"Hines Cave, about six miles from Monticello (Kentucky),yielded the
most remains of any in Kentucky. The cave is spacious and well
drained. The entrance is protected from wind, rain and snow by high
cliffs, yet well lighted for some distance. The bottom is level and dry
and this must have been a desirable shelter to the people who occupied
it. There were remains from many fires and in the graves were many
artifacts, awls, needles and skinning knives; in the ash beds were bones
of many animals. In one grave was found the skeleton of a young woman
with a round piece of shining mica of the type that comes from North
Carolina. Many skeletons were found and many more artifacts, stone
hoes, flint arrowheads, pipes, pottery, and textiles. Animal bones were
those of a wolf, bear, rabbit, turkey, quail, turtle shells, and mussel
shells. "
This excerpt from the book "Ancient Life in Kentucky"(1928) by Webb and
W.D. Funkhouser makes clear the significance of this burial and
habitation site of the Cherokee people. Reports indicate that Hines
Cave, or Doublehead cave, (15WN1, NAGPRA designation number) was used
for at least 20000 years by indigenous peoples. Yet, once again it is
the target of massive grave robbing and looting. Further, aerial
surveillance indicates that a barn of the property owner Nick Cooley,
and ex-brother-in-law of present Kentucky Governor Paul Patton,
contained boxes of suspected artifacts. Just outside of the barn were
construction materials similar to the ones used to build shaker screens
just like the ones visible in the photos above the entrance to the cave.
This barn is near the home of Mr. Cooley and on the same property as
Hines Cave. This is not the first time this has occurred. About four
years ago it was reported to authorities that wholesale grave digging
was going on at the cave. Dennis Banks of the American Indian Movement,
Dave Pollack of the Kentucky Heritage Council, and others observed that
human bones and, including the skull of small child, were in mass
profusion throughout the entrance. The Kentucky State Police were
notified but no investigation is ever known to have been done. In
Kentucky it is a class D felony to disturb a native burial and
desecrating a cave is also illegal. Reports were made at this time to
the proper law authorities and nothing was ever done. Shortly
thereafter it was noted that the cave entrance had been bulldozed.
Again no investigation was done by the Kentucky State Police even after
many calls. Reports are that the owner, Nick Cooley ordered the
bulldozing of the cave entrance to provide shelter for his cows. He has
reportedly admitted it to several people including individuals of the
Kentucky Heritage Council which also encompasses the Kentucky Native
American Cultural Commission, that he ordered the bulldozing, and
nothing was done about it in spite of the state law against cave
desecration and disturbance of a native burial.
Recent developments: The Kentucky Bureau of Investigations concluded
that there was no proof this was a burial site. Therefore, an
investigation of the reports of grave looting is unfounded. We have
also received reports that a auction was held at Mr. Cooley’s place
recently and that it probably was an artifact auction. Why is this
tragic situation allowed to continue? There are state and federal laws
to prevent this from occurring, but they are not being enforced. Stand
with us and demand the enforcement of pertinent laws and help stop this
ghoulish practice.
This article with photos is at: http://www.darkstartechnologies.com/seals/hines.html
Michael Sims
South Eastern Anti-desecration League http://www.darkstartechnologies.com/seals/seal.htm
Kentucky Governor Paul Patton mailto:governor@mail.state.ky.us
Kentucky Heritage Council mailto:dcoleman@mail.state.ky.us
Kentucky Division of Conservation mailto:coleman@mail.nr.state.ky.us
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