Page 1
Volume 4, Issue 1
T H E R EG I ON ’ S A R C H A E O LO G IC A L , C U LT U R A L ,
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Charles (Chuck) Lucy
SRAC’s New Location!
Thanks to Recent Contributors
Francis Slocum Story Coming
SRAC Around the Community
Lore of Painted Post
Native Indian Cave Recovery
Come Dig With Us!
Coming Events
SRAC Being Assembled
Membership Form
! raised five children and she went along
e now
nlin
AC o to r g/jo
SR o .o
n G nter
Joi e Chuck Lucy (right) with Dr. Barry Kent, former PA
A C y!
w.SR toda
ww
• Our Vision
The Susquehanna River Ar-
chaeological Center of Native
Indian Studies (S.R.A.C.) is dedi-
cated to education, research and
preservation of the Native
American archaeological, cul-
tural and historical assets of the
Twin Tier Region of Northeast-
ern PA and Southern NY.
The Susquehanna
BecomeRiver
THE SRAC JOURNAL Volume 4, Issue 1
April 2008
THE SRAC JOURNAL
AND H I S T OR I C A L R E SO U R C E
CHARLES (CHUCK) LUCY, CLOSE FRIEND AND FELLOW AVOCATIONAL
1 ARCHAEOLOGIST, HIGHLY RESPECTED BY THE PROFESSIONALS BY TED KEIR,
1 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, SRAC
3
5 Chuck Lucy, in stature, a small man but
huge in wisdom and generosity. He grew
6
up in the Susquehanna River Valley in
7 Bradford County. He graduated from Ath-
11 ens High School and attended Cornell Uni-
versity for three years where he played in
14
the big red band. World War II was under-
15 way and he tried to enlist, but they told him
17 he didn't weigh enough. This is under-
standable if you knew Chuck.
18
He then took a job in tool inspection at the
Ingersoll Rand Pneumatic Tool Plant in
Athens, where he worked for a number of
years. He and his wife Elizabeth (Liz)
in
with her husband's hobby. I remember see-
ing her with a trowel and brush working
(Continued on page 2)
State Archaeologist.
SRAC’S NEW LOCATION! BY DEB TWIGG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SRAC
Since 2005, when SRAC was
founded, it has always been the
plans of the co-founders to raise
enough funds to house our collec-
tions to be shared with our commu-
nity, and to provide educational pro-
grams to share the history that is at-
tached to them. In December 2007,
our dream became a reality. While
our headquarters will remain in Sayre
PA, where we are incorporated, we
are the proud owners of a new loca-
tion in Waverly, NY!
As most of you know, the building
that we decided to buy was what the SRAC at 345 Broad St. Waverly NY
locals refer to as the “old Phillie Sales
building” that is located at 345 Broad Street be dedicated to a gift shop, museum/exhibit
in Waverly, NY. It has three floors including space, and lecture area. However, much
the basement and has 5,000 square feet work needed to be done to have anything
per floor. Upon the purchase of the build- in this building as is was badly in need of
ing, we decided that the main floor would repair.
(Continued on page 4)
Archaeological
a member of Center
SRACof Native
today! Indian
SeeStudies
back ~ www.SRACenter.org
page for more ~ email Info@SRACenter.org
information.
Page 2 THE SRAC JOURNAL Volume 4, Issue 1

CHARLES (CHUCK) LUCY CONT.

(Continued from page 1)

with Chuck on some interesting ex-

cavations.

I often walked with Chuck on our

favorite sites following stream flood-
ing and plowed farm fields. We
shared each other's knowledge of
projectile points associated with
local native American cultures.
Chuck took a special interest in lo-
cal clay pottery. He was considered
an expert by the professionals,
identifying several dozen tribes or
clans by the tempering used and
the pot's rim decorations found on
various excavation sites. John Wit-
thoft, considered Pennsylvania's
most knowledgeable archaeologist,
became Chuck's mentor, especially
on ceramics and he visited the Lucy
home a number of times and in
1948, asked Chuck to become his
assistant. Chuck declined because
the pay was so low.

Lucy was very active in the An-

dastes #5 chapter of the Society of
Pennsylvania Archaeology, and he
worked closely with the Pennsyl-
vania Historical Museum Commis-
sion, recording a number of sites in
both states. He also held active
membership in the New York State
Archaeology Association and the
Eastern States Archaeology Fed-
eration.

Some of the sites Lucy and I worked
together on were: Kennedy site at
Tioga Point; Pepper Farm at LeRoy;
Point Farm, between the Chemung
and Susquehanna Rivers;
Cowenesque Dam, Tioga County;
Canoe Camp, Mansfield, Tioga
County; Blackman site, Hornbrook;
Scrivens site and State Aggregates
Mallory Run site in Sheshequin.
Lucy worked on a number of other
sites: Wilson site, East Towanda
Fairgrounds with Catherine McCann;
Ellis Creek site, Tioga County, NY;
Abbe-Brennan site, S. Main St. Ath-
At an excavation site, far left Tom Vallilee, front
ens; Schoonover and Nagle sites in
Chuck Lucy, and Jim Herbstritt facing sideways.
Sheshequin and the Murray Farm site
in West Athens.
Lucy had a number of his archaeology
works published: The Owasco Culture,
1959, 1991; Tioga Point, 1950, 1952
and 1991a; Lucy and Vanderpoel,
1979; Brule and Spanish Hill, Lucy and
McCracken, 1985; Friedenshutten, A
Multicomponent site, near Wyalusing,
Lucy and Keir, 2002.
Chuck Lucy passed away on June 29,
2003 at the age of 81. His wife Liz lived
only 40 days after Chuck's death. They
meant so much to each other, I said
she died of a broken heart.
(Continued on page 3)

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Page 3 THE SRAC JOURNAL Volume 4, Issue 1

CHARLES (CHUCK) LUCY CONT.

(Continued from page 2)

The Tioga Point Museum in Athens

has some of Chuck's artifacts and
he left them an excellent display of
local pottery and projectile points,
individually identified. A number of
things went to the state museum in
Harrisburg including a tremendous
book collection. Sad but true, if we
had organized SRAC a few years
earlier; perhaps we would now
have a number of collections for
display to help preserve our local
history.

Two of the many diagrams Chuck

did of local pottery rims for identifi-
cation purposes are included in
these two pages.

Volunteers
Needed!
Like History?
SRAC is looking for volunteers
to work at our events on some
weekends and evenings as
well as in our gift shop during
the day at 345 Broad Street
Waverly.

If you are interested in volun-

teering, please call Deb Twigg
at (607) 565-2536!

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING RECENT CONTRIBUTORS TO SRAC

Angelo Mazzerese Dr. Charles Ellis Lucio & Susan Bartolai
Barb and Bob Twigg Dr. Kenneth Meyer Mike & Jeri Sanders
Bill’s Carpet Cleaning Duane Wells Nancy & Mike Arcesi
Claire Borits Friend's Lab Rebecca Olivet
Corning Painted Post Historical Guthrie Clinic Robin Munn
Society Inga Wells Shawn Reep
Deb Twigg Jack Rowe Sue Hakes
Dick and Marcia Cowles Jeff Terwilliger Susan Fogel
Donald Claire Montgomery Karen & Bernie Dugan Ted Keir
Dr. Barry Skiest Lillian Warren Tom Vallilee

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Page 4 THE SRAC JOURNAL Volume 4, Issue 1

SRAC’S NEW LOCATION! CONT.

to face the larger projects that Tom
(Continued from page 1)
could not hope to accomplish with his
smaller crews during the week.
I cannot explain the feeling that I have
about the outpouring of support in the By mid-March, we had finished the
form of donations, volunteer hours, and renovations in the front gift shop that is
support by the community that came to a huge space of approximately 28 feet
us. Within the following 4 months, we by 60 feet. Next came building an in-
actually have the gift shop and lecture ventory to fill the space that would en-
area open and hope to have the mu- hance our front space. Mike Buynak, Dick Cowles, Jeff Terwilliger, and
seum/exhibit space open before the Tom Vallilee take a much deserved lunch break.
We sent out emails to many local art-
next newsletter is published! If you
ists, and offered a 25% commission have many volunteers in our gift shop.
knew the building’s shape just last De-
which is the lowest you will find in the If you would like to have your items in
cember – you would have said this was
area. The response was incredible. To the gift shop or would like to volunteer,
an impossible task, and I just may
date we have incredible photos by pro- please call 607-565-2536 to
have silently agreed with you –
but today it is a reality, thanks learn more!
to all of the friends of SRAC.
Our lecture hall is also open
I cannot make the last state- and in use. Able to seat
ment without saying that with- around 100 people, the space
out Tom Vallilee, one of is a comfortable place with all
SRAC’s board leaders, none of great seating thanks to the
the renovations could have wonderful donation of over 200
occurred as professionally or swivel chairs by the Guthrie
as timely. To SRAC, Tom is Clinic! We put in a small stage
our quiet warrior, who has and podium and board mem-
spent hundreds of hours work- ber Jessica Quinn and her dad
ing 6 days a week often in the Shawn Reap installed a com-
building without asking for any- plete sound system with sound
thing back but the satisfaction board! As a result, we are rent-
of knowing it would be done ing out the space and of
and done right. Another great course have a great list of up-
attribute of Tom is that he is coming SRAC events planned!
the type of man that others like Tom Vallilee, SRAC Board Member, hard at work at the new Center, Please refer to the SRAC
where you can find him just about every day.
to work with, and for that rea- Events listing in this publica-
son, he was constantly being tion to learn more.
met on many days by other SRAC sup- fessional photographer Dr. Ed Cordes,
porters who would spend the day on carved gourds by Gloria Reigal, bead- Lastly on the main floor, we finished up
whatever project he had planned for work by Marlene Hulbirt, homemade the public restroom and we continue to
the day. As you might expect, the tim- soap by Suzette Noti, pencil artwork by work on the museum/exhibit space.
ing of each move in a project as large Sue Hakes, woodwork by Craig Fitted with over twenty cases donated
as what we took on was hugely impor- Maurey, as well as our own inventory to us by the Corning painted Post mu-
tant. Having a person like Tom who of historical books, kids items and seum, (some of which will be trans-
could both help me understand what gems and minerals. We are lucky to ported by a team led by SRAC Board
funding and timing was needed each member Dick Cowles and his son out
step of the way allowed me to plan the second story window because of
ahead. As a result, each small project their size!) I am sure it will be the spe-
fell into the larger plan month after cial place we have dreamed of to share
month and continues to in a way that our incredible collections with the com-
would make even large companies munity we are dedicated to sharing
envious. them with.

The weekdays were followed by a Sat-
urday workshop for the first few
months and I would say that we had 12
– 15 people on average every week.
This again was such a great help for us
Our grand opening will be scheduled
when we are able to have a date that
the museum will be ready to be
(Continued on page 5)
Inga Wells and Anne Meikle brainstorming.

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Page 5 THE SRAC JOURNAL Volume 4, Issue 1

SRAC’S NEW LOCATION! CONT.

(Continued from page 4)

opened early this

summer. Stay tuned
for quite a celebra-
tion that we are cur-
rently laying the
plans for!
If you are inspired to
be a part of this in-
credible experience
that we believe is SRAC Lecture Hall and our first in-house event.
making history as
well as sharing it,
please consider
joining or donating
to SRAC.
We appreciate your
support!
SRAC’s Giftshop and some of the many
items available for purchase.

Mary Jane Safford

In loving memory of my
husband Bernard

THE FRANCIS SLOCUM STORY COMING TO SRAC

Thursday, May 8th from 6:30 – 8pm
Frances Slocum, a white child of the American Revolution, was stolen from her Quaker family in 1778 by raiding Delaware
Indians. Her family would not be reunited with her for nearly 60 years.

The film production of the story of her life includes her

travels through our local area and is full of incredible im-
agery that documents history of Revolutionary War times
in our region.

Producer Bill Bachman and actress Florence Howanitz will

come to present the film and answer questions about this
important piece of history!

In addition, the film's musical composer/director/arranger,

Jonathan Pineno, will be join us and he will be doing dem-
onstrations on the Indian flutes used in the film.

Come join us for an exciting, rare opportunity to see an

artistic piece based on our regional history!
Admission: Adults $10
SRAC members $8
Children $6
Refreshments will be available

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Page 6 THE SRAC JOURNAL Volume 4, Issue 1

SRAC ARO UND THE COMMUNITY

SRAC has gone through a whirlwind of changes since our last journal. We’ve moved into our new building, and we’ve
even opened to the public already. All the while our board members continue to participate in all sorts of events. The year
is off to an exciting start! We’ve begun having events at the new building and hope to open the museum in not too many
months! Stay tuned for announcements of upcoming events, and check the current listing on page 13! We hope to see
more and more of you as we continue to grow!

Deb and Gloria Reigel, gourd artist, discuss

Dick, Jack Andrus, and Deb getting dirty. Ted and Deb at the Chehanna Rock and
plans for the SRAC gift shop.
Mineral Show

Sylvia Wilson and Deb at the Trow

Women’s Book Club Andrea Seeley presents Eating
Marty Borko gives much needed help Out Healthy at SRAC
with painting.
Dick Cowles holds a replica of the
birdstone once owned by his father,
Ellsworth Cowles.

Lon Kuterick and Ted in the midst of the mu-

Deb with good friends Barb and Earl.
seum construction.

Our painters and our friends, Jeri and

Mike Sanders, always hard at work.
Evelyn Keir with her grandsons
Diane Nobles, Carol Reed, and Deb at a Chris and Brennan
special regional meeting of the Lioness Club

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Page 7
THE LORE OF PAINTED POST BY ELLSWORTH COWLES
On September 15, 1990 Newtown Battle
Chapter, N.Y.S.S.A.R., held a Ceremony
dedicating a plaque memorializing a
portion on the Sullivan- Clinton cam-
paign. The plaque reads- "The final epi-
sode of the Sullivan Clinton Campaign
was the advance of Col. Van Court-
landt’s Brigade up the Canisteo River to
this area 2 miles beyond the Tory Indian
town of Painted Post. Burned by Capt.
Simeon Spaulding’s Riflemen, Septem-
ber 28, 1779."
A copy of a speech made by Ellsworth
Cowles on the occasion of the dedication
of the monument by the Sons of the
American Revolution follows. Cowles
drew his information from several
sources; (N.Y. historical documents, etc.)
Quotes and spellings are as derived from
those references.
Away, away, and away back, in the
1940' s when I was appointed town of
Erwin Historian, I soon learned that to
a generation not acquainted with the
lore of Painted Post, the name had
acquired a bucolic fame rivaling com-
munities such as Peoria, Oshkosh,
Paducah and shall I say it
"Horseheads." Painted Post has been
used as a setting in a mystery story,
written by a president of the US. It was
frequently mentioned by a former lead-
ing radio comedian. It achieved char-
acterization as a motion picture, "The
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THE SRAC JOURNAL Volume 4, Issue 1
Man from Painted Post."
The story of the final, aggressive act of
General John Sullivan's punitive cam-
paign into Indian territory in western
New York in 1779 is not found in local
history books, the General failed to
mention it in his report to President
Washington, written from Fort Sullivan,
now Athens, PA, two days after the
event; an event for which we dedicate
this monument today.
So now since I assume you came here
today to find out, let me tell you what
really happened at the Painted Post on
a chilly September 28, 211 years ago.
In the spring of 1779, rumors had
reached the English loyalists living
along the Susquehanna west branch
river valley and southward that a huge
rebel army, led by a red headed Irish- Mr. Ellsworth Cowles, father of SRAC co-
founder Dick Cowles.
man, General John Sullivan, was being
assembled at Easton, PA. It was re-
ported that his marching orders to and the meetings were not cordial.
reach and destroy the British frontier
outpost at Fort Niagara, would lead A number of Tory families were re-
him north over the old Andaste trail up ported to have decided to settle down
the Susquehanna and Chemung Riv- among a few other whites already resi-
ers and on through most of the popu- dent among the Indians living at the
lated area of the Seneca Indian home- Painted Post. There they built for them-
land. Many of the Tories on the Sus- selves some log and split-board cabins
quehanna frontier did not agree with with fire hearths, barns, sheds, split-rail
the Indians that Sullivan's troops could garden and horse coral fences, and
be ambushed and turned back, as had other improvements.
been the case with General Braddock,
since that strategy had never been All this in the belief that in their new
successful against artillery. Conse- location they would be far enough west
quently, most of them did not wait to of the main route to Niagara to be safe,
have their escape route cut off by Gen- since that route ran north from Cath-
eral Sullivan's advance. erine’s town at Montour Falls, along
the east shore of Seneca Lake to Ge-
Singly, by families or in small groups, neva.
they packed their belongings on the
backs of their cattle and horses, or in That way, they were told by the strate-
flat boats, abandoned their farms and gists among them, would be Sullivan's
trekked north, moving from one Indian Route, if he were lucky enough to get
village to another, stopping for a spell that far, since he would thus leave no
wherever they were recognized as strategic Indian towns behind him. In
friends. Chemung, Newtown, Squee- such an event, Painted Post town
dowa at Big flats, Kanawolahola at El- would be by-passed. And so, tempo-
mira, all destroyed by Sullivan in his rarily, it was.
later advance, and Painted Post were
favorite Tory way-stations along their The well planned ambuscade set by
route to Fort Niagara. Some of them British regulars, butler's Tory rangers
were recognized by former neighbors and Joseph Brant's Indians to trap Sul-
then held as captives in those towns (Continued on page 8)
Page 8
THE LORE OF PAINTED POST CONT.
(Continued from page 7)
livan's main army at Newtown failed
miserably on August 29. Following the
precipitous retreat of the enemy, the
General advanced his forces to Ka-
nowollohola, Elmira. In the meantime
Sullivan had learned from Lt. John Jen-
kins, Luke Swetland and Daniel
McDowell, all of whom had spent some
time in Indian captivity, that there was
an Indian and Tory settlement a few
miles up the river at Painted Post.
Therefore, in order to protect his further
advance from a flank attack the Gen-
eral left a garrison of riflemen at that
point with orders to erect a strong pali-
sade fort at the mouth of present New-
town Creek, Elmira.
Then the main army, strung out for a
mile, followed by another mile-long
train of beef cattle and packhorses
moved laboriously, destroying every-
thing in its path, apple orchards, peach
orchards, cornfields, until it reached
Geneva.
That Seneca town with Butler's Rang-
ers headquarters was burned. Then the
army turned westward, penetrating Se-
neca country as far as little beards
town, a large village on the Genesee
River near present Geneseo, which
they burned in September.
There Canada geese were passing
southward over their heads, all signs
pointed to an early frost, many uni-
forms were in tatters, and army rations
were reduced to little more than what
could be salvaged from Indian gardens.
All hopes of a farther advance upon
Fort Niagara were gone, and the
army's return march began. At the
crossing of the trails at Horseheads,
the whitened skulls found along the
Sullivan trace at that point accounts for
the name of the village.
On the return of the army from their
scorched earth campaign across west-
ern New York they went into camp at
Kanaweeola. They immediately began
the dismantling of the palisaded log fort
that Colonel Reed had erected at the
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THE SRAC JOURNAL Volume 4, Issue 1
mouth of Newtown Creek when the
army moved north. It was a wise
move, since it was not only an ad-
vanced supply depot and rendez-
vous point in case of necessity, but
also prevented the enemy from
gathering behind Sullivan's forces
in a flanking action, from their old
base at Painted Post.
Having learned from Lt. John Jen-
kins, Luke Swetland, Daniel
McDowell and others who had
spent some time in Indian captivity,
that there was an Indian and Tory
settlement and other improvements
at or near the Painted Post, Gen-
eral Sullivan, on September 26
ordered Colonel Van Courtlandt up
the Chemung River to investigate.
The morning of Sunday September
26 opened with a heavy downpour,
however, and the detachment of route to Skweedowa, now Big Flats,
three hundred riflemen who were "to be some of the boats were filled with corn,
sent up the Chemung River for the pur- pumpkins and other vegetables "which
pose of destroying a town or two," and
were in great plenty."
what houses and corn fields they could
find remained in camp. Apparently working in well guarded
groups they trampled and burned the
The following day the same detach- fields, burned an occasional house or
ment, reinforced by the addition of two cabin, and gathered produce to send
hundred more men, paraded at seven down the river in the boats to the main
in the morning and marched off. army encamped at Kanaweeola. Vari-
ous parties passed and repassed each
This "large party" of five hundred sol-
diers, which moved out from Fort Reed other which accounts for the discrepan-
cies in the distance reported by several
under the overall command of Colonel
Van Courtlandt, divided into two com- journalists, as to how far their group
advanced up river.
panies. One contingent, led by the
Colonel, formed a long sinuous line as Captain Livermore and most of the
it advanced in the well worn trail on the group of men assigned to him to man
north side of the river. The other party
and pole the boats, with the exception
under the command of Colonel D'Hart, of those actually serving as polemen,
crossed the river and advanced west- had to make the best of their way along
ward on the south side. the shore for most of the day, in order
to lighten the boats sufficiently to pass
On the river a small cluster of boats,
making a flotilla of thirty in all, under the shallows. The captain reported that
the command of Captain Daniel Liver- his "great difficulty of getting the boats
up so rapid and shoal a river prevented
more (a revolutionary war ancestor of
Mr. Marion Halm of Painted Post) were his land party from proceeding more
poled up the stream, trying to keep than five miles. Where the boats
abreast of one or the other of the two landed, we found large fields of corn
columns on land. with a few houses. The mountains
(here) closing nearly to the river on
"After destroying...and burning...a con- (Continued on page 9)
siderable amount of corn" along the
Page 9 THE SRAC JOURNAL Volume 4, Issue 1

THE LORE OF PAINTED POST CONT.

(Continued from page 8) Seneca Lake and
the Genesee River."
both sides. Here the boats were all Some of the cabins
loaded to capacity. At sunset I set out burned by Capt.
with my whole fleet and at nine o’clock Spaulding at
arrived at Fort Reed, fatigued with my Painted Post would
march." have been the
homes of the rang-
In addition to Captain Livermore’s first ers.
group, according to Lt. John Jenkins,
another "large fatigue party was sent Erosion caused by
up the river nine miles, where they the 1936 flood un-
loaded nine boats with corn and vege- covered the charred
tables and brought them down." nine foundation logs of a
miles would place the second foraging small cabin with a
party at Big Flats. Another boat party fire hearth near the
did even better, since Lt. Colonel Cohocton River on
Adam Hubley reported that a part of the Robert Dann
"the detachment ordered to march yes- farm.
terday moved this morning up Tioga
branch to an Indian village, about Within and without
twelve miles from Fort reed, with or- the charred rectan-
ders to destroy the same... At dusk this gle of the cabin ruin
evening, September 27 the detach- were found brass,
ment which marched this morning re- pewter and gilded
turned, after destroying a considerable buttons, some of the Replica of carvings on the Painted Post provided by Corning
quantity of corn, beans, and other latter stamped Lon- Painted Post Museum
vegetables, sixteen boat loads of don, large brass shoe
which they brought with them for the buckles, rusted table knives and two- cer in that detachment, wrote in his
use of the army. They also burned a pronged forks, pieces of "china" cups journal on the 28th that his
small village. . ." Skweedowa. and saucers, long stemmed clay pipes, "detachment moved up the Chemung
broken iron kettles, musket fittings, five miles above where we were yes-
Although Colonel Van Courtlandt with chunk lead, a lead bridle rosette, a
terday (near Big Flats), and burnt two
most of his command returned to Ft. metal mirror, cast lead bullets of vari- or three Indian houses, (near the
Reed that evening, September 27, a ous sizes and other artifacts of home mouth of Post Creek) - (which had
small party led by Capt. Simeon use. Post moulds for a fence along the been bypassed by Capt. Spaulding)
Spaulding, under orders from Van edge of the river terrace nine feet "and destroyed corn on each side of
Courtlandt, "was sent farther up the away, had also been uncovered. About the river. A little before night I went up
river," where after bypassing several eighty feet southeast of the cabin was
the river 5 miles further (or two miles
Indian houses, apparently near the the grave, apparently of a white man, above Painted Post) with Col. Van
mouth of Post Creek they discovered a with the arms folded across the chest, Courtlandt and Captain Spaulding but
Tory Indian settlement with a few who had been buried in a wood coffin found no corn and returned where we
horses still wandering in the woods, box. The darker stain lines in the "found our detachment encamped in
and with "ten acres of corn, beans and sandy soil indicated the outline of the
one of the corn fields without tents.
squash, piles of hay…rail fences, etc." coffin boards. They had been held to-
which bore unmistakable evidence of gether with handmade rose head iron Apparently Captain Spaulding and his
having been built by white people. In nails. This burial was at the edge of an advance party had burned the Tory
the abandoned Tory settlement near older Indian burial ground, where and Indian hamlet at the Painted Post
the Painted Post, they would have en- seven graves were found, two of them several hours before the arrival of
camped during the night of September indicating torture deaths. Colonel Van Courtlandt and Lt. Beatty
27. He and his men destroyed the set- with their men, who would not have
tlement the next day, September 28. Getting back to Colonel Van Courtlandt
arrived until late in the day. Then,
and his command on the morning of
about dusk, the Colonel with Capt.
It is known that "during the revolution, September 28th, he again moved up Spaulding and Beatty and a group of
Tory rangers and Tory sympathizers the Chemung River with his command riflemen crossed the Conhocton and
who did not get to Canada were scat- to rendezvous with and assist Captain proceeded along the Forbidden Path to
tered among the Indian towns on the Spaulding's riflemen at Painted Post if
(Continued on page 10)
Susquehanna and Chemung rivers, necessary. Lt. Erskins Beatty, an offi-
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Page 10 THE SRAC JOURNAL
THE LORE OF PAINTED POST CONT..
(Continued from page 9)
a point beyond the Gang Mills, making no
further discoveries. In his autobiography
Colonel Van Courtlandt reported that he
also went 2 miles above Painted Post, as
ordered by General Sullivan.
Contact Us!
It would have been after nightfall when they
returned to one of the corn fields three
Our Headquarters miles below the post and found their com-
mand encamped in the trampled corn.
Mail:
There, across from the chimney narrows,
SRAC and near the present Guthrie Clinic, the
PO Box 12 men ate roast corn in the light of their camp
Sayre, PA 18840 fires and spent a short night in the open,
under a cold, late September moon. Lt.
Phone: Beatty indicated that the men, encamped
607-727-3111 where the Moravian missionary, Ziesberger
Email: had camped twelve years before "slept tol-
erable well, rose early, loaded two of Capt.
info@SRACenter.org Livermore's boats which we had with us,
with corn and set off down the river about
Our Center 7:00 o'clock. Arrived where the camp had
been (at Kanaweeola) where we found the
Location: army had destroyed Fort Reed and left in
345 Broad St. the morning…"
Waverly, NY
General Sullivan's chief guide, John Jenkins
Phone: reported that "the army left Fort Reed and
marched ten miles toward Butler's breast-
607-565-7960
works. At the Newtown battle site we en-
camped that night on a flat 2 miles below
Our Website Chemung," about nine o'clock that night the
two commands, "Colonel Van Courtlandt's
SRACenter.org and Captain Spaulding's," with Lt. Beatty
arrived.
Our Online Giftshop
Among those stragglers from the Painted
SRACenter.org/store Post rendezvous were Private William
Mapes and Lieutenant Nathan Dascum
from brigadier General Maxwell's brigade,
Online Membership of the New Jersey line. Both veterans set-
tled at Big Flats in after years, Dascum be-
SRACenter.org/join ing buried there in 1840, and the 103 year
old Mapes likewise in 1846.
Our Blog According to their accounts, which have not
SRACenter.blogspot.com been corroborated, after destroying corn
and other crops near Big Flats, they ad-
vanced to a point near the mouth of Post
Online Donations Creek at Gibson where Lt. Beatty had re-
ported burning Indian cabins, and then were
SRACenter.org/donations engaged in a skirmish with several Indians,
each party shooting at the other across a
small ravine which drained a swamp at a
place since called Bloody Run. It is so
named on the large 1857 map of Steuben
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Volume 4, Issue 1
County. Both old soldiers are said to have
definitely located the site of the engage-
ment which legend has since labeled the
"Battle of Bloody Run."
The aged Oliver Rouse of Gibson reported
the following, which he said he heard from
the lips of Capt. Mapes, "General Sullivan
started off scouting parties, one of which
was ordered to follow up the Chemung
River a certain distance. They followed the
trail of the Indians, and as it appeared
rather fresh, proceeded with cautiousness,
and near evening encamped not far from
the spot now called Bloody Run. Early next
morning they arose and started again, but
perceiving smoke ahead they crept up
stealthily to surprise them through what was
then a swamp overgrown with laurels. At
last looking into the bed of the creek they
saw several Indians at their camp fire... Sul-
livan's men... fired upon them and five Indi-
ans fell into the creek, while the same ran
with their blood, which gave it its present
name - the remaining Indians jumped
across and made their escape..."
In the same article it is noted "in the spring
of 1819, a man by the name of Talada dis-
covered a hole in a large white oak tree on
the top of a little knoll situated a little to the
left of the road as it is now (1867) runs near
the run. His curiosity being aroused, he
concluded to take his ax and chop into it...
He did so, and found all together the chins
(jaw bones) of six men. . ." but only five In-
dians are assumed to have died in the
creek!
Again, another would-be historian wrote
that "the Americans were fired upon by the
Indians in ambush, at a ravine called
Bloody Run, over which the road now
(1867) passes just before entering the nar-
rows between Big Flats and the Village of
Corning.
After the skirmish some of Capt.
Spaulding's men crossed the river and fol-
lowed up the south side over the site of pre-
sent Corning until they came to a fording
place, near the future Patterson Inn. Then
they recrossed to join their companions who
went up the north side of the river, to form a
united column under Colonel Van Court-
landt who recorded, "... the General sent
me with a command up the Chemung River
(Continued on page 11)
Page 11 THE SRAC JOURNAL Volume 4, Issue 1

THE LORE OF PAINTED POST CONT..

(Continued from page 10) tent of the country ruined than had Indian forays against the New York
and two miles past the Painted Post..." ever before been the case on this con- and Pennsylvania frontiers during the
tinent. Before the army left Fort Reed following two wars were proof that
Early settlers in the valley stated that their base of supplies at Kanaweeole, General Sullivan's punitive expedition
the location of the skirmish at Bloody it had destroyed in all some 1,600,000 while a tactical success and an out-
Run was indicated up to 1814 by bushels of corn, forty Indian towns and standing achievement of the revolu-
seven oak trees standing near the road hamlets with their fruitful peach, plum, tionary war, was a practical failure.
where it passed the swamp. On three and apple orchards and improvements, Captives were still brought to Painted
of them were painted or carved repre- along with untold quantities of garden Post; two captives were burned at
sentations of Indians with hatchets, produce such as beans, squash, Painted Post. It was still standing when
while on the other four were repre- pumpkins, cucumbers and all else the the first settlers arrived.
sented soldiers with guns. These were Indians could not carry away. The corn
considered to have been of Indian ori- was described as the "finest ever
gin, memorials of the engagement, seen," some of the ears
erected by the Indians following the being twenty inches in
withdrawal of the army. length.
The Olivet Family
The historian stone wrote that during However, the destruction In memory of Grandpa Ellsworth Cowles
the Sullivan expedition more towns caused and the captives
were laid in ashes, and a broader ex- taken during the retaliatory

S O M E N O T E S O N N A T I V E I N D I A N G R AV E R E C O V E R Y AND M U LT I P L E
RELATED ISSUES BY MARSHALL BECKER, PHD
contexts (Becker 1996, 1997) that have been recovered by
“Some Notes on
others. Among the bones from more than 100 excavations
Native American
in which I have participated or studied1 are only a very few
Grave Recovery
that derive from native North American sites. Four of these
and Multiple Re-
sets of bone derive from native sites of some significance
lated Issues” –
(see Becker 1971, 1972), while a single native grave of the
(adapted from a
later historic period from the area of Toledo, Ohio (cf. Prahl
ms in progress,
and Becker 1966) also is of note for several reasons. The
from a paper pre-
skeletal remains that derive from a Lenape cemetery in
sented at the
Chester County, Pennsylvania and dated to ca. 1720 –
2008 meetings of
1733, are of particular importance because the Lenape are
the Middle Atlantic
the people who have been the focus of my studies for the
Arch Conference,
past 40 years. During those 4 decades there have been
Ocean City, Md.,)
incredible and important changes in the ways that we do
by Marshall
archaeology. Some observations on these processes, and
Becker, PhD,
the contexts in which they have taken place, are of consid-
Senior Fellow An-
erable interest to professionals as well as to the public in
thropology, Uni-
general. For these reasons I have outlined a few of the ma-
versity of Pennsyl-
jor points now involved in the recovery of Native Americans
vania
from grave and other contexts (see Becker 1987), with con-
Marshall Becker, PhD Introduction siderations of some of the issues that now impinge on ar-
chaeological research.2
In the interest of “full disclosure,” my training in anthropol-
ogy was in a program that prides itself on a strong four- Physical Recovery
fields approach. The training has served me well over the
The processes involved in locating, recording, excavating
years. I have applied my skills as a physical anthropologist
and publishing the archaeological record relating to human
as well as my knowledge of archaeology in the recovery of
remains has improved in many ways in recent decades.
literally thousands of burials, from Honduras and Guate-
Archaeological detection, however, may be a bit con-
mala through North America and Europe, to Greece and
strained by concerns for various laws (cf. MacDonald
Turkey (Becker 1999). In addition I have analyzed the
2008), rendering more complex the physical recovery of
bones from hundreds of other graves, both cremations
(Becker 2005) and inhumations, and from scattered other (Continued on page 12)

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Page 12
S O M E N O T E S O N N A T I V E I N D I A N G R AV E R E C O V E R Y
RELATED ISSUES CONT.
(Continued from page 11)
bones and traces of related human
remains as part of the archaeological
record. We have become vastly more
sophisticated in the recovery process
as technologies for analysis have im-
proved. Television programs of the 21st
century may exaggerate what can be
done, but given infinite resources an-
thropologists can recover and analyze
human remains in ways undreamed of
only 25 years ago.
Identification of Bones: Are they
Human?
Perhaps once or twice a month for the
past 40 years I have been contacted
by the Office of the Coroner of Chester
County [Pennsylvania] to examine one
or more bones. The basic concern is to
determine if they are human, and if the
evidence might indicate that a crime
had been committed. The vast majority
of these finds are the remains of deer,
with a portion of a bear sometimes
appearing. Scattered human remains
are rare, but generally can be traced to
a “relocated” cemetery. The traditional
low bidder approach to “relocating” a
cemetery had been to collect any
stone markers from a burial ground
and relocate them to another place.
Often the new location is a new
church, which then has a scenic burial
ground with no skeletons. “Marker-
less” cemeteries abound, as well as
the dozens of farm cemeteries or small
private burial plots, that abound in
every township and county of Pennsyl-
vania provide an abundant source of
skeletal remains. Usually these
sources for skeletons can be identified
with some ease. Quite often they are
hilltop locations, as in the famous
“Boot Hill.” Contouring the land for con-
struction projects often reveals these
abandoned burial locations.
Identification of Native Remains
For the most part human remains are
assigned an ethnic (or racial) affiliation
based on the context in which they are
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THE SRAC JOURNAL
recovered. This is far from optimal, but
remains the principle mode of deter-
mining affinity. Associated artifacts
also are used to assign “race.” A burial
in a “white” colonial cemetery, in a cof-
fin, with a shroud pin and/or coffin
hardware would be identified as
“white.” If she were 100% native de-
scent but had married or lived among
the colonists, she would be identified
as “white.” The presence of trade silver
with a burial, or sterling silver objects
made in specific forms specifically as
objects for native users (Becker 1992),
invariably provides evidence for a
“native” burial, even if the individual
had been a runaway colonial or cap-
tured as a child and reared among a
native population. We can do much
better at identifying human remains
through DNA studies, but that is an-
other part of the subject.
Random finds of bones (partial skele-
tons, single bones) often warrant
closer scrutiny. Isolated burials com-
monly are identified as being native,
without further consideration. A so-
called “native” burial from a rock shel-
ter near Broomall, PA had long been
inferred to represent a native. A sup-
posed “study” has never been made,
but the bones were “repatriated” to a
claimant “Lenape” group and have
since disappeared, as has the group.
During the transfer I aided my “kin” in
packaging these bones for transport, a
procedure that I pointed out would be
in violation of a number of different
laws. I then noted that at least two
people were represented by the skele-
tal material they were “claiming,” and
that none of these bones appeared to
represent a local native population of
southeastern Pennsylvania. The full
tale of the transfer, or disposal of these
bones, merits its own story. As I under-
stand it, the first step mandated by the
Native American Graves Protection
and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) in-
volves the study of the skeletal mate-
rial and the assignment of an “identity,”
whether native or not. These data then
should be provided to any modern na-
tive group that would reasonably be
Volume 4, Issue 1
AND M U LT I P L E
considered to be the descendants of
the individual(s) in question.
Crime or Burial?
If the remains are human, are they
from a burial context or do they repre-
sent a crime. We’ll ignore the possibil-
ity that formally buried remains may
represent a crime and concentrate on
other contexts. If the remains are in a
suitcase or other less traditional loca-
tion for a corpse one may infer that
they are related to a crime, unless they
have evidence for drill holes or wiring
that would suggest that these bones
may have been imported anatomical
specimens. The age of the remains
also is important. If the possible crime
had been committed more than 100
years earlier, the perpetrator may be
assumed to be dead and the crime not
pursued. If the remains are from a
cemetery or otherwise known source
of human bone they generally are of
no interest to law enforcement agen-
cies even though the “movement” of a
corpse (in these cases only pieces of a
corpse) is subject to considerable legal
restriction. In most states it is illegal to
call a cab for a deceased relative and
thus transport their remains to a mortu-
ary, or any other location.
If human remains are not the result of
a crime, what do we do with these of-
ten random bits of bones? They are a
problem that, like the proverbial boo-
merang, cannot be thrown away.
Dumping them in a landfill simply pro-
vides a problem for future physical an-
thropologists. Use in teaching or re-
search is problematical as each bit of
bone requires documentation and
cataloguing, and then permanent cura-
tion. Storage of bone is a major prob-
lem in America, as it is in most of
Europe. Only in the Czech Republic
have I seen laudable storage facilities
and complete records that simplifies
the process of locating them and pro-
vides access for research (Becker
2000). Disposal should be total, with
my favorite method being to pulverize
(Continued on page 13)
Page 13
S O M E N O T E S O N N A T I V E I N D I A N G R AV E R E C O V E R Y
RELATED ISSUES CONT.
(Continued from page 12)
or grind them to dust and regale a rose
fancier friend with the results. Other
disposal methods that are less drastic
can create a different type of problem.
Simply breaking bones into small
pieces duplicates the effects of smash-
ing cremated bone, a situation that
leads to the problem of disposing of a
cremation. The cremation of human
bodies do not produce cigarette-like
ash, despite the common use of the
term “ashes” to refer to the resulting
materials. More recently the neologism
“cremains” has become popular, but
the belief that these are simply pow-
dery ashes remains common. Crema-
tion destroys soft tissue, but bone
burned at high temperature often vitri-
fies. That’s why porcelain or bone
china actually uses bone with the fine
clay to create a glass-like material. The
higher the temperature used to cre-
mate a human, the more difficult it is to
destroy the resulting bone. These bits
of “burned” bone, like broken bits of
bone, are readily identified by a physi-
cal anthropologist. Age and sex often
can be inferred from the smallest sam-
ple of these fragments (e.g. Becker
1997b). In short, one cannot simply
throw human bones away, no matter
whose they are (originally or legally).
Discarding human bones, and to a
lesser extent the soft tissue, is an is-
sue that rarely is discussed. I have
never seen reference in print to the
process of soft tissue disposal, which
commonly occurs on an informal level.
Basic to activities involving human re-
mains are the legal situations that de-
termine who actually owns these ob-
jects. When one is alive and function-
ing, one has control of one’s own body.
Some if not all control may be lost
through transfer of power of attorney.
When one dies, one’s body becomes
an object that is simply part of the es-
tate – a piece of property to be han-
dled by the legal heir(s). There are
laws limiting and directing what can be
done with a body or its parts, but other-
wise they become part of one’s es-
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THE SRAC JOURNAL
tate.3 One may express one’s wishes
in a will or other legal instrument, but
much of the decision-making process
rests entirely with the heir(s). Unless a
will is extremely carefully written, to
divert inheritance in cases on non-
compliance, an heir may do much as
they please. But what about bones left
in a grave for generations? What about
bones discovered in a long abandoned
and unmarked cemetery? In general
bones, coffin hardware, shroud pins,
and any other materials with a burial
are the property of the owner of the
property on which they are found. In
theory, there are legal restrictions re-
garding what one can do with these
remains, generally covered by modern
laws involved with desecration of a
corpse or the moving of a body. These
strictures are, in general, not applied to
“archaeologically” recovered remains.
Who Wants the Dung?
Human coprolites (feces) are often
found in the dry and protected areas of
caves and rock shelters. Recently, in
Oregon, Prof. Dennis Jenkins exca-
vated some of the earliest known hu-
man coprolites in the Americas. These
“artifacts,” and the associated DNA
(Science online, April 2008), provide
important information about the early
peopling of the Americas. Not only do
these items suggest possible biological
associations with populations in Asia,
but the routes taken by these early
immigrants and perhaps the numbers
of migratory waves may be inferred.
Whereas the bones of the producers of
these coprolites might generate con-
siderable interest among native claim-
ants, to date no one besides the scien-
tists seems interested in this artifact
category.
Public Outreach
A number of successful collaborative
programs have brought archaeologists
and physical anthropologists together
with “native” populations to further
goals of mutual concern – knowing
their pasts. These programs are ex-
Volume 4, Issue 1
AND M U LT I P L E
tremely successful (see Tielser and
Cucina 2008) where the native popula-
tion has integrity, in every sense of the
word, and interest in their own history.
However, in the more recent past,
more and more claimant groups ap-
pear, morph, and often disappear, in
interesting patterns. I attempted to
trace these over a period of about 25
years, often including some groups as
far away as Maryland. The study of
these groups, their origins and dynam-
ics, will make a fascinating doctoral
dissertation, but in the context of un-
derstanding native history these
groups are counterproductive. In my
opinion, none are interested in schol-
arly research on any level as each one
wishes to have its own made up story
accepted as a valid version of native
history. My own experience is that
none of the leaders of these groups,
and often there are no followers, has
any information regarding native peo-
ples.
These claimant groups come and go,
led by or composed of individuals with
business cards attesting to their official
status. Simply listing them, with their
officers and membership, for any state
is a difficult task that remains to be
achieved. These people, however, pro-
vide much of the so-called public out-
reach available to interested individu-
als and to those whose taxes support
public archaeology as well as aca-
demic institutions.
In Conclusion
It is safe to say that I have only
scraped the surface of all of the issues
concerning modern archaeology as it
relates to grave recovery. Other ques-
tions abound such as “Where no
bones or artifacts are detectable in a
grave “pit,” do any laws apply?” “How
does excavation on private property
differ from public lands?” “When a
physical anthropologist is also the ar-
chaeologist in charge and consultant to
the Coroner’s Office, a Catch 22 effect
is created.” “When people who are
(Continued on page 14)
Page 14 THE SRAC JOURNAL Volume 4, Issue 1

S O M E N O T E S O N N A T I V E I N D I A N G R AV E R E C O V E R Y AND M U LT I P L E
RELATED ISSUES CONT.

(Continued from page 13)

probable native descendants decide to support an archaeo-

logical excavation, are their written statements helpful to
the archaeological team?” “What happens when native
claimants to human remains found in graves are the de-
scendants of the people who can be documented as having
killed that population?” I am confident that this brief review
given of personal experiences will have served to further
confuse the issues discussed. This most fittingly explains
why these controversies live on.
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COME DIG WITH US!

Susquehanna River Archaeology Center (SRAC) members and Society of
Pennsylvania Archaeology (SPA) members (Andastes Chapter #5) have an
opportunity to participate in a Historic and Pre-historic educational excavation
in Bradford County, Pa.

A husband and wife team, Dan and Maureen Costura, are working on thier
doctorate at Cornell University, and are planning the excavation at French
Asylum, near the Laporte House. They are going down to plan the layout the
last week of April and expect to be working all of May and into June. Individu-
als interested in helping on this dig should contact Ted Keir at 570-888-2718.

T H E S R AC B OAR D OF DIRECTORS
Deb Twigg - Executive Director Ted Keir - Chairman of the Board, CoDirector of Susan Fogel - Chief Financial Officer
Dick Cowles - CoDirector of Archaeology/Curation Archaeology/Education Jessica Quinn
Tom Vallilee
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Page 15 THE SRAC JOURNAL Volume 4, Issue 1

COMING EVENTS
SRAC History's Mysteries - The Mound Builder Myth
Tue, Jun 3, 6pm – 8pm – SRAC, 345 Broad Street Waverly
There’s a lot going When many of the ancient mounds and earthworks in
North America were discovered by white settlers, they be-
on at SRAC these
lieved that they were made by: • Aliens • The People of
days! We have all Atlantis • The Vikings. Deb Twigg will take you through time
kinds of events and and show you many mounds that she has personally vis-
programs most every ited in her quest to unravel what has become known in the
week. Watch for an- scientific world as the “Mound Builder Myth.” Doors open at
nouncements of all 6pm. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for SRAC members
current offerings in and children under 18.
the newspapers, in
flyers, and on the ~ NEW ~ SRAC ROUNDUP EVENTS!
web! SRAC Roundups are events that will gather together as
much of a specific and unique type of artifact as possible
with the help of museums and collectors, to include guest
speakers and specialists.
Birdstones
Carla Cohen presenting a series on healthy Sat, June 7th 1pm - 4pm - SRAC, 345 Broad St. Waverly
living, “Spring Into Spring.” Presented by SRAC with a
special guest presentation by
SRAC Wildlife Rehab Series Ralph Rataul, PhD of the
NYS Museum. In addition,
Thu, May 15 6:30 - 7:30 pm - SRAC, 345 Broad St. Waverly we calling out to all collectors
Barb Cole and LIVE Animals! The SRAC Wildlife Rehab to bring their birdstones from around the region. Secure
Series will be presented every third Thursday of the month storage available. Setup from noon to 1pm. Join us for a
starting in May and will include many topics throughout the very rare afternoon of sharing and learning. Admission is
year to include discussions on owls and other large birds, $5 Adults, $4 SRAC Members, $3 Children
porcupines, deer, reptiles, bats, water fowl, garden birds
and more! Live animals will be present every night! Admis- Wampum and Beads
sion is $3 for children under 18, $5 for adults and $3 for Sat, August 23rd 1pm - 4pm - SRAC, 345 Broad St. Waverly
SRAC members. Refreshments available.
Join us for a Saturday filled
SRAC and the Andaste Chapter of PA Archaeology present “The with wampum and beads!
Lamoka Site” Many pieces will be on display!
Mon, May 19, 7 - 8pm - SRAC - 345 Broad St Waverly Presentation on wampum and
it's usage by SRAC Advisor,
Anyone who has collected artifacts in this region is familiar Dr. Marshall Becker! Collectors
with “Lamoka” points. Charles Van Buskirk was born not far are invited to bring any beads
from Lake Lamoka and early on heard of the famous Indian or beadwork to exhibit for the
site. Natural curiosity developed into a fascination with day! Secure storage available.
these ancient people, and it became a private research Setup from noon to 1pm. Ad-
hobby. He made a trip to the Albany museum and photo- mission is $5 Adults, $4 SRAC
graphed the Lamoka diorama and used his photos to pro- Members, $3 Children
duce large posters for use with his lectures. Van Buskirk
has written a concise history of the Native Americans from
the Paleo through the Iroquois time periods, published by
the Steuben County Historical Society. Admission is free to
the public.

May 30th, 2008 6-

6-8 pm - Kids Night Out ! Storyteller Night
Storyteller night will be presented by SRAC member Jack
Andrus! Jack will come dressed in Native Indian costume Wishing Barbara Twigg
and share interactive Native Indian children stories that all a speedy recovery!
ages will enjoy! Authentic stories! Fun for all ages! Kids $3,
Adults $5

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Page 16 THE SRAC JOURNAL Volume 4, Issue 1

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$100.00 The Leadership Company
234 Main Street LINE 1

Your Town, USA

LINE 2

LINE 3
• Silver The Hollowell Family
$50.00 Jan, Christy
Ryan, Allison, and Tommy LINE 4
(Limit lines to 35 characters. Gold level can include logo if space
allows. Please email logos to sfogel@hughes.net.)

• Sup-
The Johnson Family
porter
In loving memory of our dad John
$25.00
Send check along with this form to: SRAC
For additional information call Deb PO Box 12
Twigg at 607-727-3111 or email Sayre, PA 18840
• Friend Info@SRACenter.org
$10.00 The Lucky Penny Club

The Susquehanna River Archaeological Center of Native Indian Studies ~ www.SRACenter.org ~ email Info@SRACenter.org
Page 17
SRAC MUSEUM SPACE CURRENTLY BEING ASSEMBLED
SRAC's Co-founder Dick Cowles and
son Kurt
Since purchasing the building located
at 345 Broad Street Waverly in De-
cember 2007, the Susquehanna River
Archaeological Center (SRAC) has
nearly renovated its whole 5,000
square ft. main floor. Already, visitors
can stop in a huge gift shop between
1 and 5pm weekdays or attend events
many evenings during the month. On
Saturday April 12th we began another
SRAC museum cases were removed
from the 3rd story of the Painted Post
Museum
Large case safely returned to the
ground
The Susquehanna River Archaeological Center of Native Indian Studies ~ www.SRACenter.org ~ email Info@SRACenter.org
THE SRAC JOURNAL
major project, the core of SRAC; our
museum space.
This accomplishment is due largely to
our friends at the Corning Painted
Post Museum, who donated over 25
antique museum cases to SRAC last
summer. While many cases had been
moved to the Valley at that time,
some still remained in Painted Post
until the most recent move. This is
because the remaining cases could
only be removed the same way that
they were moved in; through a third
floor window.
After months of planning, these huge
cases were placed safely on a huge
pallet created by Kurt Cowles. One by
one they were gently brought to the
ground by a forklift which then placed
them into trucks for their journey to
their new home at SRAC.
Amazingly, these same cases had
been placed in the Painted Post Mu-
seum decades ago by a well known
amateur archaeologist and local histo-
rian, Ellsworth Cowles; and he
brought them from Waverly, NY. With
the help of a dozen workers and an
oversized forklift, Ellsworth's son Dick
and grandson Kurt reversed what he
had done and delivered them safely
back to Waverly. The Cowles family
not only planned and managed the
whole project, but funded it as well.
Forklift removes cases form 3rd story
window of Painted Post museum
Volume 4, Issue 1
Cases placed in truck for the trip to
Waverly
Thanks to the Corning Painted Post
Museum, the Cowles family, and a
group of selfless men with good
backs, Waverly, NY will soon be the
home to the largest museum space
filled with local Native Indian
artifacts in the region. We hope to
have a grand opening early this sum-
mer.
“Seeing the pictures of them I was
reminded of the many times I went to
the Erwin Town Museum on Friday
nights from 7-9 in the winter with Ells-
worth. [During the summer the mu-
seum had more hours and students
were hired by the town to work there.]
Sometimes there would be a scout
troop visiting or a local history buff
would stop and chat. Many times it was
just the two of us. Me jumping back
and forth from excitement to utter bore-
dom and him patiently working on
some project or talking with me about
life before the white traders came. The
place was dusty, out of the way idio-
syncratic with bits of whatever people
wanted to donate that was old. But in
the end it helped preserved a lot of
stuff and now you and SRAC are fo-
cusing and re-energizing the commu-
nity to learn
its history. As I said to Dad when I
talked to him last night, if I could be-
lieve in an afterlife than I know that
Ellsworth was smiling yesterday.”
Charlotte Cowles
Page 18 THE SRAC JOURNAL Volume 4, Issue 1
The Susquehanna River Archaeological Center of Native Indian Studies
PO Box 12
Sayre, PA 18840

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The Susquehanna River Archaeological Center of Native Indian Studies ~ www.SRACenter.org ~ email Info@SRACenter.org