Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-04-03
WONDERFUL
DISCOVERY
Interior of skinnerw's Butte Vast
Catacomb.
A TOMB or THE ANCIENTs
An archaeological Discovery Which
Will Awaken Scientific
Interest.

eugene Register, April IL.
Few persons have climbed to the
top OF SINNERS Butte and roamed
over It's summit but have noticed
that in many places the tread of the
feet gives forth deep hollow soaind
Indicating that there are chambers
beneath. No one has ever attempt
ed to make any explorations and the
peculiar formation OF this butte has
long been geological mystery
Many of those versed In geological
science have attempted to theorize
that II is a natural formation Of vol
canic origin, In which fused molten
matter was forced through a seam
or crevice in the earth, which, cool
ing slowly formed into hexagonal
basaltic columns with spaces be-
tween them, and e is these hollow
spaces that give forth the sound Sc
ominous on being trodden upon.
This theory was completely upset
yesterday by q discovery, The men
who are at work at the quarry on
the west end OF the butte set on
deadenod shot yesterday after
noon 10 bring down more of the rock
for the crushers. and when the
smoke cleared away, what was their
surprise TO find that q large opening
or passnge-way had been made right
into the body OF the butte. mes
senger was at once sent TO this Of
fee and the city editor hurried "a
the ~ceno with all haste. Borrow
ing a lantern from n nearby resi-
dent in company with Mr.. Shewry,
who happened 10 b. there ct the
time, we at once commenced ex-
p'oring.
The first chamber was room
about 40 feet In height. about 60
feet long and 30 feet wide. The air
az first seemed dnnk qua foul, but
IN n few minutes II cleared from the
strong west wind that was blowing
and we were able TO note the sur
roundings. In tho center were four
large circular pillars. Handsomely
carved, and of herculean dimen-
sions. They were fully eight feet In
diam cter at the base and tapered to
about four feet In diameter at the
top, and what immense power could
have nut thcm into place we could
not divine. II would brtile the skill
handle snch immense blocks of
ctone, which were placed as sup
port for the dome-like roof. All
along the walls wore beautifully
carved sarcophsgi ana a glance into
each ono revealed the skeletons OF
prehl-torlc inhabitants of this beau
tiful Wiley, who lived and died in
pre-Adpmic times. Tho size OF these
grinning skeletons was something
marvellous. In life their owners
must have stood eight feet In height
and were mrasivelv built. All about
tha SIDES OF this chamber on shelves
about three feet above each other,
these stone collins wero placed and
fully thousand human beings mu't
have been 'Cil 10 rest there In the
ages OF he past. on the floor OF
tho chamber. which Is constructed
OF cmoothly polished flag tone or
Tres or hexagoH pattern, were DIFF
feren. implements of domestic use,
OF the chaGe and for wprfare. Huge
caaldron9 or pots OF coDper on which
thu yerdlgrs had thickly gathered,
but unique in design Law scattered
i'm corners, while ladies for spoons,
patterns we're found. There are
great clubs studded with nails and
huge bettle axes, which a man could
hardly lift with ono hand, stood
leaning against the pil'er7 and a
host OF other things which will make
tho archaeologist go fairly wild with
delight were found.
Having with much trepidation
made n cursOly examination of this
"clty of the dead" we noticed, on In
q fnr corner. n fiieht of stone steps
lead Eng to q chamber above. With
hearts beating so strong with fear
that we could almost hcNr them. we
IN the 90 or more steps,
and at the top, as soon as the ravs
OF our lanterns could pierce the
darkness VIC found we had reached
n much larger room extending
toward tho cast. which had evident
" been used as a temR'e or place OF
Worship. u g. beautiful beyond de-
scriptiOn. II Is lined with polished,
white marble. pure es the Parian,
and tho frieZe about the room is as
fxqusi,ely d@rigned rs anything in
the Greek temples. There are int9g-
nos ohu thhlNNH OF hithos hNN9Af aHN
howers with leaves. crescents, stars,
aud in fact every design that human
Ing nuity could devise. While We
were gazing entranced and speech
less az the magnificene and beauty
OF the scene. a sudden gust Of wind
came from an onening door which
oreekei upOn its hinges and we were
Ief, IN absolute darkness. A sicken-
Ing vapor seemed To come at once
anon us and We sank upOn our knees
Is horror. when out of the DEPTHS of
The darkne's came a deem mOcking
voice, which said: April Fool
What are YOU reading this rot for
anyhow"