The American Goliah | Page 5

given, prove that petrification is not uncommon
in the vicinity of Cardiff, where our ten feet two and a half inches, and
well proportioned, giant was found."
A different statement still is made by Mr. Wright, father-in-law of Mr.
Newell, who formerly owned Mr. Newell's present farm. Mr. Wright
says that within a short distance of the present discovery, there is a
spring of water which will within a few months turn into solid stone
any small deposits of sand and gravel. Neighbors corroborate the
statement. A wag has suggested that a factory be at once established
there and petrified dogs, cats and small fry generally be furnished to
order.
The unsettled point of what it is, undoubtedly furnishes an additional
attraction regarding the mysterious stranger, as every person wishes to
see for himself and become judge in the trial of Statue versus Fossil.

In this connection an interesting letter is subjoined from the Hon.
George Geddes.
To the Editor of the Syracuse Standard:--I find a notice in your paper of
this morning of the "Stone Giant" at Cardiff, in which the fact that I
visited it yesterday is stated, with the remark that you are told that I
believe it to be a petrifaction. Allow me room in your paper to say that
this is stating my views a little stronger than I desire. I have formed no
opinion as to the origin of this wonderful thing. I was not allowed to
make an examination of it beyond the privilege of looking from over a
railing into the pit where the giant lay, and this pit was shaded by a tent,
and the railing surrounded by double and triple rows of people, all
anxious to see. I do not complain that I was not allowed a more perfect
examination; there were too many to see to allow the descent into the
pit of any one. All questions by me of the gentlemen in charge were
politely answered. My impressions were decided that I saw before and
below me the figure of a giant in stone of some kind, but what kind I
could not tell for in that light and position it did not resemble any rock
that our system has in it. I thought it was quite unlike our limestone or
our gypsum formations; and that if it was sulphate of lime, and the
work of human hands, that it was more likely to have been built up,
than hewn from a solid rock. But as I have said, I had no means or
liberty to make a close examination. I wish to say in addition, that I
have traveled far and spent much money to see things of not one-tenth
the interest that this stone giant was to me, and thought I had made
good use of time and money.
Respectfully yours, GEORGE GEDDES. Oct. 20th, 1869.
WHAT IS THE CHARACTER OF THE SURROUNDINGS OF THE
IMAGE?
The spot is perhaps twenty-five feet below the house. The soil on the
surface is a loose one, half sand and half muck (dark.) The spot has
undoubtedly been filled in to a considerable extent from washings from
the hills around. Mr. Wright, the former owner, says that the spot used
to be covered with water, and that he had at one time a bridge
constructed over this very point, in order to reach the higher land
beyond. Even after the water failed to stand there constantly, he was
obliged to use the bridge, as the soft muck was four or five feet deep,
and was impassable for cattle and teams. The Onondaga Creek was

within twenty rods of the spot, and at some seasons of the year
overflows it. Some suppose the channel of the Creek was once there.
The place had been a regular swamp for years. Mr. Newell has owned
the farm for three years, and has occasionally ploughed around and
thrown in dirt, to the depth of at least a foot.
Under the three or more feet of muck is found a strata of gravel from
two to six and eight inches in depth. The body rests in and upon this
gravel bed. The gravel under the neck of the image was very solidly
pressed down. Underneath the gravel is found red clay, into which the
gravel is pressed.
The right limb is perfect all around with slight exceptions. The left arm
is perfect nearly to the hand, excepting that the shoulder is worn off
some by the water underneath. The bottom of the right foot seems to be
perfect. Some slight portions of the left foot have been cleaved off.
The family and the neighbors give, it might be remarked, an original
hypothesis of their own, regarding the death of the man; viz: that in
passing along