The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-03-02
A Cave Of Skeletons Unearthed.

For months past the papers of the North
west have been filled with marvellous accounts
OF the discovery here and there Of various
relics, supposed to have been manufactured
by a people who had passed away and left
behind no written history. These relies, con-
ssting of skeletons, household utensils arms,
agricultural implements, pieces of pottery,
ETC., have in the main been preserved with
religious care by the heads of the various
scientific institutions to which they have been
consigned, but us yet no Satisfactory or even
plausible hypothesis has been advanced con-
cerning their origin.
On Saturday last, says the Dubuque Times
of the 1th, q discovery fully rs wonderful Us
any yet reported in the Northwest was made
by the erockmen on the Dubuquea and Minnesota
Railroad, near the base ofonc of thetal trown-
ing bluffs overlooking the river, q short dis
tance above Eagle Point. At the foot of this
bluff squad OF workmcn We're engaged in
cXcavating in the loose, stratilied rock for the
railroad track and while digging away with
pick, spade and crowbar in the side of the
bank, they suddenly found their further pro
gress arrested by large square smooth stone
on the outer surface Of which was inscribed
a number Of strange characters and devices,
which none Of the unlettercd workmen could
make out. Under the instruction of the fore
man, and by the united eXerton of Il number
of men, the stone was removed, when. to
their great astonishment, there succeeded a
rush of cold air, from large, square opening,
which extended into the bluffs in u horizontal
direction, the air rushing out with such force
that lighted taper held to the mouth of the
opening was extinguished in an instant. In
spired by the thoughts of a hidden treasure,
and thinking perhaps a cache Of some of the
early explorers had been unearthed, it was
resolved to explore the mystery at once. and
bring out the strong chests and precious gems
reposing somewhere within.
| Lights were procured and holding :; can
die in each hand, five men, headed by the fore
man, set out to explore the subterranean pas
sage, which was about four feet wide, and
high enough for a man to walk, by ending
over little. Cropping their way along eau
tiously, and casting many fearful glances
around them as though they expected every
moment to encounter some dreadful spectre
the party proceeded along the tunnel. 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 flight Of stone steps leading
downward q distance of twelve feet, and de-
scending these, the party found themselves
in what appeared to be huge chamber
cut out of the solid rock, about twenty-five
feet square and twenty feet high. Fora
moment the men stood lost in admiration
at this wonderful work The floor beneath
was hard and perfectly smooth, while by the
dim light of the candles, they could see that
the walls were embellished with multitude
of uncouth characters, intended to represent
flowers, birds, trees and other natural objects
all carved in solid limestone. On the South
wall appeared representation Of the sun,
and immediately below this, was q man clad
in loose flowing robes, in the act of stepping
out OF a boat and holding in his hand a dove.
The roof Of the chamber was embellished
with stars, serpents and chariots, the outlines
of all being revealed plainly and distinctly
In the centre of the apartment was large
flat slab and upon this 4 large vault was re-
vealed below, which was filled with the skel-
etons of some unknown race, all of them be-
ing in sitting OF standing posture, and almost
perfectly preserved, even to the smallerbones
1t was noticed that all had originally been
inferred with their faces to the southwest
BY the side of each skeleton stood Il small
vase of the most perfect form and finish, each
being filled with a species of yellow colorcd
earth. One of the vases was examined, and
at the base found to contain some anima
bones and dark particles of animal matter,
which had evidently been placed in the sep
ulchre to support the departed to the spirit
land q funeral rite in obedience to the wide
VI spread custom among the many barbaric ma