The Daily Dispatch: January 18, 1862., [Electronic resource]

A Hoy Swallows stones and bullets and Dies.

‘ Emery Lull, aged 17 years, son of Mr. Jas Lull, of this town, came to his death last night under the following singular circumstances; Tuesday night, after he had retired to bed with his grandfather, he complained of being unwell, and after being questioned, confessed that he had swallowed ten stones, eight leaden bullets and a metal button — After the confession the grandfather got up and informed the boy's father of what had been done, who, being something of a doctor, told his son, with tears in his eyes, to prepare for death, for if he had done what he had said no earthly power could save him. I do not know how large the stones were that he swallowed, but one found in his jacket was as large as a walnut. The reason the boy gave for swallowing the stones was, because he wanted to do what a humbug showman pretended to do at our late cattle fair — viz; But stones. It appears that the boy did really believe that the man lived on stones, as he pretended, and, as he said, thought he could do the same.

’