Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1884-08-05

interest ID the matter to scientifically |
investigate the contents of the cave.
ARUHUR LINN.
Stanton, D. T., July 81, l8s4-Frieud
Linn: have news of the greatest im-
portance to convey to you, which you
are at liberty to use as you see fit. On
Saturday morning, the Goth. l, in COM
pany with Ned Hagar and M. B. Doyle
of Mandan, Thomas Williams and Fred
| Wilson of Freeport, ILL.,, started up the
Knife river valley on prospecting tour
halted for refreshments at place known
as the Indian crossing of the Knife.
and said to have been the famous
battle ground and dividing line between
the Sioux and Rec confederates. Evi-
dence OF many bloody encounter
between the hostile Indians were still
visible. Arrow heads, spear heads, war
clubs, knives, some of when were fairly
preserved, were found scattered here
and there. These and other evidences
of this being historic ground led to
general hunt for relics. After dinner
Ned Hagar and myself started up the
river to hunt for relics and examine q
high bluff about mile above the cross.
ing. We found nothing of importance
until we arrived at tie bluff, which is
thickly covered with brush, with few
cedars holding on to doubtful lease of
life in the storm beaten crevices. Hagar
was prowling along the foot of the bluff,
closely scanning every opening for evil
dence of coal, when he discovered huge
opening by accident, as the mouth of the
cave was naturally concealed with brush
= a nd tnA 7
t Mr.. Hagars description Of the inside of
the cave as first revealed to him with
! horror, aud, to tell the truth, he was
r frightened when he rushed out and
shouted. 'McGrath, have found hell"
| | was at his side in q moment. His face
, was white unto snow, and his eyes show
/ ed the proof of having seen some un.
) earthly vision.
"McGratb,' said he, "there is grave.
, yard inside. lit match to look around
l after getting inside, when to my horror
e l saw skulls, bones and then skeleton,
E apparently looking at me. l dropped
, the match and made jump for day.
/ light"
II was in favor of q further exam,ua.
= ton at once, but MIR. Hagar said
t mot by mill site,' and commenced
|, shouting for the other boys, who Joined
g US in few minutes. The startling
o nature OF the discovery was explained
p when 1t was resolved to go inside in force
e fully armed, and explore the hole by
d aid of fires. Captain Doyle, being al
IS old soldier, aud not being afraid of deatl
e or the devil took the lead with q double
e barreled shot gun, while the balance fol
Vt owed with dry wood and a newspaper
d burning brightly. Mr.. Hagar brough
n, !, :
d ready to fight or retreat. In few
= minutes bright fire was burning, wher
1t objects became visible. No wonder Mr.
' Hagar retreated in haste. Doyle's gu1
s. was shaking III his hand, while his fac,
J. showed q determination to stand hi
it ground if his legs were weak. To tel
e the truth there were none in the part,
who felt like laughing. The skeleton
20 that SO alarmed MIR. Hagar was a hid
1t eous looking god or idol, made of Woo
S. and evidently carved out of cedar. On
rs arm was extended upward, apparent,
,e appealing to the sun; the other was ex
s. tended across the breast, holding larg
,e wooden knife. The eye holes are tillet
st with peculiar stones that sparkled in th
1t light. This heather, Indian or pre-
70 historic idol or god is unknown to Indial
IS history in North America. 1t much re
r, sembles Hindoo or Chinese idols, such a
" we find in illustrated histories of thes
is countries. We found four skeletons tha
re had evidently been encased or covere,
,e in manner similar to Egytian mum
or mics. We found nothing with the bone
Ii to indicate nationality, although it i
st evident that the mode of burial is not Q
le the American Indian. Two we'll pre-
,e served spear heads, evidently of copper
se were found. resembling those of ancien
is Rome. A sort of dirk or small cutlas
" was found among quantity of decaye,
e matter. An inner cave was full Q
per, stone mills for grinding, such a
were used in ancient Egypt and parts O
Asia. Fine specimens of pottery wer
re also found. Two chambers led out q
10 the second cave. which were SO utterl
in black and dark that our best effort
- failed to explore them. 1t is my candi
opinion that thorough examination Q
10 this ancient receptacle, cave or whateve
ic it may be, will unearth abundant evi
or dence OF prehistoric race of peopI
: that have no connection with the Mort
:. " American Indian. It ls believed tina
~ ~ the Rees, Gros Ventres and Nlandan In
~ dians had their origin on this contipen
20 from Norwegian and Welsh explorer
- who first discovered Labrador in th
Il year 1902. under charge of Lief, son q
II Eric the Red, of Iceland. Ancient re
- cords sustain this theory. We brough
s ss what relics with us to Stanton that "
n could carry and have them carefull
stored away. The mouth of the cav
- was carefully concealed, and as soon a
=, ~ We can get some gentleman who is verse
y on the subject of ancient relics, We shal
\, return fo the cave fully prepared to es
De p.as, :. ~. aa...1., os. Va '".u ~
80 Hagar is of the opinion that specimen
= of copper work already found ante-dat
=. ~ the Christian Era. At first We all d,
w termined not to dlvulge the secret of th
'e cave until thorough exploration ha
been made, but further conference d,