Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-05-21

INDIAN PICTURE MAKING ON THE ROCKS, AN
OTHER ABORIGINAL MATTERS DISCrSSEn.

~A-ANA~'~ AAAAs
OTHER ABORIGINAL MATTERS DISCUSSED.
The Anthropological society met last night
at the Smithsonian Institution, Major J. W.
secretary. Several specimens OF Indian an
tquities were presented by DR.. G. A. White, as
iowa; three poished ceits from OHIO: one frag
ment of perforated celt and about dozen
arrow heads from the same state. DR.. Miles
Rock read an interesting paper on
PHOTOGRAPHS IN COOKS CANON, NEW MEXICO.
In his travels In New Mexico he had exam
med many pot holes in the rocks. to which his
attention had been called by the natives at
Cooks Canon, near Cooks Peak, and about 60
miles west of the Rio Grande river They ap-
pear to have been used by The Indians for
grinding or nascerating their corn and other
hard food substances and such use must have
covered many years. He also found them
about half way UP the hill In sand stone blocks.
Some OF these blocks OF sand stone had long
graphs, many OF them In q state Of oblitera-
ton, so far as being recognizable as to their
character or design. A few were quite distinct
which, it is probable, were the last chiSeiled
while others were nearly effaced by time. He
bad taken drawings OF some OF them which he
ese sonas se be had a obq
they might have been made by the mission
aries, as the character which preponderated
was that OF
made In different ways. Conspicuous among
these was simple cross, fenced in by line al
around it, which he thought had been done by
by the natives. Another was a human face
others jack-rabbit, Spanish bayonet, track
marks, serpents and number Of nondescript
characters made in curved and angular lines
and the designs Of which be could not answer
for On the rocks In which the pot-holeS are
found, these photographs In size compared with
rocks on which they are found, cover from one
fourth to one.third Of the surface He al-o
found numerous pieces of pottery on which
similar marks appeared. Many OF these marks
were repeated over and over again, sometimes
varying in size, but characteristics otherw Use
still preserved. What Information, or events
the writer's OF these sandstone libraries intend-
ed to perpetuate and transmit to Succeeding
generations was left to conjecture.
DIR. TONER DISsENTS.
DIR. Toner spoke on the subject, and expressed
doubts as to the probability OF the crosses hav-
they were intended to bear any relation to
christianity. They were quite frequently met
with In other parts of the country where the
Catholic religion had not been taught tue
abOrigne5.
COL. POWELL ON INDIAN PICTURE MAKING.
Col. Powell remarked that the Indians OF
North America were given to picture making,
especially In the western country. Many OF
these figures are met with throughout the west,
and many OF them are repetitfons. Tho cross Is
about as common as any OF them. 1t is Without
doubt Intended TO represent the four winds, or
the directions OF the winds or the gods OF the
four winds. He here drew on the black board q
very common Photograph to be met with In the
western country, representing thunder storm
showing the Indian idea OF illustrating clouds,
falling rain and electricity with harmless light
ming ana dangerous lightning.
Discussion followed upon the subject OF
TIE FAMOUS DIGHTON ROCK,
found at the town OF DightOn, on the Taunton
Photographic rock was found many years ago
and Is still In the town OF Taunton Mass.
DR.. Elmer R.ReynOldS gave very interesting
account Of his having discovered the source OF
1t is On the land OF Rev. Mr.. Lowry, In the
southeastern portion OF the District. He found
Ia u,
it had been quarried, and he had made such In
yestigations as led him to believe that there is
mine OF 1t In that vicinity, which the Indians
and yellow m on ro
1t, both very brilliant. He exhibited samples of
both. 1t appears to be rather hard pigment,
but easily pulveriZed by friction or otherwise.
Prof. o. T. Mason read a very Interesting
paper prepared by Prof. Victor Harvard on the
FRENCH HALF BREEDS
OF the northwest-after which a lengthy dis
cussion followed upon the large numbers found
In the western states; their peculiaritieS as to
social relations, intelligence, education, modes
Of living and all matters connected with their
habits, &C. DR.. Mallory said the United States
census was very deficient In relation to this
population. 1t was much more numerous In
many OF the states than appears from the
census records. The general Developments re-
sulting from the mixing OF the white and red
oloods in this country were discussed. DR.. Jas.
3. Morgan spoke OF the half breeds and their
dian tribes, which formerly peopled that state
and Virginia. He knew many OF these people
on both sides OF the Potomac river, and they re-
tain the characteristics OF the Indian to re-
narkabe degree In many instances, some OF
which he narrated from his own personal
knowledge and experience.
MARINI's Twentieth annual Floral May Fe ti-
val and Ball last night was one OF the lar sest
and most attractive Of the brilliant series ven
oy this accomplished teacher OF the graceful
art. The decorations OF the hall were very
handsome, and the effect upon the grand entree'
OnQQpn mfr
charmingly dressed, was exceedingly fine. The
following programme was carried out with an
entree at ats. oclocE MISS Mary Justine wilson,
queen OF May; Misses Bena Ayres and Hester
Davis, fist maids of honor; Misses Blanche Pal
Little Miss Flora COOK Gown bearer Misses
Julie Thompson and Nellie NJ Alister, sceptre
bearers; Miss Mary Callan, Miss Lille Stott,
Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter; Harry E. A.
Jefferson, Lord chamberlain; owen Thompson,
herald. Coronation OF the queen, attended by
flowers, by first maids OF honor, Lord Chamber
lain, Seasons and Queen OF May. queens
march and centennial lancters, by Queen of
May, maids Of honor, seasons and eight mas
tiers.
Miss J: Wilson, Rnbourine, Miss Helen Ander-
son; Highland Inng, Misses E. Davis and N.
Rives; Village Hornpipe, Miss Hattie Burdette;
Baden Baden, Master C. Thorn and Miss N. Glib
son; sylp 1 Miss Annie Thompson; strath-
ME Riley; Irish Liltn Misses NJ. Ktmball and
Rives; Sailors Hornpipe, Master w. Anderson;
Zlngarela, Master o. Thompson and Miss H.
Burdette; L'Ariel, Miss May Clagett; La Baya-
| dere, Miss Minnie Riley; Irish Washerwom IN,
Miss A. Thompson: La Manola, Miss Carrie Nc
Cailum; Skipping-rope, Miss Helen Anderson:
| Chinese, Masters Anderson, Wedderburn, Thorn,
| and Jefferson; Medley, Miss Lula Dom; May
| pole Dance by "a masters and misses; Minuet
| Quadrille gin costume), Alex. Merchant, Harry
Leonard, Harry E. A. Jefferson, Andrew Miller,
| Jessie Joyce, Teresa Sttnchcomb, Susie Key
| worth and Mary E. Wilson; March. Quadriile
| and Lanciers, by the entire class; Waltz, ditto;
| Polka, ditto After which the floor was cleared
| for adults, and the enjoyments OF the nj .ht
! were kept up to a late hour.
THE FIFTY PER CENT.-TO the Editor Of tie
| Ere1i7lg Star:-The water bill as printed In
| yesterdays STAR. shows II tn he even more Oh
| Iecttonable than 1t appeared after reading OF
| the manuscript before the committee. The act
| OF June II. ISIS, section s, says that water
mains and service pipes shall be put down by
| The commissioners, and that eaUnited States
Will pay one-half OF the cost; and also, section
| :, That one half or all approved estimates shall
DE paid by the United States, and the other
| hall by assessments upon the taxable property
ana privileges (lfcenses) other than property OF
the United States. All special taxes are ab0l-
| lshed under this language OF the act, water
rents AS well as all other forms OF special tax
Water should be free as well as schools and
q IN Cfrinf frp