Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-01-04
From the Leayenworth Commercial 1
Marvellous discovery ils HEentan.,--
Ancient HnHiuu LIZ elics

From the Leayenworth Commercial
Marvellous Discovery ils HHensanu--
Ancient INDIAN Es elics.
4 most wonderful story reaches US from
Montana; n 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 circumstance to
US came down by the steamer yesterday. and
had himself Convcrsed with Mr.. Edward
Parsons, one of the lucky adventures, who
gave him the following particulars
In July last company of five prospec-
tors was made up in Helena, who having
heard of the uncxplored 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 Yellowstone Lake, when the
scene entirely changed, the country being
entirely barren, and permeateG in every di-
rect!on with hot springs and tissures in the
rock, from which issued smoke and noxious
gases.
Continuing their journey through
scorchlnE atmosphere, and cncOunterng
some peril among the rough and irregular
ridges OF bare rocks, which everywhere dis.
tinguished the landscape, the travellers on
the third day, came to the margin OF "A lake,
from which issued a river, which they
judged would lead to the Yellowstone. -
After following the stream for some time,
they came to u long, irregular mound, crown
ed on the summit by an ancient "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 stone did
not appear to he difficult one, they being
uncemented and of medium size, it was pro.
posed to open the "Curn," waich was done
alter half days labor, and below was
found u solid cemented floor, which sounded
hollow to the tread. Being determined to
complete their work, the travellers, after
some labor, dug down some twelve inches.
when they came to an immense stone, seven
feet hong, which it took the united strength
of the party to remove. Beneath there was
long, low chamber, and when .he eyes OF
the intrnderS bcCamc accustomed to the
darkness, it Was seen that an Indian Cats.
count iiud been uuturthcd.
Seated in n single row around the quad.
ranSlc were the remains OF upwards of thir-
ty warriors, from whose form the flesh had
long since moldcred away, and whose very
bones Crumbled into dust at the touch OF
the spectator. On the floor around lay
numerous instruments of war or chase, some
oi iron and some of stone. and the entire
apartment was covered with fine and al
most impal pable dust. which was all that
remained OF the furs and robes with which
this abode of death had doubtless, at one
time, beer carpeted,
Lying beside the bones were numerous
ornaments, indicating the rank OF the dead.
and among them We're many Of those twist
Ell circlets of gold known to antuuarians as
tO3Qces, which had at one time entwined the
necks and the arms of their savage owners
Some OF these were of unusual size, weigh.
ing one and a half to two pounds, and
many minor ornaments of the same precious
metal were also secured 10y the happy find
crs.
What chiefly attracted attention was,
however. a massive basin or kettle that oc
cupied the centre of the apartment, and was
doubtless used as sacrtcial censer for
burning incense, it being two feet high and
two feet and half in circumference. This
missive article, wonderful to tell proved on
inspection to be pure gold, and was so
uetNy thht tue party Had great ulIucuity IN
removing it from its resting place aud
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 in
tlicted upon it.
After great cXertions the adventures were
enabled, 10y 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 great
er part of the way to give relief to the bur.
dened animals. The whole amount of COLE
was brought to Helena, and Mr.. Edward
Parsons calculated that his share of the
treasure amounted to about $2l 900, the
whole being about Sl05,000 in vslue. Mr..
Parsons is II native of Montana, and resides
at Green Vale, near Helena, where ne is well
known. Notwithstanding his extraordinary
good luck, he intends to return to the river
where these discoveries were made, and
which he calls Green River, feeling con-
yinced that there are more catGcombs in
that vicinity.