Stanton’s Cave Split Twig Figurines in Letters

On Bus Hatch’s first expedition through the Grand Canyon in 1934, he discovered a couple of split twig figurines in a cave that we now call Stanton’s cave. We recently stumbled upon two letters from Clyde Eddy asking Bus for more information about where the figures were found and the second informing Bus about what he has learned about the history of those figures. We thought you might be interested in reading the letters for yourself! 

Letter 1

October 11,1934

Dear Bus,

This isn’t intended as a letter. I shall write that next week. This is just a hurried request for some information. 

 

The Museum of Natural History wants to know just where the little willow figures were when you found them at Vasey’s Paradise. I know, of course, that we did not dig them out of the ground. As I remember, you found them on a ledge of rock in one of the caves. That is true, is it not? Did it look as if the figures might have been placed there during the last fifty or one hundred years? Were any of the figures completely buried in the dust and under rocks that had fallen from the roof of the cave? The Museum is trying to determine whether the figures were left there by the original inhabitants of the caves or were placed there by Indians who had visited Vasey’s Paradise during historic times. 

 

Please let me hear from you promptly, giving me as much information as you can concerning the location and position of the figures when you found them.

 

I have been over my ears in work ever since I returned to the office and have had little or no time for anything else, but I expect to have a little more time from now on and I shall write to you very soon. 

 

With my very best Regards,

Clyde Eddy 

Letter 2

January 18,1935

Dear Bus,

 

I believe you will be interested in some additional information concerning our archaeological discoveries at Vasey’s Paradise.

 

On my first trip down the river, one of the members of the expedition found a pair of rope sandals. These sandals were sent to the American Museum of Natural History. This summer I collected a number of pieces of broken pottery and these so-called postshards and the little “horses” that you found also were sent to the museum. I had a talk one day last week with the curator of Ethnology and he gave me these rather interesting dates for the Vasey’s Paradise material. 

 

The sandals date back to either the Pueblo I or the Pueblo or the Basket-Maker III, somewhere between 500 and 700 years ago. The pieces of pottery extend over a rather long period of time but most of them go back to Pueblo II or early Pueblo III, about 400 years ago. The wood figures that you found go back about 200 years, placing them around 1700 A.D., about the time Escalante visited the Salt Lake Valley. Apparently Vasey’s Paradise was occupied by Indians during a very long period of time. It is probable that the clan or tribe became extinct about 200 years ago. Horses had been introduced into the country 150 years previously by the Spaniards so it is not unlikely that the little figures are intended to represent horses.

 

Frank probably told you some time ago that I had written asking him to let me know what pictures, if any, were wanted by you men in vernal. I have not heard from Frank and, unwilling to keep Dr. Frazier waiting any long, I am having prints made. It is probable that you will want prints after you see Dr. Frazier’s complete set and I shall be pleased to have prints made for you at any time. 

 

The book (not boat) that I sent to Vernal for signatures seems to have got in a jam and remembering your rather rare ability in getting things moving again, I wonder if you will help me out. I have written to Frank and not hearing from him I do not know definitely whether he has the book or not. If he has, and is merely neglecting to send it, please take a Heber-spinner along and see if you can jar the book loose. At any rate, I hope you will ask Frank to have the book autographed by each one of you, and send it along to me.

 

I had a letter from Dr. Frazier this morning in which he tells me that he will be in New York early in March. I certainly am looking forward to seeing him and only wish that all of you could come along. I should like to show you some of the “danger spots” along Broadway. 

 

Yours till the river runs dry

Clyde

Check out these other blogs about Stanton’s Cave:

Stanton’s Cave: An Archaeological Gem in the Grand Canyon

Flashback Friday: Stanton’s Cave and Vasey’s Paradise