Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1890-04-12
THE ISLE OF SKULLS.

| About eighty miles off the coast of
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 u
history.
On this bleak and desonte 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 II large flock OF sheep
upon it, but he cannot rightfulIy lay
claim to any part OF the island, rs il
is included within the boundaries OF
Ventura county and is reserved by
the government tor lighthouse pur-
poses.
The island Mt one time must have
supported large Indian population,
| Judging from the immense shell
heaps, some OF which are miles in ex.
tent. 1t is estimated that mt least a
schooner-load ofrelics, manufactured
by the Indians from stone, bone, and
shell, has been taken away by relic
hunters, so that now comparatively
few specimens OF their handiwork re-
/ main.
The workmanship Of the imlde.
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 a higher type OF beings. I'm
| plements made OF deer horns have
been found, which show that the ma.
tiyes did not consider the eighty.
mile eXpansa 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 XIII
them for their otter-skin clothing.
IL is plausible theory that these
Indians knew something OF the Aims.
kans, as many OF their weapons and
implements are identical with those
used by the natives of Aiaska at the
present time.
Hundreds OF skeletons are to be
found on the surince, 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 Mt the
hands OF their enemies or throuvh
'amine or some scourge, for in the
year 1885 but sixteen Indians were
left OF the thousands that Mt one
time inhabited it. The catholic pad. !
res, having won nearly all of tho /
coast Indians to their faith and feel. /
ing interested 10 the spiritual welfare
OF the handful remaining on SIM
Nicholas, in 1882 caused n yessel In /
be sent over to remove them to tho /
mainland. 1t is said that the In.
dihns willingly consented toembark. |
When all were on board and the yes. /
gel was about to set sail one Of the
lndian women asked permission to .
go ashore to get her child, which in
her excitement she had fnrpotten
Her request was granted, but before /
she returned a 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 1
ed and taken in charge by the pad
res. The boat was chen ordered 1
north, but when off the cost of Mon. |
terey county was wrecked. Aa M |
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 WINS
left to berfate. As the years went Inv
she was supposed to be dead, and In
time was entirely forgotten.
About the year 1850 and for some
time previous, Capt. John Nideyer nj
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 n
garment made OF bird feathers and
. number Of bone knives and other
implements. These were leftas found
A strong wind coming up forced the
captain to put to sea without inyea-
tigating the matter further
Capt. Nidever's next visit to theisl.
land was in 1853, about two years