The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-06-01
From the Columbia CaroIinian.
INDIAN ARROWS.

the Advancement OF Science, at DalthIofe, our
esteemed friend, DR. Gibbon, Of Charlotte, n
Carolina, read paper on the stone arrow
points of the Indians. The novel and romantic
ideas suggested, induced us to request copy for
publication, both to interest our readers and to
Show the acumen of our friend, who is distinguish
ed for his researches in such arcana
Signs Of Significance, like Symbols for
LaaguGqe, an FdncitiA Roch-uork-the Stone
Spear and 4rrow-heads ofMc CataEoas
BY J. H. GIBBoN, NJ. D., OF CHARLOTTE, n. c. |
The aboriginal tribes of America adopted
several simple means for correspondence, By rude
lv.drawn figures, painted in colors, on the barks
Of trees, the dried skins of animals, or upon the
surfaces of standing rocks A delicate KIND OF
fancy-work presents another method OF clrculn-
scribed inter communication, in the forms of the
weapons employed for and the chase. In the
northern counties of the Caronas, picturesque
spots of ground selected with taste and dlscrlm-
ination for occasional rest and rereshment served
also for special social occupations by the natives
Elevated sites, sometimes protected by woods,
offered distant views of water-courses, formerly
abounding with game, which are now found cover
cd with clippings and remains OF stone arrow heads,
lance points and knives, intermingied with frag-
ments of unglazed pottery, curious implements
for dressing skins pounding corn, with here
and there clay or soap-stone pipe and perforated
beads. These indicate the habits OF the Catawba
tribe or of others friendly to them, and possibly
of some war parties of their enemies.
The ridge-path, taken by Southern and North
ern Indians in their excursions, ran near the
county town of Mecklenburg, IN the Colony OF
North Carolina-then surrounded by wild Indian
lands, granted by the British Grown TO several
obscure proprietories-one portion being known
as the Baronv of Clarendon sold out by an agent
to white settlers, driven southwards by aggressions
on the Western frontiers of Maryland Virginia
and PENNSYLVANIA, about century ago. Complete
hunting apparatus such as spear and arroW-ponts,
wrought from varied, rough, but appropriate
material which still lies about, show constant pre-
marathon for such domestic manufacture among the
wandering family-parties of the abroglnes. Some
of these weapons are formed of pellucld white
quartz and others Of agate, sienite, hnts, horn
stone. iasncr and ebert. The arrowpoints are
occasionally serrated their edges, like the leaves
of trees-evidenty requiring the greatest degree
| of patience, ingenuity, perseverance and contrl-
vance in the details OF work. The extreme deli
cacy Of touch essential to such fabrication, with
stone hammer and chisel, the nice and accurate
resemblances they bear to certain natural emblems
| in the forest, evnce application OF the female
| hand The patterns, drawn at sight from the
outlines and proportions Of leaves from distinct
native trees and shrubs, are generally formed OF
tough metal-like substances, offering in co0rs,
6o1res and character yet display varied fancy skill
and taste No doubt they described peculiar IN
tentions, as we'll as uses and explanations.
| A sneculatiye friend addicted to mechanics and
mineralogv, thought he could trace the mlgratlons
of the tribes by the records of these rocky symbols
borne to the banks Of rivers Or the shores OF the
sea- from ridges of remote mountains, or from tie
beds Of very distant streams
Spear-hcads and arrow-points, fish gigs and
knives, contrivances for pounding and crushing
dried corn scraps of unglazed crooks for stewlng
meats implements for twisting cords and slneWs,
intermingled with rough pipes OF clay, or more
elaborate work in soap-stone, some OF Which pre-
sent the miniature forms of animals, are scatter
cd among curious tools-hammers, chlseis, pestes
and axes of rock. Contrivances for dressing skins
and preparing the toilette OF the hunter, with
points, are surrounded with spllntered fragments
and chips, the refuse of such primitive industry
: The LARGE stone axes and lance-heads, well as
some peculiar forms OF arrows, are recognized al
veapons for war, while others intended toi
large game and deer and ior smaller birds OF
fish. The cutting surfaces and pointed forms be
ing carefully or instinctively adapted to each ser
vice It was an understood point Of h0n0T w4tt
the natives that no young man should pretend to
wife until he had shown ability to provide for he
: support and defence, during war and in peace
Nav it be permitted to believe that, IL order t.
facilitate some proper preferences, care was coca
2 sionaly taken by young women to furnish the bes
5 means for success. a modern belle may cnEsen
to work delicate scrap CT fire canbric, to play o
sing some fayorite air, even to em5rolder smok
ing cap Or the velvet for a fancy slipper; 50 To-
t POOR Indian, rich only in affection, selecting nc
t pattern from chosen leaf, and the well know
: rrediIecton of hunter worked out some delicat
4 piece Of rock to form an arrew-polnt OF pccuIa
y shape, material and color, readily distihguahe
: from Others, by which he might accomplish HI
G character as brave man and a beau giving aztec
tonate Acknowledgements TO the factor for success
y in the chase Occasionally queer specimens {
| workmanship apparent, whicl reFea the GeS
: perate but ineffective efforts Of some neglected c
e neglecting, solitary, odd man, who IN modern tim
I as indiscreetly attempts to sew on button or {
u darn rent E. .s .. ..- --.- s...E. ii .<
! Besides the private understandings in thes
II fancy rock-works, which were nobody,s bushes
>, they possessed others OF more extended meaning
|. which conveyed general intelligence to distar
II tribes though less Interesting to certain Individual
Is IF it was an authorized custom TO solicit sue
special and delicate fayors indication OF choic
e or admiration it seems natural that negative
: we'll as an affirmative token should be undeTstoo'
'f in reply according to the finish OF the weapon
the selection of color material of the rock, or th
q figure OF the point. Some OF them, thong
Is mostly formal, to maintain reputation tor SKI
e. and talent have crooked get for the SHAFT, whie
le *Near the Washington Monument, in the Di
d trict of Columbia there remain heaps OF the debr