New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-06-23

INHApIrANTs or The MAMMOTH CAyL.-Ihe
following with regard 10 the remains Of human
bodies found in the Mammoth Cave IN Kentucky
i. from communication in the Journal Of Com
nerce;--
That this cave has been inhabited at an early
period. there Is most conclusive evidence, bat by
a people, probably who have now no blood running
in human veins. / saw and examined human
body in ina, cave IN 1913, and an extensive waid-
robe which was deposited with il, aud have now
inventory taken on the spot. The body was that
Of female, hight allowed TO be about } feet 10
inches. IL was found in a sitting position in the
short cave, in a hole about feet square IN the
earth which overland it, bolt ON. Over tins hole
was laid a Hat rock. Ine wrists had a cord tied
around them, and were folded over the breasts; the
knees were tied up to the wrists. Around the
body, were wrapped two half dressed deer skins,
shaved, ard on these were drawn white. vines
and leaves. OGtsidc OF these skins WAS sheet
near two yard, square, and besides at the feet lay
a pair OF Mocca.lns and a hand -Omc iuap,ack.
well filled. lts cOnt.nts were Is tOilOws-vIz, sew
en- head dresses made Of the feathers OF quill, oi
Rocks and Eagles pat together IN the way feather
fans are made. these being placed the head,
fastened by the cords tied back of the head, pre-.
sentn. front Of erect feathers, extending from
ear TO ear: a head dress, truly elegant-thc INV Of
a bear with "A string or cord through it To wear
pendant from the Beck-the claw Of an eagle IN
the same stylc-seyerai lawns red hOOis strung 90
a cord like beads TO round the nech--aboui
two hundred strings Of beads, Of seed which grow,
in the bottom lands III that country, and rather
smaller than hemp seed--two whistles, tied To-
gether, about six inches long, made OF cane with
Joint about oEe-third the length, with an opening
of three-teurths OF an inch extending each side
Of the Joint in which was split reed-two large
rattlcsnakes skins one having on 1t fourteen rat
tes-sx needles, some OF horn and others oi bore;
these were smooth showing that they had bee.
much used The needles were from to ! Inchcs
long. and had heads some OF which were scoloped.
others were crooked like sail needle, and without
eyes a thumb piece of dressed deer skin to wear
on the hand. | presume from examination OF
this with the needles that 1t used III needle
work To protect the hand IN the same way that
thimblcs are used to protect the finger. a
roll of vegetable paints or color, in leaves, hank
of deers snews for sewing, like cat-,ut, a small
parcel OF two corded and three corded tkread,
semsling seine Irvine. retculc in the shape OF
horsernan valice, made TO open at the top length
WISE with loops each side, and two cords, fast
encd at one end ran through these loops and laced
il very nicely. Ii of a handsome pattern, and
l thought very ingenious piece of work. The
ARTICLES i nave mere enumerated constituted tiN
entire wardrobe. The sheet, moccasns, KNAPP
sack reticue cords thread and twise, were made
of wrought bark, and the manner eli putting
together looked like being and knit The
knapsack had n double border worked to the depth
OF three inches, which gave it additional strength.
| do not think that the workmanship of these ar
tcles surpassed what have met with in various
Indian tribes but OF the STYLE of the articles every
thing bore the stamp of peculiarly which have
never met with any where else.
The body Of this female was preserved Ey the
flesh drying to the bones, being placed in Fl cave
where the atmosphere is dry and Interchangeable,
and where animal decomposition cannot go on
The hair was of a reddish cast and not more than
Il quarter of All inch in length. The teeth were
sound and much worn, the features regular ami
well proportional Near the back bone and be-
tween the ribs there had been wound. At the
time this body remained at the cave, the cave was
owned by LYMAN Graf Esq, of Philadelphia,
and Charles Wilkins, hsq., Of Lexington. Ny,
brother to the late Minister to Russia of that
name. Mr. wilkins presented to a Mr.. Ward. OF
Massachusetts, for the use, believe, of the His
torica Society of that State, the body and the
wardrobe.
How long this body remained there, those who
read this account of it can Judge well as who
saw it.