Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-05-01
THE LOST ART OF EMsALMlNe.
An Old Farmer Said to Have Rediscov-
cred I. in Absolut- Perfection.

An Old Farmer Said to Have Rediscov-
cred II in Absolut- Perfection.
In log cabin, ab6nt two and one-half
miles from Phillippi, 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 1t has been left to the gray bearded
Old man, Graham III. Hamrick, to discover
something which has puzzled the brains of
learned men and scientists for ages past
Inc 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 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 he became convinced that he had not
labored in vain, and he declares and his
works prove, that he has the art perfected.
Until short time ago his experiments in
preserving or embalming had been confined
to lower animals and vegetables, and SC
successful had been his efforts that he de.
termined to test the process on human
bodies
He secured permission from the author
tiles 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
and it was found that they had no. hecn
mutilated in any way, not 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, 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 a museum. Those who have
ventured into the home of the farmer have
been amazed at the sight. Mr. Hamrick is
pam ana frank, Win 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 that
his process consists of applying a fluid, the
ingredients of which can be found in al
most any general country store, and that
the whole thing is so simple child could
use it. This assertion is doubted by gen
tlemen who have given the matter years OF
careful study
He positively refuses to claim more pow
er in his process than he can prove by past
experiment to belong to it.
The home of this queer old man is ever
open to those who wish to visit him.
There are those who dread him and his
humble cabin because they fear the dead
and on account of his association with the
embalmed or mUmmified animals and bod
les. 1t is almost impossible to get negroes
to go near his cabin.
The learned doctors of this country are
not alone in recognizing him and his secret
in a proper way. The Royal Scientific as.
ISOLATION of France has made him an hon.
orary member and given him certificate of
life membership and a solid gold medal as
n token of the esteem in which they hold
him for making it possible for the people
of this age no longer to speak of the lost
art" of embalming. K Cor. Washington
Post