Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1869-09-10
Singular Discoveries at the Star
Spring.

In excavating for the foundation Of
the new bottling house at the Star Spring
some developments have been made,
which are likely to excite widespread
interest. One of our reporters made
special visit to the Spring, and was am
ply repaid by an examination of the Gu
rious developments he found. Upon the
northwest portion of the lot, nearly in
rear of the old bottling house, at dis
tance of twelve feet from the surface, the
workmen removed a solid piece of rock
weighing nearly ton. Underneath this,
was found what is supposed to be fire.
place, which undoubtedly was used by
the Indians as long ago as 1890. From
present indication it had been construct
ed with much care, being neatly curved,
and from the top was removed large
stone which would weigh upward ton.
AT the foot of the fireplace we discover
ed ashes, bones, and other relics, which
we suppose to have been formed by the
water between the layer of rocks. From
colonial historic sketches, we learn that
this property in the year 1912 was in the
possession of family by the name Of
Swain, and that it was a custom in those.
days to boil the water from this spring,
which was then known as the Iodine
Spring, the salts being used as a medi-
cine. From these facts, it is evident this
fireplace was used for that purpose, and
the stones with which it was formed had
been originated by the spilling of this
water, in medicated form, upon them,
and through the long period which they
have remained has become az hard a
substance as the pure rock itself. The
bones which were found bear marked ev-
idence of belonging to the animal king
dom, and no other idea of their origin
can be formed, then that they came out
of the meat which probably had been
cooked in this fireplace, and had been
cast away, only to bear faint remem-
brance of those who had inhabited this
tract, when the value and present use of
the water were unknown. At distance
of about two feet from the fireplace is
large cave, which as yet, has not been
developed sufficiently to ascertain of
what dimensions or depth it may be.
The mouth is about foot large, and
from indications keeps growing larger,
to the depth of twenty feet. We saw
pole twenty feet in length, run into it,
and failed to meet obstructions, or find
any bottom. 1t contains water, and is
evidently very large, as it would float on
either side, sixteen feet. No definite idea,
as to what it is, or how it has been con-
structed can be found, and further exca-
vations will only develop what now lies
hidden, underneath the mass of rock,
which seems to form substantial wall
entirely around ii. Whether this wall
is the work Of past generations, or has
been formed by u cavity in the rocks,
yet remains mystery. But we hope to
be able to learn more substantially of its
ooOhy anu pOSSiDlO, Rlf0
some information Of what character, and
what time it was built. Other relics,
novel in appearance and beauty, such as
ore, coal and limestone, have beeu ex-
tracted. Among them perfect infants
leg in state of petrifaction. found in
the rock-the length from toe to knee
being eleven inches with about FIVE and
three-quarters inches of the thigh, the
foot being four inches long. The limb
was found in position to indicate that
it had been buried in sitting posture.
The rock in which the petrifaction was
found, giving the full impression of the
leg, is preserved. These curiosities will
be on exhibition for short time at their
bottling house and alone are worth q
visit to this spot. We shall endeavor to
learn in due time, more concerning these
curiosities, and shall transmit them to
the public, who will wait with much in
terest what will next bear evidence to
these facts.-Saratoga Post.
WELcoME.-"P Papa will soon be here,"
said mama to her two-year old boy.
"What can Gregory do to welcome him?.
And the mother glanced at the child's
playthings, which lay scattered in wild
profusion on the carpet.
Make the room neat" replied the
bright little one, understanding the look