Wright.] 
438 
[Jan. 1, 
As I was not present when the image is said to have been dis- 
covered, my own evidence is of no value whatever except as to 
the character and intelligence of Messrs. Kurtz and Duffes. I have 
known these gentlemen for some time and in the case of Mr. 
Kurtz for several years. They are intelligent and well-informed 
men of the highest character and no one of their acquaintance 
would hesitate for a moment to accept and believe their testimony 
on any question of business. In the case of the Nampa image, 
they would have no motive to mislead the public, even if they 
were willing to do so, unless the}'' were seeking a cheap notoriety 
or wished to play a practical joke. From my knowledge of these 
gentlemen, however, I cannot believe that they would lend them- 
selves to a fraud of any kind, even by way of jest, and I think 
you may safely rely upon their statements as being correct in all 
respects. 
The only other evidence which I can furnish on the subject is 
wholly circumstantial and that has already been communicated to 
you. 
In conclusion I may say that Messrs. Kurtz and Duffes exhib- 
ited the image to me at Nampa on the day after its alleged dis- 
covery and their manner and actions at that time convinced me 
that their statement, however incredible it might seem, was neither 
a joke nor a fraud. 
So far as my own opinion is concerned, I am prepared to ac- 
cept the image as what it purports to be, namely, as having been 
found at a depth of more than three hundred feet beneath the lava 
beds of the Snake River valley. 
I remain, very respectfully yours, 
G. M. ClJMMING. 
G. Frederick Wright, D.D., LL.D., 
Oberlin , Ohio. 
The only other letter of Mr. Kurtz which it is necessary to sub- 
mit is dated Dec. 17, 1889. 
Nampa , Idaho Ter., Dec. 17, 1889. 
Prof. G. F. Wright. 
Dear Sir : 
In reply to yours of the thirteenth inst. would say : First , af- 
ter we reached the depth of sixty feet we struck water and it has 
