The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1867-12-26
Gold Kettles found in Montana Tombs.

a most wonderful story, says the Leav-
enworth Commercial, Nov I'd, reaches US
! from Montana indeed, tale which we
| should hardly credit, were it not related
to US by one whom we consider worthy
of credence. The gentleman who related
| the circumstances to US, came down by
the steamer yesterday, and had himself
conversed with DIR, Edward Parsons, one
of the lucky adyenturers, who gave him
the following particulars In July last,
company of five prospectors was made up
in Helena, who having heard Of the unex
| plored country around the head of the
! Yellowstone, determined to visit that dis
| trict In search Of lodes The country MAS
found to be almost entirely free from In
dams, and there was abundance of game,
until they arrived within two days jour
ney of Yellowstone Lake, when the scene
entirely changed, the country being en-
tirely barren, and permeated in every d.
rection with hot springs, and assures in
the rock from which Issued smoke and
noxious gases.
Continuing their journey through
scorching atmosphere, and cncountering
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 a river,
which they judged, would lead to the
Yellowstone. After following the strea IN
for some time, they came TO q long, irreg>
ular mound, crowned on the summit by
an ancient stone ''Carn," similar to those
seen in some parts of New Mexico, which
was half concealed in grass and growth
of low bushes. AS the work of removing
the stones did not appear to be a difficult
one. they being uncemented and of medi-
uHl sixe, it was proposed to open the
''Carn," which was done, after half a
days labor, and below was found a solid
cemented floor, which sounded hollow to
the tread. Being, however, determined
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 took the united
strength OF the party TO remove. Beneath,
there was long, low chamber, and when
the eyes of the intruders became accus-
toned TO the darkness, 1t was seen that
an Indian catacomb had been unearthed.
Seated in single row around the quad
rangle, were the remains of upward Of
thirty warriors, from whose forms the
Fl 81 had long since mouldered away, and
whose very bones crum5led into dust at
the touch of the spectator. On the floor
around lay numerous Instruments of war
or chase, some of iren, some of stone, and
fb.
fine and almost impajpable dust, which
was al that remained Of the fIrs and robes
with which this abode of death had,
doubtless, at one time, been decorated.
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
anilbuarIans as "tOrques," which had at
one time entwined the necks and the arms
of their savage owners. Some of these
were Of unusual size, weighing enc and a
half or two pounds, and many other or
naments of the same precious metal were
also secured by the happy finders. What
chiefly attracted attention was, however,
a massive basin or kettle that occupicd
the centre of the apartment, and was
doubtless used as sacrificial censor for
burning incense, II being two feet high
and two and half in circumference.
The massive article, wonderful to tell,
proved, on inspection, to be pure gold,
and was so heavy that the party had great
difficulty in removing It from its resting
place and bringing it into the upper air.
Endeavors were then made to break
the vessel, but tie pure quality of the
gold caused it only TO bend beneath the
weight of the blows inflicted upon it.
After great exertion, the adventu:ers were
enabled by means of their axes. to sever
the mass into portable pieces, laden with
which the party turned their steps home
wards, having themselves to walk the
greater part of the way to give relief to
their burdened animals The whole
amount OF gold was brought to Helena.
and Mr.. Edward Parsons calculated that
his share of the treasure amounted TO
about S2I, 200, the whole amour. being
at least 100000 in value.