The Detroit times., 1909-12-18
THE GREATEST SCULPTOR.
BY n. n. Hudson.

For obvious reasons IL will be best
not To reveal my name. | will fur
thermore state that the authorities
would disturb the quiet OF my declin-
ing years II they knew what know.
The game | played is worth the tell
ing
For so years | served as a funeral
/ director in one of our largest cities.
| became skilled in the art OF en-
balming. but this was not enough. |
made n profound study OF chemistry
and was az last rewarded. | discov-
cred a compound which. injected after
I death. left the body intact. it's sub
stance being slowly replaced molecule
for molecule by a mineral formation.
| had discovered the art OF rendering
dead body permanent by petrifac-
ton. The mummies of ancient Egypt
F, were not 10 be compared with my
product. For my purpose the sculptor
was eliminated. | could produce the
real. with every feature retained as
at death.
As say. had followed the bust
ness OF undertaking for 80 years.
had also kept books. and knew where
my subjects lay. | found solace in the
thought that | was preserving the dis
tinguished dead. | knew that my
time would come and that there would
be better way than working over a
block OF marble. My work would sur
pass that OF Phidias. People had al
ways longed TO see their,friends again.
| would give them the opportunity.
went about my work rapidly-even
furiously. The years passed quicker
than I knew. While I was an under
taker. was sculptor in larger
sense. There was pleasure in the
careful preparation OF each subject
for the tomb, the bodies being placed
in natural, graceful and artistic posi-
tions. Ny work would be epoch max
ing. The time finally came for me to
assume my new role. | closed out
my business and left town. After
spending some time abroad, dis
guised myself and returned. opening z
up marble cutters shop near tho
| entrance of the old cemetery where
many OF my subjects had been quietly
sleeping for years.
IL was not difficult 10 start my bust
ness. for | had preserved my records
and knew where to solicit patrons. ]
enlisted the service OF a couple OF
! trusted cronies. Then. going among
the descendants OF the old and dis
tinguished families, sought out
photographs, telling my customers
that for a reasonable consideration |
would furnish busts Of iife-sized fig-
ures of their ancestors.
1t seemed to them marvellous tnat
man could produce statue from
photograph, but my work began to
convince the most skeptical. The
mounting and polishing was all done
secretly. and no one was permitted
TO enter the shop. had orders from
other cities, but OF course had TO con-
fine myself to the subjects l had
handled.
AS time went on the various cem'
eterIes began TO show the result or
nv handiwork, and there we're Few
tombs which were not adorned with
q life-sized figure or bust. | termin-
ated my labors by entering into a
larger contract. Several public spirit
ed men had taken a great interest In
my work. and a movement was soon
on foot to place life-sized statues or
distinguished city fathers and bene-
factors on pedestals about the public
buildings I took the contract and
saw the work completed For once
the critics had nothing to say. The
work was perfect. They did not know
that they we're gazing upon the orig
inals. Henceforth | was besieged