Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-03-28
THE ISLE OF SKULLS.


Ventura county, California, lies the
low, sandy island OF San Nicolas-an
island about ten miles long by four
miles in width, and an island with
history.
On this bleak and desolate island
no trees or shubbery of any kind are
TO be found, although evidence re-
mains that at one time the island
was well wooded. A species of ice
plant aud alfileria grow somewhat
luXuriantly on certain portions of
the island, and an enterprising Yam
kee pastures large flock of sheep
upon it, hut he cannot rightfully lay
claim to any part OF the island, as it
is included within the boundaries Of
Ventura county and is reserved by
the government for lighthouse pur-
poses.
The island at one time must have
supported a large Indian population,
Judging from the immense shell
heaps, some of which are miles in ex-
tent. 1t is estimated that at least n
schooner-load ofrelics, manufactured
by the Indians from stone, bone, and
shell, has been taken away by relic
hunters, 80 that now comparatively
few specimens OF their handiwork re-
main.
The workmanship of the imple-
ments and utensils found on San Mic
olas is much in advance of those
found on either of the four islands in
the Santa Barbara channel or the
mainland. The skulls found also in
dictate higher type OF beings. I'm
Elements made Of deer horns have
been found, which show that the ma
tives did not consider the eighty
mile eXpanse of sea water stretching
between them and the mainland too
far for them to traverse in their open
canoes.
Tradition says that about three
hundred and fifty years ago the ma
tives of Alaska would sometimes
come down and make raids on the
inhabitants of San Nicolas and kill
them for their otter-skin clothing.
1t is a plausible theory that these
Indians knew something OF the Alas
kans, MS many OF their weapons and
implements are identical with those
used by the natives of Alaska at the
present time.
Hundreds of skeletons are to be
found on the surface, some seeming
to have fallen as they lie, though no
evidence of their having died from
violence can be found. However,
it is very apparent that the natives
of this island lost their lives at the
hands of their enemies or through
famine or some scourge, for in the
year 1885 but sixteen Indians were
left of the thousands that at one
time inhabited it. The catholic pad
res, having won nearly all of the
coast Indians to their faith and feel
ing interested in the spiritual welfare
Of the handful remaining on San
Nicholas, in 1882 caused a vessel to
be sent over to remove them to the
mainland. 1t is said that the In
dams willingly consented toembark.
When all were on board and the YES
sci was bout to set sail one of the
Indian women asked permission to
go ashore to get her child, which in
her excitement she had forgotten.
Her request was granted, but before
she returned wind sprung up and
the vessel was compelled TO leave.
After two days OF rough weather she
arrived at Wilmington, Los Angeles
county, where the Indians were land
ed and taken in charge by the pad
res. The boat was chen ordered
north, but when off the cost ot Mon
terey county was wrecked. As at
that time there were but few vessels
of any kind on the coast, no effort
was made to rescue the unfortunate
woman ON San Nicolas, and she was
left to her fate. As the years went by
she was supposed to be dead, and in
time was entirely forgotten.
About the year 1850 and for some
time previous, Capt. John Nidever OF
Santa Barbara made his first voyage
to the island, and on landing with
his crew to make explorations was
surprised to find human footprints
in the sand. A basket woven from
grass was also found containing a
garment made OF bird feathers, and
q number of bone knives and other
implements. These were left as found.
A strong wind coming up forced the
captain to put to seq without inves-
tigating the matter further.
Capt. Nidever's next visit to the ISL
land was in 1853, about two years