Seward daily gateway., 1924-11-07
DEATHAOF PROMOTER OF CARDIFF GIANT RECALLS
 GROSS SCIENTIFIC FAKE

SYRACUSE, N. Y, Nov. 7.-The last survivor of that group which exploited the famous Cardiff giant is dead at his home in Utica. Ben jamin A. Son, one of the owners of the colossal figure of a 'petrified pre- historic man." which astounded the nation more than half century ago, died never shaken in his belief the great effigy was a true specimen of real humanity, turned to stone by the action of the elements and time.
 Son was the last of the seven ori- ginal owners and promoters of the famous giant. Over half century ago when w. c. Newell, Cardiff farm CT unearthed the now famous giant a friend offered Son sixteenth ownership in it. Son realized its possibilities and invested $5000 for one-sixteenth interest. The sub sequent exploitation of the statue doubled Sons investment many times.
 Fooled Science.
 The Cardiff giant is today a sci entific bust. It was different fifty years ago. Learned scientists from America and Europe examined the gigantic figure and pronounced it to be the petrified figure of giant. And while the learned men, with high-powered glasses, minutely ex- amineu the figure and narveled at l it's state of preservation, Newell on whose farm the giant was found, snothered snicker and continued 10 reap huge profits.
 So real did the whole proposition appear that none, except Newell. even suspected it's fraud Even Son and the five other owners had no il King that their molcv making relic vas ! fake.
 According to the story of the giants discovery, as contained in the personal diary of Son, made public now for the first time, Newell himself first sunk drill into the bier of the huge figure. This was in 1869 Newell at the time was reported to have been drilling a we'll when he came upon the petrified figure supposedly that of prehistoric giant.
 Public Exploited
 The civilized world was startled to say the least, at the discovery Scientists Hooked to NewelIs farm and mingled with thousands of curious dupes, who paid fifty cents head to see the giant in a partial state of exhumation. Newell at once began to capitalize on his dis covery. In addition to the steady flow of money from thousands of curious investigators, he sold out right three-fourths of his interest in the giant.
 Prior to being completely exhum- ed and placed on exhibition the giant was owned-one-fourth by Newell, one-eighth by Amos Gilbert one-eighth by Davis H. Hannah, one eighth by Amos Westcott, one-six- teenth by William Spencer and one sixteenth by Benjamin A. Son. Spen- cer originally owned one-eighth in terest, but sold one-half of it to his friend and associate, Benjamin Son. The Amos Westcott men toned is said to be the father of Edward Moves Westcott, author of David Harum'' and the Davis H. Hannah is reputed to be the origi- nal character from which Westcott got his inspiration for his book The similarity of the Davis Hannah and David Harum is noteworthy evidence of the veracity of the statement.
 Scorned ''Fake" ".
 Great excitement prevailed as the news of the giants discovery spread. Thousands continued to pay fifty cents to view the giant on it's bier. When the talk of fraud was first brought up, scientists held up their hands in holy horror and pronounc- ed the talk "the babbling of an empty head" They pointed out the fact that the root of huge elm tree had grown over the giants legs, a condition that would have been impossible had the giant been recently buried by his discoverer for unearthing and exploitation.
 From Cardiff the giant was brought to this city, where it was placed on exhibition in Arcade Hall.