The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-02-25
Pre.H,s,Oric Remains Found.

Pre-HiStOric Remains Found.
1t is generally known in this country, and
in scientific circles in Europe, tha: the gi-
gantic undertaking of bridging the Missis-
sippi River at this point has been already
begun, and that for more than year, when
the state of the river would permit, the
sound of the ponderous machinery has ceased
not day nor night, but the work of excava-
ton has been going on until the solid rock
has been reached for the foundation of the
piers upon the western shore. One Of the
piers is already above low-Water mArk-a
triumph of mechanical skill. The blocks OF
stone Of which it 10 built are as huge as those
of the Pyramids, aud yet, by the application
of original principles of mechanical and en-
gineering skill, these gigantic blocks are
moved Is easily as the common foundation
stones Of our dwellings. The outer pier is
not yet begun, the excavations therefor not
being quite completed. At this point the
wonders begin, the end of which is not yet.
What effect the discovery of this tunnel
under the river may have upon the location
OF the bridge she board of engineers will soon
determine. About 4 l P. NJ, yesterday the
workmsn engaged in blasting the rocks in
the bottom Of the excavation for the fOunda-
tion of this pier discharged an extraordinary
large blast Of powder when, Immediately
after the reporS, strange phenomenon pre-
sented itself Instead of having the usual
time for the smoke to clea. away they saw
1t ascend rapidly in column, as though
Issuing from tie snoksstack of one of our
steamers. This soon cleared, and it was
found that steady amount of air with a
strange damp odur was issuing from the
cavernous excavation, showing that an open
ing had been made into some unknown sub
tefranean passage. Upon descending to the
bottom the usual mud and water has disaP-
peared through dark, deep opening in the
rock about ten feet in diameter, made by the
last discharge of powder. Ropes, ladders,
and torches were Immediately procured and
careful explorations begun We cannot now
enter into detailed descr iption, but having
been invited 10 accompany the board of en-
glneers with delegation from the Academy
OF Science and Historical Society, We must
reserve full exposition of the wonderful
discovery until we shall have made more
careful survey. Suffice it for the present to
say 1t ls certain that it passes entirely under
the river to the Illinois shore. and whether
1t Is wholly the work Of some ancient race
who once inhabited this land, whose interest
ng remains ara strown 30 thickly up and
down this great valley, or whether it is part
!y natural and partly artificial, remains to
he seen. In any cast it is none the less
stupeudons. The main passage we should
udge to be about twenty feet high by fifteen
broad, ard systematically arch.d overhead
part OF the way by cutting through solid
rock and part by substaE tiaI masonry. The
bottom seemed to be much worn, as if by
carriage wheels of some sort. There are
many lateral passages, which, of course, we
had no time to enter. These are about eight
feet high and six feet wide. In the main
passage we saw no tools or implements of
workmanship, but on entering one of the
lateral passages we soon emerged into
large Chamber supported by leaning pillars
OF solid rock when the chamber was eXcava-
TED. Around the walls Of this chamber there
were what seemed to be inches closed with
close! y-ftting slabs, each slab covered with
Inscriptions in Rupic uniform characters.
which to our eyes bore a marvellous Yesem
blance to those upon the slab in he Mercan-
tile Library, which was brought from the
mines OF Nlneveh. Between the inches
were projecting pilasters. with draped Assy-
rian or Egyptian heads, which presented a
most impressive and awe-inspiring effect, as
they were illuminated by the torch-light-
Those sweet, sad faces locked down upon us
from the ancient ages, like the souls of the
departed One OF the passages opening on
the north side seemed to follow the course of
the river, and it is believed extends to the
great mouad now being removed Ly the
North Missouri Railroad, which was the
theme of much interesting remark at the last
meeting of the Historical Society.
To those who have not seen the mounds
around st. Louis, it may be necessary to
say that the mound known as the Big
Mound, is about one mile above the great
bridge now bsin9 built. The mound known
as Monks Mound is on the other side Of the
river, and Is but one of continuous chain
OF mounds extending from the river to the
bluffs, distance Of nine miles, 1t is con-
Jectured that the tunnel under the river and
the mounds are intimately connected, and
there was in ancient days an opening through
the mounds from this subteranean highway.
OF course every scientific man is in perfect
fever of excitement at these grand discov-
cries which seem SO full of promise to arch
geological and chronological inquiries after
truth. 1t will be remembered by our citi-
zens that some few months since an exam
ination Of Monks Mound was made under
the auspices of some Eastern scientific socie-
ty; and during the excavations there were
frequent exhalations OF disagreeab,e gases
anu odors, Yet we will not speculate, but
wait In almost breathlesS suspense, for fIl-
ture development. As we turned from our
hasty examination, passing through its pill
astered hall above described, we observed
descending opening about seven feet high
by three feet wide. Following this in its
windingss about fifty yards, we came to
flight Of forty-one steps, ascending which,
we found ourselves in another chamber of
wonders-oval in shape, about seven feet
long, twenty feet high, and three feet high.
The walls Of this last chamber were sculptur-
ed in magnificent baSrslief and Runic in
scriptions. Professor Bacclrio, the learned
Sanscrit of the university, who was with us.
has taken upon himself the task of trans Ia-
ting the inscriptions. Of the meaning OF
some of the words and the colossal sculp-
tures. be also speaks very Confidently
One OF the magnificent groups he is certain
is intended 10 represent Ahashuerus crown
mg queen Elizabeth. And another group
of colossal figures representing captives EDi-
lowing the car of victorious condueror are
Portraits of Luke, D, uteronomy and the I
friend going into captivity. This remarka-