Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-05-21
THE LOST ART OF EMBAlMlNG.
An Old Farmer Said to Have Rediscov-
cred It In Absolute Perfection.


cred It In Absolute Perfection.
In a log cabin. about two and one-half
miles from PhiIlippi, w, Va, lives an old
German farmer, who will some day give TO
the world that which will prove the won
der of the Nineteenth century. 1t seems
that it has been left to the gray bearded
old man, Graham II. Hamrck, to discover
something which has puzzled the brains of
learned men and scientists for ages past.
The discovery is the art OF preserving ami
nal and vegetable substances so either
may be kept without a sign of decay, de
composition or change, but in his efforts
to solve this great problem he has become
to be regarded by many people in this sec
ton Of the country rs some kind of being
to be avoided, and there are many who will
not go near the log house in which the old
man has live dead people" and animals
Just how Mr.. Hamrick conceived the
idea that he could preserve animal and
vegetable matter in its natural state he
does not say; but, after experimenting for
years he became convinced that he had not
labored in vain, and he declares, and his
works prove, that he has the art perfected.
Until q short time ago his experiments in
preserving or embalming had been confined
w lO"tl dIilllhl7 anu NNStbhbltS anu op
successful had been his efforts that he de.
termined to test the process on human
bodies.
He secured permission from the author
titles of the state hospital for the insane to
experiment on two bodies These were
given into his custody, and in one hour
after he had them in his room he informed
the authorities that they were ready for
] ~ In Tho hnItag aH
and it was found that they had not been
mutilated in any way, not a drop of blood
had been drawn, nor an incision or pune
ture made in them.
Since that time the two bodies have been
continually exposed to the air and all
kinds Of climatic changes, but they are
still perfect and lifelike. They are now in
his room lying on table, looking as natu.
raj as when living. The blood in the veins
can be plainly seen standing out in blush
black lines where vessels are superficial.
In the same room are embalmed cats
dogs, fowls, rabbits, fswns and other
things-all "a natural as life. Sticking
about in corners and on rough shelves
these ornaments" give the room the ap
! pearance Of museum. Those who hav,
ventured into the home Of the farmer have
been amazed at the sight. Mr. Hamrick is
| plain and frank, with only moderate ed
ucation, but he has been too shrewd tC
| give the slightest idea Of his process.
However, he does not hesitate to say thai
| his process consists Of applying fluid, tn,
| ingredients of which can be found in al
me st any general country store, and thai
/ the whole thing is so simple IA child coulC
use it. This assertion is doubted by gen
| tlemen who have given the matter years o
| careful study.
/ lie positively refuses to claim more pow
er in his process than he can prove by pas
experiment to belong TO it.
The home OF this queer old man is eve
open to those who wish to visit him
There are those who dread him and hi
humble cabin because they fear the deat
and on account of his association with tn
embalmed or mummified animals and bod
les. 1t is almost impossible TO get negroe
to 10 near his cabin
The learned doctors Of this country ar
not alone in recognizing him and his secre
in proper way The Royal Scientific as
ISOLATION OF France has made him an hon
orary member and given him a certificate o
life membership and "A solid gold medal a
token Of the esteem in which they hol
him for making it possible for the peopl
OF this age no longer TO speak Of the "los
art" Of embalming. Cor. Washingto
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