Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-12-25

lake is located. no doubt, an
ancient buryng ground. at least
there are to be seen many rocks. curious
" engraved and strewn promiscuously
over two or three acres of land
For the benefit OF interested readers,
I shall be more specific as to its loca-
ton. so they may visit and study the
rocks with the pleasure that have had
since being the fortunate one in bring
ing this place to the public notice, And,
should l succeed in having a small
body of land brought under government
control. / will have been fully recon-
pcnsed for my efforts. 1t Is a great
source OF delight for me to visit them.
and While II Is impossible TO interpret
the meaning Of these evidences OF past
civilization. 1t will not be long before
pome cle-w to this work Will be dscov-
cred.
The southern part Of Utah lake blfur-
Gates. one prong extending on the east
Side and the other to the west side of II
narrow range of mountains near Ben
5amin. locally known as the West Noun
tains. about 20 miles to the south b.
southwest of Provo. Either the San
Lake Route or the Rio Grande Western
road runs within six or seven miles of
the place, which is easily accessible.
From the promontory where these
picture writings are found can be seen
is towns In the distance. Ihey are
spread out In O grand panorama. Cast
Ing the eye To the south east and north
can be seen Payson, SpIingFille, and
many other places
In some remote age Lake Bonneville
formed its first terrace or shore line
and two others were formed In success
sion, which can plainly be seen by any
one taking an interest in the geological
history of this part of the country.
Since coming to Benjamin, four years
ago. / have made annual trips with
prospective graduates into this section
Of the country. While there last year.
two of my pupils, Ernest Hand ana
Leland Davis, informed me of having
seen some rocks bearing strange figures
and designs Their description appealed
to me as being the remnants of the
work of anclents, so l had them guide
me to the spot. that ] might better
study these works In their pristine
state.
Having arrived at this unique and IA
vorcd spot. I made an inventory of
what must have been the geological
environments in the past. 1t was plain
that the great inland sea. combining
Utah and Great Salt lakes was beating
It's surf against the Wasltch mountains
on the cast and the OquIrrh mountains
on the west, with Its northern eXtremi-
~ extending far into Idaho, and its
southern extension probably reaching
the Pacific ocean near the Gulf of Low
CT California, when these. people cnmc
here. This local range of mountains
tWest ranec) formed chain of islands
neen an attractive place III inducing
primitive race TO locate above the up
Ter shore line This place served
douole purpose IN furnishing, the neces-
sltics oi HE, as well as security against
N1rrIhS tribes.
Inc city or Whatever IT was, was To-
oated on the east side. racing the ris-
ins sun; Inc lnhaoltants no DOUBT
remained ionR enough TO WORK out some
degree of CIVILIZATION
IL Is TO these rocks that Interest
cnnes, ana were IL possible 10 interpret
these hleroSiyphics most interesting
story ol these curious people would be
reVcaleu' Many ANIMALS are represent
ca Whlch are uhilke any thing In nature
AT present tnereiores II ls easily IN
Ierieo .hdt the! are now eNtinct' otn-
er Took pictures snow luii cacari'
sohed warrior hShtlne dreaded an
tagonhsts' including men ana beasts as
wei as monsters
NO douot great exodus OF these
people came from the south, perhaps
remnant Of the Aztecs or cliff dwellers.
They ensconccd themselves here with
the Intention Of making a permanent
home. They must have resisted fierce
ly any efforts at dislodging them
we have many evidences that they