Early records of man tend
to become obscure with the passage of time. This is
well illustrated by a locality on the C. R. Cowan
Ranch 8 miles northwest of Miami, Roberts County,
Texas. Prior to excavation, this locality presented
nothing to distinguish it from any other place in the
level lands of the Texas Plains.
The fact that something unusual existed underground
at this point became known when in 1933, Charles
Puckett, ploughing deeper than usual on the Cowan
Ranch, brought bone fragment to the surface. The
reported this discovery to J. A. Mead, Judge of
Roberts County, who had long been interested in
fossils and artifacts. The deep plowing, it may be
added, was incident to changed farming practices
brought by the great droughts of the "Dust
Bowl" period of the 1930s.
In December, 1934, Judge Mead and others.excavating
at the locality, obtained four elephant teeth, two
leg bones and several ribs. With the elephant bones
lying close to the ribs and about 20 inches from two
of the elephant teeth, was a ... point.
This discovery was reported to Science Service by
Floyd Studer and a brief statement appear in Science
News Letter, February 9, 1935. In 1937, extensive
excavations made at the locality under the direction
of Glen L. Evans of the University of Texas showed
that this spot had been at one time a depression in
the level of the land of the plain which held water
and served as a water hole or pond frequented by
elephants.
Remains of several elephants ranging in age from vary
young to adult were found in the water hole and with
them additional projectile points and one scraper.
The scraper and all the points found were made of
flint.
After excavation had been completed the depression
was refilled and the spot once more became a part of
the Cowan wheat field.
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Roberts County Photographs 