FLESH TURNED INTO STONE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1711, 15 March 1888, Page 4

FLESH TURNED INTO STONE.

Dakota, in America, is truly a marvellous and wonderful country. A case has just come to knowledge, and proves that many bodies buried in the Hills have turned to stone. Tbs ease at hand is that of a little son of Ur Eugene Holcomb, a prominent citizen of Rapid City. Some years ago the boy died and was buried in a spot n_ t set aside for general burying purposes. When the city grew and a cemetery was selected, Mr Holcomb had a large monument erected, and tho departed disinterred. The family expected when the shovel of the gravedigger reached the casket it would need replacing, and had made preparations to that end, Tho coffin was reached, and as the man endeavoured to plere a rope underneath to hoist it to the surface, he was surprised at its weight. Thinking it wr.s the narrow oontrac::d hole that reduced his strength, he mare several mo:a efforts but only removed it a few inches, cud was compelled to call for aid. Two men succeeded in placing the rope about the casket, and with a hard pull it was brought to the surface. An examination followed and upon the deceased being revealed it was found that the body had turned, not, k:j Scripture says, “Dust thou art, to dust returneit,” but into solid rock. From a gentleman who was present and whose words can be relied on it was learned that the jparents easily recognised the child. The body had assumed a dark brown colour, the features slightly shrunken, and he compare I it with the appearance of a mummy. The eyebrows and hair were of a lighter hue, while the bands looked perfect. It was the most singular sight he bad ever witnessed, and only the sensitive feelings of the parents kept the matter from the newspaper columns. The body was again interred.