THE ARCIIEOLOGICAL IllSIORV OF N IvVV ^'()RK 569 



pean articles all native copper implements and ornaments are re- 

 garded by some as prehistoric. 



The only other find of beads that in any way compares with the 

 chain owned by Mr Dailey, was discovered some years ago in a 

 gravel bank which was being dug away by a steam shovel, and which 

 ^vas situated about midway between Schenectady and Hoffman. It 

 was about a half mile from the north bank of the Mohawk that 

 several graves were discovered, in one of which one hundred thirty- 

 five copper beads were found, with a few fragments of bones. The 

 beads varied from a fourth to a half inch in diameter. These beads 

 were scattered among collectors. 



The string of beads owned in this city was found some five years 

 ago by Dr A. H. Getty of Athens N. Y., about a half mile back from 

 the west bank of the Hudson and 4^2 miles north of the village of 

 Athens. The Saunders farm was being worked for molding sand, 

 and this Indian grave was thus uncovered. It was about 4 by 7 feet, 

 and the body 4 feet beneath the surface. It was entirely paved with 

 cobble stones, but this was peculiar because no cobbles can be found 

 within four miles of the vicinity of the grave. It was the only 

 grave discovered though a large tract of land was gone over. The 

 grave was opened by Doctor Getty himself, who found that the body 

 had evidently been in a reclining position from the manner in which 

 the beads and gorget lay. Nothing but a piece of the jawbone re- 

 mained and this crumbled when it was lifted up. 



The Indians living in this vicinity (near Coxsackie, which means 

 " Hooting Owl ") were known as the River Indians and belonged to 

 the Delaware nation. They were continually at war with the 

 Mohawks. 



The copper beads are much smaller than those found by Mr Van 

 Epps in Glenville, and the chain of three hundred has been preserved 

 intact. The beads were made by punching out a strip of native cop- 

 per and then coiling it upon itself, and by further dextrous beating 

 bringing the lapped edge down to an almost perfect weld. 



The shell beads attached are unique in that the smaller ones are of 

 unusual form, according to Doctor Beauchamp, while the larger 

 ones have a very uncommon perforation. No shell beads similar to 

 them in size and perforation are known to Doctor Beauchamp. 



The gorget, perfect, save from the natural wear to which it was 

 exposed when worn, is 2 inches by 4, and has, what seems to be 

 peculiar with such breastplates, a border on both sides, all around, 

 of distinct notches cut into the stone. The suggestion has l)een made 



