Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 January 1890 — A Petrified Man with Whiskers. [ARTICLE]

A Petrified Man with Whiskers.

Joseph Sweshenger, who resides near Stauford, writes to the River Press particulars of a wonderful discovery he recently made in ah unfrequented mountain near his residence. The discovery consists of a petrified man, with all his limbs in a perfect state of preservation. The body stands against a massive bowlder, of which it seems to have become a part, and cannot be removed without much labor and considerable expense. A tiny stream of water flowing from a spring above falls directly upon the head of the body, and after passing over it loses itself in the surrounding rock. The body measures six feet and nine inches from the crown of the head to the soles of the feet and is well proportioned, the chest and limbs being of ponderous width and size. The features are of the severe Roman type, surmounted by a broad, high forehead and a luxuriant growth of hair, which is as firm as a rock itself., A beard reaching to the waist completes a picture which inspires a feeling of awe and reverence in the beholder. Certain hieroglyphics are cut upon thei rock, a true copy o! which Mr. Sweshenger promises to send us. Thus far he has kept his discovery a secret but will in due time divulge its locality. It will doubtless attract the savants of the day and a large sura may be realized from it. It is indeed, a wonderful discovery, indicating as it does that the first inhabitants of this great country were giants. —Tacoma News.