The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1901-11-06
SECRETS GIVEN
UP BY A BOG
Spot in Indian Territory
Which is Attracting
Scientists
speeIal to paIly Leader.

we ks ago there appeared aQ article
in reference to the coming OF Prof
w. II. Holmes from the Smithsonian
institute OF Washington to Investigate
a sulphur spring near Aftor, twelve
miles east OF Vinita. For years that
locality has been known to scientists
as a hidden mine of wealth. This
white sulphur spring is located out on
the fiat prairie about two miles north
of the town of Alton short distance
west of Horse creek, and not far from
its head. The immediate surround.
ing prairie is not rolling but Gat;
there are no hills for considerable
distance and no timber for several
miles. There are many old buffalo
wallows,' indicating that that now ex
tinct animal once was numerous over
this country
Spring is Low.
The spring which never gees dry,
IL now at the lowest stage ever known
thus affording an exceptional oppor-
tunity for the examination just finish
ed. The water comes up in a bog or
quagmire, and during most of the
year for half an acre or mort moth
ing can go into it without begging up,
and If you jump about anyv here on
the bank the bog will shake like a
huge bowl Of jelly.
The reputation OF the locaity as
holding hidden wealth IN the line Of
arrow points and other stone articles,
and teeth and bones Of extinct ami
mails, started number Of years ago.
AS far as It is knowr e0vcral people
of the neighborhood gsshered to clean
out the spring. In so doing they
threw out quantity of arrow points
and spear points, some say half 4
bucketful or more--three large teeth,
some few bones and a huge bone was
exposed the round end sticking out.
presumably the thigh.jo joint. Tney
hitched a span of horses to this but
they could not pull it out, and of
course it is still In there. AT different
times small in1s have been dug up,
notably, one man, a school teacher,
came into possession of what was
called by all who saw It. a very large
tooth. He says he sent this by ex-
presa 20 the Smithsonian institution
and was rewarded by receiving the
thanks OF the officers and a check
for SIS. One year ago the writer
opened correspondence with the In.
stitutiou. with view to working up
an interest and have an expert sent
out 20 make a full. completes and ex-
haustiye examination of the locality.
Finally an expert was detained TO
come out and make exploration
was then teaching school ana when a
young man rode up to the door intro
ducing himself as Stuart anl showed
my letter thought that the time had
at last come when things so long hid
den would now be reveaed ami
brought to light Mr.. Stuart made a
raft and with an iron rod prcbed in
the bog and reported nothing in
there wasting tine on. and went
away TO hunt for mastod0l some
where up ia Michigan.
Arrow FONTS Galore.
A month or two ago Dr. Harper,
a physician OF Alton. dug into the
spring and threw out several quarts
of arrow points. ETC. and one big
tooth that weighed five pounds. This
sharpened his desire 10 know more.
so he and other citizens wrote the
Smithsonian institution, urg.lg them
20 make a more careful examination.
They each received a letter from Prof
W. j. McGhee of the bureau of eth
nology telling them that Prof, w. II.
Holmes. mead Of that bureau, who
has made such explorations HIS life
work. and who has written several in
terestlng books in his special line,
was detailed and would soon be at
Alton 10 make the examination. on
Saturday September 2S. Prof Holmes
arrived at Alton. accompanied by w.
A. Gill government photographer and
assistant On Monday morning four
men We're hired and the work was
commenced. The FIRST days work was
rewarded by getting out not quito
half bushel of fine stone ;olics and
one or two gigantic teeth Thus the
work went on an the week. interest
ing specimens being found cssry day
detail OF which would be Interesting
but can not now be given The work
was finished on Saturday October s
one week after commencing
Wonderful Collection.
The nnal showing Is one OF the most
wonderful collection OF prehistoric