The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-06-17
RELICS OF THE PAST.
Interesting Fossil Bones Sc
cured for the University.
IN DOUGLAS COUNTY sANDHILLs
The Peculiar water-Bearing Rock OF
Eastern Remains OF
an Indian Weapon Factory.

The Hlndshav natural history erreoi-
ton has returned TO the University az
Washington from the eastern part Of TIE
state. The party consisted OF Henry II
Hfr6xhzw, curator OF the museum. AIRS
Hindshaw and Trevor e. p. Kl1cal1. IA
borsto-y assistant IN biology. IransPor-
tztton was secured for the members o. me
expedition from the Northern Pacific rall-
road through Surgeon r. n. Coo, o. seat
tie The party made headquarters al Pas
GO. where they proceeded 10 col4sc- IRE
lot OF plants not found II ether parts OK
the state. In al there were acquired sew
eral hundred specimens. covering 20
specseL Arrangements we're then made
for ar exploration for Indian relics up the
Snake river, and in the meantime Mr. and
Mrs. Hindshaw proceeded 20 the sand hslls
by trip 10 Ritxvllie. thence 20 Hatton.
and from there drive to the hLls OF
about sixteen miles.
Dir. Hincshaw reports some Interesting
geological facts concerning these sand hills
or dunes BY al examination OF the Sur
rounding blanket or cover OF bssalt. he
concludes that the area covered by these
dunes was left uncovered by the general
fow CT Lava making the baxalt- This de-
post o. sand is the layer known as the
John Day bed. II Is the watsr-bea-tng
rock OF Eastern Washington Farmers
come from miles around 20 the hills. where
they get plenty OF water with liftle dig
ging. Away from the dunes srtsSian wells
have been sunk Water Is obtained. but
sometimes 81 Is necessary to bore through
hundreds or feet Of basait 10 reach the
'John Day. or WITHDRAWING rock
The John Day" beds carry nest in
teresting fossil bones. Mr.. H4n1shsw
brought home many teeth and bones OF
the fossil rhinoceras and horse. the latter
probably the th-ee-toed ancestor OF thu
present horse. These bones have been
worn In the waves OF moving sand as bad
ly or worse than a shell is battered BY the
waves OF TIE ocean. Only the hardest
parts OF the bones remain. bat these are
OF great interest until further explorations
Yield more perfect skeletons OF these pre-
historic mammal remains
After making a thorough search OF these
sand hills and procuring al the fossil
bones In sight the party returned 10 Pas
co. Here ID. A. Owen. an enthusiastic
collector OF Indian carios. had perfected
arrangements for trip up Snake river TO
Pages ferry ard on TO the deserted cattle
ranch known as McCoy's. These places
were evidently the camping grounds OF
great bands or villages OF Indians befoys
the arrival CT the white man Many OF the
old graves are cut Ont and washed away
BY the river. but the expedition succeeded
Ia cDtal2lIs many valuable specimens,
such as stone mortars. pesteIs. hammers
skin-scrapers. arrow and spear points. all
OF different sizes and shapes At one place
was found largo stone anvil. around
which were many fragments OF flint and
basalt and halt-fo-ned arrow points. show
ing the remains OF genuine Indian
weapon factory. A number OF Indian
skulls were also obtained. Mingled with
these remains and old atone implements
were cid brass buttons, blue beads and an
old iron ada, showing that the time OF the
making OF the graves and caches was
about the time OF the Hudson Bay Com
pany's occupation OF the territory in the
early part OF this century. William Hess,
Of Pasco. was q member OF this party. II
was he who found the old rusted adj with
8 number OF stone implements in an cid
Indian cache. Many Of the peopls Of Pasco
extended kind attentions 10 the collectors
Mr.. Kincald secured about 500 speci-
mems OF insects. comprising about SO
species, which VIII make a valuable addi-
tion 20 tbs uuivsrsity's chronological col.
fect:ors.
Thus far the expenses Of these collecting
expeditions have been Borne by indivf1-
uais. though the university gets the fun
beneat OF the work and the entire coTlec-
lions. Other expeditions are planned fov
the summer months IN the various fields
OF natural scienca