An Epic Battle Over A Rock

It Started As A Rediscovery, But Now Two States Duke It Out Over The Fate Of A Boulder

(CBS)  Steve Shaffer is an upholsterer most-known not for recovering chairs and pillows, but for recovering a long-lost piece of history, CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman reports.

"I think I just wanted to reach out through the mist of time and touch it, to be real honest with you, and to see if it was still there," he said.

He's talking about Indian Head Rock, an eight-ton boulder that used to sit in the middle of the Ohio River near the town of Portsmouth, Ohio.

As boulders go, it was a fairly popular one. Back in the 1800s, people used to come out to see the face, carved there by Indians, some people said. A few visitors did a little carving of their own - until about 100 years ago, when the river got dammed and the rock got flooded.

Shaffer said when he first heard that story as a boy, it planted a seed in his mind, "that someday it might be found."

For three summers, Shaffer and some dive buddies scoured the rocks on the river's bottom - to no avail.

Until out of the murk …. "I swam around the rock and there it was."

The face. "Then you start to see initials," Schaffer said.

No doubt, Schaffer had found Indian Head Rock.

"It was in beautiful shape," he said.

And that's where this story could have easily - some say should have definitely - ended. But Shaffer was so excited about finally finding this rock, he wanted to share that joy with others. So he did what a lot of people would do when they find a particularly interesting rock: He picked it up.

"At that point did it ever cross your mind there could be jail time in this?" Hartman asked.

"Absolutely not," Schaffer said. "Absolutely not."

Unfortunately for him, "Ohio" is just the name of the river. At least along one side it actually belongs to Kentucky.

Kentucky state Rep. Reginald Meeks said: "Yeah, I'm mad!"

"First of all, I couldn't believe that individuals from one state could brazenly come across the border and basically invade another sovereign state," he said.

He even wrote a resolution, which passed unanimously.

"We would ask that they return the property," the resolution said.

Ohio immediately fired back.

"If they're going to introduce a resolution then I want to introduce a resolution!" said Ohio state Rep. Todd Book, who represents the people of Portsmouth.

"We have the right to this rock. If they knew where it was, why didn't they go get it?" he said. "I mean, didn't they in essence abandon this rock?"

For now, Indian rock sits in the Portsmouth Municipal Garage, enjoying the spotlight once again, waiting for the courts to sort it all out.

If Kentucky wins, not only could Shaffer be sent upriver for felony theft, the rock could be sent downriver - back to where it was before all this started: back to forgotten.

[jessallgood]

The issue that seems to be getting lost in this story is that the man trespassed on federal property, as navigable waters are under the jurisdiction of the US Army corps of Engineers, and did irreparable damage to a known and protected archaeological site by removing it's main contributing element. What he did was in violation of state and federal law. Period. He is no champion for history. The site was under the care and protection of professionals with the state, who preserve sites such as this for posterity. When he removed the boulder, he did not do so with the care and cautious recording of data that professional archaeologists do. No care has been made for the long-term preservation of this artifact. Sandstone needs to be preserved or it will deteriorate. While submerged, it was protected. Unless professionals correctly stabilize it, it will deteriorate and be gone. What he did was wrong, and Kentucky has every right to regain possession of it's antiquity, and do whatever the state archaeologists deem necessary to preserve it.

[bluegill557]

It seems the Kentucky legislators would be more cautious as to how they are spending money. There has been a recent cutback in funding for some very much needed services in KY due to the state deficit snd taxes are being increased to cover this. The Governor himself is pushing for Casinos to help bring in more money. Put the rock back on KY soil with a plaque giving the Ohio resident credit for finding it. Case closed.

[bbp9857]

KY should get its rock back, but jail time is ludicrous.

[victorseq]

If you ever needed an example of "The best government is an idle government" this is it!!! I guess crime, education, homelessness, race relations, etc are all on the back-burner while these legislators do this important work. Throw the bums out !!!

[ralan40]

No mention made of the people from KY "invading Ohio" that "steal jobs" on the Ohio side. Perhaps KY should enforce their borders better when it comes to more important things than rocks.

[kmcgraw51]

You can purchase the Indian Rock t-shirts at HopeWorks in Portsmouth, Ohio. The address is 816-4th St. and the phone number 740-353-0441.

[gunownerdan]

I have lots of rocks from both Ohio AND Kentucky.
And no, you can''t have them back.
Finders keepers.

[ladyoamerica]

LadyoAmerica

Umm I was referring to Mexico, not Kentucky. Go back and reread my post. Then you might understand better to what I was saying. OK?

Posted by slim1h2o at 05:02 PM : Mar 29, 2008
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slim1h20,
my post was like a letter t the kentucky rep in the story, I wasn''t talking to any other posters. Sorry that you thought my message was directed towards you.

[linfinster]

I agree with earlier comments that this issue is not as important as the health and well being of the constituents of both states. What a waste of time and money.
If Kentucky had moved the rock when the river was damed and the water rose to cover the rock, then perhaps they could make a claim of ownership.
But they left it there hidden.

[dkdc1976]

Forget the Kentucky-Ohio controversy. I want to know how I can get one of the t-shirts with the image of the "indian head" that the kid was wearing on the CBS Sunday Morning story! Anyone know who has them?

[thatguy1981-2009]

Kentucky did the same thing to Missouri with the body of Daniel Boone. They Walked in dug up the body and walked out. They shouldn''t fight over a rock when they stole a body.

[rainem77]

Mr Meeks:
What an INCREDIBLE WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY you''ve put into a rock! Your legislation is one symptom why our system of government is becoming more and more inept! It''s a symptom of WASTING MONEY* on ludicrous issues while avoiding the serious concerns of unemployment, health care, crime and so on. A ROCK, sir...it''s just a ROCK! Yes, I''m angry...it''s STUPID the amount of time, money and energy you and your colleagues, on the behalf of the STATE OF KENTUCKY have devoted to an inanimate object that''s nothing more than 19th century graffiti!
If I weren''t so incensed at the waste of it all, I''d be laughing at the imbecilic leadership of the people of Kentucky!

A Concerned AMERICAN!

P.S.
*Oh, I''m sure you haven''t spent any ''hard cold cash'' on this, but what about your time...aren''t you PAID for YOUR TIME to create legislation? Aren''t your colleagues PAID to listen, discuss and vote on your legislation? Aren''t employees PAID to write up this legislation? And who''s going to pay the Grand Jury? Aren''t they going to lose a days PAY because they aren''t listening to more important cases such as murders, felonies and so on? Are the people of Kentucky aware of the amount of money you are wasting?

[rewired1]

Working together is what we do best! Build a heavy duty trailer and establish shared custody for Indian Head Rock: six months it''s in Ohio, six months it''s in Kentucky, and the day custody is traded becomes Indian Head Rock Is Rollin'' celebration day. More T-shirts, cotton candy, a minimarathon, beer and sunburns! Come on, America, let''s do what we do best: work together and figure out ways how to get into each other''s pocketbooks!!!

[martyg60]

i agree with rrucker2. well said.

[martyg60]

i''m not from up north, and i don''t know how deep the river is. but i know that when Americans come together, they can overcome paralles without arrogance,cause American blood runs deep let''s not forget the fact that regardless where the rock was discovered, it should be a landmark for all Americans to share. Do we not have many of our American service members fighting for our freedom overseas? let''s not lose focus on who we are and what we stand for. let''s show the world that we can come together to solve this idea. why not share the rock and stop this petty and chidish act. Ohio and Kentucky government officials should have the intelligence for a successful agreement as Americans!!!. the person finding the the rock should be patted on the back for a job well done but should have alerted the right institution before removing the rock. i don''t think he had ill intentions, he should have used different tactics.i don''t think he should go to jail, he just wanted to raise a part of history for all to see. there are comments on how and when artifacts are removed from tombs and placed for all to see and cherish. well i think the rock should be placed on a neautral medium so that anyone can share a part of American history without differences.

[evamc-2009]

Share the rock -- show the world we can at least get along about something.

[vgirlmo]

Question: Did both sides try to compromise on the rock?
I am guessing not!
Is the finder of the rock actually facing jail time?
What a crock!
This country as a whole puts too much merit on little stuff. We have homeless, and hungry in our own backyards and this is what our state officials are willing to use up tax dollars on! What a shame.
Hey, I know lets get the federal government invovlved too. Really couldn''t we say that this ROCK is a part of American history? It should tour the United States. Wait did I say united, my bad it really doesn''t seem that way does it. Especially when states are going to feud over gravel!

[fishinghing]

This whole debate is childish, do we complain when geologist remove Egyptian artifacts from there original resting place? What about all other Indian artifacts that are found by individuals, can those now be taken away from them and be put back in the state they were found? Imagine everything found in museums now needing to be returned to their original resting places due to states claiming ownership aren''t we becoming a petty minded country.

[fishinghing]

This whole debate is childish, do we complain when geologist remove Egyptian artifacts from there original resting place? What about all other Indian artifacts that are found by individuals, can those now be taken away from them and be put back in the state they were found? Imagine everything found in museums now needing to be returned to their original resting places due to states claiming ownership aren''t we becoming a petty minded country.

[jgianoli1]

I have an idea!
From here on Ohio State should play the University of Kentucky in football and the winner gets to take the rock back to their home state for a year! Perhaps this would motivate the Buckeyes to finally beat an SEC team!
LSU #1