Butler County, Ohio - Chapter 4: Mounds, 1879

The mounds proper form an interesting feature of these ancient remains ; they have been carefully studied and are undoubtedly of as much importance to the archaeologist as the enclosures. Among the people generally, who live within the vicinity of the earthworks, the mounds are better known than the enclosures. On inquiring for the latter great difficulty is often experienced in finding it, while almost any one could readily point out the mound.

As has been already noticed, the mounds in Ohio are very numerous. They principally occur near large streams, and are found in great numbers along the two Miamis, Scioto, Kanawha, White, Wabash, Kentucky, Cumberland, Tennessee, and other tributaries of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. They are of all dimensions, varying from a few feet in height and a few yards in diameter to ninety feet in height and covering several acres at the base. The usual dimensions range from six to thirty feet in perpendicular height by forty to one hundred feet in diameter at the base. Some of the mounds are so great that it would require the labor of a thousand men, for months, with their best or latest improved implements, to erect. They are mostly comj^osed of earth, though stone mounds are met with not infrequently. Sometimes they are composed entirely of clay, while the soil all around them, and for some distance, is gravel or loam. The mounds occur mostly within or near enclosures; sometimes in groups, and often detached and isolated. They are found in considerable numbers on the tops of hills, and are frequently met Avith on the most elevated and commanding positions. From the shape, size, and especially the contents found within'some of the mounds, it is shown that they were erected for different purposes, and many of them indicate years of usage. In treating of these monuments, it will be necessary to speak of them under the resj)ective heads into which they have been divided.

Temple Mouyids. - This class of mounds is characterized by their great regularity of form, large dimensions, and are chiefly truncated pyramids, having graded avenues or spiral pathways to their summits. In form they are round, square, oblong, oval, or octangular, all having the appearance of being left in an unfinished condition. They are generally high, yet examples are known in wdiich they are but a few feet in elevation, although covering several acres of ground. They are usually surrounded by embankments. They are not numerous in Ohio, occurring only at Marietta, Newark, ]'*ortsm()uth, and in the vicinity of Chillicothe. The farther south we go the more numerous and the greater in magnitude tliey become - being very abundant in Tennessee and Mississippi. The summits of these mounds were probably crowned with temples constructed of wood, but no traces remain to tell of their existence.

Great Mound at C(ihok'i((. - The monarch of all the mounds was that at Cahokia, Illinois. This mound was situated in a group containing not less than sixty structures. Its form was that of a j)arnllelogram with sides at the base, respectively seven hundred and live hundred feet in length, and reared its level summit to a height of ninety feet. The entire area occupied comprised six acres, and its solid contents have been roughly estimated at twenty millions of cubic fevt. On the soutKwest there was a broad terrace one hundred and sixty by three hundred feet, which was reached by a graded ascent. The summit, or highest part of the mound, was truncated, affording a platfrom two hundred by four hundred and fifty feet. From this platform rose a small conical mound about ten feet high, which, on being removed, was found to contain human bones and various implements of stone and pottery, undoubtedly belonging to a more recent period. Upon the summit was probably erected a capacious temple, where were celebrated their religious ceremonies, and where were kindled their sacred fires, while the multitudes gathered below to look on and adore. This mound is no more, having been swept away to give room for modern improvement.

Temples at Alariefta. - On the site of the city of Marietta was once a remarkable group of works, a portion of which still remains. It has been frequently described, and several surveys of it have been made. A very careful description and an accurate plan of it was made by Col. Charles Whittlesey in 1837. An illustration of these works, reduced from an oil painting, which was made before the works had been injured, is given in the accompanying sketch. The view is from the north looking south, the Muskingum River is on the right and the Ohio in the distance. The works occupy a high, sandy plain from eighty to one hundred feet above the bed of the river, and from forty to sixty feet above the bottom lands of the Muskingum. The earth works consist of two irregular squares (the one in the foreground having an area of fifty acres and the other twenty-seven) inclosing various mounds and connected with a graded way on the right and a large mound in the distance. On the opposite side of the Muskingum, situated upon bokl, precipitous bluffs, are quite a number of stone mounds, which command a very extensive view. The walls of the enclosures, when first discovered, were about six feet high by about twenty-five feet base. The smaller square contains ten gateways, each of which is covered by small mounds placed either on a line with the embankment or else immediately within the enclosure. The large mound in the distance and on the left is thirty feet high, surrounded by an embankment. It is now enclosed in the public cemetery and well guarded from encroachment.

The larger w^ork contains sixteen gateways, unaccompanied by the protecting mounds. The gateway at the southern angle is covered by an interior crescent wall and another may be said to be protected by the graded way. Within this enclosure are four temple mounds, thr^e of which have graded passages or avenues of ascent to their tops. The principal one is represented in the right hand corner in the square in the foreground. It is ten feet high, one hundred and eighty long and thirty-two wide. It has four graded ascents, midway upon each side, each one being sixty feet long and twenty-five feet wide. The next in size is the one in the irregular-looking mound near the center of the picture. It is eight feet high, one hundred and fifty long and twenty wide. It has three graded ways to its top. On the south side, instead of the graded passage, there is a recess or hollow way fifty feet long by twenty wide. A few feet from the northern passage is a small, conical mound. In the corner and to the left of the one described is another, but not distinctly marked. Still another occurs near the second one described (not clearly defined in the engraving) and close to the eastern angle of the enclosure, having an altitude of six feet, and one hundred and twenty long by fifty broad.

The graded way or parallel lines of embankment, on the right of the enclosure and leading to the Muskingum, begin at a gateway which is one hundred and fifty feet wide, and continues a distance of six hundred and eighty feet. This way has been excavated, the embankments being one hundred and fifty feet apart and from eight to ten feet high, but at the base of the grade the walls from the interior are twenty feet high. The center of the passage way is slightly raised and rounded.

At various points around these works are excavations supposed to have been made for the purpose of obtaining clay for the Construction of pottery or other utensils.

Mounds of the Southern States. - The temple mounds of the Southern States are mostly of the pyramidal form, and often occur entirely sej)arate from enclosures of any sort. Some of the mounds are circular; most have graded ascents, and a few have a low wall enclosing a level area at their tops. Mounds of this description are from twelve to fifteen feet high, with proportionate base.

3foand at Seltzertoitm. - The great mound at Seltzertown, Mississippi, is of very singular construction, and of such dimensions as almost to preclude the idea of its artificial origin. It is a truncated pyramid, forty feet high, placed very nearly in reference to the cardinal points, its greater length, from east to west, being six hundred feet, and four hundred feet broad, covering about six acres of ground. It is surrounded by a ditch, at its base averaging ten feet in depth. The summit of the mound is accessible by a graded way. From this platform, embracing an area of four acres, rise three conical mounds, one near each end and one in the center. The mound at the west is truncated, forty feet high, with a level summit thirty feet in diameter. The mound at the opposite end is somewdiat less in size, and also truncated. Eight other mounds, measuring from eight to ten feet in height, are regularly placed at various points.

In exploring the mound it was found to contain numerous skeletons and specimens of pottery. The north side of the structure was found to be supported by a wall of sun-dried bricks, two feet thick, filled with grass, rushes and leaves. Dr. Dickeson, who explored the mound, says he found angular tumuli, the corners of which were quite perfect, formed of large bricks, bearing the impression of the human hands. On sinking a shaft to the depth of forty-two feet into the mound they failed to reach the original soil.

Mound in UcorgiaJ'' - It would appear that the remarkable mound in Early County, Georgia, might be classed among the temple mounds. It is three hundred and fifty feet long, two hundred and fourteen feet wide, and ninety-five high. An extensive embankment surrounds the mound. Near the mound extends, in a strai<i:ht line, a ditch twelve hundred feet lontr.

Other 3Iounds. - Besides the places already alluded to, remarkable mounds of this class also occur in Kentucky, near Cadiz, Trigg County, near Mt. Sterling, and in Adair, Hickman, McCracken, Whitely, and Christian Counties ; in Tennessee, near Claiborne, Clark County, Paris, Henry County, near Palmyra and near Knoxville; in Bradford County, several extensive mounds exist, one of which covers thirty-three acres. Mounds of large size are found in Missouri.

Sacrificial Mounds. - This class of mounds has been very carefully explored, and possesses several distinguishing features. They invariably occur either within or else in the immediate vicinity of enclosures, being regularly constructed in uniform layers of gravel, earth and sand, dispose^ alternately in strata conformable to the shape of the mound ; and their covering a symmetrical altar of burnt clay or stone, on which are deposited numerous relics, in all instances exhibiting traces of their having been subjected to the action of fire.

The "altar^^ is a basin or table made of burnt clay, although a few of stone have been discovered. They are carefully formed, but vary much both in shape and size, some being round, others elliptical and others squares, or parallelograms, and in size range from two to ^^^^^^^^^^ fifty feet by twelve or fifteen.

Fig. 6.-CR0SS Section OF Altar. Their usual dimensions, however, are from five to eight feet. They are modeled from fine clay and usually rest upon the original surface. In a few instances they have been found with a layer or small elevation of sand under them. Their height seldom exceeds a foot or twenty inches above the adjacent level. Upon the altars have been found calcined human bones, elaborate carvings in stone, ornaments cut in mica, copper instruments, discs, and tubes, pearl and shell beads, pottery, spear-heads, etc.

Mound City. - On the left bank of the Scioto River, three miles north of Chillicothe, is an enclosure containing twenty-six mounds, and embracing an area of thirteen acres known as " INIound City.^' All of the mounds have been opened, and the principal ones found to contain altars.

Into one of these mounds, which is ninety feet in diameter at the base, by seven and one-half feet high, a shaft six feet square Avas sunk from the apex with the following results, as given in the annexed engraving with its explanations :

The altar within this mound was in the form of a parallelogram of the utmost regularity, measuring at its base ten feet by eight, and at its top six feet by four, its height being eighteen inches and the dip of its basin nine inches. AVithin the cavity was a deposit of ashes three inches thick, intermingled with which were fragments of pottery and a few shell and pearl beads. Three feet below the apex of the mound were found two well preserved skeletons, which, from the disturbance of the regular layers, belong to an intrusive age, and were those of Indians.

mound from the same locality were found fine, dry ashes, intermixed with which* were fragments of pottery of excellent finish, and a few convex copper discs. Above the deposit of ashes, and covering the entire basin, was a layer of opaque mica, in sheets, overlapping each other. Upon this, and immediately over the center of the basin, was heaped a quantity of burned human bones.

The contents of these mounds vary very much. Upon some altars are found only pipes ; upon others a single mass of galena, pottery, or spear-heads. In some of them, containing human remains, carbonized cloth occurs. The mounds are sometimes found to contain a series of altars, superimposed the one above the other, and each indicating usage.

The conclusion that the mounds of this class were devoted to superstitious rites does not appear to be satisfactory. They rather appear to indicate that cremation was practised among this ])eople. To establish the sacrificial origin of these mounds, it is inferred from the fact that instead of finding a variety of implements and trinkets, articles of only one class frequently occur. This inference may be well, or may not be well grounded ; but the fact must be patent that owing to the skill displayed in carving, it is plausible to assume that a division of labor was established. Cremation has been practised among many nations, and articles belonging to the deceased were burned with the body, and over the remains a mound was raised. Then there is an almost insuperable difficulty to overcome in the sacrificial origin, and that is the altars are found heaped over with sand, gravel and soil. Why they should cover their altars, if so they be, with so much earth must remain inexplicable. Some of the altars do not contain human bones. It may be owning either to the possibility of the fires having been long continued, thus destroying every trace of human remains, or else the bones and ashes of the dead were removed to another spot for burial.

Scjndchral Hounds. - Mounds of Sepulchre are very inimerous, and usually have the form of a simple cone, but sometimes are elliptical or pear-shaped. They v^ary from six feet to eighty in height, but average from fifteen to twenty-five feet in altitude. They are found without the walls of enclosures, and removed to a distance more or less remote. Many are isolated, and others occur in groups, sometimes connected at their bases. When they are found immediately connected, one of the group will be two or three times larger in dimensions than any of the others, the smaller ones being arranged around its base, thus evidencing an intimate relation between them.

These mounds invariably cover a skeleton - occasionally more than one - which is found near the original surface of the soil. Skeletons have been found in these mounds at various depths, and not unfrequently in great numbers, but belonging to a more recent time, and generally of the Indian type. The skeleton of the Mound Builder is easily distinguished from these, on account of its position in the mound. The body was envelo})ed in bark, coarse matting, or else coarse cloth, and placed ujion thin slabs of wood, or other material which formed the bottom of the tomb. Over it was sometimes built a vault of timber, and at other times was enclosed in long and broad flags of stone. Occasionally the skeleton has been found with stones heaped carelessly over it, and in other instances the stones have been hea2)ed upon the timbers covering the sepulchral chambers.

The skeleton is nearly always found disposed at length, with the arms carefully adjusted at the sides. Dr. Foster in his ^^Pre-Historic Races of America^^ has misread Squier and Davis on this point, for he says, "Sometimes it (the skeleton) was placed in a sitting position, again it was extended, and still again it Avas compressed within contracted limits'' (p^g^ 188.) This is what Squier and Davis say: "None have been discovered in a sitting posture, except among the recent deposits ; and even among these no uniformity exists: some are extended at lengthy others lie upon their sides bent nearly double, others still in a sitting posture, and in a few cases it seems that the bones, after the decomposition of the flesh, had been rudely huddled together in a narrow grave/^ - ('^Ancient INIonuments,'' pi^gc 172).

With the skeleton have been found personal ornaments, such as bracelets, perforated plates of copper, and beads of bone, ivory, shell, or metal. Few weapons, such as spear or arrow-points, are found; stone implements are common. Plates of mica are frequently met with, and sometimes of such size as to almost completely cover the skeleton. The plates are often cut into regular figures, discs, ovals, etc. Vases of pottery are occasionally found.

Grave Creek Mound. - It will not be necessary to give the structure and contents of several of the mounds of this class in order to obtain a knowledge of their general character. It will suffice to speak of but two earth mounds - the one at Grave Creek, and the other not far from Chillicothe, and one stone mound - the one near Newark. The Grave Creek Mound, situated twelve miles below Wheeling, in West Virginia, is seventy feet in height by nearly one thousand in circumference at its base. It was excavated in 1838. In it were found two ^Reduced from "Ancient Monuments."

sepulchral cliamhers, one at tlie base, and the othef thirty feet above. These vaults had been constructed of timber and covered with stones, which had sunk when the wood decayed, thus giving the summit of the mound a dish-shaped form. The lower chamber contained two skeletons, one of which was thought to be that of a female ; the up-per chamber contained but one skeleton, and that in an advanced stage of decay. With these remains w^ere found between three thousand and four thousand shell beads, a number of ornaments of mica, several bracelets of copper, and various articles carved in stone. The small flat stone, inscribed with small antique characters, said to have been found in this mound, will be spoken of in its proper place.

From the magnitude of the mound, the almost incredible amount of ornaments, etc., the vault and other peculiarities, it is believed that the principal occupant was a royal personage.

It may be as well to state that, in the construction of this mound, the builders availed themselves of a small natural elevation, above which the tumulus was raised. The lower vault was sunk in this elevation, and was (the vault) in the exact form of a parallelogram.

3Iound Near Chillicothe. - On the third river-terrace, six miles below Chillicothe, a mound twenty-two feet high by ninety feet base was excavated. It Avas composed of a sandy loam, though much compacted and diifering slightly in color towards the center. A layer of charcoal, ten feet square and from two to six inclics in thickness, occurred ten feet below the surface, - the shaft having been sunk on the west side. The coal Avas coarse and clear, the t^'unks and branches perfectly retaining their form, though entirely carbonized, thus proving that the fire had been suddenly covered up, The earth immediately above and beneath was burned to a reddish color. Below the layer of charcoal, the earth was more compact and difficult of excavation. At the de])th of twenty-two fvvt, or on a level with the original surface, was a rude framework of timber, but reduced to an im2ial})ab]e })owder, the cast of which was still retained. This framework was nine feet long, seven wide, and twenty inches high. Within this rude coffin was found a human skeleton, but in such an advanced stage of decay that it crumbled to powder on being touched. Around the neck of the skeleton was found a triple row of beads, composed of several hundred marine shells, also the tusks of some animal. Several still retained their polish, and bore the marks of having been turned in some machine.

Stone Mound Near Newark. - Perhaps the largest and finest stone mound in Ohio was that which stood about eight miles south of Newark, and one mile east of the reservoir on the Licking Summit of the Ohio canal. It was composed of stones found on the adjacent grounds, laid up, without cement, to the height of about fifty feet, with a circular base of one hundred and eighty-two feet diameter. It was surrounded by a low embankment of an oval form, accompanied by a ditch, and having a gateway at the east end. When the reservoir, which is seven miles long, was made, in order to protect the east bank, so that it might be used for navigation, the stones from this mound were removed for that purpose. During the years 1831-32 not less than fifty teams were employed in hauling them, carrying away from ten thousand to fifteen thousand Avagon loads. Near the circumference of the base of the mound were discovered fifteen or sixteen small earth mounds, and a similar one in the center. These small mounds were not examined until 1850, when two of them were opened by some of the neighboring farmers. In one were found human bones with some fluviatile shells, and in the other, two feet below a layer of hard, white fire clay, they came upon a trough, covered by small logs, and in it was found a human skeleton, around which appeared the impression of a coarse cloth. With the skeleton were found fifteen copper rings and a breastplate or badge. The wood of the trough was in a good state of preservation, the clay over it being impervious to both air and water. The central mound was afterwards opened and found to contain a great many luiman boncs^ but no other relics of any note. All of these mounds, so far as they have been explored, contain earth from a distance - the fire clay having been brought from Flint Ridge, six or eight miles distant.

Other Methods of Burial. - Urn burial appears to have been practised to some extent in the Southern States, but not in the valley of the Ohio. In the mounds of the Wateree River, near Camden, South Carolina, have been discovered ranges of vases, one above the other, filled with human remains. Where unburnt, the skeletons have been packed in the vase after the flesh had decomposed. Entire cemeteries have been found where urn burial alone was practised. One of these occurs m St. Catherine's Island, on the coast of Georgia.

It is possible that the caves were resorted to as places of interment. Human remains in caves have been found in Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and in other States. As these have not been clearly identified with the Mound Builders, it will not be necessary to particularize.

It is not to be supposed that the people of Ohio erected barrows over the remains of all their dead. They were probably erected only over the bodies of celebrated persons - chieftains, rulers, and priests. But the graves of the mass of the people, wlio thronged our valleys, and who toiled to erect tlicce stupendous monuments, are not thus marked. What was done with their remains we know not. Undoubtedly many were cremated on the so-called sacrificial altars. Others may have been buried in graveyards, and their remains long since have crumbled into dust. In places they may still remain where the location and earth are adapted to their preservation. We hear of extensive cemeteries in Tennessee and Missouri which may have been the grand depositories of the. dead of this ancient people.

Si/inbolical 3Ioun(Is. - The mounds of this class consist of gigantic bass-reliefs formed on the surface of the ground, and representing beasts, birds, reptiles, men and inanimate objects. They principally occur in the loAver counties of Wisconsin, and are found from Prairie du Cliien, on the Mississippi, hy the way of the Wisconsin and Rock Rivers, eastward towards Fond du Lac on I^ake Winnebago, and INIilwaukee and Lake Michigan. This scope of country is about one hundred and fifty miles in lengtli and fifty -wide. Here they occur by the thousands representing man, the lizard, turtle, elk, buffalo, bear, fox, otter, raccoon, frog, bird, fish, cross, crescent, angle, straight-line, war-club, tobacco-])ipe, and other fiimiliar implements and weapons. These works are seldom isolated, but generally occur in groups or ranges, and sometimes placed with apparent design in respect to each other.

The Great Serpent. - The most noted of all this class of remains is the Great Serpent, located on entry 1010 Brattain Township, Adarns County, Ohio. It occupies the entire summit of a crescent tongue of land, rising about one hundred feet above Brush Creek, which washes its base. We have here a series of eflfigy works, consisting of a frog, an egg, and a serpent. The extreme point of the spur is perpendicular, rising forty feet. The face of the rock on the summit is denuded. Thirty feet from the point of rock the head of the frog begins. This effigy, from its nose to the joint formed by the joining of the hind legs, is fi_fty-five feet. The head is down, the fore legs extended, the hind legs pointing back as though it was in the act of leaping. Partially between the legs is an oval mass of earth one hundred and thirteen feet long by fifty feet broad. In the center is a low mound fifteen feet in diameter. The opposite end of the egg extends into the distended jaws of the serpent. The serpent's head is seventy feet long and the neck seventy five feet, and the entire length eleven hundred and sixteen feet. The serpent conforms itself to the shape of the hill, its body winding back, forming seven graceful curves, and terminating on the main land in a triple coil. The middle of the serpent is about fifteen feet lower than the head, and about twenty lower than the tail coil. On either side of the jaws extend two triaiiguhir elevations, as though intended for wings. Both the egg and the serpent's head are hollow. The structure contains more or less stone Avhieh has heen revealed hy the plow. The whole ligure represents a serpent uncoiling itself on the main land, and gliding towards a frog sitting upon the point of the spur, and, just

Shall we infer that here is a representation of phallic worship - the frog representing the creative, the egg the productive, and the serpent the destructive powers of nature ?

AUigato7^ Mound. - This effigy occurs one mile below the town of Granville, in Licking County, Ohio, being situated upon the summit of a spur of land two hundred feet high, which projects into the valley of Raccoon Creek. Its extreme length is two hundred and fifty feet, average height four feet ; the head, shoulders and rump are elevated in parts to a height of six feet ; the breadth of the body is forty feet, and the length of the legs or paws, each thirty-six feet, the ends being broader than the links, as if the spread of the toes were originally indicated. Upon the inner side of the effigy is a raised space covered with stones which have been exposed to the action of fire, denominated an altar ; and from this, leading to the top, is a graded way ten feet in breadth. The superstructure is of fine clay, which must have been brought from a distance, as no signs of excavation are apparent in the vicinity.

It may be that these two effigies had their origin in the superstitions of their makers. Their positions and all the circumstances attending them would lead to the conclusion that they were high places for sacrifices, where the ancient people gathered on stated occasions to celebrate the rites of their unknown worship.

Big Elephant Mound. - The effigy known as ^^Big Elephant Mound'^ occurs in Grant County, Wisconsin, and is described as being situated on the high sandy bottom-lands of the Mississippi, on the east side, about eight miles below the mouth of the Wisconsin River. There are on each side of the mound, some fifteen to twenty rods distant, sandy, grassy ridges, some fifteen feet higher than the land about the mound; the mound is, therefore, in a shallow valley, sloping gently to the Mississippi River, and only about eight feet above high water. Its total length is one hundred and thirty-five feet; from hind feet to back, sixty feet; from fore feet to back, sixty-six feet; width across fore legs, twenty-one feet; across hind legs, twenty-four feet; from end of proboscis or snout to neck or throat, thirty-one feet; space between fore and hind legs, fifty-one feet ; from end of proboscis to fore legs, tliirty-nine feet; across the body, thirtysix feet; general height of body above surrounding ground, five feet. The head is large, and the proportions of the whole so symmetrical that the mound well deserves the name of the ^^Big Elephant INIound.^^* Anomaloas 3founch. - I)esides the mounds already discussed there are others which admit of no classification. Some have features in common with all classes, and seem to have been used for a double purpose, while others are entirely inexplicable. In some of these mounds have been found a sepulchre and an altar, both on the same level. Under this general class we may include also mounds of observation which were undoubtedly used for signal or alarm posts, always situated upon prominent and elevated positions. They have been called "observatories/^ "alarm posts/^ "signal stations/' "watch-towers/^ and "out-looks/' which were undoubtedly used for signal or alarm posts and occupying some eminence. A range of these mounds extends on the eastern border of the Scioto Valley, between Chillicothe and Columbus, and are so placed in respect to each other, that if the country were cleared of forests, signals of fire might be transmitted along the whole line in a few minutes. Opposite Chillicothe is a hill nearly six hundred feet in height, the loftiest in that entire region, upon which is placed one of these mounds. When the autumn leaves have fallen a fire built upon it would be distinctly seen for twenty miles up and the same distance down the valley; at the Circleville works, twenty miles distant, and for a long way up the valleys of the two Paint Creeks. Similar mounds occur at intervals along the Ohio, Scioto, two Miamis, Wabash, and Illinois Rivers, also on the Upper Mississippi. On the hills overlooking the works at Portsmouth and Marietta mounds of stone are situated.

Great ALoimd at Miamisburg, Ohio. - This mound (see Frontispiece) has been assigned to the class called Mounds of Observation. It is situated on a high hill just east of the Great Miami, and has a commanding view of the broad valley of the river. It overlooks the fort on Big Twin, and the incomplete works at Alexandersville, as well as others still farther up the river. A beacon light on this mound would be seen from the high mound in Butler County, near Elk Creek, and from that communication could be made to all the enclosures of that county ; it could be seen from the mound near Springboro, and thence across the country to Fort Ancient. This mound is sixty-eight feet in perpendicular height, and eight hundred and fifty-two in circumference at its base, and contains three hundred and eleven thousand, three hundred and fifty-three cubic feet.

servation. In some localities tlie hill-moiinds are quite numerous, and from examination arc known to have been sepulchral mounds. It is possible that many of ^lie "observatories'^ or "alarm posts'' Avere originally burial mounds, but afterwards enlarged and used as signal stations. Upon these mounds this ancient people maintained large fires, which they kept burning for long periods, or else frequently renewed them.

Stone, Heaps, - Rude heaps of stone are not uncommon. They probably belong to a later age and were erected by the Indians. The stone mounds of the Mound Builders are very different structures, and should not be confounded with the rude accumulations.

Cahokia Mound. - The statement that this mound had been removed was made on the authority of Dr. Foster, in his "Pre- Historic Races," page 107. I have learned since these pages have been electrotyped that the Cahokia mound has not been removed. It is to be hojjed that this monument will be sutt'ered to remain.