The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-09-06
TIE IOUND.BUILDERS.


some Very Tough Stories Of Alleged Di.rov-
cries In Michigan.
Tho editor OF the Marshall (Alichigan)
Statesman, who has been lately examin-
ing some ancient mounds in the Grand
Traverse region, gives the following nc
count Of his discoveries:
The tumuli wcrc located on q sandy
plateau, between the bay and M inland
lake. They were not placed with refer
encc to order, nor were they uniform in
style. -Four largo mounds and two
small ones near by could he easily
traced. The large ones had been par
tiully opened by some one, but who it
was 10 one in tho party knew. From tho
growth of vegetation it was plain that
nearly quarter Of n century had passed
since the effort to discover the secret had
been made. The Pine growth on the
mounds indicated still greater an.
tiquity than the mound i'll the village.
At least five centuries ago the mounds
were built. We assisted in removing
the earth, and were fortunate enough to
10 the first one to come upon the re-
mains. Two bodies rested i'll one grave.
Both hal fallen over, but from the posi-.
ton Of the few remaining bones it was
evident that they had sat side by side
while tho years rolled Oh. The first skull
taken ont WAS that Of female, we
judged. At last we found The remaining
skull. 1t was in remarkable state Of
preservation. The teeth wcro perfect,
aud the Uranium had not separated Mt the
sutures. The jaw had fallen of, but we
recovered it from its resting place deep
or in the earth. No ornaments wcrc
found. Charcoal was found over the
heads. A few Of the larger bones aloue
remained, but they were easily broken
and crumblGd beneath moderate pres.
sure. 1t has been shown that tho Gus
tom was to bury the personal ornaments
and war implements either with the
body or in separate mound near by.
Hoping to find traces Of pottery, etc,
We carefully investigated NIL hi!lOcks
near, but were unsuccessful.
We preserved the most perfect skulls.
From the plates in Testers work We are
able to decide that they arc not the
skulls OF Indians. The larger ono is
that of male, and from the size Of the
leg bones We conclude that he must have
been person Of large stature. \ pecu-
linrity OF the mound. builders is the IN
usual prominence Of the nasal bone.
These skulls show that this bone must
have been more than an inch in length,
standing straight ont from under the
brow, like the beak Of bird. Tho To-
cality III which We found this skull is
such Il ono MS Foster describes rs being
n f,Noritc place OF. burial with the race.
III fact, there arc many reasons for be-
lieving these to be the remains Of
mound builders, which our laak Of space
prevents lis from mentioning. There arc
few, il any, perfect skulls Of mound
builders in existence. Prior to the fire
Of Chicago some dozen or more were
held by scientists and in museums. BY
that fire several were destroyed. From
all that we can learn one of these in our
possession is the finest yet discovered,
aud il its genuincncss can be established
las nearly rs scientists are able toy it is u
valuable relic. II this article comes I'M.
der the eyes Of parties interested in such
matters who desire further information,
We will checrfully give it.
About three years ago farmers boy,
while blowing in field not far from the
eastern shore Of the bay, turned mp Il
stone Of mysterious shape and peculiar
appearance. The stone was about four
inches long, three inches wide, aud
three.Guartcrs OF M inch thick. The
boy took the stone home and washed tho
earth from it. The stone showed iudi.
catious of having been polished, and
upon one of the broad surfaces bore
characters Of MI unknown alphabet, evil
IDENTIFY. The boys father gave tho sim
gulnr relic to a gentleman in Traverse
City, who was disposed 10 regard the
matter rs m attempt to perpetrate a
practical joke at his expense. Recently
n gentleman wascalling on Judge Rams.
dell, who owns farm about six miles
from where the singular stone was
found. The Judge knew nothing Of the
matter referred to above. In the course
of conversation lie remarked that he hail
Just found n remarkable stone, which
seemed to DO inscribed with cabalistic
signs. The gentleman addressed natur-
ally manifested desire to see the stone,
and was astouishcd to find it almost II
counterpart Of the one III his possession.
1t was M unexpected and undrniable
confirmation of the authenticity Of the
tablet in his collection. The characters
resemble Greek letters somewhat, but
are, ns yet, n subject OF study among
several archnologists, who have been
consulted. They may, ultimately, throw
some degree of light upon the mysteri.
Gus subject Of the origin Of American