Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-19
Prehistoric Image Found.

In cavern a few miles south of Ton
AMANDA has been found a giant image
Of prehistoric origin. The strange look
ing idol is OF solid rock, and it has
aroused an unusual amount of interest
in scientific circles. The stone god is the
property of Palmer Cummings of Akron,
and it is now in the library and reading
room of the Cummings summer cottage.
For many centuries the strange object of
worship was concealed from the world
and it was only by the merest chance
that the opening to the underground
chamber was revealed to Uriah Cum
mings and a number of workmen.
While mining limestone in n part of the
estate that mad received but little atten-
ton in past years the laborerS uncovered
the entrance to the cavern in which the
stone god was found. The underground
chamber is of immense size and it ap-
pears to have been at one time a meeting
place for Il race of men of prehistoric eX-
istence. The mound builders may have
Inhabited the eastern section of the on
tinent. This woulu probably explain the
origin of the underground cavern and its
strange occupant. The stone god was
found at one end of the cavern. lying fiat
on its face and broken into two pecas at
the bust. When it was removed from its
resting place the lower part of the body
crumbled to pieces and was allowed to re-
main where found. The shoulders and
head of the strange image also began to
Crumhle. but they are sufficiently well
preserved TO retain their symmetry of
outline. a large hole in the left side OF
the face shows the effects of oxidation
during the centuries in which the stone
god was shut out from the light in the
UNDERGROUND chamber.
From the dimensions of the head and
shoulders of the stone god it may be in
ferred that it stood ten feet tall when in
tact. The exact measurements of the
parts that are preserved are as follows:
Girth of head thrty-ni inches; length
of face nineteen inches. width of face
twelve inches; circumference of neck
twentY-three inches; breadth of should
ers. thirty-two inches; weight of head
and shoulders at the present time, 39s
pounds.
| One peculiar feature of the image is
| that the rock from which it is made is
not found in this vicinity. The territory
roundabout the cavern abounds in cal
| careous formations. but the stone from
which the image was carved must have
| been transported from another section of
the, country. The remains of the stone
god are of n peculiar mud color The
| head is bullet shaped and the eyes are
dseen set and piercing; The lower part of
| the face is very broad and the part of the
| head which is below the eyes and ears IS
many times larger than the back and top
Of the Uranium. This feature would, it is
believed. indicate that the race which at
| one time inhabited this part of the occi-
dent was composed of men who were
| giants physically. but dwarfs mentally.
| In making this inference it is assumed
| that the stone image was patterned after
| the physical idea of the age in which it
| was made.
Most interesting of all is the fact that
one side of the giants face is wreathed In
smiles while the other side is cold and
stern. The left side of the head is ter
rible to look upon. and the left eye may
be well called the evil eye. 1t is piercing
and sharp in outline and sends a cold
chill up the back of the spectator Time
and exposure have had no effect on the
| upper part Of the face. The forehead is
as perfect today as it was centuries ago,
and ii seems that the oxidation of the
BODY began at the lower eXtremities and
worked gradually upward.