Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-07-21
WONDERFUL RELICS.

WONDERFUL RELICS.
Mexico-OId Miners Knew Something
After All.
A letter to the Bakersfield (Cal. Echo
says: I'm many parts along this coast
and In Mexico can still be seen relics and
remarkable evidence of some of the most
skillful arts practiced by the so-called
ignorant savages' that once inhabited
this land, which, by forcibly dispossess-
ing them, we now inhabit, unless, per-
haps, some more civilized race possessed
this country prior to its discovery by
Christopher Columbus, whose tribe has
long since been exterminated and whose
record is lost. One of the most wonder
full of these relics is the indication of a
solid pavement road in Arizona, made
of granite blocks or slabs about ten feet
long, hewn square, conveyed and placed
side by side by some means unknown to
the spectator. This pavement or road
was undoubtedly built thousands of
years ago, as those block and indications
can be traced for miles along the noun
tain sides, through which deep canyons
have washed their way. Some of these
slabs are said to weigh nearly two tons,
and there being no granite Lodges nearer
than several miles from where they are
now situated indicates that they must
have had some powerful mode of con-
veyance, as well as powerful machinery to
shape and locate them.
To these ancient people also was
known process of tempering brass so
it could be converted into tools equal to
the best of steel Numerous specimens
of this tempered brass have been found
where the City of Mexico now stands, as
well as on the Pacific slope, and while
the chemist has do difficulty in removing
the temper, yet he can not return it.
For the rediscovery of this tempering
process scientists and chemists have
labored, and the United States Govern
ment has offered premium in vain.
Nor can they even by having tempered
metal before them gain the least light
on the subject.
Bringing the discourse little nearer
home, on the edge of the Carisa plains,
but short distance from the stock
ranch of c. r. Brumley, can be seen
what is known as the Painted Rock"
This rock is in horseshoe shape about
eighty feet high and one thousand feet
in circumference. The inside being
followed out gives it the appearance of
a natural fort, which has frequently been
used by stockmen as steep corral, and
is capable of holding comfortably three
thousand head of sheep. The inside
walls on the south are very abrupt and
overhanging, and are covered with many
ancient paintings, roughly resembling
sketches of men, dogs, snakes, lizards,
tOrtoises, and various characters, the
significance of which was perhaps even
unknown to the painter So we are in
clined to think that each character is
record of some historical event, and
that, if we but understood them, they
would be very interesting to us. The
paints used are of three distinct colors,
red, white, and black. And although
we know nothing of their mode of man
ufacture or materials used, we can say
this much, that they have a power of
durability and of retaining their color
unsurpassed by modern productions.
In the Western part of this county, at
the outlet of the Antelope valley on the
Tulare plains, is what is called the
"Point of Rocks" On top of the most
prominent of these rocks is q large,
beautiful water-tank about seven feet
deep and twenty feet long by twelve
feet wide. It's capacity is between four
and five thousand gallons of water, and
although evidently it has been formed
by nature, still, Judging by its location
being such as to catch all the rainwater
that falls to the surface, one can be led
to believe it was human art and design
The height of the rock is about one
hundred feet, and its walls are quite
steep, but by the aid of steps chiseled
into it, is no difficult task to ascend and
return with a pail of water From on
top of the rock one has magnificent
view of the surrounding country for
miles and miles. There being no other
water for long distance makes it very
convenient resort for stockmen and trav-
lers. On adjoining rocks can be found
q great many similar tanks; also two
small ancient paintings. Scores of NOR
tars and pestles are found in various
places. Some are made very roughly,
and others are shaped out of a fine
quality of stone with elegant taste.
Marvellous skill is displayed in the art
Of making arrow-heads and knives of the
hardest flint. How they can give Ge-
sired shape to so brittle substance by
chipping off bits is easier to think about
than to accomplish.
Saved by Flower.