Aside from the fact that late 19th/early 20th century American newspapers were more than a little prone to tall tales - particularly when it came to faux archaeological claims. That the only sources for this story appear to be a couple of newspaper articles tells me a lot.
There's also potential for more sinister motivation than that, as there was a concerted effort for many years (to some extent still to this day) to fabricate evidence of an earlier civilisation inhabiting North America, and ascribing the origin of Native American mounds and artefacts to this precursor race. With 1909 being towards the tail end of Egypt-mania in the English speaking world, it wouldn't be that unusual for someone to try and "prove" Ancient Egyptian provenance.
It seems that people felt that proving that someone had been there prior to the Native Americans would justify modern American claims to the land, and excuse their treatment of Native Americans, as it would mean that the Natives themselves had been savage invaders wiping out an advanced civilisation that came before them.
There's also potential for more sinister motivation than that, as there was a concerted effort for many years (to some extent still to this day) to fabricate evidence of an earlier civilisation inhabiting North America, and ascribing the origin of Native American mounds and artefacts to this precursor race. With 1909 being towards the tail end of Egypt-mania in the English speaking world, it wouldn't be that unusual for someone to try and "prove" Ancient Egyptian provenance.
It seems that people felt that proving that someone had been there prior to the Native Americans would justify modern American claims to the land, and excuse their treatment of Native Americans, as it would mean that the Natives themselves had been savage invaders wiping out an advanced civilisation that came before them.