Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 133, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 December 1904 — A MADSTONE HERE. [ARTICLE]

A MADSTONE HERE.

Alfred Peters, South of Town The Owner. It is Now at Long’s Drug Store. One of tbo3e rare aod in the opinion of vast multitudes of people, priceless objects, a mar), a.one, is owned by a resident of Jasper oouuty, and living only a few miles frem Rensselaer. This owner is Alfred Peters, whose farm is a few miles southeast of town. The history of the object is very interesting. It seem that about 75 or 100 years ago, Sir John Lawrenoe was an English governor or viceroy in India, and one of the big Maharajahs of the oonntry presented Sir John with a lot of fine jewelry and this madstone with the rest, Lawrenoe took it to England and gave it to his cousin, who was Mr. Peters’ grandfather, aud it has been in the family ever sinoe. About three mouths ago bis mother, who had aim jet forgot the existence of thegstoce, looking it up and gave it to her eon, who now owofi it. It is whitibh in cjlor, about as large around as a silver dollar, aud about haif an iDoh thiok. It is very porous, but one side is muoh harder and smoother than the other, and hrs a oellular appearance, something like a fossil oora). It is of the very same appearanoe of other and better known madstones, as shewn by piotnres. This etme hss never, to Mr PeteraVk nowledge, been tried on a dog or snake bite sinoe in his family’s possession. Not long ago, however, Onas. Pbegley, who has a bad sore on bis leg, which was treated by a n adstone bt Newcastle, gave this atone a a trial, and found it adhered to the sore, tnd evidently drew out the poison the same as the Newcastle stone. Mr. Phegley alsj says it is verv similar to the Newcastle stone. Mr Peteis brought the stone to town Wednesday, and left it for a short time at A. F. Long’s drug store, where it may be seen by any one so desiring. Mr. Peters would be gUd to have the atone tried by any person having a case of blood-poisoning or other similar sore. According to the popular belief or tradition, these stones are formed by Borne unknown prooess in the stomi ebs of deeis.