The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-11-13
A Petrified Man.
One Was Found Sunday in
Saluda River.

Mr.. w. NJ. Buff, who lives about
FIVE miles from this city in Lexington
County, found petri6ed man in Sa-
luda River, Sunday morning. and
now has that wonderful curiosity in
Columbia. it is undoubtedly the
petri6ed body Of human being, and
an inspection will show that it is no
fake.
Mr.. Buff lives near the Sauda
River, and on Sunday morning went
down to the river to look after his
boats and fish nets The water was
very low, and Mr. Buff found much
dificultry in moving his boat over
the sand.
Ii glancing down at the water he
saw something sticking out which
looked very much like mans foot.
The toes looked familiar, 80 Mr.. Buff
made closer examination and found
that it was human being, apparently
turned to stone He saw that he
could not move it and returned home
at once to tell his son, Mr. J E. Buff,
of this city, about the find Young
Mr. Buff is we'll known here and
keeps store on Assembly street.
Mr.. Buff and his son. together
with Mr.. w B. Shull and several
other neighbors, went to the spot aud
succeeded in getting the man out.
He was carried to the house and yes.
terday Mr.. Buff brought him to the
city securely fastened up in wooden
box
Had the Wild Man from Borneo in
all reality come to Columbia, he could
not have caused such sensation in
so short time as did the man turned
to stone yesterday The news
flew fast, but few has been permitted
to view the body.
The box which contained the body
was in the lot back of Buff store on
Assembly street and there was large
crowd around all the afternoon, anx-
ious to get peep at the wonderful
creature The coffin was fastened
aud Mr. Buff was seated on the top.
There were so many around in the
afternoon that Register reporter did
not get to see it, Late last night,
however, the reporter called at the
store and Mr. Rnff readily consented
for him to see the man. One look
was enough to convince any sane
man that it was no fake, but man
whose body had been completely
petrifed. He has the appearance
of an Indian, as his legs are as
straight as all arrow and very SYM
metrical. His feet are wide and the
nails on his toes are in perfect con-
dition The body measures six feet
one aud half inches TALL, and will
weigh between four and five hundred
pounds.
The body must have been buried,
as the hands. are folded across the
mans breast The river mud has
colored the body and the continual
washing of the water has made it
very rough A little moustache can
be seen and there is some hair on his
head. Judging from the shape of
the head and legs the body must be
that of young Indian, and this
sapposition is strengthened by the
fact that years ago an old Indian
camp was situated not more than
one hundred yards from the spot
where the body was found. The
river must have gradually widened
and took in the Indians grave,
The body is in good state of pres.
ervation, but there is small part of
the stomach gone, which looks as if
it had been cut out. The hands, and
especially the finger nails, are very
plain and distinct
Coroner Roach heard of The mat
ter yesterday afternoon and went
down presumably to hold All inquest,
but did not DO 80 alter seelng the
body.
Mr.. Buff will exhibit the man at
the Fair grounds to-day under sep.
arate tent and will charge small ad
mission fee 1t will be worth any
mans time and money to examine it
as tbs curiosity seldom seen in this
city. There is absolutely no fake
about the matter.
Mr. Buff said last night that he
had received one offer already. but
declined to state how much it was.
If the business is profitable at the
Fair he will take it to the Atlanta
Exposition and if he gets an offer to
suit him he will sell it
He could get large sum from
some Northerners who would keep it
as a great wonder The Smithsoni-
an Institute would no doubt pay
IL L l.. l.