Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-12-08
A WONDERFUL DISCOVERY.
An Ancient indian CRtac0mb and
Relics Found in Montana SIOO, 900
Treasure In Gold Secured.
From the Leavenworth Commercial.

efOtU secured.
From the Leavenworth Commercial.
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 an abun-
dance Of game, until they arrived within
two days Journey of Yellowstone Lake,
when the scene entirely changed, the coun-
try being entirely barren, and permeated
in every direction with hot springs and
Sssures in the rock, from which issue smoke
and noxions gases
Continuing their journey through a
scorching atmosphere, and encountering
some peril among the rough and irregular
ridges Of bare rock, which everywhere dis
tingnished the landscape, the travellers on
the third day came to the margin of a
small lake, from which issued river,
which they judged weuld lead to the Yell
lowstone. After following the stream for
some time they came to long, irregular
mound crowned on thesnmmit by an ancient
stone 'eairn," similar to those seen in some
parts Of New Mexico, which was half con-
cealed in grass and growth of low bushes.
As the work of removing the stones did
not appear 20 be difficult one, they being
uncemented and of medium size, it was
proposed 10 open the "cairn," which was
done after half days labor, and below
was found 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, sew
en- feet long, which it took the united
strength of the party 10 remove. Beneath
there was long, low chamber, ard when
the eyes of the intruaers became accus-
toned to the darkness, it was seen that an
| Indian catacomb had been unearthed.
Seated in a single row around the quad
rangle, were the remains of upwards Of
| thirty warriors, from whose forms the hesh
had long since mouldered away, and whose
very bones crumbled nto-dusf at the touch
| of the spectator. On the fioor around lay
numerous instruments of the war or chase,
| some of iron and some Of stone, and the en-
| tire apartment was covered with hne and
| almost impalpabIe dust, which was all that
remained of the fiIrs and robes with which
this abode of death had doubtless, at one
! time, been carpeted.
Lying beside the bones were numerous
ornaments, indicating the rank of the dead,
and among them we're many OF those
twisted circlets of gold known TO antigua
rians as torques," which had at one time
entwined the necks and the arms Of their
savage owners. Some OF these were Of un-
usual size, weighing one and half to two
pounds, and many minor ornaments Of the
same precious metal were also secnred by
the happy finders. 7-
What chiefly attracted attention was,
however, massive basin or kettle that
occupied the center of the apartment, and
was doubtles used as sacrifcial eenser
for burning incense, il being two feet high
and two feet and half in circumference
This massive article wonderful TO tel,
proved on inspection to be pure gold, and
was so heavy that the party had great dif-
ficulty in removing il IRON its resting place
and bringing il to the upper air. Endeavors
we're then made to break the vessel, but the
pure quality of the gold caused it 10 only
bend beneath the blows inflicted upon IT,
After great exertion the adyenturers we're
enabled BY means of their axes, to sever