Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1891-01-15

the giant the appearance oil age L pro
cured two gallons of sulphuric acid
and bathed the figure in the fluid.
The steam from the acid and stone
rose in clouds. The acid gave the
stone dingy brown color and an ap-
pearance of great antiquity. Then
put the giant in an iron-bound box and
shipped it to Union, n. ", nine miles
from Binghampton. 1t weighed with
the casket 1000 pounds. The fig
ure within the casket weighed 1896
pounds.
"Onondaga Hollow is near Trally, a
station thirteen miles from Syracuse.
1t is a marked depression in the
ground, and geologists say it was one
time lake, and many pstrified fish
and reptiles have been found there.
In the hollow is located a crossroads
hamlet named Cardiff. 1t was lust the
place to bury my giant. At Cardiff
lived a relation OF mine named Stub
Newell, whom / took into my conf
dsnce, first swearing him to secrecy.
We arrived at Newell's farm at mid
night IN pouring rain. We put the
box back oil the barn and covered it
up carefully. Two weeks later we
buried it at dead of night in a grave
live feet deep. It was no small Job
getting satisfactorily rid of this stone
man and removing all traces of our
work
IL returned to Binghampton and
waited one year less two weeks. I had
previously given Newell directions how
to discover the giant, and it all came
out right.
Il did not go near the spot for two
or thee days after it was dug up, and
was first told about the great find by
people on the street. | profsssed to
believe the story was a sell. When
did go crowds were hocking to the
grave from all parts of the country,
and Newhall was making a small for
tune, charging 30 cents a head to see
the wonder. He must have realized
900 before the giant was removed
from the grave. The state geologist
came up IN company with other sci
entiiic gentlemen, and they pronounced
1t, after careful examination, a petri-
fed human being, and then came the
SPECTATORS"
Mr.. Hull recounted the efforts OF
various parties to buy the prize. As
high as $4,000 was quickly offered
for three-fourths interest in it.
Newell became so pulled up with the
not contain himself" said Mr.. Hull.
The tact that Newell had told the
secret to several of his intimate friends
and relations reached the ears of Mr..
Hull, and knowing that it woull soon
be public property, he hastened to sell
out. He told Newell to accept the
100000 offer, which he did, paying
$50, 200 to Mr.. Hull as his share.
Shortly after the bargain had been
closed p. II. Barnum appeared, and
after making some short inquiries, said
to Hull: $50 you are George Hull,
who made the Cardiff giant. How and
where did you make it ?''
Mr.. Hull assumed a jocose air and
replied: "Oh, / made it over on the
hillside near Binghampton."
"How did you get it over here?"
was Barnum's next query.
"Oh, put 1T on my shoulder one
afternoon and ever since my shoulders
have been feeling very stiff and sore"
was Mr.. HulPs reply.
Mr.. Barnum laughed and went over
to talk with the men who had lust
bought the giant. He offered them
S6O,OOO for the use OF the figure three
months, but they =
After narrating the career of the
giant in his first weeks of notoriety,
Mr.. Hull told how he finally collected
his one-tourth interest, which was held
by Newell. Said he: 'Newell had been
acting very queer. He had been get
20 per cent OF the receipts and seemed
to avoid me. | induced him to go with
me to the third floor of a hotel in
Syracuse. | produced a deed from
him to me for this one-fourth interest,
which was really mine but apparently
Newell's; but he refused to sign. /
locked the door and said, You will
sign it now, or 60 out of the window
He took the pen and in his nervous
ness overturned the ink bottle; but he
signed" Mr.. Hull finally got 5000
for his one-fourth interest in the figure,
which made $23, 800 in all, and which
is all that he ever did realize. AS his
expenses were $4,000, he cleaned up
nearly S21 900. There were soon
after six copies OF the Cardiff giant
exhibited about the country.