Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1869-03-04


and armlets, the elaborate curls of tho
hair and beard, are all entire. One Of
the chiefs stands very erect and car.
ries in his arms an animal resembling
. chamois upon his right arm, and in
his left hand branch bearing fine dow
ers. Around his temples are fiIlet
adorned IN front with . rosette. One
OF the other characters, in a trapical
attitude. holds square vessel, resem-
bling . basket, in his left hand, and a
drawn dagger in the right, while on
bis head Is worn rounded cap, 1t the
base OF which is horn. The garments
OF both consist of q robe falling from
the shoulders to the ankle, and a short
tunic underneath, descending to the
knee, and are richly and tastefully dec
grated with embroidcres and fringes.
whilst the hair and beard are arranged
with study and taste. The limbs are
deiineatcd with peculiar accuracy, and
the muscles and bones faithfully.
though somewhat too strongly marked.
After proceeding farther The party
reached large room with high arch.
ed roof, in which were the entrances
TO many other chambers. This con.
tanned the crowning gem of the won
ders-nothing less than huge sarco-
phagus OF copper, nine feet long and
three feet in width, minutely sculptur-
ed, within and without, with several
hundred figures representing an i'm.
mense funeral procession and ceremo.
nies relating to the deceased chieftain,
with emblems and other devices. The
lid was partially removed, and reveal
ed qaantity Of bones and javelin..
In one OF the secluded corners Of
this apartment, and . few feet uelow
the level Of the door, il the arched en-.
trance to an unexplored chamber, ap. |
preached BY narrow passage. way |
down through hideous stone stair
way. The party, after repeated efforts
to effect an entrance, were obliged to
1t. In plainly defined Indian
characters it bears the mgnl6cant in
scription, "Ali hope abandon, yc who
sntef in," an admonition which, while
i tended only to excite and increas
he curiosity Of the explorers, wa. wise-
y needed
The knowledge of this ancient and
interesting race does not seem by anv
means to have been confined to statu.
Try and sculpture. Their weapons,
md the jewel ornaments with which
heir persons were adorned, though
Of copper, are, in some In
tances, finished with gold and silver, F.
md carved in the most exquisite man.
er conceivable, indicating mechanical ;
,enius and scientific attainments of the
ighest order. The luxury and reiue.
aent OF an enligh.e ened civilization are
learly delineated in these mysterious
nages aud devices, rather than the
'retchednefs, ignorance and super
titions of . semi barbarous race, asI
minents authors OF the present age
ave surmlsed our country, previous
. discovery by Columbus 10 have {
cen inhabited by Il
At present the strictest vigilance ia 9
bserved at the cave-no persons be.
ng allowed to enter il without per-
Mission from ono or more Of the az.
-lEhn- Ara -all It nrasant the "a.
We congratulate the exploring parry
md the scientific ASSOCIATION they rep
esent, tor having, in defiance Of the
,eriis ct the adventure and the ruth.
ess ravages Of time, brought to light
hese monuments Of ancient grandeur
nd magni6cence; and our gratitude
{ being furnished tor publicatl, n the
letails Of researches 50 thrilling and
stounding In their character, ~ only
qualled by the absorbing interest
Vhich we feel confident our readers
vill experience in their perusal.
During the interval OF proceeding fur.
her with their Investigations, We M
erstand it tO be the intention Of the .
'arty having the relics in their posses ;
ion to ship the movable portion OF !.
hem at once to New York, ii pe,mis-
ION from the War Department for,
heir removal can be obtained.
ALAsxA.-The scientific expedition
ent out to Alaska BY the government