The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-01-13
'EP0RTED DISCOVERIES All ROUK
ISLAND.
FonderTul ReIics-Statues I'm Copper
aH. An ObeliSIk of Rrass.

Z TTTTUUT5J lITyII5 gTVCS
llowing particulars OF the reported discovery
aboriginal relics at that place-a remarkable
Fory II true, and an ingeaioss hoax 1t untrue.
either case the story is worth realiDg.
The Argus says:-
I'VE have the pleasure this evening OF laying
|efore our readers the result of one OF the most
nteTestng subteTran eous exploring expeditions
Ver attempted on this copCIueut. 1t is nothing
80 than an underground pa sage-way under
OK Island, the present site OF the United S.a.e .eS
fsenal, and the discovery of antiquarian relics
the rarest and most interesting character.
The entrance to large cave--as our nome
Eeaders are doubtless awdre-is plainly visible
rom the ferry landing, as well MS other por-
ions OF our city bordering on the river bank,
#nd although some ten feet in diameter at the
entrance, 1t gradually dimlnishes in SIZE until
ONE twenty-five feet are reached, when 1t is
With difficulty that a person can effect an
ntrance by crawling through the aperture,
Out, when once fairly through, there is no
Huficuty in standing erect.
Until the recent interesting discoveries were
made by the enterpTising explorers, represent
ng an eastern scientific society, aud who are
low sojourning in our city, this cave has never
peen known to be over one hundred and twenty
eet in depth, and has possessed nothing more
ban ordinary interest," except as having been
Enough oy the stern old Sac warrior, Black
Hawk, To have been the chosen abode OF the
Great Spirit that presided over their destnies.
but upon close examination at the terminus of
one OF The darke aud most intricate reCesses, a
barrow cavity was discovered in the rock, and
tby the aid OF a torch forced into it, an int 9ror
apart II ent was found, upon entering which the
party were enabled to explore the suberraueous
passage for distance OF nearly one thousand
feet. The main passage is some six feet in
width and about nine in height, and is evidently
2 natural cavern, though III several places there
fale evidences of its having been Wdened, AS
|chisel marks can be distinctly discovered on the
kslls besides numerous small recesses at regu-
Jar intervals of fifty feet, which bear traces of
having been hewn out of the massive solid rock
The second corridor, leading from the maI1
one, Is very extensive, containing six ponderous
pillars en- nwreathed with gorgeous decorations.
Beyond this is shorter chamber, in which Is
the entrance TO the Sd1ctunl Sdnc0runl, and
which contains one of the grandest collections
OF antiquarian curosities ever discovered on
this continent. 1t contains huge pedestal in
the centre constructed OF solid copper, upon
which is erected magnificent shrine which,
with its unique inscription, denotes the anti
guilty or its devOtees. Surrounding it are the
colossal figures OF the twelve worshippers IN
4 kneelinG posture, and quite contiguous to them
Is the symmetrical though dImnutive figure of
an Indian maiden, with a countenance OF sur
passing beauty, and strongly marked features,
indicative of deep thought aud wondrous sur
prise, pointing with one hand to the expressive
word engraved upon the wall-SbeO -indi-
eating thereby that the end of their destiny and
race is at hand. Above them all, on its pro-
4 jecting and cresCent-shaped roof, are arranged
IN systematic precision, crosSbows, AFRO VS.,
and other weapons in warllke prousiou-re-
mRdjpg cue OF the ancient sons OF Persia and
Greece
unit to sustain animal life, being damp, heavy,
and very impure. The torches of the exploring
party were several times eXtinguished, and the
persons having the expedition in charge barely
escaped suffocation."
BRASS oBELIsK.
Immediately adjoining the room containing
these wonders is an obelisk OF solid brass some
seven feet in height, beautifully sculptured on
four sides. There are, IN al tWenty-oae small
| them is carved an inscription seventy-siX lines
/ in length. The whole is in the best state of
preservation scarcely character of the in
| sCription is wanting, and the figures are as
sharp and we'll defined as If executed only a
few days ago. One of the scenes represented
is circle OF the ancient aborigines sitting in
council-wlth the all-potent pipe of peace per-
forming its wonted circuit while the fortunes
of war and peace are being discussed in the
presence OF the whte-winged presiding genius.
Another scene represented IS roya! cnieftain,
followed by his attendants-a prisoner is at
his feet, while men are being introduced
leading various animals and car
rying ponderous crossbows, jayelins,
sented Are the eggplant, polar bear, lion, stag,
| and various kinds OF monkeys. The ornaments
delcately craven on the robes of the party, the
tassels aud fringes, the braces and armlets, the
/ elaborate curls of The ha1r and beard, are all
entire. One of the chiefs stands very erect, and
carries an animal closely resembling a
chamois upon his right arm, and in his left
| hand branch bearing fine flowers. Around
bis temples are flet adorned in front with a
4 rosette. One of the other characters, in 9
4 tragical attitude, holds a square vessel resem'
i bling basket, in his left hand, and a drawn
dagger in the right, while on his head Is worn 9
rounded cap, at the base of which is horn
| The garments of both consist of robe falling
| from the shoulders to the ankle, and a short
4 tunic underneath, descending to the knee, and
are richly and tastefully decorated with en-
broideries and ringes, whilst the hair aud beard
are arranged with study and taste. The limb;
are delineated with peculiar accuracy, and the
muscles and bones faithfully, though someWha
/ too strongly marked"
COPPER STATUE.
"After proceeding farther, the party reache(
alarge room with high arched root, in which
/ we're the entrances to many other chambers
This contained the GROWING gem OF the won
ders-nothing less than q huge sarcophagus o
minutely sculptured within and without, will
several hundred figures representing an immens
funeral procession aud ceremonies relating tt
4 the deceased chieitain, with emblems aud othe
/ devices. The lid was partially removed, AM
| revealed a quantity of bones and jayelins."
ToPBET
| "In one of the secluded corners OF this apar
ment. and few feet below the level of tn
/ foor is the aIched entrance TO an uueXplore
i chamber approached by narrow passage wa
down through hideOus stone stairway. Tn
/ party, after repeated efforts to effect an ell
/ france. were obliged to abandon it. In plainly
defined Indian characters, 1t bears the signidcan
| inscription, All hope abandon, ye who ente
in,' an admouition which while II tended onl
10 excite and increase the curiosity OF til
explorers, was wisely beeded."
WEAPONS AND ORNAMENTS.
''Thp knowledge OF this ancient aud interes
a ipg race does not seem by any means TO haS
been confined TO statuary and sculpture. The
weapons and the Jewel ornaments with Whlc
their persons were adorned, though prlncipall
s,.. fp,t iQh q vUi