The sun., 1893-04-02
DxsonArE' ST. ytconAs.
A Strangely I.teresting Island Oa the Coast
or California.

Barbara and San Buenayentura nre objects Of
curiosity and mystery to all but q few lovers
OF adventure and archaeological research
These islands constitute CalifornIas only
Archipelago. except the six rocky islcts OF the
Farallones Notwithstanding this and the
unique attractions OF the southern group. they
aro to-day moro solitary and unfreuucnted
than In the centuries preceding tho settle-
ment OF this coast by tho Amerlcans. Each
island has Its own Wild traditions But all
these thrilling stories must sink into insigniH.
cance before tho marvellous history OF San
Nicolas. one OF the smallest Of .he group and
tho furthest from tho mainland.
1t was on this slip OF sandstone that woman
lived alone for eighteen years, aud was at last
her to his home in santa barbara. whsre .he
died year lutor This female Crusoe wns'the
sst 81 sa no rHS9 Tho once thus
Raratively white and OF rnddy ccuplexion,"
The native men wero finally sxtorninated BY
alone on the Ghalashat or sea Otter Island. M
San Nicolas was then called When, those
mission padres ono OF til slr mum her was unin-
tentionaily left 6ohind. For, tho half OF u cen-
oSnn 81 san has yscn H.a
ad wSsSs asS, ase e
San Nicolas is eighty miles south OF San
Buenayentura. Its Topography shows n nearly
feet: The length OF the island is seven and Ya a
h halt miles and Il average width tour mites
drifting sand. and the remainJ r grows a
species OF nutritious grass and moss on which
sprns have ssS sssnn Su, te Ws
i i slightly Y! Srackisl,. oi late years the island
schooncrs. fishing smack-. nr Chinese junks.
J., The only safe landing ground at San Nirolas
two sandstone arms thrust out from the mp in
barrier Of the shore. The entrance is hut six
PLACID as lake and | sufficiently @ MI , deep to foat
vessel OF twen,y tons burden; On the bleak.
sesans sPD With saG ws s
heavy. pointed wings and vanished ."ver tho
carnage brooiing eyes, There were, multi
lying rocks. evidenty intent upon tho W frniic-
some fish in tho shoals. Further up the slope
Ing shed, and weather. worn sEanty belong.
ing t. Chinese shell Eathercrs who haunt
pearance Of the island can well be imagined.
hs far as the eye can trace there are barren
showinG where eprimitive'dweIlingso oncc st ,od.
Nota vcstiCe remains OF the materials used
dreds of she'll mounds are scattered about.
and upon Investigation nre found to consist ot
edss Be ouna s tGs tie
Ta4sa: Tss .%uns ats ird wissa ffaa
these animals were used Tor food by
The tribe tha, once shronSsd these
terrier, judging from the Immense. 9uantities
have been a time when the island supporte,la =
1ISSTan al this ySFne
bushes. and now and then a cactus forlorniy
reaching It's Grotesnue arms out OF the inter-
sTesps nf 81 snnd s"ms q, III. lila.
closed ed; oil sorts & Of curious utensils. stone
nedde ps Gaf and she eas
charm stones. pines. cups. and u, few arrow.
heads. spear points. and swords mnde Of
the peaceful attributes Of the Islanders:
Small limitations Of boats and ilsh carved
betrayed q, rudimentary knowledge Of the
art OF sculpture. In many places conica!
ei sRa tho White ''essd sand IN ssms
il sSsiSss shsifs nss tsass
tine WIND a9d sand. Nature: oyer unmind;
into the uniyersal fate OF an entire race. In
1uent Of the labor. oppression. anu extinc-
tlon Of this almost pnheard-oi reople.
extent Of shell mounds sets cts s' one to w"uderins
how 1t was possible for. u limited populr tion to
sac roGgGss nr%Se1s a Of
on San Nicolas is said not to be exceeded ~
any any other X known region ot equal ares: Tho
bridges. columns. and caves, sometime'
a surprising likeness to living oreStures One
OF the most conspcuousi is tho exact counte.;
wh G an s paes sea
natures seulpturlng must be forty feet long.
and beheld from distance looks quite as per-
IN. ~ fnC htnn nAIh hxy
lashel wall the ground makes gentle descent
@ent. The atmesphere los from NJ this eI eevstion Is
SO deicately clear that the eye can readily dis;
sans bas the ssn sven e m ha "a tna
northwest spur of fan Nicolas Is black lump
Of rock known to mariners IS Bcggs's Rock.
in I 0of s1 at aossi feet hiss ers
stretched away dreary desert Of stupendous
place were heaps Of the homes OF whales. their
Arrangement and packing 80 systematically
OF winds over this exposed point. Only, one. hu-
man skeleton was found here, its bleached. 2
dHrn nssee The
loss blast had piled the sand dunes, nj! about.
but spread no kindly drift over this "ronGi!
roots Of trees in the shifting sand. ranging all
the way IN size from coarse ftre to several
were intact. the wind having swept them clean
of, the loose earth. They gave q metallic ring
Wnen IuplleU with u Tpck OF smell - NtlI moro
remarkable feature of this desert was II stone
forest. forest the broken columns composed OF in-
At the extreme west end Of the island there
is colossal precipce 900 feet in height. Its
chasmed and slitted face softened by i, luxu-
RANT growth of emerald moss and lichens.
The most zruesome Of all the sights on thiS
strange island Is to bo seen on the broad
plateau south of the Chinese camr ut Corn!
is Uttered with hundreds Of disionted SIX ele-,
tons. and present the most reckless illusira-
ton OF the ground plan" Of humanity that
| imae ination can picture. Tho geologist Of i,
the party was almost beside himself with Joy,
and seized huge thigh bone and measured
1t against the canvas trousers OF the artist.
Just as / thought" no cried exultinglv:
be gooi FIX feet in your r stGIesng Who
There was also found to he a marked differ
ence in tho conformation OF the skulls rs COM
pared with those enhumed on the other CbaH- +
mel islands aud the mainland. Their circum-
ference measured several inches more, and
tho facial angles denoted Al much higher grA,Ie
OF Intelligence Tho, geologist made a pivot
Of his left hand whereon to Eirily poise .
OOny grin and Inn aRticAliy dealurad.