"The majority of visitors disagree with the opinion of Dr. Boynton,
that the figure is a statue, and pronounce it a petrified man. It is
claimed that no sculptor would have invented such an unheard of
position and design for a statue. No sculptor could have so perfectly
imitated nature, especially in the minutiae which render the image
such a wonder. It is claimed by the stone cutters and quarrymen
who are constantly engaged in cutting the Onondaga County stone,
that no single block could have been found of sufficient size,
without a seam, from which to have chiseled out such a monster,
(they claiming that the seam would have caused any such statue to
split and fall apart under the necessary concussions required for
cutting it to anything like its perfection in form.)
Other persons argue that no model of such a human being would have
been likely to have been presented to any of the Indian or other
inhabitants of America, within the past few centuries.
Many also ask for what reason should such an immense and expensive
statue be hewn out and placed in so unfrequented a part of the country?
How could it have been transported from the region of rocks to its
present location, in a swamp entirely free from stones) especially
since it is completely without any base or support of stone on which
it can rest." "No statue is known to have been constructed," say
the petrified advocates, "in reclining posture, unless the artist
left some portion of the block of stone upon which the figure should
rest, and be supported and strengthened for a durability of ages."
Other incidental suggestions are set forth as follows, by a writer
in the Syracuse Daily Standard. "
The probabilities of its being a petrifaction have a better
foundation, independent of outward appearances. First, is the
fact that within a very short time, in the work of grading on
section six of the Cazenovia & Canastota R.R., the skeletons of
five mammoth human beings were exhumed, one of them eleven feet
tall. The point of exhumation is not twenty miles distant from
Cardiff. There are proofs of a giant race on this continent, and
in this part of it; how far back, no one can tell. Second--There
is now in the possession of the Onondaga Historical Association, a
fish near one foot long, petrified to a perfect stone solidity,
which was found near Cardiff, and the color of this petrified fish
is very similar to the Cardiff giant stone. Mr. W.B. Kirk, of this
city, when living at Cardiff many years ago, found near there a
good sized Perch, that was perfectly petrified. Third--Five miles
further down the valley, at what is known as the Onondaga Valley
Cemetery, in taking up a human body for removal some years ago,
it was found to be solid stone; still further north, but in the same
range, the corpse of a child, on being taken up was found to be
petrified--solid stone.--Still another case--the body of a man who
had been buried a few years was taken up for removal, and being
found a perfect petrifaction, the widow had it taken home, and it
is yet retained in the house, and has never been reburied. We
might give names, but do not feel at liberty to do so without first
consulting family friends or relatives. These, and other samples
that might be 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 over this spot he was either drowned or swallowed
up in the mire and suffocated to death.