The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1867-12-21
MARYEL0Us DISCOVERY IN MON
TANA
Ancient Indian Relies.
F0rt9naseekars grIendldIy Rgwaraad

= "a e9AAS oCC2ACAo - kAC4N4tl4J 4eS y "a ALcN-
A most wonderful story reaches rs from
4 Montanai indeedj a tale which we should
hardly credit, were It not related to Us, by
I one whom we consider worthy of eredence.
The gentleman gFho felated the circumstances
TO as came down by the steamer yesterday,
and had himself conversed with Mr. Edward
Parsons, one Of the lucky adveuturers, who
gave him the following particulars.
In July last company of five prOspec-
tors was made up IN Helena, who, having
heard OF the unexplored country around the
head of the Yellowstone, determined to
! visit that district in search of lodes The
country was found to be almost entirely free
from Indians, and there was abundance of
game, until they arrived within two days
journey Of Y Yellowstone Lake, when the
! scene entirely changed, the country being
entirely barren, and permeabed in every di-
rection with hot springs, and assures IN the
| rock from which issued smoke and noxi0us
gases.
Continuing their journey through
scOrching atmosphere, and encOuntering
| some peril among the rough and irregular
ridges of bare rock, which everywhere dis
| tinguished the landscape, the travellers on
the third day came to the margin of a small
lake, from which issued river, which they
judged would lead to the Yellowstone.
After following the stream for some time.
they came to long, irregular mound,
crowned on the summit, by an ancient stone
earn, similar to those seen in some parts
of New Mexico, which was half concealed
| in grass and a growth Of low bushes As
the work Of removing the stones did not ap-
pear to be difficult one, they being un-
! cemented and of medium size it was pro-
/ posed to open the earn, which was done
after half day labor and Below was found
a sohd cemented floor, which sounded hol-
low to the tread. Being, however, deter
| mined to complete their work; the travellers,
after some labor, dug down some twelve
inches, when they came to an immense
stone, seven feet long, which it took the
united strength of the party to move.
Beneath there was a long, low chamber,
and when the eyes Of the intruders became
accustomed to the darkness, it was seen that
an in,l;an catacomb had been undetermined.
Seated IN a single row around the quadrangle,
were the remains of tpSe-ard at thirty war
riors, from whose form the fies5 had long
since moldered away, and whose very bones
crumbled into dust at the touch Of the spec
tator. On the floor around lay numerous
instruments of war or chase, some of iron
aud some of stone, and the entire apartment
was covered with fine and almost impalpa
bic dust, which was all that remained of the
furs and robes with which this abode of
death had, doubtless, at one time, been car
peted.
Lying beside the bones were numerous
ornaments, indicating the rank Of the dead,
and among them were many Of those twisted
circlets Of gold known to antiquarians as
''torques," which had at one time entwined
the necks and arms Of their savage owners
Some of these we're of unusual size, weigh
ing one and half to two pounds, and
many minor ornaments Of the same precious
metal we're also secured by the happy
finders.
What chiefly attracted attention was,
however, a massive basin or kettle that Oc-
cupied the center of the apartment. and was
doubtless used as a sacrIfeial eenser for
| burning incense, it being two feet high and
| two feet and half IN circumference. This
massive article, wonderful to tell, proved on
inspection to be pure gold, and was so heavy
that the party had great difficulty in remoy-
| ing it from its resting place and bringing it
into the upper air,
Endeavors were then made to break the
vessel, but the pure quality OF the gold
caused it only to bend beneath the weight Of
the blows inflicted upon it. After great ex-
ertiOn, the adVenturers were enabled, by
means of their axes, to sever the mass into
! portable pieces laden with which the party
! turned their steps HON wards, having them
/ selves to walk the greater part Of the way,
! to give relief to their burdened animals The
whole amount of gold was brought to
| Helena, aud Mr.. Edward Parsons calculated
/ that his share Of the treasure amounted to
i S2l 600, the whole bulk being at least
! 100000 in value. Mr.. Parsons is a native
/ Of Montana, and resides at Green Vale, near
/ Helena, where he Is well known Notwith-
! standing his extraordinary luck, he intends
to return to the river where these discoveries
were made, and which he calls Grave River,
feeling convinced that there are more eatt-
combs In that vicinity. ty.-LeaUcnagorth
/ (Kansas) Commercial.