THE PACIFIC COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER — DECEMBER 31, 1890
A PETRIFIED MAN.
On December 13th, says a Fresno, Cal., dispatch, two men named Packwood and Barrett came in from Cantua canyon with a remarkable curiosity, namely, a petrified man.
The men are from Fresno, but have land at Cantua canyon, which they were engaged in cultivating. One of them saw a foot protruding from the ground, and, upon investigation, they unearthed the body of a man. They found that it was petrified when they attempted to lift it, it being as much as they could do to carry it to their wagon. As it was, they let it fall, and a foot and leg were broken off.
Packwood and Barrett brought their strange find to Fresno and deposited it in the rear room of a drug store here, and but a few are being permitted to see it. Your reporter saw the petrified man this afternoon, he is remarkably well preserved, and even the lines on the back of the hand are visible. The left hand rests on the breast, the right on the stomach, which is depressed. Tho head is of a good size and the features are of the Caucasian type. The man measures nearly seven feet in length.
Physicians have seen the petrifaction and declare it genuine, but have not determined upon the race he belonged to. Your reporter examined the portion broken off, and found it somewhat porous. From appearances the petrified man is a genuine curiosity. He was found in a district noted for its petrifactions.
