A MAN FOUND IN A WHALE’S STOMACH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1161, 5 April 1884, Page 3

A MAN FOUND IN A WHALE’S STOMACH.

(By Special Extra Wire to the Dundee Evening Telegraph.) Glasgow, Eeb. 8. 2 p.m.

Extraordinary excitement prevails in Glasgow owing to tire discovery this forenoon of a man in the stomach of the Tay whale. The stomach and over three tons of intestines were sent from Aberdeen a week ago under the direction of Professor Strutbers, but it was only today that preparations had been completed for the opening of the stomach. A number of the University Professors and other scientific gentlemen were present by invitation, as also several clergymen and prominent citizens. About noon a large incision was made, and the stomach partially opened, when something in the nature of a solid obstruction was encountered. Curiosity changed to amazement when on the incision being mad ■ I ! r.vr and the upper portion of the stomach being carefully drawn back the obstruction was found to be a human being, laying in an easy position as in sleep, with the body bent ; the right arm, which was underneath, doubled at the elbow ; and the side of the nose resting on the forefinger. It was supposed at first that the man was dead, but on closer

investigation by the medical men present it was discovered that he was actually alive, but in a torpid or comatose state resembling catalepsy. Decides the man,

be stomach contained scores of dead

herrings and sprats, and several articles of different ‘kinds, including a large pocketbook and the glass funnel of an oil lamp (blackened with smoke) exactly similar to those used in the Tay Ferry steamers. It was thought prudent not to extricate the sleeping figure till the ProcuratorFiscal could be summoned ; but attempts were made to waken him by shouting. The Eev. John Smith, who was present, succeeded, with the assistance of two other gentlemen, in so bending over as to get his mouth close to the sleeper’s ear ; but though he shouted to the pitch of his voice, not the slightest effect _ was proInced. Mr Smith expressed his convic:ion, in the most solemn and emphatic uanner, that the man was no other than he prophet Jonah, and that the whale and he unfaithful prophet had both been preserved miraculously, and had b en directed to these shores as a triumphant refutation of modem scepticism. The objectian was urged by several that Jonah according to the Bible narrative, had been vomited out of the whale on dry land. Mr Smith, however, held that Jonah, must on some subsequent occasion have again fled from his post of duty and been again swallowed. He appealed somewhat excitedly to all present whether there was any record either in the Bible or in natural history of any other whale having a throat large enough to swallow a man, except the one that swallowed Jonah. It had been specially created to swallow him when he was refusing to attend to his duty, and was no doubt kept in readiness to swallow him in like circumstances again.

At this moment Mr William Sanderson, of Newport, Fife, who had been superintending the exhibition of the outer carcase of the whale, having heard of the extraordinary discovery that had been made, arrived, and no sooner saw the sleeper that he declared, to the astonishment of all present, that it was a gentleman from his own part of the country, unpopularly known as the Autocrat of the Tay Ferries. He knew the face perfectly. He was prepared to take affidavit that this was the man.

As several of the gentlemen present, who professed to know, were of opinion that Mr Sanderson was mistaken, attention was directed to the pocket book already mentioned, and it was suggested that it should be at once examined, as it appeared to have belonged to the person swallowed, and might throw light upon his identity. This was at once done. On the pocket-book being opened it was found to contain a large number of musty papers which did not appear to have been touched for a long lime. As the first scrap was being opened the Rev. Mr Smith, who adhered firmly to his conviction that the man was Jonah, expressed his opinion, from the faded appearance of the paper, that it would appear to be a Tarshish or Nineveh bank-note. On closer examination, however, it was found to be an account for ‘ ten gallons of inferior oil for saloon.’ A note in the corner of the corner of the account read „ as follows :— ‘ This kind has a very bad

smell, but is one ha’penny per gallon cheaper.’ The next thing brought out was a printed slip, containing maxims and mottoes, such as ‘ How not to do it.’ ‘ Procrastination is the soul of business.' ‘ Never do to-morrow what; you can let alone to-day.’ There was also a tract entitled, ‘ Official indifference or Saving Grace.’ Several little scraps of manuscript were next brought out. On these being carefully unfolded it found that most of them had headings to write about or consider. Amongst these were the following:—‘Patience a valuable virtue—ferry—for the public.’ ‘ Plow to sit upon other Ferry Trustees,’ ‘ How best to provoke patient people,’ ‘ Howto keep saloon passengers from knowing when the gangwa} r is down.’ ‘How to attain the maximum of smell with the minimum of speed.’ Tiiere were also some jottings under the headings ‘Advantages of carrying people and cattle in the same boat.’ ‘ The use of antiquated machinery,’ etc. The only other contents of the pocket-book were letters, all of which were found to be complaints. Several were dated months, and even years ago. None of them seemed to have been opened. Later Details, 3 p.m. The question of identification being still unsettled, a messenger has sent off to wire to Dundee and Newport. The opinion of some is that the pocket-book may have no connection with the man, and may have been swallowed by the whale at a different time and place. Mr Sanderson, however, adheres to his first assertion. Meantime more vigorous efforts have been made to get the sleeper roused. Two powerful galvanic batteries of sixteenhorse power have been applied, but without producing the slightest effect. The doctors have made a further examination and report that the structure and condition oE the sleeper are remarkable. The pulsation and everything is exceptionally slow f»and the bump of Aggravativeness entire area usually occupied by the moral faculties. Guns are to be fire;! this afternoon close to the exposed ear ; but the doctors doubt if they will produce any movement or response.

[lf this were published in an American rjpaper no one would be surprised, but to find it in a sober Scotch journal is more than we expected. The paper from which we clipped the above has been banded to us, and those who have read it believed it. We may, however, say that we do not believe a word of it, and that it is nothing more nor less than a clever skit on the “autocrat of the Tay Ferry,” who must be a monopolist and obnoxious to the people. The skit, however, is most amusing, and therein lies its value.]