Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-04-12

feet IN helght, TILED with stalactltes
stalagmtes, and the curious formations
that have rendered SO attractive the
great cave of Edmonson county.
In the centre of this room there
loomed up out of the darkness an inn
mense square, moss s-covered buncn of
loose stones, Carefully laid one upon
the other, after the fashion Of the rock
fences common in this section of coun-
try There could be no doubt that
this monument or cairn was the result
of human labor, expended probably
thousands of years ago. The top of
this sarcophagus, for such it proved to
be; was covered by slabs of thin rock,
evidently transported from the surface.
They were carefully removed, disclos-
ing a square vault that had been plas-
tered ith mud mixed with small
pieces of straw or twigs of trees or
bushes In the centre of the vault, in
a sitting posture, was found the skele-
ton OF human figure, entire, and per-
fectIy preserved by the dry atmosphere
of the cave. As there was no appear
ance of flesh upon the bones. it is pro
bable the body had been prepared in
the open air, denuded of the flesh, and
aiterward renewed to the cave for bur
lal. The bones were taken carefully
out of the vault laid upon the floor
and by the rough measurement the
young men were able to make, found
to be those of a man over eight fee
six inches in height. The skull meas
ured nearly twelve inches in the shoft
est diameter, and had on the left side
an ndentation, evidently made by .
severe blow
!. In the vault at the side of the skele
ton was found all implement of copper
four feet three inches in length, tha
weighs four pounds, and appears tt
have been intended for weapon o
defence. 1t is roughly made, and wa
probably fashioned from the nativ,
copper Of the lake regions. Th'
sword is slightly bent, tapers to point
and has somewhat tie appearance of
saw upon it's cutting edge. A rude
effort at decoration is made upon tn,
handle by irregular lines running en-
tirely around it.
In close proximity to this interest
ing relic was found what was at frs
taken to be rude bowl of the sam,
metal, but it has since been decide,
that it is helmet or head covering
A stone ak of elegant workmanship
seven flint arrow points, stone pip
carved to represent a frog, piece o
buckskin four inches square and stain
ed red, pair of sandals woven iron
vegetable fibre, and a water vessel 0
sun-baked clay were also found.
The latter is now in my own posses
SION, and is very beautiful specimen
1t appears to be made from clay TEN
pered with skill, and is very similar il
design to the pottery occasionally foun,
in Tennessee, Arkansas, and some 0
the other Southern States, and know
among antiquarians as the "Moun,
Builders water cooler" The speci
men in my possession weighs op
pound and ten ounces, and holds ex
actly two and half piDts.,
Most of the specimens describe,
above were brought cut of the cave b
the young men on their return to day
light and removed to the hotel at Au
gusta, where they continue to atrrac
crowds Of the curiously inclined. The,
will ultimately be sent to one of til
scientific institutions of the country
probably 10 tt , Smithsonian.
The country in the neighborhood Q
this wonderful cavern is full of excite
ment, hundreds of beople focking t
the place, though few venture beyon
the entrance. The owner of this land
Mr.. Veach, is very jubilant, and ha
declined, I am told, large offers for th
place. A further exploration will b
made shortly under scientific auspices
when more complete account Of th
discovery will be given.