Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-05-04
a Curious DisooVarVl


c1lled by an esteemed friend, L. s. Prints,
Esq, at his residence in Page county, to
considerable collection of curious and singular
relics Although We examined these femains
somewhat carefully aud INFINITELY, We feel un-
able to arrive at any decisive conclusion in
regard to the time when, or the circumstances,
under which, they were deposited in their con-
tenn plated resting place. We shall, simply,
therefore, state the matter with the hope that
some ono better acquainted with the sphere Of
the naturalist, will be able to give US some
satisfactory theory. ~ ss..ll
NIr. J.. S. Prints and several of his neigh
botfs,-D. K. Warner, j, d. Printz, j, r.
Lucas, a. j. Huffman, and FL. Bixler,-whilst
at. the fishing shore, some six or eight days
ago at Aquotink creek, between Acquia Greek
covered an Indian buryins ground on the
lands OF Lewis Ashton Esq of King George,
on the point where the Aquotink empties
into the Potomac, near Marlborough, on the
Potomac The washing of the banks by the
stream of the Aquotink exposing some human
remains, Mr., Prin,z and his party went to
work, and disinterred twelve very large skele-
tons of human bodies, which had been deposit
ed closely side by side, with the face towards
sunrise, about six feet below the common
surface. These were apparently between six
and seven feet long, aud large in every way.
Around the head of one of them, who, we
suppose, was a patriarch, or apofieial, was
placed in rather curious scmiclrcuiar form,
partially tapping each other, four oblong shells,
tortoise perhaps, four inches by six, each
having five tallies, and human face carved
on aud one round she'll four inches in diameter,
with a human face carefully carved on it.
This one, it seems held rather a central posi-
hot n,ic:rolo Iyera nlocad
four round shells, four inches in diameter,
with holes through them, differing in regard
to number as well as to location, and one round
shell one and half inches In diameter, with
hole in the centre, we'll perforated /; six
round plates of pure sheet "copper" from two
and half inches to six, with holes perforated,
differing as to number and location. Six
rather oblong plates of pure sheet copper,
varying in size, from four inches to seven enc
way, and from three to five the other, the
periorations differing; four small conch shells
designed for suspension as beads; number
of beads made of she'll aud bone, varying in
size and color, and of copper from one and
half to two and a half inches long, strung on
linen cord in good state of preservation
perhaps the verdegris preserved the cord-six
small triangular pieces of copper plates; two
car rings made of tubed copper, scrolled an
excellent pipe,-for which five dollars have
been offered, ,-wellfo formed and neatly finished,
of stone and copper; three others of stone;
two small copper bells shaped like sleigh bells
and jar right in the rear of his head. But
most singular Of all there Was re G;i'0r cross.
made of white metal, well constructed, aud
designed to be held most conveniently, in an
erect position, between the thumb and fore
finger The other eleven skeletons had nothing
about them except beads
These copper relics and linen cord indicate
a knowledge of the arts. and the cross, an ac-
quaintance with the Christian religion. The
skeletons and relics were in a good state of
preservation. We arc told that apparently
some ten acres are occupied as burying place,
aud full of Remains.
Shenandoah TTaHsy, 1prH %.