The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-05-20
FINDING OF RHINESTONE.
EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY
CONNECTED WITH 1T
Explorations of the Norsemen
In Fourteenth Century Are
Recalled

st. Paul, May 13.-History relating
to the discovery OF America may be
changed considerably following ex-
plorations which are to be made in
the vicinity of Lake Cormorant. near
Lake Par, Mimi, and in the vicinity
OF KensIngIon, where the Rune stone
was found number Of years ago,
H. R. Holland of Ephraim. Wisconsin
and owner Of the stone announced
today.
Several historic relics dating back
to the fourteenth century and in use
by the Norsemen of those days were
found in that vicinity, and, accord
ing to Mr.. Holland, add materially to
the authenticity of the Rune stone
and the story of the explorations of
land America. A sword, bill hook
and light spear, hand axe and broad
axe, all used as weapons of defense
and offense by the Norsemen in the
fourteenth century, were among the
relies unearthed in the vicinity of the
"skerries" referred to indirectly in
the script carved on the alleged his
The distance between Lake Cor
morant. where, according to the
runic character story told on the
stone, the explorer camped and fish
ed and where they found ten OF their
numbers dead. supposedly slain by
Indians. and the spot where the rune
stone was eventually discovered by
farmers, living near Kensington. cor
responds to the description written:
The explorers said that they camped
one days journey from the place
where the stone was set, as record
Of their achievements; Lake Cor
morant, according to Mr.. Holland, is
Iov'c from the nlaCE
where the stone was found, using
the old horse method of computing
distances.
Rune Stone Discovered In 1900
The Rune stone was discovered in
1900 by Olaf Gilman, a farmer. who
resided about three miles northeast
Of Ke1sington. 1t was found while
Mr.. Gilman was grubbing stumps on
his land a little distance below the
surface of the ground Mr.. Holland
came into possession of the stone
about nine years later, and after tax
ing it to Europe where it was viewed
by many scientists, the characters
were proclaimed runic characters
and deciphered as follows:
Norsemen on exploration journey
from Vinland through the western
regions. We had camp by two SKIER
ries one days journey north from
this stone. We were (out) and fish
ed one day. When we came home
(we) found ten men, red with blood
and dead. Ave Maria! Save (us)
party by the sea to nook after Cor
tor) our vessels fourteen days jour
ney from this island. Year 1862"
Many scientists contend that the
stone is of modern origin, but, &C
cording to MIR. Holland, there are
L@II hot &c
authentic. and that Norsemen were
exploring the island country of
America at that time.
Mr.. Holland will make every effort
20 uncover new evidence to prove
he authenticity Of the stone, which,
L accomplished, will revolutionize
The history Of the discovery of
America.
Explorations of Norsemen
;, He points out that history related
he early explorations of Norsemen,
md that King Magnus Erickson sent
out an expedition from Greenland
about the time the stone is Said TO
have been carved.
The distance of fourteen days
travel from where the stone was dis
covered, and which is mentioned on.
ploring party. according to computa-
tions used by Norsemen in those
days, would mean L Hudson Bay,
Mr.. Holland said. N
The historic explora Ions are said
to have carried some m smbers of the
. party to that -s"--ion Of America, and
Holland CONTENDS that the Norsemen
worked their way inland from that
point, planting the stone as record
Of their achievements. The history
of King Erickson relates of the re-
turn of an exploration party from the
northern stretches in 1863, which,
according to Mr.. Holland, CORES
ponds with the time of the carrying
of the stone. q