Discover Mummified Bodies

DISCOVER MUMMIFIED BODIES 1916

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 4/29/2019 at 13:42:24

18 July 1916 - The Clinton Advertiser
page 8

Maquoketa, Ia., July 18--Great excitement has prevailed here over the discovery of mummified remains of an Indian woman and child at Burt's Caves Sunday. A. Mr. Burt and stranger who visited the caves to see if they might find ore, discovered some lead and investigating further into the cave on the south side of the roadway, which is one of the popular divisions, instead of pursuing the frequented trail southward, they turned westward and crawling through a narrow passage they came to a boulder intension. After considerable effort they removed this obstruction and entered a good sized room and here they found the bodies of a woman and child. The woman's body is five and one-half feet in length and the child nestled close to her breast is the size of a 2-year-old--both in marvelous condition. The skins are like leather and no signs of decomposition. Both had course black hair.

Wm. Morehead, the owner of the caves, was notified and advised them to bring the bodies to town. They wrapped them up in a horse blanket and started off. Several were allowed to see them, but when it was suggested the heat and exposure might injure them, and that it might be a valuable fine, they drove off without allowing any more curious investigation but they didn't bring them to Maquoketa after all.