The Albany News (Albany, Tex.), Vol. 122, No. 1, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 5, 1997 Page: 25 of 66
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Texas Digital Newspaper Program and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the The Old Jail Art Center.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
"Back to Rath's Trail" Souvenir Section 1997 Page 15
fi t c r di sc i p li na r y.' In this case, he wanted
i mix history with a study of the 1870s
^est Texas environment. "Soil and char-
loal taken from within (he building sites
lliould reveal what the environment was
[ike before and during the bison kill-off.
There have been many other buffalo
liunter sites excavated, but few that were
Isking these broader environmental
Questions."
So far, a wide variety of interesting
yet uninterpreted items have been un-
arthed, including brine fragments, spent
Miell-casings, charcoal, nails, a piece of
buckshot and pounds of glass. "1 think
ihese people drank pretty heavily out
liere." Barker said. "A lot more, I think,
iban up at Adobe Walls."
Despite the hardships, though, the
[partnership between McMurry and the
(Dallas Museum of Natural History has
|been mutually rewarding.
"I wanted to learn a little bit about
larcheology," Allen said. "I've thought
laboCil it, but have never had'the opportu-
nity."'Since then, he has become famil-
iar with line levels; surveying equip-
ment, log sheets and screens. "Archeol-
ogy is more precise than what I thought.
You never see this part-taking measure-
I inents, using a trowel, tfiat sort of thing."
Indeed, Barker, who is also an ad-
junct professor of anthropology at South-
em Methodist University, as well as a
fellow of the Clements Center for South-
western Studies, made sure that the tech-
nical aspects of his field were ham-
mered home on his McMurry pupils.
"An average archeology field school
lasts six to 12 weeks in the field. I was
concerned that these students wouldn't
receive adequate training. I've tried to
make sure that the things we've learned,
we,learned well."
Barker also mentioned that he was
impressed with the McMurry work ethic.
"Its been great to have these students
here because they've been reliable. We
would have been out here anyway, we
just would not have gotten as much
done. As it is, we've had an extremely
rewarding and productive summer."
Lana Coggeshall, the educational
programs coordinator at the Dallas Mu-
seum echoed the sentiment. "They're
interested and willing to learn. It's al-
ways cool when people want to be here.
I'm impressed with their perseverance.
Not too many people would sacrifice
their weekends for three hours credit."
But for Allen, Wolfe and Morris,
who all have jobs and full-time respon-
sibilities, a weekends-only summer
school class was perfect.
"I needed three hours, and all the
other summer classes I signed up for
didn't work out," said Wolfe, pastor at
Tye United Methodist Church. The
people who have been here have been
great-a lot more fun than the digging "
"Even with the heat and the mind-
numbing tedium, I'm really enjoying
myself," he added. "Even though I
haven't seen any wild pigs."
Barker to Present Findings
From Rath City Dig
Public May View Archaeological Dig Saturday
"The Buried Treasurers of Rath City"
will be presented by Alex Barker, cura-
tor of archaeology and director of pro-
grams for the Dallas Museum of Natural
History at 3:40 p.m. Saturday in the
Hamlin Masonic Lodge. Barker will
show items recovered during the
museum's archaeological dig at the Rath
City site that has been underway for a
year.
In addition, Barker and others will be
at the site Saturday to allow the public to
see the dig in progress. The excavation
of the site will continue until all possible
history of the site can be ascertained.
Thank You
The Historic Rath's Trail Association sincerely
appreciates the assistance and support of the
landowners of the Rath City site:
Mrs. Elmo Joy Ferguson
Mr. and Mrs. John D. Ferguson, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs Phil Guitar
.J'V
WcCcome to tficfoHrtfi AnttuaC
&ac% to Uatd's TraiC
We manufacture and sell feeds for
all livestock
17% and .23% Ratite Keed. • CatUe • Swine • Sh
PBT& WILDLIFE, INC
MANUFACTURED BY PIED PIPER MILLS, INC.
-W.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Lucas, Donnie A. The Albany News (Albany, Tex.), Vol. 122, No. 1, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 5, 1997, newspaper, June 5, 1997; Albany, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth414301/m1/25/?rotate=270: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Old Jail Art Center.