Malta Bend, Jawbone of Giant

JAWBONE IDENTIFIED

Mandible Found Near Marshall Belonged to Big Osage Indian.

MARSHALL. Mo. March 21 – A massive human lower jawbone taken from an Indian grave on the Missouri River near Malta Bend, has been identified by Floyd C. Shoemaker, secretary of the Missouri State Historical Society, as that of a Big Osage Indian.

The big Osages, Mr. Shoemaker said, were huge men, ranging from 6 1/2 to 7 feet in height and weighing between 350 to 400 pounds.

The skeleton from which this mandible was taken was found in the sitting posture, used in contractional or urn burial.

Researched by Rephaim23