STONE MOUNDS IN WEST VIRGINIA. 800 



theater of contending, bloodthirsty savages. In close proximity to the 

 graves there is a great bowlder standing on the side of the wood, to 

 which a very interesting tradition is attached. It is called "Indian" 

 or " Painted Bock." On its eastern lace there is a figure, supposed to 

 represent a man in the act of throwing a tomahawk. Ooe can easily 

 distinguish the rude outlines of a human figure, but the hand and toma- 

 hawk have been rendered obscure by the frequent violence of curiosity 

 seekers. The lines are clear, strong, and of a dim red color. The tra- 

 dition, as given by the inhabitants, is in substance as follows: 



" At this point two hostile tribes, probably the Catawbas and Dela- 

 wares, met and fought a terrible battle, in which all, with one exception, 

 were killed, on the conquered side, and he succeeded in making his es- 

 cape. Exasperated at this the victors, to complete their direful work, 

 followed, brought back, and killed the unfortunate wretch, and with 

 his own blood traced this figure on the rock." 



The same account is given by Mr. Samuel Kercheval in his "History 

 of the Valley," but with the variation that this warrior made a safe 

 escape by jumping into the river and swimming with his head under 

 water till he reached the Cohongornton, North Branch of the Potomac. 

 (Page 48.) 



The upper portion of this rock protects the side upon which the figure 

 is sketched, from destruction by the elements. The South Branch ot 

 the Potomac was called Wappatomaka by the Indians. Throughout 

 this entire range of mountains Indian mounds are numerous, and a com- 

 paratively unexplored field of archaeological treasures awaits develop- 

 ment. 



The frequency of stone graves may in some degree be accounted for 

 by the abundance of material suitable for their construction, by their 

 proximity to fields of contest, to village sites, and to a most abundant 

 hunting ground. They are found in much greater proportion in this 

 than in any of the neighboring ranges. Their position cannot be re- 

 stricted to any particular locality, for they are found on either side, on 

 top, at the foot of the mofmtain, and in various places throughout the 

 valley ; sometimes on the river bank or on some small stream, or even 

 in the central portions of the bottom lands. They are, however, less 

 numerous on top of the ridges than in lower situations. 



These stone graves are quite numerous in the vicinity of the " Indian 

 Bock." In shape, both external and internal, they resemble modern 

 graves ; and since they contain an inclosure like a coffin, the term grave 

 is very applicable to distinguish them from the earth mounds. They 

 vary much in size, the smaller being mainly confined to the low lands 

 while the largest are more frequently found on the tops and sides of the 

 mountains. Those of any considerable dimensions are generally flat on 

 top and the smaller convex. The stone of which they are made depends 

 upon the locality ; those opened were constructed of gray sandstone. 

 The upper layers consisted of pieces as large as our street granite pav- 



