Sunday, January 29, 2023

Giant Skeleton in Harrison County



West Virginia's old newspapers are FULL of reports of giant skeletons being found throughout the state. In the November 27, 1916 edition of the Martinsburg WVa Evening Journal, a story can be found about workmen uncovering a giant skeleton while putting in a railway line in Harrison County. You can see this article at the Chronicling America website

SKELETON OF GIANT FOUND BY WORKMEN

While grading for the Fairmont and Wyatt Railroad on the farm of B.W. Shinn near Pine Bluff, W.Va, workmen unearthed the skeleton of a human giant, believed to be the remains of a prehistoric man. The skull and several of the large bones are in splendid state of preservation. The skull is near the size of a two-gallon bucket, with no forehead and a large under jaw. The ribs are about three times the size of the present-day average man. One thigh bone, well preserved, measures four and one-half feet in length. The skeleton was found in a mound and there had long been speculation as to what the mound contained, but all feared to open it. The skeleton will be shipped to the New York museum. 

Theresa's Note: In the December 13, 1916 edition of the Martinsburg, WVa Evening Journal a little addendum to this story appeared, claiming that the tale, which originated in the Shinnston News, was the work of practical jokers upon an otherwise honest newspaper editor. 

*Want more posts about giant skeletons in WV? Check out my post, Giant Skeleton in Central City!*

No comments:

Post a Comment