The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-01-06

make out. Under the instruction o.
the foreman, and by the upited exeriion
of number of men, the stone was re-
moved, when, to their great astC nlsh-
ment, there succeeded violent rush OF
cold air, from large square opening,
which extended into the bluff IN a h Jri-
zontnl direction, the air rushing out
with such force that lighted taper
held IA the mouth of the opening was
eyliuguished iu an Instant. Inspired
By the thoughts Of hiiden treasure, and
thinking that perhaps cache of some
of the early explorers had been un-
earthcd, it was resolved to explore the
mystery at once, and bring out the
strong chests and precious gems repos
Jog some where within. Lights were
procured, and holding Il candle in each
hand five men, headed ty the foreman,
st on, to explore the subterranean pas
age, which was about iour feet wide
and high enough to permit man to
walk by bending over little. Cropping
their way along cautiously. and casing
many fearful ,gIauces around them as
though they expected every moment 20
encounter some dreadful spectcr, the
party proceeded along the tuauel, 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 steps leading downward dis.
;ance of ten feet, and descending these
the party found themselves in what ap
pesrcd to be huge chamber, cut out Of
the solid rock, about twenty five feet
square, aad twen'y feet bigh. For a
moment the men stood lost in admira-
ton a this wonderful work. The floor
beneath Wa hard and perfectly smooth
while by the dim light Of the candles
they could see that the walls were en-.
beilshed with multitude Of uuc ju,h
characters and figures, intended to rep.
resent birds, trees, flowers, and other
natural objects, all carved in solid lime
stooe. On the south wall appeared a
representation of the suu, and imme.
dlatel y below this was the fgsre of a
man clad 10 a loose flowing robe, 10 the
act Of Stepping cut Of boat, and hold.
ing ia his hand a dove The roof of
the chamber was embellished with stars,
serpcnts, and chariots, the outlines Of
all being revealed plain and distinct
IL the centre OF the apartment wa, a
large fiat slab, and upon removing tbs
a large vault was revealed below, whi;h
vas filled with the skeletons of some
unknown race, all of them being in a
sitting or standing posture and almost
perfectly preserved, even to the smaller
bones IL was noticed that all had
originally been inferred with their faces
to the southwest. by The side of each
skeleton stood small vos, of tue most
perfect form and finish, each beiog filed
with species of yellow colored earth.
! Oue OF the vases were examined anl
at the base found to c0utain some AMI
ma bones and dark particles of animal
matter, which had, evidently been pac
ed 10 the sepulchre to support the de-
parted to the spirit land, funeral rite
in obedience to wide spread custom
among many barbaric nations. Heads
Of arrows, stone hatcheis, aud pieces of
shells perforated with holes, were found
scattered about the vault ia profusion.
The skeletons we're arranged 10 the
form Of semi-circle, the largest being
placed in the ccutcr. This skeleton by
aciuul measurement, stood seven feet
eight inches high The teeth were
white aud sIistcned like ivory, while in
he palm Of Que OF the outstretched
hands, securely locked ia the articulated
bones, rcposed a small pearl ornament.
This person had evidently been the
chief of the tribe, aud was consequent.
ly buried with unusual booors. BY the
side Of the Uranium were two ear orna.
ments of shell, while numerous minute
bone and copper beads covered the floor
Of the vault Vestiges Of a fbrous
cloth were also discovered near the lover
extTemities of each skeleton, but so
u 4