New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-10-31
OHIO.
A Monument of Antiquity-Indian "

Monument OF Antiqulty-ihulah Scuipture
To The Editors or The N Y. TRIBUNE
knowing that yourselves and many OF the
readers of your paper are deeply interested Ia any
matter that has bearing upon the history OF the
Aborlgines of our country take the liberty of send
ing you the description Of an Antique Monument
found in Troy township, Richland Co., o.
The material of this monument is hard sand stone
rock. The external contour represents the head OF
an Owl placed upon the neck Of an Eagle, the whole
figure resting upon qradrangular Horizontal base,
well proportoned TO the altitude, both Tor strength
and irmness. The expression Of this union OF ornl-
thologcal contrareues strikes the minds OF behold
ers with such lorce that they Involuntary e1clam
" This union means wisdom and power. ms
monument speaks of some ancient Indian chief VINO
was eminent for wisdom IL council and Tor personal
force and courage IN waT." The impression uni
Ormiy made by this relic OF the nne arts OF the an
clients leaves room for doubts on the mind OF any
intelligent person but that It Is the Work OF human
hands, and tina, It's design Indicates knowledge OF
sculpture incompatible with barbarian life. To-day
made toe following measurements
Entire altitude including base, 10 inches entire thlck,
ness base, 81 inches longitudinal measure OF base
inches transverse measure 81 base inches ieaStn o.
neck. inches width Of head 81 inches depth Of head
q inches longitudinal diameter Of neck at the base
diameter Of neck at the base II nches
transverse diameter OF neck and head, 2! lncnes
In reference TO the locality where II was found,
have ascertalned II was IN proximity 10 ancleH,
Z
fallen. and are almost entirely tecayet The SOIL Is
slhcOus and calcareous, elevated so much thas II Is
appropriately called Highlands without any spe-
cimenS of saactlteS or salagmies-perfectIy lsola'
ted from either stones or rocks OF any kind. How
ever there have often been found IN this vicinity
and very near 10 the spot which TINS was dlscov-
cred large quantities of phosphate OF lime, evidently
the decompoSed particles of human bones.
We now propose three inquiries concerning TINS
object |. When was II made .. By whom 3. Anq
for wba, purpose These three inquiries will bring
70 bear ali the strength OF historical research and an
uouaran anaogles TO prove the age, people and De
syn OF this exceedingly curious specimen IN me ans
of the ancient inhabitants OF this continent.
First: Nv own opinion ls that Us age IS post-dhu-
wan. -.
Ssco,9. That our present tribes OF Indians once
possessed more knowledge of the fine arts than they
90 now since they have retrograced INTO oaroailsn
and that they once in their early days, unders'oou
something of the same master that instructed 'ie
Grecian and Roman artists.
Thsd: think II beyond mistake or dispute VI ~ :,
was ces,sped as a grave monument, 70 express "
rs conformation the virtues OF the person a. WIZ.
resting place II stood II is not only posslole, ou
very probable from the nature OF the circums'an,n,
that this sculpture placed over mighty az. .s
chief, whose wisdom and proves had oeieA1eu .iS
councils and scattered the hosts OF his enemies gu.
that the gratitude OF his nation endeavoreu W
his memory BY this monument TO pos'erV.
Lexington, RichiGad Co., o.
We havs sees the above described Monument