Pap. Na'lof' ARCHEOLOGY AT KIPP'S POST — WOOLWORTH, WOOD 289 



The cannon was probably intended for defense or at least to im- 

 press the local Indians with its destructive force. Many examples 

 of the use of cannon elsewhere to overawe Indians could be cited. 

 Tliis particular cannon was small and may have been mounted on a 

 heavy block of wood with a swivel, or possibly on a small 2- wheeled 

 carriage as the "cannon carriage bolt" would indicate. 



The remains of firearms are scanty ; indeed, the only definite gun 

 part is the hammer from a flintlock rifle of a pattern manufactured 

 from 1803 to 1807 for the use of the U.S. Army. Rifles of this type 

 were carried by the Lewis and Clark Expedition. At least one rifle 

 of this form was in use at Kipp's Post. 



A study of the gun flints shows four sizes intended for different 

 weapons. Horse pistols or trade guns with small locks; rifles or 

 fowling pieces with small locks; pocket pistols or rifles with small 

 locks; and carbines or trade guns with small locks. Musket flints 

 are absent from this sample. Perhaps none were in use here or they 

 were traded only to Indians. At least four different lock sizes, indi- 

 cating as many gmis, were used here. 



An analysis of the perfect spherical rifle balls reveals that five sizes 

 of bullet molds were employed, ranging from .475 inch to .584 inch. 

 Here is evidence that at least five individual weapons were probably 

 in use, since it was customary for each gun to have its own individual 

 mold. The presence of lead shot indicates that fowling pieces or 

 smooth bore guns were used, as does the one size of gun flint suitable 

 for this weapon. This in turn indicates that waterfowl and local 

 birds such as the prairie chicken were probably hunted, a supposition 

 that is confirmed by the avian remains found within Feature 20, the 

 kitchen refuse area. 



Three different bullet molds are represented by sprews from the one-, 

 two-, and four-cavity molds, although tlie comparison of the individ- 

 ual lead balls shows that at least five different-sized molds were used. 

 The lead fragments found throughout the log-cabhi area and within 

 Feature 9 prove that balls for individual weapons were made at the 

 post. 



The harpoon raises the possibility that muskrats, beaver, and per- 

 haps large fish were speared, though it is possible that this was an 

 item for the fur trade. 



A considerable variety of dishes, cups, and saucers, are represented 

 by fragments; a portion of a water glass or tumbler and possibly 

 medicine bottles are also present. Mirror glass adds to the impres- 

 sion that a certain amount of luxury was available at the post. 



Sewing materials such as the thimble and awl indicate that the 

 making of clothing or its repair went on here, though these items 



