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1 <br />26 <br />sediment influx (which would enhance stratigraphic sepazation), and the degree to which later <br />occupations may have resulted in a mixing of sediments and thus cultural materials through everyday <br />' use of the site. <br />' Most of the artifacts from the lithic component, and interestingly, neazly all of the chipped <br />and ground stone tools, come from excavation levels that also produced historic materials. However, <br />in several of the test pits, chipped stone debitage, and, on occasion, other cultural materials from the <br />' lithic component, occur in levels below those which produced historic artifacts and materials. These <br />associations strongly indicate that some of the lithic component materials aze in fact associated with <br />the historic occupation of the site, but at the same time provide some indication that a prehistoric <br />' component is present at the site. If a prehistoric component is present, however, it certainly does not <br />reflect an intensive or long term occupation or use of the site, and by itself is not considered to be <br />significant. There is not sufficient artifact density or diversity, nor any indication of intact activity <br />' areas or occupation surfaces, nor any indication of a means to establish better chronological control <br />than that possible with diagnostic projectile points or ceramics. A possible prehistoric component <br />is not the focus of the further work recommended for this site, and is not considered to contribute <br />' to the site's National Register eligibility. However, if the excavations and investigations proposed <br />for this site reveal a prehistoric component that could be considered significant, it will be evaluated <br />and treated as described and defined by McKibbin et al. (1997). <br />M Results of Archival Research and Informant Interview <br />A one-day visit to the Las Animas Courthouse produced a neazly complete chain-of--title <br />' describing the succession of most owners for the property that encompasses the site (Las Animas <br />County n.d.). The initial owner of record was Lorenzo Sandoval who received a U.S. Patent on <br />November 1, 1880, for the "SWl/4 of SWl/4 of Section 34, T33S R66W' and the "E1/2 of NE1/4 <br />Section 4 & NWl/4 ofNWl/4 of Section 3," in T34S R66W (Book 10:699). On October 30, 1883, <br />Lorenzo Sandoval convened the property to J. C. Gunter by Deed of Trust (Book 13:261). <br />' Julius Caldeen (J. C.) Gunter was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He attended the University <br />of Virginia, and moved to Colorado to a ranch north of Trinidad after graduation in 1879 due to <br />' health reasons. In 1881 he moved into Trinidad, was admitted to the Colorado Bar, and opened a <br />law practice there. Gunter played a prominent business and political role during the early 20th <br />century. <br />' In 1888 he was elected a District Judge in Trinidad. Gunter was appointed [o the State court of <br />appeals in 1901 and moved with his wife to Denver. In 1904 he became a member of the State <br />' Supreme court. The Democratic party nominated h'un for governor in 1916 and he was swept into <br />office on Woodrow Wilson's political coattails. As Colorado's governor during World War I, Gunter <br />is remembered for having formed a home national guard known as Colorado's Wartime Council. At <br />the end of his term in 1919 he returned to private practice and his many business interests, including <br />' both ranching and banking concerns. (Rocky Mountain News 17 October 1940; Byers 1901; Rocky <br />Mountain News I January 1935, cited in Friedman 1985:226-227) <br /> <br />