The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1850-08-10
From the Aurora Beacon. Aug. /.
IA nnanrIuI nts,nH.rr

Another Of natures wonders has been bro ght
to light Tho remains uf one of those antctiluyin
monsters known among raturalis,s as the NaSO
don NaJimus or GREAT MAsroroN, have recently
been discovered in this village, the dimensions Of
which, we are confident, exceed even those oil lie
tar.famed Missouri Mastodon.
On Tuesday last while engaged in ditching the
large raylne or marsh on the East side of the riv.
er, the railroad wOrkmen struck upon two i'm.
inensc tusks, which ut the time were supposed to
be petriied wood one Of which unfortunately was
considerably cut and broken before before being
removed On digging further five teeth We're
thrown out corresponding in size with tue tusks,
when it soon became known that these were in
reality the remains orsome huge animal Some
additional search was made Yesterday, and anolh-
or tooth discovered. The fragments of the tusks
and teeth were carefully preserved aud may now
be seen ut the Empire House.
These remains were found between three and
four feet below the surface OF the earth, aud i'm.
bedded upon strata Of she'll mari and gravel, the
upper diluvial strata being principally peat bog
and in the immediate vicinity Of innumerable
springs Of living watcr--Ihe tusks ere in an nd
yanced stage OF decomposition being nearly the
consistency Of unbnrnt clay, while the teeth are
in much better state Of preservation, the enamel
81 which still reta.nsits natural appearance
point of one OF the tusks also still retains Its worn
and polished surface.
One of the tusks, rs preserved, measures f. 6
incl,eq in lenght, aue 81 inches in circumference
weirG.ag los lbs about @ inches of the point q
this tusk is evidently broken OIL so that it mus
have been at least 8, feet in length. Three Of III,
teeth correspond with the "poncd teeth Of The
Nastodon As described in BdkcceR GsoioqN anC
aud the other three are the fiat crowned teeth
- Ill.,,
measures over 90 inches in circumference.
II is to be hoped that some Of the bones may
yet be found, at least enough to determine it:
probable dimensions We learn that Mr.. PRArr
the Contractor Of this section of the Railroad in
tends hereafter to pursue his researches, and i
possible, add to his already valuable collection Of
curiosi,ies.
We believe these are the first relics of the kline
that have ever been found in this State, and ever
n no olcrparts Of the animal shalt be discovered
we trust that they will pass into the hands of som,
votary Of science, orr be deposited in some nstitu
ton in the State where they may remain as a las
ting evidence Of a long lost rice Of aLimals.
Our friend Of the Beacon is doubtless mistakcl
as to these being the first remains Of the kim
ever found in this state. Squire Kreider, VIII
died about three years ngo. while digging out I
spring upon his place, on the Ausauble, Grund,
90, ia The fall of 1887, threw up a tooth, whicl
was s,l h pe''sc. stale Of preservation, weigh
ing over four pounds. We believe this tooth wa
taken to Chicago, but where Il il now We are uu
abs 10 say--it was pronounced 10 10 the tooth
Of mastodon. No searches have ever beer
p.de u that vicinity fof further remains