The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-05-22
THE CARSON FOOTPRINTS.

THE CARSON FOOTPRINTS.
A gang of convicts quarrying sandstone
in the prison yard at Carson. New, were
the pioneers in a scientific discovery
fornia scientific circles caused by Pro-
lessor Whitney's celebrated pliocene
skull. The skull itself provoked small
breeze. but the later event proved a whirl-
wind which scattered the scientists far
and wide.
In the summer Of 1882 the State felons
| of Nevada unearthed prehistoric prom
enade. so to speak. which placed the wise
men on their mettle and gave California a
mighty boost in the scientific world.
While quarrying stone on the shores of
Lake Washoe the ~workmen uncapped
sandstone spur belonging to the miocene
tertiary period.
That is, it originally belonged to that
period. but the State of Nevada now
claims it and did at the time of the dis
covery. At the depth of forty feet the
men exposed a horizon of arenaceous
shale three acres in extent covered with
all manner of prehistoric footprints that
wandered aimessly about in prehistoric
mud.
Fer some time the convicts continued to
uncover tracks which the evolutions of
the earth's surface had concealed much
more effectively than their own bad been.
otherwise the prisoners would have been
then engaged at more remunerative
occupation. However. this has nothing to
do with science except indirectly. They
kept on blasting out feet and making
| jocose remarks regarding the same.
AT length information reached the Cali
fornia Academy OF Sciences, in San Fran
cisco, regarding the feet Ths learned
men at once decided to investigate as there
was possibility of securing corrobora-
ton Of the antiquity of the Caaveras
skull. So FL. W. Hardness and C. d.
Gibbs, scientists, posted off to examine the
footprints and connect them in some way
with the feet of prehistoric man.
The result of those investigations brought
on discussion which is sometimes revived
even at this day. but the Identity of the
creature who contributed the tracks in the
interest of science IS still uusolved.
Whether il was hiped, Quadruped or
bear. megatherojd. ichthyosaurus, hobo,
plesosaurus, man or ichneumous the
learned gentlemen of the academy were
unable to determine, but they advanced
conflicting theories and stuck TO them.
Messrs. Hardness and Gibbs found
confused tumble of tracks that were APP
parently made by beasts. birds and men of
gigantic size. There were unmistaka BILE
signs Uf elephants, horses, tigers. deer,
wolves. birds. dogs and men which clearly
indicated that prehistoric circus and
menagere under one canvas had camped
on the shores of Lake Washoe to water
the animals.
This theory is further sustained by four
small round holes forming square at one
side OF the plat where the lemonade stand
was undoubtedly erected for the afternoon
aud evening performances.
From under the superintendent rock
back of the stand eight footsteps 20x22
inches and with stride of four feet came
out and headed for the water. AS the
tracks looked as if they might have been
made with tubs the supposition is the ele-
plant was the author.
These tracks were accompanied by those
OF great wading bird, which had doubt
less been helping the mastodon with its
feed. They went together to the edge of
the lake, but got stuck in the mud, rs
sears on the rocks of to-day mutely testify.
About this time. taking the evidence at
hand. the elephants trainer crawled out
from under the tent and went to the
rescue. using short club with spike in
the end.
Twelve great footprints of the homo or
prehistoric man are still visible, showing
that he moved with rapid strides in a
northeasterly direction. AS his feet were
eighteen inches long it Will readily be
seen that he rapidly arrived at his destiua-
ZION. He wore sandals, according to his
tracks, which soon became lost in the mud.
a short distance away they reappear, to-
geiher with those of the elephant.
From this it is evident that the trainer
pulled the beast out of the mud, and then
getting him upon firm foundation pro-
ceeded to belabor the creature for the
trouble 1T had caused. There are traces
OF fearful struggle. in which the homo or
man got the best of it, for huge, cellar.
like depression in the earth shows where
the mastodon fell over on its side and ex
pired.
Alter the struggle The big crane waded
III and about the scene. probably looking
Tor things lost in the fight, ut the same
time taking great care to avoid stepping
into any of the tracks. At last it fell into
one, and startled by the shock it spread
out lis white wings and sailed far away
From this point set oil deep tracks, witt,
the toes turned strongly outward and fol-
lowed by broad trail. indicates that after
killing the elephant its trainer dragged it
back to camp.
There was one set or series of footprints
| That puzzled the scientists not little
Ihis was line of tracks Professionally
presumed to be those ofsa dog which ex-
hiblted remarkable popularity OF gait
One theory advanced was that the canine
had travelling companion in the shape OF
a prehistoric tin-can. which NAV account
| Tor any idiosyncraeies displayed in getting