New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-25
TIE FLORIDA MOUND BUILDERS.
SOME INTERESTING DISCOVERIES
ksonvllle correspondence Of The Philadelphia

Jacksonville correspondence of The Philadelphia
Now that science has undertaken the study OF the
mound builders OF Florida general Interest is awak-
ening in that quarter. Professor c. B. Moore first
put into execution the design that had been ais
cussed IN a desutory way by various archacoioSsis
About six years ago he came hero in the interests
OF science and in quiet methodcal way prosecutor
his search, beginning with -. Johns River and
exploring II thoroughly from source TO mouth.
AS Florida is even richer in Indian MOUNDS thah
in phosphate he soon found 1t necessary to have a
boat constructed to meet his peculiar needs. Conse-
quently Jacksonville nrn turned out me Gopher
very appropriately named-and since then ne mas
lAbored 10 greater advantage. The Gopher captain
g. ". Rosgnol. is eghty-hve feet IN Length. twenty
five feet deck width and four feet in the hold. The
stern wheel is twelve In diameter and ten feet
face. With saloon and cabin divided INTO study.
dining room sleeping rooms. and the lower deck
to suit the ana digger. 1t is a houscboat In
which the owner and HIS friends can take particular
comfort while pursuing this very interesting hobby
or the larger mounds explored by the professo~.
one is at Floral Bun. another at NH Cove IN"
last was especially picturesque object before be.
ing demolished Although fully onc-tL.rl of II had
been worn away by the action OF the water. 1t rose
eighty feet above the surface and measured sv feet
placid stream. seldom troubling Itself to do more
understand that have been required TO carry on
so large portion than we n%ve eher history
while at the top a monster tree drew sus'enance
from the dead-and- dust warriors beneath. There
many Of the latter that digger with taste
for statistics soon quit counting skulls.
The dggers are negroes. and you may safely take
an oath that each carries In his left breast pocket a
rabbits foot. dried frogskin. n bag OF pulverzed
owls backbone other tnsman 10 project MN
from the ghosy vengeance OF the departed red
men Even then they are only induced TO fool wd
sperts" by the extra reward given for any valuable
find.
Rather strangely, the skeletons are those OF n
understood people: that is. OF men under five feet,
d notable exception being "A mound In Lake County
where they reached nearly six feet. These are the
pTe-Colurnbians. contrasting f0rcib.y with tho
Seminole OF this century. who Is rather above than
below the average height The teeth wonder
fully sound and white like the teeth or all tribes
that feed simply. 1t IS the pampcr.d. sweet
toothed son Of civilization who has brought dentist
~ into existence.
The mounds have ali panned out alike. In
some. Just the ordinary beads pottery, nints pipes
and wampum In others handmade weapons. shields
and utensils OF copper and carved bone; even toys
and symbols notably three copper snakes or ad-
mirable shape and finish. found together with a
mummined corpse. in mound At Lake George.
The copper articles OF Lake Superior metal.
As scashels and sharks teeth are found in West
ern mounds II is evident that the aborgines OF
North America traded among themselves long be-
fore they palefacc.
Frank IL. Cushing. representing jointly the Uni
versty Of Pennsylvania and the Bureau OF Eth
nology of the Smithsonian institution, has made
curious and important discoveries In South Flor
Ida such as the Stafford mound at Tarpon Springs.
The Hope mound IN Finey's Hammock contained
rare treasures. incense pots, sacrifcal dishes.
and some beautifully decorated in native designs.
There were breastplates garnlshed with pearls.
AIDES and battlcaxes OF granite. knives and dirks
of quartz, and flint tools fossiZcd sharks teeth,
pendants formed OF different kinds OF stone and
hard diamonds.
Mr. Cushing Is on his way to Pine Island where
he expects to reap rich harvest He visits tho