Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-12-30
Wonderful Discovery.

OuQuc MfEc VI W OAItCu3S AhOlh
ing. 1t has much the appearance
of an elaborate sell, lut we publish
it nevertheless, in the event Of it's
proving to be hoax, to illustrate
the pervcrse ingenuity of the local
editor of the Times, and in ease that
it shall turn out an s'ow'r true tale"
that our readers may have the ben
efit~of the latest item of archaeology
cal research !:
On Saturday last discovery full
ly as wonderful as any yet reported
in the Northwest, was made by the
workmen on the Dubuque q Mime
sofa railroad, near the base of one
of the tall, trowning bluffs overlook
ing the river, short distance above
Eagle. Point. At the foot of this
bluff squad Of workmen were en-
gagged in excavating in the loose
stratified limestone rock for the
railroad track, and while digging
away with pick, spade and crowhar
in the side of the bank, they sud
denly found their further progress
arrested by q large smooth square
stone, on the outer surface of which
was inscribed number of strange
characters and devices, which none
of the unlettered workmen Of course
could make out. Under the in
struction Of the foreman, and by the
united cxcrtion of number of men,
the stone was removed, when, to
their great establishment, there sue
ceeded violent rush Of cold air,
form large square opening, which
extended into the bluff in hori-
zontal direction, the air rushing
| out with such force that lighted
taper held in the mouth OF the open
ing was extinguished in an instant.
Inspired by the thoughts of hidden
treasure, and thinking that perhaps
2 coche of some of the early explor-
ers had been uncarthed, it was re-
solved to explore the mystery at
once, and bring out the strong
chests and precious gems reposing
somewhere within. Lights were
procured, and holding a candle in
each hand five men, headed by the
foreman, set out to explore the sub
terrancan passage, which was about
four feet wide and high enough to
permit man to walk by bending
over a little. Cropping their way
along cautiously, and casting many
fearful glances around them as
though they expected every moment
to encounter some dreadful spectre,
the party proceeded along the tun-
mel, which extended directly into
the heart of the bluff about fifty
feet, when they found their way
impeded by another large stone.
Removing this, they found a flight
of stone steps leading downward
a distance of ten feet, and descend
ing these, the party found Them
selves in what appeared to be a
huge chamber, cut out of the solid
rock, about twenty-five feet square,
and twenty feet high. For mo-
mcnt the men stood lost in admira-
ton at this wonderful work. The
floor beneath was hard and perfect
lv smooth, while by the dim light
of the candles they could see that
the walls were embeiished with a
multitude OF uncouth characters
and figures, intending to represent
birds. trees, flowers aud other
natural objects, all carved in the
solid limestone. On the south wall
appeared representation of the
sun, and Immediately below this
was the figure of man clad in a
loose flowing robe, in the act of
stepping out of Il boat, and holding
in his hand dove. The roof OF
the chamber was cmbeiished with
stars, serpcnts and chariots, the out
lines Of all being revealed plain and
distinct. In the centre Of the apart
ment was large fat slab, and upon
removing this large vault was re-
vealed below, which was filed with
the skeletons OF an unknown race,
all of them being in sitting or
standing posture and almost per-
fectly preserved, even to the small
err bones. 1t was noticed that all
had originally been inferred with
their faces to the southwest. BY
the side OF each skeleton stood a
small vase Of the most perfect form
and finish, each being filed with .
species of yellow colored earth.
One Of the vases was examined, and
at the base found to contain some
animal bones and dark particles OF
animal matter, which had evidently
been placed in the scpnlchre to
support the departed to the spirit
land, funeral rite in obedience to
a wide spread custom among many
barbaric nations. Heads Of arrows,
stone hatchets, and pieces of shells
perforated with holes, we're found
scattered about the vault in profu-
SIN. The skeletons were arranged
in the ION of Semi-eireie, the
largest being paced in o.. "a center
This skeleton, by actual measure
mcnt, stood seven feet eight inches
high. The teeth were white and
gIistened like ivory, while in the
palm of one Of the outstrctched
hands, securely locked in the articu-
lated bones, reposed 4 small pearl
ornament. This person had evil
IDENTIFY been the chief Of the tribe,
and was consequently buried with
unusual honors. BY the side of the
Uranium were two ear ornaments of
shell, while numerous minute bone
and copper beads covered the floor
Of the vault. Festiges of fibrous
cloth were also discovered near the
lower cxtrcmitics of each skeleton,
but so thin and impalpable that it
caumbled away at the slightest
touch. No ornaments Of gold or
silver were found, but various i'm
plements in copper were scattered
thickly about, which had evidently
been procured from the mines of
Lake Superior, as the evidences are
accommodating that these mines were
worked at date long prior to the