Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-02-12
QUEER INDIAN RELICS
SOME OF THEM FOUND DOWN
IN GEORGIA.
Evidences also Found OF Race that Aoted.., b.,
the Iadlsa ulaself-Qaser Utensils.
Arns and Other Thinss-They
Played Ganes-Pipes.

A county In Georgia without a low
er's leap from whose eminence some
Indian maiden had sprang into the
arms OF death with her brave sweet.
heart belonging to rival tribe, would
BE- considered fit county into which
a missionary should be sent This 70.
nance may be repeated for Nacboo-
chez, with the addition that the he.,
inc, in stead Of being dashed to pieca,.
was buried with honor in the vallv
below. and the exact spot is show TO
travellers.
This region was certainly the favor
ed resort OLA very advanced tribe of
Indians, and Nacoochee valley was
their home and burial ground. as is
evidenced by the many curious az,
well-carved relics found there. Can.
Nichols. whose home is in the centre
of the valley, has largo cabinet of
them, all found around his house,
which is. perhaps, the finest collection
in Georgia. except the one in possess
sion OF Col. Charles c. Jones of
Augusta. Some OF them were found
by the miners on Dukes Creek, while
others were taken from Indian graves
that surround the mound in front OF
Capt Nicholas house. This aboriei.
nal cemetery was accidentally discov-
cred by Capt Nichols, and every
grave he opens adds to his store Of
relics 1t seems that the ground
around the mound was covered with
rock piles and Capt. Nichols set to
work to remove them. Beneath each
| pile were found human bones, mixed
with arrow heads, beads, battleaxes
pipes and other indestructible articles
of sport. domestic use. and war. But
the most interesting relics taken from
these graves were conch shells, evil
IDENTIFY brought from the seashore, and
q tomahawk beaten from pure copper
in its natural state. though the nearest
point on the continent where such
copper is found is Lake Superior.
Capt. Nichols argues that these In.
dians had communication and COM
mercial relations with the tribes in
habiting both the northern and south
ern borders.
Among the relics found in this val
ley was q bullet made OF lead in a
rough state. There is a tradition that
the Indians here mined their own lead
but the place where they procured ii
has never been found, even if it ex-
lists. The only mineral discovered in
the valley is gold. and the richest
mines in the South are here. On
Dukes creek was found small death
head formed OF hard black stone,
with one eye made OF an opal, beauti-
fully worked, and the little trinket
shows considerable artistic skill. This
relic. together with others of a similar
character, must have been imported
|. BY some one from Mexico.
Capt. Nichols explained the use OF
numerous Indian relics. throwing a
food Of light on the subject. For in
stance. those round and saucer-shaped
stones OF various sizes were used TO
play game similar to quoits. at
which the Indians gambled. Instead
} OF pitching the stones they rolled them
, at pegs The wedge-shaped stones
! were employed to dress hides, while
the small ones were used to work
sinews with. Their tomahawks were
OF a separate shape. and their axes
$ instead of having the handle pass
: through them. were enclosed in
split stick, securely fastened will
thongs There was n separate make
. OF tomahawk, used by the chiefs ant
e worn at the bolt for display, that wa'
a sharpened at both sides. and hole
8 partially drilled in the center. This
= was valuable discovery, as it showed
}. how the Indians worked this hare
n stone with only the rudest imple
ments.
!. There are several very fine speci
mons OF pipes. including piece OF
, pipe OF peace. One pipe excavatet
on Dukes Creek. Is u very valuable
relic, and the United States govern
a ment had q cast made OF it, as Capt
Nichols would not part with his trea
r. sure. II is carved out Of rock. ant
the bowl 10 made to represent tnt
mouth Of whip poor-will. the bea'
v OF an eagle projecting over it. Ine
II ears Of fox and other figures are sl'0
4 chiselled on It. It Is a. fine carving
- ono would wish to see.
There arc . number OF graves aroun
the mound not yet opened. zap
Nichols Gays the mound In front
u his house. which no has planted VIII
flowers and ornamsuted with sun
mer-house. u just ~ he found 1t VINO
no bought the place. 1ts surface
N nat, and from it, summit fine v'e'
N Of tho upper portion of tho valley On