Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-12-06
THE OLDEST RELIC.",.
Works of Man in the Stone Age Discov-
ed in Massachusetts,.
The Working Place for an Ancient People
Through Many Generations-For Thou
sands of Years Hidden in the Rocks-A Re-
markable Find, Surely.

sands Of Years Hidden in the Rocks-A Re-
markable Find, Surely.
Marblehead rock. with its black and
white beacon, constructed partly of
stone and partly OF wood, is as familiar
TO yatchmen and nortn-shore naviga-
tors as any object along the coast, says
the Boston Herald. 1t bears south
east by east half south from Marble
head lighthouse, and is distant one :
fourth OF mile. There is Gle ar
middle passage with five fathoms OF
water between ii and the point of Mar
blehead great neck, sometimes called
Nanepashemet This precipitous mass
of rock, rising above the ever-restless
water surrounding it, and containing,
including the western half, about four
acres of surface, is uuquestionably of
volcanic origin, If not the three chin
neyed crater Of an active volcano in
past cons. Nitriiied rock, volcano
ashes, both hardened and unhardened,
with traces of lava flow and the mix
ing OF component parts into remark
able conglomerate, show abundant
traces of intense fiery action. Near
the summit are three deep depressions,
which, If not craters, must have been
formed when the entire mass of rock
was in very soft or molten conditions
the northeasterly one Of these is now
the bed OF pond, about 20 feet in di-
hmeter, A. feet deep, with an overflow
through seam.
The second depression is larger and
deeper than the others, supporting a
swampy growth of bushes above its
thick mud. The crater nearest the
summit is from TO II feet above the
others, 80 feet in circumference, and
somewhat sheltered from the easterly
gales by the rocky crown on which
stands the beacon. This crater is fill
ed with comparatively dry earth,
whose surface is level and covered with
sod OF golden rod ivy, woodbine, and
other plant roots, with the undecaylng
heart of red cedar roots, which must
have flourished there very long time
ago.
During the early days OF autumn
Capt 5. ii. Carter, a summer resident
at the meek, discovered here many
evidences of prehistoric occupation.
and the removal of the entire sod and
earth TO a depth OF two feet disclosed
the sight of work shop, where human
industry had prospered at the hands
Of the people of the stone age. Their
rude implements fashioned for war o.
chase, after rest Of untold centuries,
were again brought TO the light OF day.
The earth stained and corroded con-
dition OF many Of the articles proved
conclusively that this had been a work
ing-place for the ancient people
through long generations. Deepest in
the earth were numerous large and
veryrude spear-heads, which had be-
come soft and chalkly on their exterior
surface through age, while some, which
were accidentally broken by blows from
the pick-ax showed the interior wall of
the sparkling feldsite crystals and as
hard and finty as ever. Here were
found great stores OF unused hammered
stones, which had been selected and
placed in heaps containing twenty or
more, but not used, and other stores
scattered through the great mass of
clippings, whose well-battered ends
showed the marks OF the innumerable
blows they had delt the hard fieldsite
quartz and sienile in the making of
arrow and spear heads therefrom.
This now rocky island must have
been a bold headland during the days
Of prehistoric occupation, and from its
commanding outlook the dwellers there
could watch both land and sea for en-
emies or game, and for these they were
ever preparing spear and arrow. 1t is
hardly probable that they would have
carried in their frail canoes such guam
titles Of material and climb the precipi-
tous sides of this rock TO establish a
stone-chipping shop on its airy height,
How many thousands ofyears have pass
ed since they were there no man KIN ow-
eth or ever will now. but undoubtedly it
was long time before the hungry, in
vading ocean had eaten enough of the
land TO make an island Of Marblehead
rock.
1t is said to be the captains intention
TO give the lot to the Peabody academy
OF science in Salem, if he has not al
ready done so. 1t is said by those who
have seen the articles TO be the most
remarkable find of very old stone inn
plements ever made in the county OF
Essex.
-------
CRANES.
/ NnLAra THAI \ iuo ~, tha ~