Charges Dropped in Indian Head Rock Case
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Updated: 8:18 PM Jul 30, 2009
Charges Dropped in Indian Head Rock Case
Prosecutors in Kentucky say they are no longer sure the rock at the center of the dispute between Portsmouth, Ohio and Kentucky is indeed the Indian Head Rock.
Posted: 8:18 PM Jul 30, 2009
Reporter: Steve Eschleman
Email Address: stephen.eschleman@wsaz.com
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GREENUP COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) -- The commonwealth of Kentucky officially dropped theft of antiquities charges against the local historian who led an effort to remove a rock from the Ohio River.

Steve Shaffer was facing up to five years in jail for removing the Indian Head Rock from the Ohio River. The rock has numerous carvings and had been submerged since the 1920s until it was retrieved in 2007. The commonwealth of Kentucky has jurisdiction of the river to the low water mark on the Ohio side.

Prosecutors say they were unable to positively identify the rock as the same one pictured in stories early last century. But Shaffer says his curiousity about local history remains.

Shaffer still faces a federal civil suit. The rock that was believed to be the Indian Head Rock was turned over to the city of Portsmouth, which still has control of it.

The federal civil suit will help determine what ultimately happens to that rock. That trial has been continued and no date has been set.

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Latest Comments

Posted by: Localgal on Aug 3, 2009 at 05:03 PM

He found the rock in 2003 and could have requested an historical marker at that time. Although probably the right rock, without the GPS bearings,the blessings of the Commonwealth of Kentucky (which does own the Ohio River to the low water mark on the Ohio side)by failing to file forms to request excavation and lacking a professional historian and archaeologist on the project, Shaffer nor the Prosecutor can prove that this is the Indian Head Rock. There are several artist "reditions" of a rock at Portmouth which are quite different("a colossal head with feathered head dress")in appearance that was thought to be "Indian Head Rock". With this conflicting historical information, therein lies the "reasonable doubt". Rather than letting the trial proceed, his attorney saved his client, but cast into doubt the rock's identity. Shaffer's claim to have only the Rock's historical interest at heart is also doubtful. He got his break. Shaffer sacrificed the rock to save his selfish self.
Posted by: Lance on Aug 2, 2009 at 07:55 PM

I have seen enough of this ridiculous story. These city and state governments of these two states have wasted taxpayer money not to mention time on this matter and its finally over. Why would these people waste this money when we have very little employment and a high rate of crime and so many terrible streets and roads that need repaired. I could understand if it was the city of Portsmouth that had started this because it has one of the most corrupt governments of any small or large cities. As for the state of Kentucky it has claimed the Ohio river for years and I'm not sure how they claim it when more than one state uses the river and I thought it was shared besides Ohio maintains the bridges and the waterway itself anyway. These people should all be ran out of office and someone put in office that will use this money wisely and quit fighting over a rock in the water like some school children. WAKE UP PEOPLE!
Posted by: marianne on Aug 2, 2009 at 09:26 AM

People, you cannot be serious! You believe that this is not the "right" rock? Haven't you thought that perhaps this is Kentucky's way of backing down and trying to save a little face? It's obviously the rock. Give me a break. You people are ridiculous. Now perhaps the story will finally go away.
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