Gilpin observer., 1909-05-06

IiNC ClIlLchS VI 1LOh6
Beach, Cal. B. F. Bond. William E.
Hinshaw member of the board of
public works; L. D. Mallory, w. ].
Hinshaw, treasurer of the Long Beach
Trading Company, and o. P. Thorne,
have returned to that city after sever
al days camping near the ruins dis
covered in the San Jacinto mountains
by Mr.. Bond recently.
The party brought back a number
of photographs showing the nature Of
the ruins, and Mr.. Bond traced map
of them showing their extent and con-
tour. All members of the party are
more than ever convinced that the
ruins are of great age. and discovered
additional data, which induces them
to believe the dwellings were inhabit-
ed about the time the ocean covered
the floor of what is now the Coachella
valley and Salton sea, and is now
much below sea level in many places.
The Long Beach party found that
many persons have been assiduously
hunting for the ruins and the keenest
interest prevails in the valley. Almost
all of these, misled by false report
of the find. strayed away into the
various canyons and missed the ruins
resident of the valley and mountain
eer, and L. D. Mallory. who accompan-
led the party on the present trip.
were the only successful ones to To-
cate the ruins.
So much doubt and incredulity has
been expressed in regard to the exist
ence of such ruins that Mr.. Bond has
decided to make public the location
and throw his find open to all who
care to explore it.
In this way confirmation of his
1 find will become widespread, and the
determining of the exact nature of the
dwellings and the date of their occu-
patton may be learned. He has been
holding back the exact location to al
low scientific parties to explore the
ruins first. Many of these bodies that
have communicated with Mr.. Bond
have requested him to secure all the
information and photographs at his
own expense and forward the same
to him. This he is unwilling to do
and he is willing to give doubling
, Thomases the first chance now.
Mr.. Bond made the following state
ment:
so many conflicting statements
have been made in regard to the col
lection of ruins we have found that
have decided to settle the entire
matter by giving the exact location.
81 am positive of one thing. that
the entire area containing 40 acres
approximately, and being more than
a mile long, is the work of man. and
in my opinion, were used as human
habitations. l believe they are of pre-
historic character. In all, seven of
my friends have visited the scene.
and the verdict of all is the same.
THE ruins are approximately $50
miles from Los Angeles. in Riverside
county. They lie on the north slope
, Of the San Jacinto mountains. border
ing the Coachella valley on the south,
101a miles due south Of Indio and
about S1a miles due west of Mecca,
formerly Walters, on the line of the
Southern Pacific railroad to Yuma. 1t
Is IL miles northwest of the nearest
point Of the Salton sea. The ruins are
on unsurveyed land in the Cleveland
forest reserve. but II the lines were
extended would be at the interception
Of sections IL, 12, 13 and IA. town
ship Z south, range Z east. S. B. NJ.
Persons desiring to visit the site
can get hotel accommodations and
rigs at either Coachella, Thermal or
Mecca, all about equally near the To-
cality. l will cheerfully furnish any
further information desired"
The ruins extend along the side OF
the mountain distance OF mile
and a quarter. They are imposed in
terraces built along the mountain
side, following the contour of the hill
from sea level up distance of 440
feet above sea level. and in place
slightly below sea level
In the opinion Of Mr.. Bond. the
dwellings were occupied by tribe
that followed the receding ocean,
building nearer the water as 1t re-
ceded. There are more than 500 rooms
visible yet. although owing to their
great age they are in many cases al
most obliterated.
These rooms were sunk In the
rocky terraces q distance OF az feet.
and the walls were piled up number
Of feet higher. That they were rooted
/ with hides or tAatoh u the opinion