The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-07-17
THE BALD FRIAR sCULP-
TURED ROCK

CIdJlC AcuSSI, Cuc AOAAOWAh6 ohC|Sh
of the inscribed rocks in the bed of
the Sesquehanna at Bald Friar.
One and one-half miles south of
the Maryland line, in the bed OF the
Susquehanna river, on the Hartford
side, are two very large and very in
teresting rocks, termed Bald Friar"
Sculptured Rocks. Those OF us who
are familiar with their location and
history are deeply perturbed, due to
the fact that these rocks will become
submerged upon completion of the
Conowingo dam, because it seems
they are too large, cumberson and
unwieldly to be successfully hoisted
from their present location and plac-'
ed where those who come after us
may enjoy the pleasure Of bordering
and wondering over the artistic en-
craving, upon such rocks by our
American Indians.
The inscriptions upon these rocks
were undoubtly inscribed by an ar
fist of the Susquehannock Indians.
The hieroglyphics are engraved in a
most attractive and artistic manner,
the real meaning of which has re-
manned a mystery to many of us for
many years.
A number of years ago, William
Glenn, Lancaster, Pa, at his own
personal expense obtained valuable
photograph of the Bald Friar"
Sculptured Rocks, upon which the
hieroglyphics are so remarkably dis
tinct by reason of the incisions being
so deeply engraved. Their charac-
teristics can be distinguished at
considerable distance and will re-
main so for ages.
Photographers of the original
photographs were presented to GER
tain members of the writer's family
years ago, whose intent and purpose
now, is to present the photographers
to Mr.. Fred r. Williams, of Bel Air,
to be retained by him as curios.
From his possession they will even
tually be passed on to the Hartford
County Historical Society, together
with box OF human bones and
very interesting collection of arrows,
which were long supposed by the
writer to be intended for the purpose
of spearing fish.The writer has since
been informed that they are Indian
artists tools, and may have belonged
to the artist who inscribed those
hieroglyphics upon the bald
Friar Rocks"
The bones and arrows were dis
covered by the late John Kurtz,
about 1880, approximately nine
feet below the surface, located at the
head of Watson's Island, when
operating the sand bank on that
| island.
The density of the moulding sand at
that depth had become SO compact
| it Theoretically sealed the contents
of the grave; moisture nor air could
not enter. Therefore decomposition
and disintergration OF all the bones
did not take place.
The meaning and purpose OF the
hieroglyphics remained unknown
until certain professor OF minera-
logy and connoisseur of pre-
historic matters was shown these
photographers few years ago; his
attention was also called to the
arrows and box of bones.
He described the peculiar ap-
pearance of the arrows as that be-
| longing to those of the Indian
| artist and illustrated how they were
used when drawing in scribing their
characteristic hieroglyphics upon
rocks.
He demonstrated one photo
gravure to be map OF the Tribes
territorial jurisdiction which they
claimed, especially designating, by
certain circular marks their owner
ship or claim to the strata of
quartz or flint near Castleton in
Hartford county, now owned and for
years operated as a flint quarry by
voohuo olu 14lPAA he
territorial map is in the shape OF
peninsula supposed to begin at or
near the Maryland line, bounded on
the East by the Susquehanna river
and on the west by the Gunpowder
or Bush River. That quartz or flint
stratum was very important factor
within the Tribes Jurisdiction,
owing to the fact they must have
such material to make arrows
heads. els,
Photogravprs No. 2 describes the
location OF the same strata OF flint
by circular markings. 1t ALSO i'll
Illustrates certain battle whicA took
place between the Susquehannesk
and another tribe, for the possession
of those flint quaFFiss which were
SO essential to them. It further
more shows the battle formation
adopted to carry the hill and win |