Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-07


rell-knovn collector Of prehistoric relics
has what is asserted to be q real petrifed man,
which he is trying to dispose Of to the govern
ment scientists. He would like to have this in
teresting specimen on public exhibition at the
national capital II was found two weeks ago in
the Black Hills BY some cowboys. Eminent
physicians pronounce it a genuine petrifaction
Of q human body and the most interesting
specimen Of its kind ever discovered.
1t is said to be from 200 to 800 years old, the
body of Caucasian, probably a hunter or
trapper. He undoubtedly killed BY In
dians. His body was buried in . calcareous
soil. Hence the flesh and other parts Of the
body we're found mostly replaced by lime
stone formation
THE FORM OF A GIANT.
There 10 no suggestion Of disease in the body
and. therefore, il 10 supposed that death came
suddenly. The muscles are round and full;
the chest and shoulders those of q giant The
head is well shaped. stamping the person as .
Caucasian and not an Indian. The forehead is
full. -Four of his teeth plainly visible and
are white as ivorv and as well preserved a. in
life. The creases and peculiar CONGREGATIONS
OF the skin. especially on the neck. face, wrists
and finger joints. distinctly visible.
The lower limbs are small. but the feet are
well formed. and on one of the big toes there 10
a bunion plainly marked. The veins Of the
ankles are clearly outlined In the petrifsction.
This specimen has been critically examined
bymedical experts under powerful microscope
and submitted to all kinds of chemical tests
Geological authorities have also thoroughly ex-
amined il and. according to the statements
made to the authorities at the National Museum,
all agree that the body Is q genuine petrifac-
tion beyond q shadow Of n doubt.
The man was q giant in life and his form was
cast in heroic mold. The length of the body
is six feet two inches. and the weight now is 400
pounds Where the man came from Is hard to
conjecture. for at that time far "a known the
Black Hills had not been discovered by white
men. Ii is thought that he NAV have belonged
to the prehistoric age and to the tribe of mon
who Yeop!ed this continent before the Indians.
HOW II WAS FOUND.
The story of the find is as follows: The cow
boys were prospecting for gold when they dis
covered the petrifed man. His feet were pro-
truding from the earth. One COWBOY noticing
the peculiar stone formation struck il with his
hammer. He hoped, As the miners saw, that it
would show color" He knocked of big toe
from the petrified man.
His curiosity was aroused and he summoned
his comrades Together thev dug away the soil
in which the man buried to the depth Of
two feet. The entire form was found well pre-
served. The position that of a man laid
out for burial, the hands and arms being laid
across the body.
Undoubtedly the body had first been buried
much deeper. During the long wears it mad
lain there the rains had wa he'd the earth away
The COWBOYS secretly transported the body
from its resting place in wagon and put it on
exhibition in the smaller towns of Iowa There
il Immediately came 10 the attention of the col
lector of prehistoric relics, who purchased it
and now wi hes to sell it to the government.
Since medical men have ALWAYS doubted the
petrifaction Of the human body after burial
a zsa~ Fr,1lv
is an interesting discovery from tie standpoint
Of science.