Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1913-02-28

loW Wi south Pacific ocean, lies this lsle'
R&SSS1 volcanic in character, only AZ
square miles in area, mere speck
AZ land about one4ourth the size Of Barbados,
ana yet surrounded by charm OF mystery pos
sessed by few places In the world
The island merged into the clear light of his
tory early in the eighteenth century, when 1t was
discoyered> by the Dutch captain, Jacob Royce
yeen In 1922. He gave to the island its present
name in commemoration of the day on which
land was sighted. Some so years later 1t was
undiscovered" by some Spanish sailors From
that time to the present day Easter Island has
been visited, explored, and studied by noted
travellers, scientists and investigators from all
lands. and II promises to afford these opportuni-
ties for expeditions for years to come
Geographically considered. it lies 81 degrees 80
minutes south Of the equator so that 1t is not
actually within the tropics. Its position is about
1900 miles from the mainland of South America.
and 1,400 miles distant from its nearest neigh
Dor the Pitcairn Islands. Within its limited
area triangular In shape, there are three craters
q extinct volcanoes one of them nearly 1000 feet
high Some OF the soil is fertile, and the island
appears to have been wooded at one time, for
decayed trunks Of considerable size are stin
iound now however, there thrive only a few
bushes from 10 to IL feet high. The natives
uow many sorts of tropical fruits, including
bananas sugar cane, and sweet potatoes. Goats,
fovl sheep and fair number OF cattle are reared
p the few hundred inhabitants the sole jewellers
Of today in that mystic land. The climate is
not unlike that Of Madeira with one wet and one
diy season. The water supply consists of some
hrackish springs by the seashore and pools in
aide the craters of the volcanoes. All in all,
however, the island is considered salubrious and
heathful
The chief interest of the island is to be found
archaeological remains. In It's narrow and con-
aned expanse 1t encompasses a mystery Of vast
pfoportions-an egima that has taxed the In
Esnuity OF scientists quite much did Of old
me far-fsmed riddle OF the Sphinx. In this tiny
hiAnd Is a remarkable display of hundreds of
',ulptured statues, colossal in size, and erected
upon Cycopean masonry; stone houses over 100
ieet IN length with walls six feet in thickness
pulk Ike forts; and tablets curiously inscribed
WIN heroglyphics in way resembling any
umg else in the world, doubtless the written
nnguage Of the ancient inhabitants but one to
which the key has been lost
hemarkable as all of these ruins are from the
.uangeness Of their appearance, the greatest in
'efest and the greatest problem which they pre-
snt 70 us Is the story that they might tell of the
FINISHED civilization which erected them. That
.aey are Of prehistoric origin can not be ques-
eoneo but who we're the builders of these won
@rsed and placed in their present position the
...nic stone heads that stand out In lonely ma
.~v amid the barren wastes of this lonely little
~ whence came these ancient workers in
soue and whittier have they gone? What tools
~ .ney use to execute these singular statues
80 buildings. and in what epoch did they per
"Im these curiosities?
oacn fascinating questions and many others
xu.iy pertinent present themselves to the
student but alas. the answer is yet to be had.
a''naeoogists must continue for while longer
oeiVe among the enshrouded mysteries OF
= ~ runs before they reveal the true story
:. Fls worlds wonderland At present the chap
- which have been written on the subject are
s..s,paratlvey few in number, and not conspicu-
10y uennite in context Conjectures are as
s-,a as there are explorers. and the number of
s.a'Vns ventnred varies in the same ratio Prog
- as In all matters of science, is necessarily
ms but let US stop for a moment to examine
49, statues, and platforms. and relics which
- excited the student world and to see what