The Fort Dodge Messenger: Aug. 19, 1903

Would Return The “Cardiff Giant”

Suggestion to That Effect is Made by G.F. Rankin – May Take Up Matter.

Place Image in the Park

The Famous International Hoax, Now in a Barn in Boston, Could be Purchased and Brought to Fort Dodge – Would Attract Attention.

Why not return the Cardiff giant to Fort Dodge?

The famous giant, the story of whom is entwined with that of the early history of Fort Dodge, has been absent from this vicinity for thirty-five years. His present resting place is in a barn in Boston.

G.F. Rankin is the originator of the scheme to return the Cardiff Giant to Fort Dodge. In speaking of the matter Mr. Rankin said today that he will head the list with $5 for the purpose of subscribing an amount necessary to buy the stone man and return him to this city. The giant is now resting in a barn in the city of Boston where he has been deserted and nearly forgotten. It is Mr. Rankin’s plan to buy the image form its present owner, convey it to Fort Dodge and here set it up in the city park together with a brief sketch of its history.

Much has been written and said about the world renowned fake since it was discovered near Cardiff, New York, nearly thirty-five years ago. According to the many stories told of the giant it was in 1868 that Hull and Black came to Fort Dodge and quarried an immense piece of gypsum for the purpose, they said, of making it Iowa’s contribution to the Washington monument. The stone it is known was dug up in Gypsum Hollow, carted to Boone and on a flat car taken from that place to Chicago and finally east. After much labor and pains it was carved until it assumed the likeness of the petrified remains of an immense man. The stone was buried near Cardiff, New York, in the fall and dug up the following spring, when the money-making reign of its discovers (sic) begun. It was finally declared and proven a hoax by Professor Marsh of Yale.

Because of the fact that the Cardiff giant had his origin in Fort Dodge, and also in view of hte fact that the fake has been seen by a comparatively few, should the stone man be returned to this city and set up in a public place he would be of interest, not alone to the city, but to everyone.

The matter of buying the giant may be taken up and a subscription list for that purpose started.

Tags: 1903, Cardiff Giant, Rankin