An 1868 newspaper article trumpeting the discovery of a giant skeleton continues to mystify the city of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota.
Nearly 150 years ago, a report surfaced that quarry workers with the Sauk Rapids Water Power Co. unearthed the remains of a 10-foot-tall giant along the shores of the Mississippi River.
The story was printed on the front page of the Sauk Rapids Sentinel on Dec. 18, 1868, under the headline, “Wonderful Discovery!” where authors touted the remains as the “largest skeleton ever found.”
A few days later, the bones were nowhere to be found, rumored to have been whisked east on a late-night train and sold to the circus.
So what happened to these giant bones? Were they part of a publicity scheme, or dreamed up by a local reporter?
The water company employees reportedly discovered the bones while quarrying rock for a dam near the present day site of Lions Park, between the Sauk Rapids Bridge and the former bridge site.
According to the story, the workers found embedded “in solid granite rock the remains of a human being of gigantic stature.”
The grave — reported as being 12 feet long, 4 feet wide and 3 feet deep — was estimated to be about 2 feet below the level of the river. Atop the tomb, the report said, was a flat limestone rock that remained separate from the surrounding granite.
“The remains are completely petrified, and are of gigantic dimensions,” the story states. The head is massive, measures thirty-one and one-half inches in circumference, but low in theosfrontis, and very flat on top.”
The story offers additional dimensions, such as a 26¼-inch femur, a 25½-inch fibula and more than 59 inches for the measurement around the chest. The skeleton measured 10 feet, 9½ inches from the “crown of the head to the sole of the foot.”
Nearly 150 years later, townspeople still do not know if the story was real or merely fiction, leading to spirited debate over the veracity over the tale.
Museum director Mary Ostby argued to the St. Cloud Times that the detailed reporting of the skeleton’s measurements suggest it was a true story.
Tedd
How sad, if true, all these remarkable discoveries over the centuries that just “vanish” or somehow disintegrate as soon as questions are asked. I don’t know about the rest of you, I am more and more disheartened and disappointed about how much the common people have been manipulated and misinformed about our history as humans and why we are “protected ” of certain truths. It’s hard enough to swallow the great Columbus discovery, which led to the genocide of untold people’s, who found and respected the land eons before the Europeans. I love my country but the more knowledge I seek the more I learn that there is a small coalition who gains from the backs and manipulation of the people, whether your republican, democrat or whatever. The more we separate ourselves by race, creed, who you want to marry or whatever name tag we’re given, the easier we are to subdue. Ignorance is bliss and I kinda miss it. Maybe someday if All the people can just coexist we can take the power back? Sorry for the rant, just wish better for my children, no, all the children.
Mary W
Ignorance is bliss! Too much knowledge impairs critical thinking . I hear what your saying . It’s ever on my mind ” how can we better the world and just get along? ” Ty for your rant .
Nathan E
Hmm, what did happen to that skeleton? Of course, there might not be a Big Conspiracy, it might just be in a drawer or closet somewhere in a museum. From what I have heard many museum officials and workers have a huge collection of specimens that they have listed, but haven’t seem for some time. Some things given to them remain “off the books” for decades. Let something fall through the memory hole just once…
Eddie M
Do you remember the last scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark?
Jan W
I have no doubt the remains were whisked east to the Smithsonian to be hidden from public view forever, as it doesn’t fit in with the fantasy the the PTB would have us believe.
I am totally with you, Tadeus, and think we have been being duped for years and years. Subduing the masses by controlling the media, education, medicine, food supply, etc. has been the name of the game for a long time.
Jeffrey B
There was a show i believe called Giant Hunters on awhile back. In the show they revealed many stories and pictures of giany skeletons being unearthed. And then simply disappearing. The theory was they were confiscated due to political and religious concerns.
Darrell O
I think the world was a lot more interesting place than we were taught in school.
PATRICK
Nice.
Rich A
check out the netfilx show: America unearthed season 1 Episode 4. Geologist Scott Wolter visits a Minnesota farmer who wants to investigate the possible existence of bones from a giant he unearthed in his yard. Raised more questions…
Tracy A
Elitist – definition of elitist
Noun 1. elitist – someone who believes in rule by an elite group mandarin – a member of an elite intellectual or cultural group moralist …
The Smithsonian Institution, established in 1846. Termed “the nation’s attic” for its eclectic holdings of 138 million items.
The American Philosophical Society (APS), founded in 1743 and located in Philadelphia, is an eminent scholarly organization of international reputation that promotes useful knowledge in the sciences and humanities through excellence in scholarly research, professional meetings, publications, library resources, and community outreach. Considered the first learned society in the United States, it has played an important role in American cultural and intellectual life for over 270 years.
The Philosophical Society, as it was originally called, was founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin, William Alexander, Francis Hopkinson, John Bartram, Philip Syng, Jr. and others[2][3] as an offshoot of an earlier club, the Junto. It was founded two years after the University of Pennsylvania, with which it remains closely tied.
Since its inception, the society attracted America’s finest minds. Early members included George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson,[4] Alexander Hamilton, James McHenry, Thomas Paine, David Rittenhouse, Nicholas Biddle, Owen Biddle, Benjamin Rush, James Madison, Michael Hillegas, John Marshall, and John Andrews. The society also recruited philosophers from other countries as members, including Alexander von Humboldt, the Marquis de Lafayette, Baron von Steuben, Tadeusz Kościuszko, and Princess Dashkova.
Paul M
TRACY A. SO IS WHAT YOUR SAYING IS THEY WILL LET YOU KNOW = WHAT THEY THINK IS BEST & KEEP ALL THESE TRUTHS TO THE HIGHEST OF THE ELUM INSTITUTE. BECAUSE IF YOU ARE. I THINK YOUR RIGHT ON THE MONEY. THANKS. CHECK OUT THE MN. RUNE STONE STORY. ANOTHER KEEPER FOR THE ILLUMINATED ONES.
Sharon B
I COULD HARDLY SEE THE ARTICLE FOR ALL THE GIRLIE PICS…
Tracy A
Those in power will wield power for what they perceive is the greater good to keep the majority in line and productive. That keeps those in power, in power and reinforces their belief that they know what is best. Management of the masses is the mandate and paramount.
bruce b
shut up and get back in line fool
bruce b
check out josh reeves ancient america hes done tons of reserch on Giants
joel v
best book to read on these type of giant skeletons is THE ANCIENT GIANTS WHO RULES AMERICA-THE MISSING SKELETONS AND THE GREAT SMITHSONIAN COVER UP! RICHARD DEWHURST. a fascinating account of early finds across north america!! tons of examples of these giant skeletons being found as reported in the late 1800 and thru the 1900s. alot were local reports but many were reported in the washington post and the new york times. after the early 1900s both papers stopped repoerting on what they found in these mounds!! early settlers finding giants up to 14 feet tall. MANY REPORTS OF UNUSUAL LENGTH AND THIKNESS OF THE BONES!! then the smithsonian agents come in an bam!! no more word anywhere and the skeletons and evidence is gone into the smithsonian vaults. THERE IS A WHOLE MISSING PART OF HISTORY COVERED UP BY THE POWERS THAT BE. THE GREAT MOUND COMPLEXES OF NORTH AMERICA IS A MASS COVER UP. THESE WERE NOT THE NATIVES WHO WORE HEAD DRESSES WHO BUILT THESE MOUNDS. THESE WERE THE GIANTS!! A GREAT BOOK AND A MUST READ. IT SURELY RELATES TO SASQUATCH!
Ryan H
embedded in granite?…better understand a little geology before accepting this one…