Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-09-06
AN INDIAN IDOL.
Remarkable Discovery of What
is SUPPOSED 10 be a Relic
of the Mound Builders.
EedI lia MOI Special to the St. Louis Globe
Democrat.

sedIlia MOI Special to the st. Louis Globe
Democrat.
This morning a number of we'll
read and well educated professional
men Of the city, the reporter of the
Globe Democrat and representatives
OF the local press we're given a private
view at the Office of james M. Byler
Of what is now believed to be an arch
geological relic of rare beauty and
great value and antiquity. 1t was
recently taken from Horse creek, in
Cedar county, Mo, the home of the
last mound builders. Among those
who we're present were Mr.. II. l.
Blair, the owner and discoverer Of
the finest lot Of mastodOn bones now
in the United States, one who has
devoted all his leisure to the style Of
literature that would make his opin-
ion Of value 10 this matter. This
archaeological relic is of rare beauty
and most skillful workmanship, and is
believed to be an Indian idol of the
period of the last mound builders,
which was an ancient period, even
when America was discovered. Only
the learned can decide whether it is a
relic Of immense valne or a second
edition Of the Cardiff giant.
The subject is ofsuch Importance as
to warrant giving the description and
circumstances of the fnding Of the
object the widest publicity. This
Indian or Aztec idol, as it is believed
TO be weighs sixty-four pounds. In
geaeral outline, or figure, it resembles
a huge lizard or chameleon. II is
carved out Of a slate or lead colored
stone or composition OF moderate
hardness, is as smooth as glass, and
shows that it is the work Of a person
Of fine Imagination, intelligence and
skill, whether he lived a thousand
years ago or is living to-day.
On a closer examination the idol is
found TO be made up Of parts Of a
dozen creatures-amphibia, carniyors,
insects, reptiles and fowls. The tor
Of the head has the semblance offs Eat
bone plate, and is shaped like that Of
an eagle, with a long, sharp beak.
Near the middle Of the back is horn.
like that Of q rhinoceros, and Of a light
yellow color. The under part Of the
head is shaped like that Of a turtle or
frog, and is Of light yellow. The eye
is ike that OF an eagle. II has four
legs, two In front and two behind.
The legs are shaped exactly like
THOSE OF AN ELEPHANT,
have four yellow toes on each foot and
the bottom Of the feet have the
spongy appearance peculiar 10 those
Of an elephant. Between each pair of
legs on the abdomen isthe REPRESENTA-
ton Of the plate Of bone like that on
a turtle. On the back are two shields,
or Wing.coyered like those on the back
Of a common beetle. Behind the legs
and about the middle Of the tail, is a
Ga, divided into four fingers or flaps.
From the point where the wings
Terminate 10 the end Of the tail eT-
tends a row Of diamond.shape yellow
spots.
The idol is 10 a perfect state Of
preservation, and Of q distance Of a
Few steps looks as II it we're alive. 1t
was found 10 the bed Of Horse creek,
In Cedar county, Missouri. by a farmer
named j. A. Riggs. who resides at
Areola, In Dade county. Riggs had
! occasion 10 20 into the stream and
struck his foot against II. The facts
concerning It's discovery arc we'll
authenticated, and IL was found in a
region where other relics Of the last
mound builders have been found, 1t