The Clarksdale Press Register from Clarksdale, Mississippi • 1

10 SHOPPING DAYS LEFT 445 AMERICAN LUNG ASSN. The Christmas Seal State Of Mos. Dept. of Archives Lox 571 Jackson, 1.3. 39205 The 115th Year -Number 297 Clarksdale, Amateur archaeologist John Reitz (left) and Field Archaeologist Sam Brookes examine the newly soil strata uncovered during the recent destruction of an Indian mound formerly located exposed McKee place near Friars Point.

Stretched lengthwise at the feet of the two observers on the Lytle the skeletal remains of one of three burials located in the mound. No artifacts were found in are the mound, though a few were found on the surrounding grounds. Indian mound levelled to install farm device By HARRY ABERNATHY Associate Editor An Indian mound that probably was erected over 1,000 years ago recently was levelled to facilitate the operation of a new irrigation device. The site of the mound is on the Lytle McKee place not far off Mississippi 1 near Friars Point. McKee has installed an irrigation system that moves on wheels, and the mound interfered with movement of the rotating mechanism.

Before the removal of the mound began, however, Field Archaeologists Sam Brookes and John Connoway were invited to be on hand during the destruction. They had observed the mound in the past, and they returned to the site from time to time at various stages of the demolition. Brookes estimates that the site was built between 50 A.D. and 200 A.D., though it could have been put in place as late as 800 A.D. Some bone fragments from one of the burials found in the mound probably will be sent to the University of Georgia for carbon-dating, Brookes said.

Brookes pointed out that no sherds were found in the mound, but a few were found on the ground in the vicinity. It is these few artifacts which provide the basis for the archaeologist's preliminary estimate on the age of the structure. Three burials were uncovered. In all three cases, the skeletal remains were or lying flat. This is regarded as another clue that the mound dates back to 50 A.D.

or thereabouts, cremated for burial. No evidence of cremated remains was found in the McKee mound, however, There probably was not a village at the McKee site, Brookes says, but there is a previously explored village site about a quarter of a mile away. The McKee mound may have been associated with this or another village, and it also could have been associated in some way with the more famous Dickerson Mound, which is only about two miles away. In many Indian mounds, burials were arranged so that the remains all faced in the same direction. In the McKee mound, though, one of the remains faced north, one faced south and one faced west.

The mound was unqlue in one respect. It was located on clay-like soil, or "gumbo" and was made of the same material. Indians usually chose sandy soil, which was easier to work with, in building their mounds. Brookes says the mound included several strata, which indicated that it was built in several stages. Connoway estimated that the McKee mound was 10.5 feet high at what probably was its highest point, and he estimated it was about 50 feet in diameter.

The mound now has been virtually demolished. Work on the levelling began a month or six weeks ago but proceeded slowly--partly because of wet grounds at various times and partly to permit the archaeologists to gather data during the destruc- since in that period bodies were extended or tion. The of the doomed mound on the Lytle McKee place is observed by (from left, backs to camera) June Williams, Sam Brookes and John Reitz. Archaeologist John Connaway (right) is examining the spot where two of three burials were found in the mound. -The archaeologists completed the removal of the two burials while the mound destruction was delayed briefly.

Press Register Afternoon, December 15, 1980 14 Pages 15 Cents Mississippi, Monday USPS 115 HO Saudis agree to raise prices of crude oil BALL. Indonesia (AP) Saudi Arabia has agreed to increase its crude oil prices by an amount to be announced later, Saudi Oil Minister Sheik Ahmed Zaki Yamani announced today. The Saudis, largest oil producers in OPEC and key source of U.S. imported oil, have been under pressure from other members of the cartel to raise their $30-a-barrel basic price to the OPEC base price of $32. Yamani told reporters the size of the increase would be announced after he had consulted other members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

There had been speculation the Saudis might agree to raise their price to $32 a barrel if other pro ducers promise not to hike their real terms next year to cover inflaprices still higher. tion might be possible if there was On Sunday, Venezuelan Oil unified pricing. Minister Humberto Calderon Berti The OPEC delegates hoped in the 13 nations could work their meeting to restore at least the predicted out a pricing formula for 1981 If appearance of unity despite the 85- Saudi Arabia agreed to match the day old war between Iran and Iraq. OPEC benchmark price of $32 per Opening the first major OPEC meeting since the Persian Gulf war barrel. Calderon Berti said the war bet- erupted Sept.

22, Indonesia's Presiween OPEC members Iran and dent Suharto appealed to Iran and would help dry up the world oil Iraq "to seek the best conceivable Iraq glut, stemming from economic solution to their conflict as soon as recession and conservation, that possible. has prevented OPEC hard liners In a quiet protest, Iran's delegafrom getting the top dollar prices tion placed a large black-and-white they sought for their oil. But he said photograph of Iranian Oil Minister 1981 consumption should return to Mohammed Jawad Bequir Tunguyen, who has been taken 1979 levels. in the war, in the seat he Calderon Berti said quarterly prisoner increases of 2 to 3 percent 1 in would have occupied. price Iran blames U.S.

for delay in release BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) Ira nian President Abolhassan BansSadr today blamed the United States for the delay in freeing the 52 American hostages and said Washington must be prepared to return every penny of Iranian wealth before the standoff can be resolved. "The Majlis (Parliament) has asked for the return of our money and if there is any obstacle it is in the answer that America Bani-Sadr told a news conference for foreign reporters in Tehran. "The principle reason for the delay lies in the hands of those who hold real power in the United He did not elaborate, but said any U.S. decision to withhold a portion of Iranian assets will not lead to a Bani-Sadr was commenting on the delay in Iran's response to the latest U.S. clarification of the four conditions proposed for release of the 52 hostages, held now for more than 13 months.

He said fault for the delay rests with the United States for failing to state in clear State Treasurer, John Dale, dies LUCEDALE (AP) Gov. William Winter will appoint a successor to fill out the unexpired term of State Treasurer John Dale Dale, 52. died Saturday in Lucedale where he was being treated for heart trouble. Winter said, "John Dale was a tremendously able public servant who had the confidence and respect of the people of Mississippi. John had spent most of his adult life serving the people of Mississippi as a public official.

He will be deeply missed by me, by his fellow state officials and by the people of the state of Mississippi." The funeral for Dale was to be held at 2 p.m. today at First United Methodist Church in Lucedale, with burial to follow in Magnolia Cemetery. Dale's term comes up for election in 1983. Winter's press secretary David Crews said it was "entirely premature to make any comment on appointing a successor" so soon after Dale's death. Dale's cousin, state Insurance Commissioner George Dale, said John Dale died in George County Hospital.

Dale was elected treasurer in November 1979, succeeding Ed Pittman. who became secretary of state. Pittman said, was a man that had been in public office and service an excess of 30 years he devoted full time and thought to carrying out his public duties. "He was a man who intensely tried to fill the public trust. He made an excellent Dale had served eight years as public service commissioner from the southern district, and was a former high school teacher, chancery clerk, circuit clerk.

prosecuting attorney a and attorney for the George County Board of Supervisors before his election to the commission in 1971. State Auditor Hamp King said, "He was a fine man and he made a very good public official. There was never any question about his integrity. He was a person to be looked up to and respected. Although state law provides that the treasurer can serve only one consecutive term, Pittman said he believes whoever Winter appoints to the post could legally run for the office in 1983.

Dale had suffered a heart attack in October, and had returned to his home in Lucedale recently to recuperate. Mrs. Winnie Dale said last week that her husband, a former member of the state Public Service Commission, had suffered another bout of heart trouble and was placed in the coronary care unit of the hospital here. He was born Oct. 1, 1928, in Leaf, and was graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi and the Jackson School of Law.

Dale is survived by his wife, the former Winnie Faye Howell; a son, John Jr. and a daughter, Kathy, both of the home; his mother, Mrs. Charles Dale of Lucedale and a Charles Dale, of Ocean brother, Springs. Meeting set next week to discuss Marks issue MARKS A meeting between the Quitman County Board of Supervisors and the Quitman County Development Organization to discuss two points included in a 15- point list of grievances has been scheduled for next Monday. Robert Jackson, an administrative assistant for the QCDO, said he received a letter from the supervisors in response to formal requests for meetings to air grievances with local leaders.

Marks Mayor "Doc" Vincent said he turned down a meeting requested for tonight in a letter to the QCDO. In the letter, Vincent said a means to address representatives of several organizations claiming representation of the area's black people is needed. Until such an arrangement can be found. "It would be improper for us to discuss the problems of the black terms its acceptance of the demands adopted Nov. 2 by the Parliament, "Of course, I am not speaking only of the money that was stolen by the Shah and his relatives.

I am speaking also of the money that belongs to the Iranian government and is in the U.S. banks or the banks that are under U.S. control." Iran has demanded the return of the wealth of the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and his immediate family, withdrawal of pending U.S. lawsuits against Iran, release of more than $8 billion in Iranian assets frozen in U.S. banks and a U.S.

pledge of nonInterference in Iranian affairs. The U.S. government is reported to have explained the legal obstacles to its fulfilling the first two demands but reportedly said the other two conditions could be met without difficulty. Burgin ordered to begin serving prison sentence BILOXI (AP) U.S. District Judge Walter Nixon has signed an order instructing former state Sen.

Bill Burgin, convicted on a charge of conspiracy to defraud the government, to begin serving his federal prison sentence on Jan. 5. A court spokesman said today the order signed on Friday also directed former state Sen. Flavous Lambert, convicted in the same case, to report to a federal prison on the same date. Nixon's order came after the U.S.

Supreme Court refused to review Burgin's conviction. as a whole without a community cross section of the black community represented." Vincent said in the letter. Several black, groups including the county's NAACP chapter and a group of independent black homeowners are vying for the city's attention. Vincent said, adding that Marks' annual Christmas Parade, scheduled for tonight, also made a meeting with the city and the QCDO impossible. Meetings were proposed between QCDO, the city, and county governments and county board of education and the Marks Chamber of Commerce as part of an agreement which ended a month-long boycott by blacks of white owned area businesses.

The dispute centered around construction of a black comminity center here. Calendar MONDAY, DEC. 15 6:30 p.m.- -The board of direc tors of Coahoma 0p- portunities, will meet at the Clarksdale Neighborhood Center. TUESDAY, DEC. 16 12 noon--The Clarksdale Rotary Club will meet at the Regency Restaurant.

Weather Generally fair through Tues High today upper 50s. day. Low tonight upper 20s. High Tuesday low 50s. Winds light and variable today and tonight.

Wednesday through Friday: Generally fair with a warm: ing trend. Low temperatures the 30s and 40s on Wednesday rising into the 40s and 50s on Friday. Daytime in the 405 and 50s on highs Wednesday climbing into the 60s and 705 on Friday. Clarksdale, the water and in light department recorded the following weekend temperatures: Friday, high 61, low 38; Saturday, high 58, low 35; Sunday, high 54, low 35; there was no rain recorded. River The Mississippi River at the Helena gauge was recorded this morning at 10.5 ft.

which is a rise of 1.8 ft. during the past 24 hours..