Show FALL OF A MONOLITH maul koch a striding west virginia Is no more until a few dr ago there stood about two miles south of hamlin in lincoln county W va on a high rocky point overhanging a vast expanse of rugged country one of the most striking curiosities in the land says the cincinnati enquirer liase been known as long as the country has been inhabited the peculiar formation of the vast monolith gave it the name of maul rock the column supporting the capstone resembling the handle of a primitive maul the height had never been measured but must have been feet some 15 feet from the top the column widened uniformly making the circumference some 60 or 70 feet the handle or shaft vas probably 50 feet in circumference it was almost round the rock is of sandstone of the usual hardness near the base there were perceptible crumbling and indications of decay and this disintegration has been going on for ages until it weakened so that the strain could be borne no longer and it fell thousands of visitors from ohio kentucky virginia and west virginia cities have been attracted thither and picnic and outing parties have been held there almos fc dally during the summer months under the shadow of the giant rock and the foliage of the great oaks A limb of one of these monarchs overhung the apex of the stone and those who were venturesome have frequently ascended and passed to the top of the rock which was flat and afforded ample room for 20 or more persons |