1996-08-02_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - M1977378

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least 60+ %of the midden is still intact. There is an absence on-the surface of whole bottles, diagnostic makers marks, and whole cans. This suggests a fairly consistent removal of artifacts over the years by recreational users of the San Juan Mountains. The site is adjacent to a popular off road jeep trail, and the site is visited by individuals daily during the summer months. The taking of"souvenirs"by these visitors is a likely explanation for the absence of many of the artifacts. Steve Baker of Centuries Research Inc. noted during a phone conversation of July 26, 1996 that he has a few diagnostic artifacts collected from this midden over the last twenty years of visiting the site. Metal artifacts consist primarily of food cans and comigated tin roofing. There were in excess of two hundred hole-in-cap fiuit or vegetable cans, several hole-in-cap condensed milk cans, and several large hole-in-cap food cans. Sanitary fruit or vegetable cans were also present in small numbers, and found in association with a few hole-in-top evaporated milk cans. Several lard buckets, a square fuel can, and a few hinged lid pocket oval tobacco tins were also present. Many of the older cans(e.g. hole-in-cap) are very rusted and deteriorated and there is an absence of intact whole cans on the surface. There is an absence of meat cans in the assemblage suggesting the boardinghouse had a fairly regular supply of fresh meat. Other metal artifacts noted in the midden area included, barrel hoops, keg hoops, steel wire, steel cables, wire nails, and square cut nails. Several cast iron stove parts were observed including a few with makers markings including"G.ITA.1"; "G.F.F. ILL."; and"N03014". Glass artifacts are defined by broken bottle fragments with a distinct lack of makers marks and finishes in comparison to the number of body fragments. These containers represented were Primarily liquor, beer, and wine bottles. The glass colors represented were almost exclusively sun_ colored amethyst(purple)light green, aqua, amber, and olive green. These colors are diagnostic for the period of ca. 1880-1920. Only a few diagnostic makers marks and finishes were found on the surface compared to the hundreds of bottle body pieces. The diagnostic makers marks identified were: "R&CO"(Roth and Company, San Francisco, 1879-1888 Tollouse 1971:438). "A.B.Co." ( American Bottling Company, Chicago, M. 1905-1916 Tollouse 1971:13) and`B & C"Unknown). Most of the bottles were mold made and hand tooled. Finish styles noted included crown cap, straight brandy, and a variant of double ring. A few scattered clear glass fragments were noted in the midden that represent later additions to the deposit. Ceramic artifacts included several hundred fragments of simple, undecorated, semi- vitreous, white earthenware, hotel tableware. Fragments of dinner plates, soup bowls, serving platters and coffee mugs were present. Only one ceramic makers mark was found on the base of the simple hard paste white earthenware tableware (several examples of the same mark) and this mark was "Homer Laughlin Hotel China" (Homer Laughlin China Company, East Liverpool, Ohio 1901-1915 Gates and Ormerod 1982:135). A few fragments of porcelain chamber pots and a single porcelain embossed tea cup Handel were also identified. Earthenware crock fragments, and pieces of a yellow ware mixing bowl were also noted Several porcelain electrical insulator fragments were noted in the midden. Other material artifacts included several leather shoe parts, bricks, canvas, a shell coat button, and several hundred butchered animal bone fragments. Butchered animal bone appears to represent cow, pig, and other animals. This bone is exposed to the elements and is deteriorating, but could provided valuable information on diet and economy in mining camps. It is possible to note some slight differences in the distribution of certain artifacts within the 23