Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 November 1869 — The Cardiff Wonder. [ARTICLE]

The Cardiff Wonder.

A distinguished party, composed of Chancellor J. V. L. Pruyn, Dr. S. B. Wool worth, Prof. Jus. Half, Dr. Robinson (of Auburn), Judge (.Minton (of Buffalo), Judge A. S. Johnson, Hon. George Gc deles, E. W. Leavenworth, Dr. H. B. Wilbur, Dr. Strong, Dr. Canfield, Rev. G, M. Hills, Jas. Geodes, President White, JI. K. White, Dr. Dallas, Dr. Hitchcock (of Binghampton), Dr. Boynton, and others, visited the scene of the excitement near Syracuse, last Wednesday. No official report of the investigation instituted by the learned, gentlemen will he madd public until after a conference be held in Albany, probably some time during next week. Opinions, however, are expressed by members of tho party, and though not given by authority, yet gain importance and arc worthy of credence, their source being considered. The conclusions of Judge Clinton, matured in a legal mind, whose decisions are by habit carefully based, do fiot show him to be a convert to belief in the antiquity or archwlogical value of the statue. He describes it as being of colossal proportions, and very impressive With the 'tk-tructjon consequent on its lack of finish, Which arises frpm its imperfecrmaterial. There is nofningthat would lead to the conviction that is the work of an artist, or that it dates back a sufficient space of lime to make it par-_ ticularjy interesting. Some points in the testimony, which speculation has unearthed and brought to bear on the discovery (sp-called), mdirate very closely its origin, and unless rebutted,or if generally accented, will prove this a humbug that out-Barnums Barnnm, and will make tho celebrated moon hoax pass current for a very noor Joke, indeed. Mr. Noel, familiarly called Stub Noel, thC proprietor of 'tho land in whose embrace the giant lay, has a cousin; the coUsin is 6aid to hgvo been seen about a year since engineering a fobrhorse establishment and a tremendous big box in the direction of Noel’s farm and inquiring flSr Now’s residence. The receipts from the exhibition have been enormous (on* one Sundajralpxt 43,000 were in at the tent door), and by the profits the cousin is said to have profited to the tunc of $7,500 ; one of the men who accidentally discovered the figure,wUlcditging a well-and that well itself is a littleYfiieer from its location and probable use—4s reported to have rioticcd and lacntiqned the fact thfct the ground had previously been dug into; these anil many other circumstances, combined with the feet that the figure is cut in perishable Btonc, are taken as evidences that a very successful dodge has been com® to the benefit of the clover perpetrators. On the other hand, affidavits havebecu, furnished and scientific opinions given that accord all tile'antiquity and mystery claimed tor tlje work. The statue was yesterday nfterndon successful ly raised from the place where it was discovered, and taken to Syracuse. It ’ Was’ found to be as perfect on the \> ac k» on which it laid on Its clay bed, as on thfc' surface first exposed to view. Professor ltall and Df.< Woolwovtli were present, aito declare that the wonder increases in interest the moseiliat is known of it. l They are collecting data and prosecuting inquiries, the jasiilt Of which will be embodied in a formal report of scientific investigation soon to be given to the public.— Buffalo Ktpreufi, Noe. 0.