreement worked ali right. News
of the finding Of petrihed remains of
human being near Cardiff WAS spread
over the nelghbOrhood like wildfire, and
in a day OF Two newspaper men were
there. and then the whole world knew Of
1t. purchased the petrifisd remains and
proceeded forthwith erect a tent over
the grave, the remains staying undis-
turbed. Hundred and then thousands
visited the place. | charged q fee, Of
course, to get inside rhe tent, just To pay
expenses. In few days the crowds could
not be accommodated In one week. soon
after the discovery, | took in s., 100 Tne
rush kept increasing. The most scientific
men of the country were present. They
made critical examinations of the giant
as it lay in its resting place. l rememUer
OLC O4O nOICu sColOe Lslt NCAI
ing the assembisge III all sincerity how
this giant, SO many hundred years before,
had evidently strobe over the Onon-
daga mountains and rested in the val
leys.
LEAKING OUT OF THE SECRET.
After few months began To mistrust
that thels had been leak somewhere,
and questioned the old farmer about it.
Il l.
old woman had let the cat out of the
bag" He said she could never keep her
mouth still So l began TO think | had
better sell out if an opportunity offered.
Soon some men from New York City were
anxious to take a share in the giant /
| sold third interest to them for $50 900
cash Soon after this l sold my remain
ing interest for good sum and went out
of the business"
Mr.. Hull took a Acarty laugh and
added: When had no more to do with
the concern, the old lady in question told
the whole secret, just as had told the old
man The fellows who run the show had
TO pull up and travel with the giant l
saw it under canvas in many places. They
did very well out OF it. You saw it out
this way, didn't your"
Mr. Hull was informed that the Cardiff
Giant" was exhibited in Madison, but the
people here little thought that it was the
production of a man who had only few
years before been transacting business in
this city.
We'll, said Mr.. Hull, that's the history
OF the Cardiff Giant as near as l can re-
member"
Mr. Hull is a man Of intelligence, good
story teller, full of fun, and is q years Of
age, but he does not appear TO be over IS.
He is a native OF the state of Connecticut
lie admitted that the affair was q regular
Yankee trick, like some Of Barnum's.-
Madison( Wis Letter