Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1891-06-20
A SECRET OF THE DEAD.
HUMAN IND ANIMAL BODIES TO eE
PRESERVED FROM DECAY.

a Process Of EmbHIming Far II. Adj
vance of the Lost Art of the Egyp-
u"ns-An Amazing Sight In West
Virginia Log Cabin-Farmer Ham,
rick's Discovery.
in log cabin, about two and one-half
mics from Philippi, w. Va, lives an old
German farmer, who will some day give
to the world that which will prove the
wonder of the nineteenth century. 1t
seems that it has been left to the gray
bearded old man, Graham H. Hamrick,
to discover something which has puzzled
the brains of learned men and scientists
for ages past. The discovery is the art OF
preserving animal and vegetable sub
stances SO either may be kept without a
sign of decay or decomposition but
in his efforts to solve this great problem
he has become to be regarded by many
people in that section of the country as
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, a short time ago he became con-
WINGED that he had not labored in vain,
and he now declares, and his works prove,
that he has the art perfected. Until a
short time ago his experiments in preserv-
ing or embalming had been confined to
lower animals and vegetables, and SO sue
cessful had been his efforts that he deter
mined to test the process on human
bodies. He secured permission from the
authorities 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 Uniformed the authorities that they were
ready for inspection. The bodies were
examined critically, and it was found
that they had not been mutilated in any
way, not drop of blood had been drawn,
nor an incision or puncture made in
them.
Since that time the two bodies havo
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 natural as when living. The blood in
the veins can be plainly seen standing out
in blush black lines where vessels are
superficial. There is not the slightest
trace of odor or decay about the bodies.
In this same room are embalmed cats,
dogs, fowls, rabbits, fawns, and other
things-all as natural as life. Sticking
about in corners and on rough shelves
these ornaments" give the room the ap-
pearance of museum. Those who have
ventured in the home of the farmer have
been amazed at the sight. Mr.. Hamrick
is plain and frank, with only moderate
education, but he has been too shrewd to
give the slightest idea of his process.
However, he does not hesitate to say
that his process consists of applying a
fluid, the ingredients of which can be
found in almost any general country
store, and that the whole thing is so SIM
pie child could use it. This assertion is
doubted by gentlemen who have given
the matter years of careful study.
The wisest heads in this country and
Europe have been puzzled in trying tc
solve or comprehend his mystery.
No matter how eminent or how learned
man may be, not one has yet visited
Mr.. Hamrick and seen the demonstra
tions of its workings but has beer
pleased and instructed by his visit
beef packer of Chicago came to see hin
with view of using the fluid in the
preservation of beef for the market. lie
asked Mr. Hamrick if he could preserve
say, 500 beeves and keep them 80 days
Mr. Hamrick said: II can not say, sir
l have kept few pounds of beef on ex
periments for nine months" He posi-
lively refuses to claim more power in hi
process than he can prove by past expert
ment 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 thu
dead, and on account of his association
with the embalmed or mummified ami
mails and bodies. 1t is almost impossible
to get negroes to go near his cabin,
The learned doctors of this country arr
not alone in recognizing him and his Sc
cret in proper way. Recently tin
Royal Scientifque Association, of France
r made him an honorary member, CAV
J him certificate of life membership, anC
| b solid gold medal as token of the es
TEEN in which they hold him for making
it possible for the people of this age to NJ
longer speak of the "lost art of embalm
ing.
The process is no doubt worth an al
most inestimable amount of money, We
! this queer old man does not want t
change his habits and ways of living
l He says he had rather live quietly alon,
in his little home on his hilly farm, SUI
-, rounded by his "pets, than accept tn
4 wealth at his command and hobnob wit
: great men.
The old man, at most, can not liv
many years, and when the death angt
calls him, perhaps a small concourse {
people will follow his remains to the