Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-01-22
.,.,. Gazette Il Virginia Advertiser
Rims OF ANCIENT CITIES.

OF equal Importance, and, perhaps OF more
general popular interest," we're the discoveries
Of the ruins of ancient cities. The party were
conducted to these by Capt. Moss, who knows
this country better than any other white man
liyiug, and whose exploits equal 10 interest
those of Kit Carson or old jim Badger.
1t seems that Captain Moss, who uuder-
stands several Indian languages, and who
knows their customs, habits and tavorite re-
treats, had been placed IN possession or the
lacts which led him to believe that down be-
vond Bakers Park. at the headwaters of the
Rio Mauces, about forty miles from the Utah
borders, aud little more than that from the
New Mexico line, we're some rare and import
ant ruios OF an ancient people and ancient
cities.
The trip was a very tedious one over an al
most impossible country. After week Jour
neypg, a distance Of one hundred miles beyond
the mos. westerly San juan mines they came
to cauou, along which, high up in tue cliffs,
thev sutdcpy got the first sight of the inter
estipg mines which they sought; aud further
down we're still others. There seemed to be
three or four classes of these ruined cities,
those on the plains, which would seem to ndl-
cate vast population III former tlmes others
in the bottoms of cauonS. and clltt Cities or
those on the SUBMITS Of the bluffs.
All bore evidences of well-advaUced clvlllza
zion that must have died out ages ago. All
the relics found seemed opoint back centuries,
like those touod 10 Arizona and the Goblin
cities described by a recent trader 10 the head
waters of the Guuuison. There were large
MOUNDS 10 which the piles of bones would 10
dicate that whole families had been buried.
With the few rcmoauts OF those that were still
undecayed, where found agricultural, mining
aud domestic mplements.
The size and length OF some showed that
they must have belonged to race of giants
Fragments Of old pottery We're streWn around,
much Of it finely engraved and ornamented.
But lower down on the plains were the most
remarkable ruins--parts OF towers OF we'll
hewu stone. The base Of these was thirty feet
in diameter Their height Is matter OF con-
lecture, for only the crumbng ruins remain.
Around all this were indications OF thick
walls as if to protect the people during siege.
There were also large reservoirs. Many scraps
who remained only few hours some forty
photographs were taken. Prot. Eodtch re-
ceived portions of earlhenware, aud will ana
I'VE the paints that mark them. Medicine
sacks are also placed in his possession. Jack.
sou $ negatives will be heotyped for illustra-
tions n a bulletin descriptive of the character
and pccuiiarities of this extinct tree, which
will be published soon.
1t is the opinion of members of the survey
that the position of these ruins and the heaps
10 which bones. implements aud household
utensils are found show that this race, grad
uaIIy driven to the mountain Businesses by a
superior people, and their ranks decmated,
we're Gnally starved out by siege, or carried
off by an epidemic In single mass were
found bones, implements Of war, of agriculture,
relics Of art, education and domestic economy
near their swallow like dwelling, made Of stone
and mud
So important is this whole matter that Prof.
Hayden has secured an expert, we'll travelled,
who will proceed at once to the site of these
ruins, and spend weeks and months if neces
sary exhuming aud gathering up particles of
everything that will throw any light upon the
character and customs of this ''loue race. -
Report of Exploring party IN Colorado.