Bones believed those of Native American

Walla Walla _ Skeletal remains found south of here are believed to be those of an American Indian woman who likely died more than 150 years ago.

The remains were discovered Saturday near an area that once was a Catholic cemetery. Representatives of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation asked that the exact location not be disclosed.

It is a felony to change, destroy or remove American Indian human remains.

The land where the remains were found is owned by Pinecrest Village, a development corporation.

Pinecrest officials were aware of the old cemetery, and contracted with Tomkins Land Surveying Inc. of Walla Walla and a Yakima-based archaeologist to determine whether there would be any obstacles to developing the land, said project coordinator Paul Tomkins.

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2002