Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-14
CURIOUS PREHISTORIC RELICS.
Idols, Images and Weapons of Defense of
Unknown Antiquity.

Idols, Images and Weapons of Defense of
Unknown Antiquity.
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATCH.1
PARKERsBURG, August l3.-Dr. ]. W.
Gandee, a dentist and NJ. D., of this city, who
blends with his other professions that of an
amateur arch@ologist. has recently made some
important discoveries Of relics of ancient tribes
of people who at one time must have lived in
| this neighborhood in large towns or villages
The doctors researches have been principally
made on tho historic island of Blennerhassert
just below this city. In his searches from time
to time he has unearthed bushels of relics,
among which are large numbers of arrow heads
of flint or quartz; spear heads Of many designs
and lengths, some of which are beautiful speci-
mems of primitive art; stone hatchets and pat
tie axes, few of which arc six or eight inches
In length, beautifully shaped and enc1rcieo
with grooves near the pole where the split Sec
tions of the helve were fastened to the weapon:
There are many beads in the lot, composed OF
diminutivs shells Of sPecies % Of moiiusk INC, not
posed of carved coal and stone. There are
number of pieces Of hematite iron with small
mortars OF stone. used doubtless by the abor1g-
ines as pigment for putting on their war
paint. There are also a number OF stone knives,
presumably used for the purpose of skinning
animals killed In the chase and for dressing
their hides.
Among the greatest curiosties and the most
valuable are the broken and complete utensils
such as pots, pans, etc. Some of the pieces
with their handles still intact, were made OF a
grayish clay, roughly finished with raised
figures Several of these pots were many
inches in diameter and If complete would have
held many gallons. One small vessel which
would hold perhaps half pint was found a
day or two since in a complete state OF preser-
vation. 1t is of a dark, bronze color, composed
of mussel shells and clay, perfect in model and
|. evidently the work of an artist of more than
ordinary skill. On the sides of this little vessel
are varied figures of Lizards running up and
down the sides. The figures are lifelike imita-
tions. The doctor believes this piece Of work
to have been done by people who we're far in
advance of the American Indian in intelligence
and knowledge. Other specimens of almost
complete pots and pans. marked with the
herring bone pattern, are about one-quarter of
an inch thick. They also are composed OF
mussel shells and clay.
The greatest curiosity of all, however. are
several stone figures or images. several of
which are six or eight inches In length. There
is carved on one of them good semblance Of
the face of an Indian; another is that of q
snake encircling the stone. and another is a
carved figure of bird which resembles a storz.
On one of these stone images or charms Is the
figure of skeleton, distinctly and plainly
picked out with some sharp instrument.
The doctor believes that the site where he
has found the greater number of the curiosi-
ties was at one time an old village which had
been the home of several distinct races Of
people.