The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-29
4 LOST INDIAN LEAD MINE.
II IL Believed to Have Been Pound by Accident
In Wayne County After n Forty Years search.

LYONS. n. V. Aug. 2s.-Pcople at Wolcott.
n small village In the northern part OF Wayne
county, have discovered a cave in which a
number OF skulls and Indian arrowheads were
found and which they believe is a lead mine
well known TO the Indians. Traditions about
the mine have long been current, and much
money and time have been spent In searching
for It in the last forty years.
Oswego street in Wolcott crosses Wolcott
Greek about four rods above the falls. From
the falls to the head of Port Bay on Lake
Ontario there is n steep and narrow gulch.
Long ago a small stream OF water was discov.
cred running from a small opening In one side
OF the gulch, but nobody suggested exploring it.
1t was to this part Of the gulch that Indians
camo to Wolcott from Cayuga and Seneca
lakes and from other distant points in search OF
lead. They had a lead mine in the gulch, but
where II was located none OF the settlers could
find out. 1t seemed to be ms well hidden Us
was tho treasure cave Of the Incas in Peru. Al
efforts to follow the Indians to the secret de-
post Of lead were vain. Old folks toll how the
Indians were followed to the edge OF the gulch
| and how the Indians would mysteriouslv disap-
pear there, leaving only a stray picket or 30.
Later the Indians would appear again and go
away we'll laden with lead.
Fred Fox's farm takes IN q portion Of this
| side hill and cultivate, 1t. 81 he put men at work
cutting of the undcrbrush. While one OF the
men was at work on the edge of the gulch, just
above the spring, the ground gave way and he
fell over n ledge OF rock which had become cx-
upon CHANGING around found above as well as
on each side AN opening In the rock, extending
back into tho bank. Through this opening
came a small stream OF water. The opening
VAS so situated that II could not be seen readily;
in fact, not one person In u thousand In passing
the spot would notice 1t. With mis- bush hook
in front OF him, the man went into the bank as
turned To his fellow workmen. telling them Of
his discovery, In the evening a party OF ten
mado an exploration OF the cave. The mouth
OF the cave was found TO be about five feet high
and not more than three feet wide. 1t OK
tended back about nine feet when II opened
into a large room about thirty, by seventy feet
In area and twelve feet high: The top and sides
OF the cave were OF rock. In the centre of Inc
cave was u mound about eight feet In diameter
and four feet high, having tho appearance OF
solid lead. Around the base OF the mound were
found hundreds OF fints in the shape Of arrow,
heads, some of them complete, others broken.
Upon the top OF the mound were fragments
together, formed a tOmahawk or Ratchet.
At the extreme rear OF the cave were found
four skulls and a number OF bones In a heap,
All of the skulls were crushed In on ton.
1t Is surmisod that a battle may have been
fought In this cave, possibly by different tribes
of Indians, or else II may have been selected AZ
a burial place for Indians killed in battle. II
tomahawk were loft by the Indians after having
been used to dig the lead from the ground. II
10 generally believed that this cave WAS a ran,
devious for Indians at an early day and tina
the legends told Of the lead mine were bssed
upon actual tactA