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Toua lea autras axemplairas onginaux sont fllmte an commandant par la premiere page qui comporte une ampreinte d impression ou dillustration et an terminant par ia dermere page qui comporte une telle •mpreinte. Un dea symbolaa suivnnts apparaitra sur ia damlAre image de cheque microfiche, selon le caa: le symbole — ^ signifie "A SUIVRE" le symbols V signifie "FIN". n^^T^- P'"'"=*^««- tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre Tlim*8 * dea taux de reduction diff«rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour *tre reproduit en un seul clich*. il est film* * partir de I angle sup*rieur gauche, de gauche ^ droite. at de haut en baa, en prenant le nombre d Images n*cessaira. Lea diagrammes suivants liiuatrent la m*thode. ANCIENT AMERICAN 'S^SpPt^'' -1- JTCIENT AMERICAN BATTLE-MOUND. {See Note, page 39 ) TRADITIONS OF DECOODAH. AND ANTIQUARIAN RESEARCHES : COMPniSINQ EXTENSIVE EXPLORATIONS, SURVEYS. AND EXCAVATIONS OP THE WONDERFUL AND MYSTERIOUS EARTHEN REMAINS OF THE MOUND-BUILDERS IN AMERICA ; THE TRADITIONS OF THE LAST PROPHET OF THE ELK NATION RELATIVE TO THEIR ORIGIN AND USE; AND THE EVIDENCES OF AN ANCIENT POPULATION MORE NUMEROUS THAN THE PRESENT ABORIGINES. By WILLIAM PIDGEON. DBCRTPnVE OF ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY VARYING RELATIVE ARRANOEMENTO- F0RM8 OF EARTHEN EFFIGIES, ANTIQUE SCULPTURE, ETO, NEW YORK: PUBLISHED BY HORACE T H A Y R R, 18 BEEKJtAN STREF.T. 1858. Entered, according to Act of Oonprptw, in Mm ymv 1852, By WILLTAM I'IDGEON, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United Stotes in and for the Soutliern District of New York. STKREOTYPEn RV c. r. savag:j |:t Ch«piber« Strert, N. Y. jr.2, in and for t.h« DE-COO-DAH. INTRODUCTION. TF not already .rriveJ, ihe (ime is not far distant when the re- -L proach so ofien flung at this country, that wo !iavo no antiquities, will lose even the a,>pearance of truth, and tho world will look with interest and awe on some o( ' o mightiest monuments of antiquity which stand above tho SMffaco of the earth, as they are opened to view in tho western country. The gnmueur of Epvpiian ruins and pyramidal tombs wil. cease to attract tho undivided attention of those who look after records of tho earliest times. The ruins of Nineveh and her neighboring cities will not be tho only memorials of the men who lived in tho age of Seiniramis and her immediate successors. It can not be any longer doubted that there has been a day when this con- tinent swarmed with millions of inhabitants, when the arts and sciences flourished, when men lived, and labored, and reigned, and fought, and were in turn conquerors and conquered, sulrjects and kingo, where novr the deep silence of the forest has overcome all such evidences of life and civilization. Nineveh, and Egypt, and Greece, have left, in almost imperishable stone, the relics of their magnificence. The Ameri- can nations have left their record .n the soil, and have written their history in legible and inefi'accable characters on the hills and valleys of their beautiful land, from Labrador to Patagonia. From looking at these relics with silent wonderment, and regard- ing them as entirely inexplicable, antiruarians have begun to investi- gate more closely the plans of their formation, and gradually find evidences that indicate their design, and explain their origin. But as in the Egyptian hieroglyphics, a keystone and a Champollion were needed to open to the eyes of the world the stories of the Rameses, BO there is yet needed in this country a key to the history which the* mound-builders have left recorded in their works. And from the very nature of the subject, it does not appear prob- able than any better key can be obtained than that aflbrded by tradi- 9 INTEODUCTION. tion The successors of the mound-builders either «,«« , "•otely. were the North Americar, Indians ^t TT T "' 't be possible to recover anv fr.,li, u- "^^ them.should dim and uncertain ^.71^7 tradu.onary h.story, there might be a •»3ssof th" oSn I v; h^r "'" ^'^"^" '"° ^'«^-^- . built the great works onhSci M "" """'''''"^ '^' '"^'^ -^° And such tr^i . o e' ItlT' "r ""'''''''''' '^'^y'- present them in a form L T 1 ''^^''' ""^ '^''' ^"'"""^ 'o purposes. TlL author h 7 7^" *''" ^^'"^'^^ ^^ -^''^"--n lundsofNothan Soutl A^ • ^^P"*""^^'- ^^ — ining the perso,., and. as wH arocar i 7"" '"""'' P-bably by no other Ly ;ears\o t,: eriloVo^trm^ ^' ''' ^""™^' ^^ ^^^^ volume. ' """' '"^PP^^^^ °" »he titlepage of this curiosity 'that I hadTong d 'J inTh' ^ '"'T "' ^^"'^^'"^ ^ certain tumuli located in^ tha^^^^X oT^'^fhrd J^^ M^^ ^^ «ome time and attention to the int^esting alley of the sf Tt never fa.ls to furnish its visiters wi.h matte f^tH^f::":."' fon, m v,ew of the vast amount of labor by unknowlb 1 T excavation of deep ditches ind in fh ""^^novvn hands, m the and herculean mounds fLth whole ""'"''^'" "' "^^^'^^ ^^"« Many of those grand an:r:d:r;:rh:w^^^^^^^^^^^^^ viously .->terrupted. and some almost entirely obHterated n t '"" ress of agriculture, and the building un of town! 7 n P"""^* are continually risine wi.ii ,.= F ^ ^"'^ """^^^^ that and extinct race 'tC f ^ T, "" ^'^ """"^ ''' '" ""'--» origin on the broad ;rpa'i::Th;r:^ ''' ''''''''' ^^^^^'^ in the dense, dark shade of Tr ^'^^ "«"hweste.-n prairies, and civilizjlion and barbarism H, „ I , ! ""■" '"""'•° searches by excavation Id s" "v ^1"? "'^ '■"•"^^'=" '»- dian, were di»plca,ed wil TJ '^,' ch^ipter of 14 ANTIQUARIAN RESEARCHES. M *' An altar of earth slialt thou malce nnto me; and shall sacrifice thereon thy burnt-offering, and thy peace-offering," thy sheep and tliine oxen. In all places where I record my name, I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee." Here we perceive that the altar of earth was not only rec- ognised as a holy place, but was also used as an abiding record. But even in those days we imagine that the reveren- tial respect originally cherished for the mound had ceased to be general, and their desecration had become common ; for in the 33d chapter of Numbers, and 53d verse, we read that the descendants of Ham, the cursed of Noah, in the days of Moses, were idolaters, that built high jjlaces, and worship- ped pictures ; that the Israelites were commanded to pluck down and destroy. Novr it is in those days that we find evi- deuces of thedeposite of statuary in the mounds representing the gods of India, and idols of almost every land ; for it is most evident that in the expansion of the Israelites, the idola- ters who have ever been attached to, and more tenacious of their ceremonial rites than Christians, were reduced to the Docessity of entombing or hiding their gods in the sacred mounds, that they might there secretly worship them. The spirit of Christianity and the love of idolatry, even at that early era of history, during the personal intercourse of God with man, and from that time to the present day, have never ceased to wage an unceasing war; and, in the dawn of theology, she seems to have enlisted in her train all the trappings of idolatry — such as images and pictures. The sun, the moon, and the stars, have all been objects of adora- tion from the earliest ages of the world. In the 17th chap- ter of Deuteronomy, we find Moses imposing the penalty of deatli on those that worshipped the sun, the moon, or any of the heavenly bodies. From the earliest era in time known to history, sacred or profane, there would seem to be something like an innate pre- disposition in man to indulge in symbolical worship; and the symbols of every age savor much of the refined taste or savage passions of those that employ them. The brazen ser- pent, the golden calf, the heathen statuary, and the painter's mTKODnOTOBY CHAPTER. j^* pencil, have, each in their tnrn hn^ m • j . vetoes; and, al.hcgl, 'e s„b,'ec" of A "l""""" ""d de- fa everywhere envelonod in mr, ^'"?"f'' »«iq„itie, tl.at will not only be intere ti nff^ ,? * '""°'' "»"»'•• taiiy important to co^ g g^ll " Trtv?'' ,""' ''■ "3 well as usef„l to know I'l,! toTo fonl's o^-vT "1 « nsmg interest, as its boWnnin^ aro , „f u j • ■'^' " '^'' i.3 war, i,3s.r„gg,es, and fts ZC^^^^ Xf^T when the story of its antiquities, tho >.h of a l!' ^ T ' majestic natnre, is attempld to' be :::i^^ X,: ,7"" sei't^^rrn^trdi'i^d^^^" -^"'^ -'-^^^^^^^ and walls of i,C„l len^ K m °""'' ''^'•'"»'''^' "^ »'»»«. found the wreck of '"f . "'",'■ ™ ^"'■* ^"'"""^ " older than the belnbr„f ' ^■''°^?.«"'''"«. " WuM seem fa only be -/inTet^pe" -sS: :C:ftrur '^'7 "Y great records. ^* tumuli, and such orl:rSeST:r e:-:::' iiriT r v"-"' ran the Roman empire dethwi'^f" ^''"'''"^' ^'■'"' <"«■•■ eries, and history otCia.nt 17. ^^ °"°'""' "^ ^''"o^' •tl.ey subdued, tl gCtf bLri"'-'"^ °'" *" '^g'«"' wi^Uhe Shades of tfe CstttZ;^™™::;,-""'-' This presumption is predicated on the Zt .1 f , have, from the earliest'erae known i* hit V" ,""'"'J"'' Keep a record ofevpnt., oifi. v. ,, "istoij, continued to tl.Igh tradition, ret;; *eoa:''u °™«'^P'''=''''^' - G'-eeee and Eome not o„rvb ?'^' and we advert to "ightened nations ^flhir'^e ^^^b' "'"' ""^ "'" ■"°»' «»- "'ation, calculated to concSal « '7'' r"""""' ""■»'?»- of both nations, actua y e" ^ ' lu'^l^'^t »""' =«'»"- a Grecian, and flourished aS.'f'.bT"!'"' ""' ^'^'^^ "« Chlist, The origi„"fil!r •""■?, ^'""^'^^ ^ea-^ before who desce„d„7^": r" """"» '» ™''i «» ha™ been Japetu.. k' it bo obsmed tMTV"' T"^ "^ "' ^°>''- Now' that the Macedonian kingdom, of which Ill In Vu, I 1 ; f t 1 ■ ?. ' j_ ^ 16 ANTIQUAKIA i RE8KABCIIK8. Alexander wns not only tlie last, but tlio grentcst monarch, cominonced about eight hundred and fourteen yeai-s before Christ, wliich was sixty-ono yo ra earlier than the Rouiana ; consequently the annals of this nation must necessarily luive run back to the flood, and mn have reached beyond ; but revclution after revolution lias b-"-, the world to discover over again many arts and sciences fair iarly known to them ; and we are among those that believe, t. at North and South Amer- ica were not only known to the oinans and Grecians, but were formerly taken possession and colonized by tliera. Nor is this opinion founded in me. conjecture; on the con- trary, it is sustained by an antiquarian record of literal im- port, discovered by a farmer of M te Video, in Brazil, in 1827. In one of liis fields he discovered a flat stone, upon which, to him, strange and imknowi. characters, were en- graven ; and beneath this stone he discovered a vault formed |)y masonry, in which were deposited two ancient swords, a lielmet, and shield. This j>lanter cau' d the flat stone and deposite to bo removed to Monte Video, where, in spite of the ravages of more than two thousand years, Gi-cek words were easily made out, which, being tran ated, were as fol- lows : — ^^ During the Dominion of Alexander, the son of Philip ^ King of Macedon, in the sixt_ third Olympiad, Ptolemaios?'* ^ On account of the ravages of time it was npossible to de- cipher the rest; but on the handle of. one of the swords was the portrait of a man, supposed to represent iilexander liim- ftelf. On the helmet there was sculptured work, executed with the most exquisite skill, representing Ac illes dragging the corpse of Hector around the walls of Tro^ . From this discovery, it is evident that the soil of Brazil was formerly broken by Ptoleuuiios, more than a thousand yeais before the discovery by Columbus. But in North America, with which we are more familiar, we conceive the evidence of a iioman and Grecian population to be equally conclusive. On the Lank of the rivei- Desperes, in Missouri, was found l)y nu In- dian and presented to Governor Clark, a genuine Roman INTROnuCTORT CnAPTKR. 17 coin. A Persian coin was also found on the bank of the Ohio river. We are not, however, of the opinion that the Ro mana or Grecians inhabited, either singly or jointly, at any era, this entire continent ; but that Asia, Africa, and Europe have each contributed to swell the population of the western continent at diflferPut eras. Some ot our reasons for enter, taming tin., idea, arise out of the great similarity existing be- tween the tumulono ruins of tho,,e several continents. Many enclosures, similar to the Roman camps described by J<> sephus, may yet bo seen in the valley of the Mississippi. He represents those camps as being four square by measure adorned with towers at equal distances, with gates or places ot entrance on every side. At Marietta, in Ohio, may yet be seen the remains of one of those camps, with its elevated squares at each corner, more than one hundred feet square and nine feet high; and various other earth-works, similar in construction, may bo seen north to the lakes, and west to the Mississippi, west of which, we doubt whether the Ro mans ever held empire. The same historian also tells us that the Danes and Saxons reared their military works in circular form^ This fact admitted, we have at various points along the Ohio and Scioto rivers, the works of both -sometimes isolated, and sometimes in union. Notwithstanding the cir cular and square enclosures chiefly abound, there are, never- theless, many large enclosures that are neither round nor square. This fact would seem to be indicative of a still ^ further distinction in nationality, such as is recognised in the earth-work of central Africa — enclosing villages and cities That those structures have not originated with the present Indian tribes, or their ancestors, is abundantly evident in the fact, tnat they never have used them, either as enclosures or places of defence, nor are they recognised as such in their traditions. Composed as they are of materials imperishable as the base upon which they rest, they continually i^resent to view, m form, magnitude, and structure, so singular an ap- pearance, that they could not possibly fail to attract attention^ and ellP.it, mnnivw fiv\»« fli/> ^^^r.*- fl ' '' -1 -. - ' . , --i..!-„. , '"^' Most thutigriciesg 01 human beingSi And as it 18 well-known to all familiar with the North li' II 'I II hi III I 1. ? I J 18 ANTIQUARIAN RKSKAIU IIIM. American Indinn clmractor, tlmt tlioro nre nono in tlio family of man that retain a more sacred rcvercnco for nnciont nationality, it is utterly inipossihlo tliat thoy ever could, mider such circunietancefl, have lost . l^ht of their use and orijjin. The circular works of the Dunes and Saxons so frequently found in England in connection with the Pontnpon or Doom- ring of Denmark, stretching in a continuous line from Ihowna- ville, in Pennsylvania, through Wisconsin, Canada, Green- land, and Iceland, to Swed n direct, we conceive to lie strong evidence of the migration of th'> Danes, Belgians, or Saxons, at'somo unknown en', in time. Tiiere are other corroborating circumstances that go to pi'ove the correctness of this i>reHumption : first, wo find no corresponding earth-works south of Pennsylvania; and, sec- ondly, we observe a much greater variety in the physical formation of the aborigines of the north, than is seen in the same race in the south. This wo conceive to be indicative of international amalga- mation between distinct races, and one quality of that distinc- tion carries with it the general outlines of the Anglo-Saxon family, while the characteristic form and feature of the Asiatic Tartar is universally preserved in all the tribes of the south. Should we be suddenly transported into the desert of Libya, in Africa, and should wo there behold in the dense forest a n)a8- sive temple, with trace of no human existence within a thousand miles of its location, with towering spires bearing a cross, sur- rounded by urns ; or, should it even be found among sai'age nations, that were utterly ignorant of its primitive design, what would be our conclusion as to its origin and use ? "Would V'6 not recognise in such a structure, the crucifixion of Christj and ittriinto its on^in to the hands of his followers and wor- s>ri,.-s; tve certamly should. And why? because the cross is the symbolical representation of that crucifixion. Yes ; ■with one accord, without a dissenting voice, we would at- tribute the origin of this temple to the Christian church. Then when we find on the shore of the Monongahela, or the highland of the Kickapoo, the identical Doom-ring of Den- mark, why should we hesitate to ascribe its origin to the an- ti tlio family fur niicioiit 3oul(l, under id origin, o froqut'iitly in or Dootn- •i»in Ihowna- ftdn, Green- to 1)0 strong J, or Saxons, tlmt go to wo find no I ; and, eoc- :he plijsical Been in tlio nal amalga- tliat distinc- Vnglo-Saxon f tlie Asiatic the eonth. 2rt of Libya, forest a n)a8- n a tlionsand a cross, sur- long 8ar\'age tive design, ise? "Wonid m of Cliristj jrs and wor- )ecause tiio fix ion. Yes; 3 would at- ian church, diela, or the ng of Den- Q to the an- iNxnonnoTORv criAPTKR. Id cent Dane? If the Dane, the Roman, and tho Persinn, may in the early t.tnes have nmde their.way to A.nerica, is it not rational to conclude that other nations may huvo done the same ? Ancient Egypt first in science and famous in art, has also M her .mpresB hero Tn 1775, son.e of th. first settlors in Kencucky, whoso curiosity was excited l.y something remark- able .„ the arrar,go„,ent <,f Htonen that filled the cntmnc. to a' cnve, remove,! then., and, on entering, discovered a number ' of muu.m.eH preserved I,, the art of en.babning i„ as grelt a Bfa e ot perfection as was known by the ancicmt Egn t ,1 tune hat the Israelites were in bondage in Kgv,.t This cub. ;;:;:,:::'" 'i\\ ' ^-'^ ""'^''^^ -»^ waUi:di the earliest iigo ot their nati.,iiid existence A custom so peculiarly characteristic of that people bointr fi->und here m a state of perfection, not exceeded by Z I ;To:7' T^ ^'^''^"'^ '-''' '^ ''^ conclnsion,laf th T,^ r ^-'^ ' -'rr '"'"" '•^^^'•'«^' acquainted with ^ the a.t, at some era udiabited that region of country For a trait of national practice so strong nnd palpable as is ' : 'eii:f':;;r:;;''^''"'' -r' ^'---'wi^houtMSo:;'' ] ^viiu II tlio J?.g.ptiun8 niav ndeed bp ro/.L- oned „n,„ng ,|,e fi,,, „„,i„„,, „, !,i..„,.y ,.,Ll'fad=ca,Ltf' V nH,°n tf r:r' :«'■""' '''«"*■ »"'' «- -I-aHeled t But the antiquarian record of those regions has not left ns ^fZ:u7' ^" T ""'' ^"^ ''''^'-'^ chisera!:' th Instor ' 7^'V''*^^° «^!« contributed their part to record the iiistoiy of American antiquity. rivtr abonH "' ^"7 '" ''" "^''^'''•"^ '^''"' ^^ the Ohio nve,, about twenty miles below the junction of the WabasiC I. I V' 20 ANTIQUARIAN KESEARCHES, the interior walls are smooth, and covered with paintinga and Bculpture, grouped in sections ana clusters, that bear the evi- dent impress of primitive design. On the rocks ofDighton, m Massachusetts, near the sea, have been .{iscovered Phoeni- oian letters, legibly engraved ; a strong evidence of the pres- ence of PhcBuicians, or their descendants, on this continent, at some unknown time. On the island of Malta, in the Med- iterranean, we learn, from various historians, the Phoenicians once held dominion, and were in the habit of depositing their dead in caves, l^ear the junction of the Illinois river with the Mississippi, we discovered and entered one of those Phoenician depositories, containing a mass of dust resembling the decomposition of animal matter, equal to the remains of thousands. And in various earth-works of the west, we also tnd, m deposite, the murix-shell — a sea shell-fish from which the ancients procured the famous Tjrian purple dye, used in coloring the royal robes of kings. Tliis shell is known to have been highly esteemed by the Hindus, and is used by their Brarains as the musical instrument of their gods. Thus in the bosom of the turf-clad mound, in the hidden caverns of the earth, in the remains of the coil, in the customs ot nations buried in time, aided by art and science, by the Bcnlptor's chisel and painter's pencil, we are enabled to trace arnid the gloom of barbarian rule, the ancient existence of the Koman, the Grecian, the Persian, the Egyptian, the Phoeni- cian, the Dane, and the Hijidoo. , This continent, situated as it is, embracing almost every habitable climate of the globe, with such an immense amount of fertile soil, susceptible of so dense a population, has been, and ,s destined again to become, the great hive oi nations. All Europe is pouring forth her swarms, and America is hiving them ; the towering forest of the north bows down be- fore them, while the wide-spread plains of the prairie in the west are continually receiving them, but the red man's days are numbered. And when we contemplate this diversity of population, differing Ih manners, customs, habits, and re- ligion,^ it no longer remains a matter of wonder that his total sxtmction should be the result. INTEODUCTOEY CHAPTEB. 21 Little less than three centuries ago, North America was exdnsive y occupied by the red man of the woods. The ver^ sod on which we tread and toil, three centuries ago sustained i^s nulhons of human beings without the aid of axe or plough Eut whuher have they gone? Forty-two tribes, familiafly a half, hpe become entirely extinct, and have scarcely left I trace of national existence behind them. PhilanLxmic statesmen may fold their arms, and tell us they a ". fng hem west; but forty-two tribes bear mournful' estimonyt! the fact that we are moving them to eternity. Two centuries from the date of our independence wilf leave our mo remote western frontier without an Indian-trail. Five ce"tu nes from the date of the landing of the Pilgrims at Ply 1th' wi I hav. extinguished and buried in oblivion the en S nationality of unnumbered millions. And if such be the fk e of na ions that have once possessed this magnificent country If such utter extinction be the manifest des«ny of thelordf; race that have made their homes and their graves on and under the soil we now tread upon, certainly fhe American will value researches which have been made witht'iew to perpetuate the memory of nations that have preceded tW that are now falling into ruin. ® The author has opened their sepulchres and viewed the al- most m credible masses of their dust, has entered their catt combs and handled their embalmed bodies, has trave" d their funereal caves entombing thousands of their dead, and now offers to t e public a portion of the results of his ^. gat.ons with the earnest hope that his labors have not be^-n altogether vam, and that he may at least reap a reward in finding attention aroused to the great works of American an- :.:. H , * t i IPS 33 ANTIQUAEIAN EESEAKCHBS. CHAPTER I. CONICAL STONE CEMFTEEIES. Aboriginal Cemetery, TK Frederic county, in the state of Yirginia, in the spring of •:*- 1812, my attention was arrested by the remains of an an- cient stone-work that had previously been partially demol- ished by the removal of about fou^ hundred wagon-loads of stone, used in the construction of a mill-dam in the vicinity. (See plate II, figure 1.) This work was situated on or near the summit of a prominent elevation of undulating land that commanded an extensive view of the lowland, or second ter- race of the Oppequan creek, where, as we judge from the many relics that have been found scattered on the surface of the earth, and laid bare by the share of the plough, there once stood a populous Indian village, now represented by the infant village of Wadesville, situated about nine miles north- east of Winchester. This stonework was located about one fourth of a mile -CONICAL STONE CEMK'i,.AT. S3 southwest of tlie village. It occupied a base of about seventy feet, and previous to the first work of demolition, towered to the height of thirty feet. The work was of circular fori„ gradually contracting from base to summit, terminating in a sharp cone, resemblh.g in general outline the common form of tlie truncated earthen, mound of the west ; the exterior structure was firm and compact, being laid with care, and composed of stone of various dimensions and natural forrtj beanng no mark of tools. The main body or interior portion ot the work from near the base, seemed to have been formed of stone ot various sizes, of from four to fourteen inches in diame- ter pronu'scuously thrown together to the summit, mingled with iractured bone, apparently in the last stage of decompo- sition. ^ Having become a resident of the farm on which it stood we frequently visited the premises for the purpose of examin- ing its contents and primitive design, urrtil ultimately we came to the conclusion, that it was an Indian cemetery, and for several years our reverence for the dead permitted it to remain without further desecration, and we visited it only as a place of contemplative resort. Finally, however, in con- versation with an antiquarian friend. Doctor Johnson, he re- marked, that he viewed it not as a cemetery in common, used for the interment of the dead at the time of their death, but thought that it had been formed in the deposite of the bones of the dead gathered together from distant and remote points, and th.at it had been a monument of national import. He further remarked, that his great-grandmother had been many years in captivity among Indians, and became "ac- quainted with many of their ancient traditions; among which they held one relative to the origin and use of the stone mound, representing it to be of ancient national import, dedi- cated to the great, containing only the relics of great kings, prophets, and chiefs of signal renown, that were gathered to- gether periodically, and deposited in strata from time to time until the monument was full, when a new cemetery was commenced. After receiving in detail the foregoing tra- dition, my curiosity became so much excited that reverence I: 24 ANTIQUARIAN RESEARCHES. faltered, and I recommenced the work of desecration. TLe work being yet about six feet high, I resolved on penetrating thtJ centre to the base ; and, at the cost of much labor, removed the stone. Opening a space of about five feet in diameter, I descended, occasionally finding some small or broken decay- ed bones, imtU finally I came in contact with a flat rock that I was unable to remove without additional aid ; I, however, soon secured the assistance of some schoolmates, and raised the slab, when we discovered a vault of three feet in length two m breadth, and fourteen inches deep; this vault con! tamed a considerable quantity of dust, mingled with small particles of bone that were brittle and easily broken. On examination it was readily ascertained, that this rude Btone vault was first erected on the surface of the earth and covered with stone promiscuously thrown around and upon It. The work remained without further molestation for several years, until, finally, in the construction of a railroad from Wmchester to Harper's Ferry, it was totally demolished, the track striking its centre, and an excavation of several feet being required, no vestige now remains to mark the spot where the dust of ancient heroes lay. This vaulted place of deposite so rationally according in Its contents with the doctor's tradition, engendered a desire tor the acquisition of Indian tradition that thirty-five years has failed to entirely satiate, and the author indulges the hope that before the red-man's inevitable doom of total extinction IS consummated, many of the mysteries that now becloud the antiquarian page, may be rationally made clear. The stone mounds or cemeteries of North America are evi- .dently of Indian origin, and were copied from the more an- cient mound of earth. Abundant evidence of that fact is Lad, not only in tradition, but also in the fact that they uni- vei-sally present themselves as cemeteries, wherever they are found, which is most evidenMy not the case with earth-works • of other and varied forms. But wherever the earthen mound IS satisfoctorily recognised as a cemetery, it appears in the conical form. The entire absence of earth-works in lar^e dis- tricts of country where the stone mounds abound, is evidence SAOBiriCIAL STONE CEMETEET. 35 of distinct originalitj, tl.at is also further sustained in the fact, that the stone mound has not yet been known to contain Jn deposite, any article indicative of art more refined than those common among savage nations. Nor cxo they present the various modes of deposite indicated in the mound of earth In the total and partial demolition of many stone cemeterie/ we have only discovered one that retained indications of fire.' SACRIFICIAL STONE CEMETERY. About four miles west of Winchester, in Virginia, on the prenuses recently in the possession of Doctor Gray, may yet be seen the relics of the only stone cemetery that we have dis- covered bearing the impress of fire. The greater portion of 8 inatenal havmg been removed, it now appears in the structure of stone fences enclosing the land over which it once iay promiscuously strewn. (See plate H, fie 2 ) This cemetery although of small dimensions compared with many others of similar form, presents features distinct fro., all others that appear east, of the Allegany Mountains. Al- though similar in exterior form and arrangement, the interior central base bears the evident impress of intense heat Ihe primitive base diameter of this work was about twenty- five feet, and the perpendicular altitude eleven. In removing the upper portion of this work, we discovered nothing singiv lar in the arrangement of material, but found many fragments ofdecaj-^ed bone as we descended, until M-e approached the base. About fourteen inches above the surface of the primi- tive earth, we came in contact with a stratum of small stone nnngled w.th earth and small particles of charcoal, about six nches m depth; on removing this stratum, we discovered that It rested on a firm, solid pavement of sandstone, that ^^as regularly arranged and difiicult to remove. The body ot tins work was formed of blue limestone. Our in- ci-eased curiosity dictated the entire removal of the upper ™ and this being done, the pavement presented the 1^ 3n depfh curbed around with flat stone placed on edge, in- chning slightly inward. On removing this pavement, wo dis- ! [| 1 1 i : 1 i ' 1 i 1 1 26 ANTIQUARIAN EESEARCnKB* covered tl.at tlie stones bore the impress of fire, and as we advanced to the centre, indicated great heat; some of them crumbled in removing, and others were easily broken. Some suppose this basin to have been used in the offering of sacrifice, others, that it was designed for a furnace to smelt metal, and some of our frontier Indians, with whom we con- versed, represent it to have been used as a festival oven, in which animals were roasted whole. This latter seems the most rational idea, as the ceremony of roasting the festival- dog whole, is yet observed by some tribes who dig a pit and fill it with heated rock, the aninial being enveloped, and the pit-covered with earth to retain the steatn. The dog-feast being a sacred feast, the oven would consequently be held in reverential esteem, and may have been used as the sacred repos.toiy of the last relics of a migrating nation, or as a sacred cemetery by their conquerors. That this spot was esteemed sacred, is further attested in the appearance of six ancient excavations running in a due west Ime from the cemetery, resembling those now seen west of the mountains, traditionally represented, by some of the abori- gines, to have been used in the ceremonial preparation of the lestivaldoir. ^ That those excavations are of very ancient origin is attested m the presence of timber of several centuries' growth firmly rooted ,n the embankments formed in the excavations The superficial observer, however, may not be esteemed al- together chimerical in fancying t],at he recognised nnneral pits, inasmuch as they do resemble in relative position the excavations that are found in the lead regions of the ]^^orth- western territory, and known to be old Indian lead-diirginc^s- butthe more critical observer will readily find manit'^st dissimilarity in form; the excavations termed Old Indian- diggings being circular, while these are oblong, preserving the form of the Indians' festival-oven. From ignorance of this pecuhar distinction, the unpractised prospector in newly-dis- covered mineral regions, frequently bestows much toil in vain Thus in view of all the circumstances, we can not but rec- ognise m Doctor Graf, Indian giave, a sacrificial cemetery. STONE CEMETERY. 97 STONE CEMETERY. In the vicinify of tl.e upper source of n small stream called tl.e Cow-Pasture, in Bath county, Virginia, on a pron.inent e.evation, surronr.dod on all sides l>y precipitous declivities we discovered a mediuu.-sized stone-work, l.avinc, thirty feet ba«e duuneter, and eight feet in height, of conic.S form, and winch rema.ning unmolested, presented a rare invitatilm to cnt.cal research. (See plate II, fig. 3.) It being formed of small stone, we comme.iced the work of demolition at the enmmit,and continued to descend to the depth of about two toet; we there came in contact with a thin flat stone about two and a half feet sqnare, and three inches thick, bearin.. no mark of tools except the rude outline of the form of the deer eculptured on the lower surface; after carefully removino- the Bono_above,_we raised the slab-rock, and readily perceived that It was intended as a cap, or covering, to a" singularly- formed vault, evidently designed for the reception of a hu- man body in standing pnsture. It was about six feet in depth and in form resembled an inverted churn, or firkin, bein^ widest at the top; it was constructed of flat stone, rudely ar- ranged in circles, without slime or mortar, and presented a tolerably smooth interior surface. It contained some frag- ments of bone mingled with dust, with no other perceivable deposite On urther examination we discovered on either B.de of the vault, fragments of bone apparently deposited in two stratums, as represented in cut 3. This work seems to occupy an isolated position, there being no other stone-works ofanc.en. origm in the vicinity, and in the examination of many stone-works in various portions of the country, we have discovered but one similar in construction 38 ANTIQUARIAN RESEARCHES. I I * 1 if m CEMETERY OF EARTH AND 8TONE8. This is a singular work, situated in tlie midst of tlie Alle- ghany mountains, about twelve miles south of the National road, leading from Cumberland to Wheeling, in Viiginia, on or near the great Crossings river, and on the west side of the Bame. My attention was called to it by J. Smitii, an aged pioneer, and old hunter in those regions, with whom I acci- dently entered into controversy, a!)out the existence of earthen mounds in the mountains, and by whom I was kindly piloted to, and aided in the examination of this one. It pre- sents a novel and singular feature in the annals of tuumlus record. (See plate II, fig. 4.) On approaching the work, it presented to view a regularly- formed truncated earthen mound, having a base diameter of eighteen feet, and a perpendicular altitude of seven and a half, being clad with dwarfish laurel and other diminutive shrubbery and herbage thinly scattered over the surface. I ascended to the summit and commenced an excava- tion in the centre, while the old man, aided by his two sons, started a drift at the base. After penetrating to the depth of about fourteen inches, I came in contact with a smooth, flat stone of black slate, of about thirty inches in diameter, and two and a half inches thick. This arrested the attention of my companions, and they ascended to aid in disinterring it. In removing this stone, we opened a vault precisely similar to that discovered near the Cow-Pasture, containing a skele- ton, or parts of a skeleton, much decayed ; the skull, how- ever, retained form suflaciently perfect to warrant its identifi- cation with the human species, but too much decayed for pres- ervation. The body was evidently interred in an upright po- suion, but the decayed bone had tumbled into confusion. I proposed putting the cap on the vault, and replacing the earth; but the old man responded, that "it was a d — ^d In- dian, and he would never show them any quarter, dead or alive; they murdered his mother, crippled his father, and had shot at him, but he had bored ninfiteen holes in their bides, and he would now mash that skull, and make it an CEMETERY OF EARTH AND BTONES. gj) even score ;' and he raised a large stone and hurled it with force to the bottom of the vault, crushing the little mass of bone to dust. On further examination, we discovered that the coat of earth that concealed the interior stone cemetery was much thicker at the base, presenh'ng a body of four feet f.-om the surface to the stone-work; thus it is ascertained that the stone occupied a base of ten feet, and a perpendicular altitude of about SIX, that was probably covered when first formed with a stratum of earth of about two feet in depth This from the wear and wash of time, would necessari y increase he body at the oase. At what era, and by wh't peop e his cemetery was constructed, yet remains to be ascertained but I unagme it to have been a freak of fancy, indubred bv some eccentric individual of notoriety among the stone mound builders. This being the only one of that order of construo to attach to It a national character, independent of the earth or stone-mound builders, but leave it as I find it, an amal- gamation or union of both. And I remark that in the examination of stone-mounds in Yirg.ma, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, and Indiana, much the greater number present bones generally dispersed through- out the body of the work. In some, however, system or order 18 apparent in the appearance of bones indicating regular strat^ of deposile one above the other, and about fifteen miles northwest of Lafayette, in Indiana, I find a large number of small stone piles adjacent to each other, indicative of single deposite^ Thus I have discovered in the progress of exam mat.on five various modes of deposits observed by the stone- mound builder. And yet I do not believe the deposite of the dead in stone-mounds, ever was practised in America as a general or common mode of burial by the masses, even of the stone mound builders. The isolation alone fo'rbids the indulgence of the opinion even m regions where they abound most, inde- pendant o. the fact that large territories of country are en- tirely destitute of them. ^ 30 iCNTTQUARIAN RESKAROnKB. CHAPTER ir. il i! ,i ii'. I tin MODERN ABOKIOINAL CEMETERY. A MONG tho North American Indians of tlie present day, va- -^ rions modes of depositinj; tlie dead are practised; almost every tribe has its peculiarity iti mode of burial ; I desij^n, however, to treat of those ordy with which I am personally familiar. I would observe, in this connection, that most of the tribes that linger aloiif^ tho lines of civilization occa- sionally inter the dead in imitation of their white neighboi's but they rarely sink their pits more than eighteen inches or two feet deep, and manifest an aversion to deep graves, especially mothers in bnrying their departed infants. Along the lines of our frontier settlements the mother, in depositing her infant, seeks the most secluded spot in some narrow vale near a stream of living water, on the second ter- race of the stream, that is not subject to inundation, where she imagines the white man will never fix his habitation. To such a spot she bears her babe, accompanied by a few near relatives, and with her own hands removes whatever may chance to occupy the spot of her choice ; then, with a email hoe or hatchet, scoops out an area sufficiently capacious to receive the body. She then gathers dry leaves and makes a soft coxich upon which she places the child, snugly folded in a skin or small blanket, around which the mother and near relatives form a circle, to give vent in grief, in singing a death dirge, all in sitting posture. They weep freely, beat- ing the earth with their hands for the space of about one liour; then arise and, all except the mother, retire to gather bark or suitable sticks, to form a covering for the corpse. Wlien ffatherfd, she 'nlnces them around and over the bod" in sv-"!' manner or form as her fancy may dictate, then all unite in MODERN AnoRIQINAL CEMRTEBT. all unite in 81 covcnng tl.o pile with lonves nnd onrth to ti.e depth of Hhout four n.ches. They then cut small p„le9 and n.uko etakes that tiiey drive in the ground in a circle as represented In Fif 6 plate ir. They then obtain a stake from which they rem'c'e the hark, and make it an white and smooth as poRsiblo, about live feet long, and drive it in the gronnd outside of the en- closure near the grave. On this stake they place a white «ag. rh.8 flag ,9 designed to act as a guard or protection against the encroachment of carniverous ammals, and answers the purpose adnn'rahly, for no ferocious animal will npproach It; and thus the body is protected, and permitted to decay unmolested on the surfjico of the earth. If the infant be a male, entitled to hereditary chiefdom, or other honors, hieroglyph ical characters are impressed with voTmdion on the guard stake, indicative of that fact; but if a female, the white stake is dispensed with, and several white Hags are appended to the longer stakes that enclose the grave as represented in Fig 5, plate H. I„ the spring of 1842 I ^v:tnessed the funeral ceremonies of a male infant, near' a emal stream called Sly-magill, a tributary of the Mississippi. m Chiyton county, Iowa, near a large spring of pure water that r.ses withm a tew poles of the stream on its south side about two miles distant from the river. The child was J inemberof the family of Wah-con De-co-ra, principal chief of the Wmnebago nation, and a great number of hieroglyphical characters were impressed upon the stake of protection; indi- ca iveof hneal descent; but my endeavors to obtain a literal reildermg, -were vain, my acquaintance with their langua«.e being huHted and most of the party being in a state of intox- ication. I also witnessed the funeral of a female child in- terred with similar ceremonies, about seven miles distant near a small stream denominated the Bloody-run In this case there was no hieroglyphical stake, but many white vacrs ^v'eI•e pendent on the stakes, constituting the enclosure repil Bented in Plate II. fig. 6. ^ The mode of interment of children that can claim no genea- 1 opfinn scribed. .ascent from ehiofdum 19 similar to that above de- I except as to the manner of enclosure, theii graves f S9 ▲NTIQUAKIAN KE8EARCHE8. heing secnred by a j)en covered with small poles, and tho white rug being suflpended from a small polo placed at the head or foot of the grave. In the funerals of adults, I observed four modes of deposito of which figures 7, 8, 9, and 10 are descriptive. Fig. 7 represents a body placed on the ground at the root of some favorite tree, designated by the individual previous to death; the body is sustained in a sitting posture by means of bark or cords that are drawn around the trunk of the tree, pressing the body close to the same, and is guarded by flags until, in decomposition, it falls to the earth. The bones are then re- moved by the surviving friends, and deposited in piles, with those of their nation that have died before them. Fig. 8 presents a view of the body of an Indian suspended in his canoe between two trees, where it remains until the canoe decays and tumbles to the earth. His bones are then removed as above. Fig. 9 repres'^nts a body laid on the ground, and enclosed in a pole-pen. . Fig. 10 represents a body lying on a scaifold formed by setting posts or forks in the ground, upon which poles are placed. The body, rolled in skins or blanket, is laid thereon where it remains until the structure decays, and the bonea fall to the earth : they are then heaped together, and decay in mass. SOUTH AMERICAN TUMULI. Z9 CEAPTER III. SOUTH AMERICAN TUMULI. TTAVIN"G presented tl.o reader with a elcetch of some of ■*-A the circumstances that prompted us to an early investi- gation of this subject, with the results in reference to the stone cemeteries of I^Torth America, I now proceed to detail the incKlents that finally led us to the critical examination of tumuli. Trevious to my exploration of the great valley of the Mis- sissipp, I resolved on visiting South America. On the 3d ot March, 1826, I secured passage on board the DouHass Captam Fowler, bound from the city of New York for the island of Curagoa, and in t.venty-one days we arrived at that port, where I again shipped on a email schooner for the continent. _ The wind being fair, and the weather fine, we soon came in sight of the towering peaks of the majestic mountains tliat skirt the coast, and on the morning of the second day found our vessel safely anchored in the harbor of Porto Cabel- lo, a strongly-fortified commercial city, inhabited by a motley mixture ot nations, varying in color from a pale sallow white to the blackness of ebony. After spending a few d-vs in this city, I resolved to visit the interior of the country^ and for that purpose purchased a mule, and engaged an interpreter. About the 1st of April, I set out with Antonio, my inter- preter, for Yalencia, a small inland town on the plains dis- tant from the sea about twenty-five miles. After proceeding a tew miles, we began to ascend one of the lofty spurs of the Andes, by a crooked and narrow way, winding around the points of frightful precipices: but we reaobprl t),o o„mr";- ■- eatety, and found ourselves perched on a pinnacle several I 34 ANTIQUARIAN KESEARCHES. ! IE ! 4 thousand feet above the level of the ocean, of which it com- manded an extensive vievsr. Here we dismounted to enjoy, for a short time, the luxury of the mountain breeze. Seating myself on the summit of a huge rock that com- manded an extensive view of water and land, I cast my eyes on the sea, and beheld, with varying emotions several sail that were hutneward bound. Turning to the land, a prospect the most sublime that I had ever beheld, greeted iny vision, in view of an unbroken chain of lofty mountains on my left, clad in shrubbery and grass, green and ripe, presenting the rainbow shades of green piled up in rolling waves as far as sight could scan. On my right lay a vast plain in graceful undulation on which the horizon Beemed to rest, and in their midst tiie little fresh-water lake of Valencia fanned by gentle zephyrs, presenting a bosom that resembled molten silver bordered with graceful green. After enjoying the cool, refreshing breeze for about an hour, we resumed our journey, and soon reached the village of VaHncia, where I found an old school-Uiate with whom I had previously spent many days in youthful pastime. He •welcomed me to his home, and introduced me to his wife, a tid}', little, dark woman — heiress, however, to a wealthy Frenchman who resided in the vicinity. Thence, in company with my friend, Mr. R. Eey, and othei'S, I proceeded on a visit to the battle-field of Carra- bobn. At that place avast number of human bones remain to bleach on the earth, and present a melancholy featuie in the landscape. OI)serving in the vicinity a large earthen mound, our at- tention was arrested, and we proceeded to examine the struc- ture, and soon perceived that it resembled in form others that I had previously noticed in North America. On our return to Valencia we visited a group of truncated mounds, more diminutive in size; but, on critical examination, we perceived apparent order atid relative arrangement — the entire group occupying a square area of about ten aores, with a momid in the centre, larger than any otiier in the group, surrounded by a circular i':;n;,'e of small works. The novelty of the arrange- which it com* ited to enjoy, eze. ck that com- d, I cast my ttioDs several me that I had ibroken chain •y and grass, •f green piled On my right 1 tlie horizon sli- water lake :ing a bosom :eful green, for about an id the village with whom I lastime. He to his wife, a a wealthy S. Rey, and 'Id of Carra- jones remain ily feature in >nnd, our at- ine the striic- n others that )n our return lounds, more -ve perceived entire group 1 a mound in rronnded by the arrange- SOUTH AMERICAN TUMULI. 35 ment induced me to enter in my diary a descriptive note dated May 9th 1826. On my way from Yalenda to Ca acas, I observed some small works that were partially de- Btroyed, and tarrying at St. Philippi, where w^e^aseed^e Hght, we were mformed by a padre that there was Tsinlu ar arrangement of earth-work about thirty miles south of S^e lake of Valencia, and from his description, I was led o ^^ppose .t a facsimile of the works of Circ leville, n Ohio On my return from Caracas I visited the pren i es afd discovered that while it retained the outline'f Sev le ;iat Aa! BB.^ ^^"''""^^ "" '''''''' di W Tsee in;s:;iti:T;:^^^t:i:tr"^ \.^ „ 71 1' , » '"""eu or luincated mounds connectprl except at tl,e pomt of entrance. The truncated works had , at:tl;':;VM''^'"''^*" " p-p-o-'iar ^^^ teelTl n^ /' ™ ™'™""<'<=<1 by a ditch about tweire lellSra^ttnhrc- r "■■'" '" '-'''" ''-^ ^"" "' '«-' About forty poles distant from the ditch there ia o »• 1 oJ^urttici^t'dtLr^f :::;:• "-^-^ - -'"'-^^ About one mile southeast of this circular wort .1 • "■ork similar in construction, but diffe bj" T ' " " sonted in cut A 4 Ti • > """"'"S '" 'omi, aa repre- about M ree act, „J I'^'m' """"''^""^ " "i""'" "'■- »f "'■«!), fcet ba e 'a^d , "" '!,'"'"-^ « 'I™™ earthwork attIo slowly s from terrace to terrace, till the last blow is struck The ast arrow leaves the bow, and the remorseless wave of war weep a nation from the face of the earth. The bre.ofihe NoTE—See Frontispiece for a view of nlAfo Tin « Tl.is plate represents he authn,'/ • . ' ^^"""^ ^' ""^ * ''"•^" «««^«^ tl.e Ol.io. Con8idenn/M.rr' 7 ^ ^ ^"°^" ""'"''^ "^ *»>« ">«>""> of their peculiar abi Id LroTr 1 T" "'"' " "" ""' *"* -ound-bni.der, plate u be coti:;: :^^::z :: ^^''^"'^ '- ^"''^^ ^-^^^ ^^^^ fortresses. The author's conceptTonwas full" fi T. T ''' *'"^*' ""■'"^^^ peatedly informed hin, that s^ct "as h "LZ^^^ raced .nound, as handed down bylis fle^ ' " '"* '^^ *'""'' *^" I r I p.. < 1 40 ANTIQUARIAN EKSEABCHES. IH i ■ !i Ih 1 r ! '! ) 1 ij !j CHAPTER ly. FIRST TOUR OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI. TTAVING observed many singular works and strange ar- Ai rangeinents of tumuli in South America, in which I became much interested, but without coming to any satisftic- tory conclusion respecting their use or origin, after my retuin to the United States, I devoted much time and attention to this subject. In the spring of 1829, I located myself in the Miami valley, in the state of Ohio. This region, abound- ing in tumuli, presents a field of investigation worthy the at- tention of the antiquarian and archa'Mlogist. The diversity of form, complication of arrangement, and amount of labor bestowed in the construction of these works, can not fail to arrest the attention even of the casual observer; but my do- mestic relations and limited pecuniary resources forbade the prosecution of extensive researches for several years. I did not, however, become indifferent to the subject, but con- tinued to improve every opportunity for investigation that time and circumstances presented, occasionally visiting the valleys of the Muskingum, Scioto, and Miamis, and carefully noting all peculiarities which I observed in form, arrange- ment, material, and mode of deposite, in various works. Being permanently located in the vicinity of Fort Ancient (one of the most stupendous and wondeiful works of the Ohio valley, and which is described in another portion of this vol- ume), my thirst for investigation was continualy augmented by frequent conversations with antiquarian and curious travellers who visited the premises, as well as by the ravages which the progress of civilization and agricultural improve- ments were from time to time making, upon what I was ac- customed to regard as the sacred tombs of the ancient fathers of the aborigines. FIRST TOUR OP THE TJrPER MISSISSIPPI. 41 The truncated works were, by common consent, recognised as cemeteries or Indian graves ; and tlie enclosed areas, as for- tificaticois or military ramparts. This being the generally-ac- cepted and popular view of the subject, researches for the most part were conducted with the sole view of procuring evi- dence in confirmation of that belief, while the diversity of form, relative position, md complex arrangement, either wholly escaped the notice of antiquarian observers, or were regarded as matters of comparatively little interest or import- ance. In 1837, 1838, and 1839, business pursuits led me to the im- mediate valley of the upper Mississippi. There I soon observed that the mound-builders, in the construction of their works, had indulged in innumerable freaks of fancy, wholly unlike' anything I had hitherto seen in the religious or military structures erected by ancient or modern nations. Perceiving that those mounds which were most remote from civilization retained their primitive form in greatest perfection, I re- solved to make a tour of exploration in the unfrequented wilds of the west ; and, In the spring of 1840, 1 repaired to the city of St. Louis, whence I embarked on the steamer Illinois for Galena, in the early part of April. As soon as the sun had dispersed the dense mists of the river valley, I seated myself on the hurricane deck, the bet- ter to observe the scenery on either side. As our boat moved rapidly on, I perceived that the extensive plain known as the American Bottom was gradually narrowing down, and the rugged hills beyond were closing in toward the river bank' Soon we passed the mouth of 'he Missouri, whose tuibid waters, freighted with sand and mud, hastened to minHe their dark streams with those which flowed from the crys^tal fountains of the more northern hills. In regular lines, on either side, were seen the traces of the waters that in ancient time had washed the rugged bosoms ot the valley, making clearly evident the fact that the proud waters that now roll in the gulf below, once gently flowed through a vast, broad plain, hundreds of hei above their present level. 4S ANTIQUARIAN RKSEAECHKt It 1*8 woitliy oi' remark, that wherever a solid rock- surface 13 to be seen extending from the water to the highest summit, the lines run precisely parallel with each other; and the same number of lines are invariably found in tiie same given alti- tude at all points on the river, from St. Peter's down to the upper rapids, a distance of several hundred miles. After passing the mouths of many small tributaries, we ar- rived at the termination of the lower rapids, where we were under the necessity of unloading our cargo, to be transported in tow-boats to the head of the same. There being but two feet water in the channel, and the current strong, it was with some difficulty that we succeeded in getting over with our empty boat, but we did so in safety; again taking in our cargo, proceeded. Meeting a rise in the river, we passed the upper rapids without difficulty, and soon drew near the min- eral regions. , Here, Nature apparently fond of variety, seems to exhibit a change of features, fur here the towering rocks, with varie- gated colors, present a less regular arrangement, with liere and there a huge mass, or mountain pile of shapeless frag- ments, that seem to have been thrown together with a care- less hand, or hurled from their deep beds by some volcanic eruption. Do not the ravages of water on the face of these rocks bear testimony to the existence of matter, in form, thousands of years before all human record? And may not the volcanoes and earthquakes tbit are now rending the Eastern hemis- phere once have done their work in the West? If so, may they not again return? Who knows but this once-beau- tiful plain was inhabited by civilized and intelligent beings that have gradually passed away by the ravages of war, or convulsions of nature? This world is, indeed, a wonderful machine, and its primi- tive construction incomprehensible ! Man may form his globes, and fix their spheres, but the reins of eternal motion are held alone by Deity. Man may look back as far as tra- dition or history reach, and a fertile imagination may give ideal form to chaos, but ihe original production o: latter FIRST TOUR OP THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI. 43 bids defiance to all his researches ; himself formed of matter he may only reason on formed matter with certainty he may soar aloft on the wings of imagination, or sink in fancy to the depths below; yet beyond the natural or artificial vision there must still remain for him one great eternal void which Cjou alone may fill. While thus musing in my hammock, my attention was sud- denly arrested by a call from the pilot to lower the steam, and I immediately repaired to the hurricane-deck, and saw that we were closely hedged in by the banks of a natural canal formed by the back-water of the Mississippi, tracing the channel of a small stream called the Fever river, narrow! deep, and crooked. ' After advancing about seven miles, we came in sight of the ftvi-fumed httle city of Galena. Here the scene changed, and ..stead of the noise of the escaping steam, my ear was saluted with the more agreeable din and sounds of the bustle of busi- iiess. I soon found myself in the midst of a flourishing in- land city, situated on the banks of a stream that, one mile above would scarcely float a canoe. It was built in semicir- cular form, closely hedged in with rugged blufl-s, whose sides were here and there literally excavated to make room for stately mansions. Three semicircular streets, gradually rising one above the other, formed the thoroughfares of comme,.e 1 might have been almost persuaded that I was in the midst of Jerusalem on a pentacostal day, for here. were Jews out of almost every nation under heaven, together with natives of England, Ireland, France, Spain, and Germany- a truly mo ey mass of various creeds and tongues, yet all bound to fndl iT'T'" ^r""'"'^' "^terest,and by commercial and socuil ties Agricultural pursuits were partially neglected nevertheless, the city is surrounded by a fertile so'il tha w 1? in coming time, yield a surplus. ' seJurJ? *'^'" ' "T '^ '^''' ^"^^"' '^'y ^"^ ^^ -'c-ity, I hot tol ^TT. " ^'"■' "" ^*^^"^^- ^"-^ ^-"d for the Bhot-tower at Helena, on the eastern shore of the Wisconsin i-iver (which cnffirs tho Mi-sifiqlnn; =-, f b ■'^'consin the inn^f;^ e T.V ^viiesissippi seventy-five miles above the junction of lever river). la passing up the Mississippi, 44 ANTIQUARIAN BESEARCIIE8. til I!' m we touched at Dubuque, a flourisliing village on the western shore, in the territory (now the state) of Iowa. This village is situated on a beautiful plain of some thousand acres offer- tile soil, and bids fair to become the centre of commerce |br an extensive and fertile region at the west. There is proba- bly more taste displayed in the arrangement of its mansions, shrubbery, and other ornamental appendages, than can at this time be seen in any village on the upper Mississippi. The large piles of lead stacked up on the bank of the river, bear ample testimony to the fact that it is surrounded by deep and rich mineral-beds. On leaving Dubuque the current gradually gains strength, the river being partially filled with many timbered islands that are annually inundated by the northern floods. These floods usually occur in June or July, being created by the spring rains, and the melting snow of the Rocky mountains, or northern regions. In consequence of tliese annual inunda- tions, logs and snags abound in the river, frequently chang- ing the channel by gathering around them large sand-bars. The bluffs continue rugged, and gradually rise as we advance. We at length entered the Wisconsin whose crystal current flows briskly down, over moving beds of brilliant sand, with a continually changing channel that renders the navigation somewhat difficult. We soon, however, arrived at Muscoda, the ancient location of a large Indian village, but at present occupied by a few white families. Th's village is situated on an extensive plain of sandy soil, on the surftice of which may be seen relics of many an ancient mound, varying much in size and form ; some resembling redoubts, or fortifications, others presenting the forms of gigantic men, beasts, birds, and reptiles, among which may be found the eagle, the otter, the serpent, the alligator, and others pertaining to the deer, elk, and bnffido species. The highland in the vicinity of this vil- lage abounds with monuments that bear testimony to the an- cient existence of an immense population in those regions. I remained some days in the examination of those remains, and then returned on the Otter to Prairie du Chien, an old French village situated about four miles above the junction FIRST TOUR OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI, 45 of the TVisconsin, on the eastern shore of the Mississippi, and in the territory of Wisconsin. It is located on a handsonio phiin containing several thonsand acres; the bnildings bear a somewhat dilapidated appearance, with the exception of a few modern structures. The back country is rough and bro- ken, abounding in tumuli of various kinds and shapes. The American Fur Company have a trading post at this place, and the United States keep up a garrison for the protection of the f-ontier settlements. The majority of the village popu- lation were French and half-bred Indians; they were social and friendly, and I resolved to tarry a while with them for the purpose of making myself better acquainted with the In- dian huiguage. There were many Indians encamped on the islands in the vicinity, and I visited them frequently, and attended several of their feasts ; they were fond of mirth and music, and indulged much in feasting, dancing, &c. After becoming acquainted with many of them, I resolved to penetrate the country to the west ; and having provided myself with a rifle, tomahawk, and blanket, I crossed the Mississippi nine miles below the Indian boundary-line. After advancing about seven miles, my vision was greeted with a prospect transportingly beiutiful, in the view of a country richly interspersed with verdant lawns and shady groves with cooling springs and crystal rills, rising and flowing through the most luxuriant plains of rich prairie, and which seemed to be calling and entreating the industrious cultivator of the loss fertile east to bestow his labors where they would meet a, more ample reward. 40 AKTIQUAUIAM KK8KARCIIB8. CHAPTER V. 1 1 ^n I .Hii t i M 1 EARTHEN DKP08ITK, KXPLORATION, AO. AFTER traversing that l^eautit'ul country drained by tlie cliannel of Turkey river, I returned to Prairie du Cl».v ., and during the suniiner months I spent much time in the ex- cavation and exaniituition of numerous mounds, and groups of mounds, in the vicinity. I discovered many recent de- posites, and several that I termed primitive. Among the latter was an earthen urn, that contained about t lirty gallons ; this urn was deposited in a large mound near the junction of the Wisconsin with the Mississippi. It was in the form of a large jar, with a cap or cover, neatly fitted on ; it was full of ashes, mixed with small ])article8 of chaicoal and burnt bones. This vessel appeared to have been well burned, and i-esembled the potter's waroof the present day, of good qual- ity, except that it appeared to have been formed within a bag, or sack, made of coarse materials ; the impression of the threads were apparent on the outside, while the inside re- mained perfectly smooth. It had become very tender and much decayed by time, so much so, that I was unable to pre- serve it whole. I however retained some parts, or pieces, that, after being thoroughly dried by fire, became hard and firm. (See Fig. 1, Cut W.) Being under an engagement to meet De-coo-Jah at St. Peter's, or Lake Pepin, as might best suit my convenience, in the fall, I returned to Galena where I built me a sni',11 sail- boat; and, after 4)roviding myself with provisions, ammuni- tion, and a few Indian trinkets, I launched my craft and set sail for St. Peter's. In three days I again arrived at Prairie du Chien. I tarried there a few days endeavoring to obtain a companion, but finding no one that was willing to accom- KAUTIIKN DEPOSITR, EXPLORATION, AO. 4n paiiy .ne In m.y cont..tni.Iuted tour. I again set sail a,,,! de- pivitod alone. Tlie rivei- being crooked, and flio wind change, able, I progressed slowly; but there bei.ig many Indians on the river fowling and fishing, I generally had one or two on board, during ,ny jmssage through the Winnebago nati<.n I pr..ceeded cheerfully until I began to draw near the Sioux lemtory, a nation of whom T knew but little, and of whose language I was entirely ignorant. My Hj.iritH were now somewhat depressed ; but, bavlru^ dc- ttM-nune.l to make the four at all hazards, and finding many groups of singularly-formed tum.di, I kept on my way After ].enet,ratn,g the Sioux country some thirty miles, I was nnicli • rcj-'iced at finding, near the river, a neat-looking log-house ami was still more pleased to find within it a generous-hearted Iv^Mituck.an, who insisted that I slnmld partake of his hosni- taiity during my pleasure. I consented to remain with him a few days. He had my boat secured, and conveyed the en- tents to his house. He being a permanent resident (,f the for- est, I was agreeably surprised to find him intelligent, and a good talker. His beds and furniture were not exactlv such as those we generally find in Kentucky- the former bein^ composed of well-dressed buffalo-skins; his fable of a slab or puncheon, dressed from a large cotton-wood tree; his chain, made of the same material (and in the form of what he «aid Kentuckians generally called stooh). jris table was well-fur- nished with Indian butcher-knives; forks not being fashionable Hi that region, he had dispensed with the use of the.n There was plenty of fowl, fish, venison, honey, bread, and pork, and lie appeared to be happy and contented. When I inquired how he happened to locate himself in that wild region, he replied, that he volunteered as a soblier during the Black-IIawk war, but that, during his term <.f ser- vice he became convinced that the Indians were an ini.ned people, and were treated with injustice, and he therefore de- tennined to become acquainted with their true character During my term of service," said he, » I had an attack of bdioiis fever at Prairie du Chien, where I became acquainted With a young Chippewa squaw, who treated me with so much m ■ P' 48 ANTIQUARIAN EESEARCHES. kindness during my sickness, that I grew much attached to her. After the war, I sought and found her, and I took her to be my wife, thinking that I would live with her a while, and then return to my friends in Kentucky. We commenced trapping, at which she was very expert, and we were very successful. " I soon became fond of trapping, but still thought that when I had made a good raise, I would return to Kentucky. After the lapse of one year, my wife presented me with a daughter ; it was a healthy child, and I soon became very fond of it. I however did not yet think of remaining permanently with her, and when the child was six months old, I made up my mind to go back to my friends in Kentucky. " I sold my fur to the American Fur Company for four hundred dollars, and furnished my wife with blankets and such trinkets as she desired. I had never intimated to any one my intention to return. I took my rifle and put it in good order, about the first of June. The morning that I had set apart for my departure was a beautiful one — the sky was clear and bright, the birds in unusual numbers appeared to be flocking around our wigwam, and filled the air with their sweetest notes ; but my mind was full of gloom, and my coun- tenance wore a shade of sadness. My wife discovered that I was not so cheerful as usual, and inquired if I was unwell ; I forced a smile, and assured her that I was quite well. When I started, the baby began to cry, which was something very unusual for it to do, I did not turn back; yet, as I proceeded on my way, I fancied that I heard the child crying continual- ly, and before the evening of the third day, I became so much distressed that I made up my mind to return. That night I slept soundly, and in the morning when I awoke, I found my- self surrounded by the same birds that had cung the song of my departure ; now they seemed to vie with each other in sounds of melody. I returned to my wigwam, and I never thought of leaving wife or child again. '' Shortly after my return, I removed to Prairie du Chien, built a house, .and commenced keeping a tavern. I remained there three years, and succeeded well in business ; but I did rie du Chien, > I remained EAKTHEN DEPOSITE, EXPLORATION, &C. 40 not enjov as mnch pleasure as I liad furmerly enjoyed in the furcBt, I therefore let my house and returned. " 1 love the forest, and intend to live and die in it." After passing ten dajs with my Kentucky friend (who de- sired that I should not use his name in my diary on account ot his relatives, whom he represented as men of hic^h-stand- ing ,n Kentucky), I launched my boat, and set sail for St Peter's. I was accompanied by the son of my host, a boy of ten years of age, who spoke the Sioux and English lancrua-reg well ; he was a sprightly youth, and of much service "to me as an interpreter. On our arrival at St. Peter's, we tarried several days to examine the tumuli of the surrounding coun- try, but found none in the immediate vicinity. l^rere being a ].arty of French traders about to ascend the St. 1 eter's river, I resolved to go with them to examine a singular group spoken of by De-coo dah, as being located in those regions. The traders travelled in canoes propelled by poles and paddles. Tlie wind being fair, we hoisted sail and were soon out of sigh t of them. We however still crowded sail and made about twenty-five miles that day, against a strono^ current. lu the evening we landed, struck a fire, and pret paied our supper, after which the boy shouldered his rifle and went m pursuit of some deer that we saw feeding near the river above ; and, in about an hour, lie returned with the hams and skin of a fjiwn. Our company not coming up that evening, and the wind still continuing fair, the next morning we ag^in set sail. That day the current not being so strong as before, we made about Ihirty-five miles, and discovered that we were in the nei^h borhood of an Indian village. We came to anchor, struck fi^-e and l..i.^od on our fawn. The next morning, the wind noJ being fair,, my boy went to see if he could find the village • and about three hours afterward, he returned with nearly a hundred Indians, old and young; they were friendly, and in- vited me to their village, the chief leaving his two daughters totake care ot rny boat. The village was some two miles ir^.m the river, and was composed of thirty wigwams We were hospitably entertained, and remained thei; over* 50 ANTIQUARIAN EESE ARCHES. niglit In the morning tlie chief and some others retnrned with mc to the place where we had left the boat. On ap- proaching the river, we discovered that the boat was gone ; and, on our arrival at the spot, we perceived that the French- men had camped there over night. The old chief appeared to be somewhat alarmed, and immediately raised the war- whoop ; and in a short time twenty young warriors were on the spot ; but while he was giving directions to them relative to the course they should pursue, looking down the river, I saw an Indian running full speed toward us. The chief looked and said it was his daughter; he then paused in si- lence until she came np to where we were, and told us that the boat was down the river; adding, that they being un- willing to remain with the Frenchmen, had attempted to cross the river, and seeing no paddles or oars on board, supposed the boat was propelled by the helm. After her story was in- terpreted to me, all burst out in a loud laugh, except the girl ; she appeared to be much displeased that her misfortune should be made the subject of merriment. We, however, all went down to the boat, and found the other girl sitting in it; the wind now blowing fair up stream, I prevailed on the girls to remain on board, and then unfurling sail, we returned ; the girls now in turn, commenced laughing at those on shore, telling them that tlwj could aflord to ride, "but you are poor and compelled to walk." After we reached the landing, the old chief informed me that in three days they should hokl a triumphal war-dance, and invited me to attend. I consented to do so. He then ordered a family to raise a M'igwam, and take charge of my boat, and his order was immediately obeyed. I inquired through my interpreter whether there were any mounds in that neighborhood. He told me there were some up the river, not far distant, and that there were many of them, and that next day he would show them to me. Early the next morning the old chief and about twenty others accompanied me to the spot. I soon discovered the title mound of the Bliitk Tortoise (Cut E), and commenced taking its dimensions, aided by my boy. They all appeared i I EARTHEN DEPOSITE, EXPLOEATION, &0. 51 astonished at this, looking in silence at each other, in amaze- ment; when I discovered their surprise, I drew from my pocket a plat that I had previously drawn from the descrip- tion I had received from De-coo-dah of this group, and its correspondence with the group before us seemed to increase their astonishment. They viewed it with great interest, and one of the chief's daughters exclaimed, " We-ru-cun-ne- gah which 13 the name of an old Indian artist of whom I shall treat hereafter. When I rolled up my draft, the old chief inquired if I had been there before; being answered in the negative, he resumed, » Where did you see a group so much like the one before us?" I then informed him how I had obtained it. When he heard the name of De-coo-dah, his eyes brightened, and his countenance flashed with joy. I told him, through my inter- pi-eter, that De-coo-dah was my friend, and was yet living He then aided me cheerfully in taking the dimensions of the' entire group ; the next day he conducted me to several treaty mounds (Cut O), and one large battle-burial mound. ■ He seemed to look upon all of them with personal indifference walking over and upon them, as though he regarded not thei^ use or contents. _ On the evening of the third day, a company of twenty war- riors arrived at their village. They had lately returned from a scout among the Chippewas, with whom they were at waT Ihey bore a trophy, over which they designed that night to hold a war-dance ; it was the skin of the entire head of an apparently old Chippewa squaw. This scene appeared to be an interesting one to them, many Indians, male and female tantastically painted, coming in at intervals all day from the neighboring bands. ^ ^ The skin was stuffed with moss and leaves, and was per- fectly dry In the evening they built several fires in a c.-cle and formed a ring, m the centre of which the captor stood, and harangued those around, with a loud voice and vehemen gestures, holding in one hand a blood-stained kni e and „ the other thfl trmili^ Af *i,„ „i--. /. , . , j ""u m „ ..1 /. ^ ■■' ^''^'"^ otluB harangue (which eons.tod of a repetition of the wrongs or ins.i imposed 52 ANTIQUARIAN KESEARCIIES. i ; h rl il IBliHI'tlINn k upon or ofFcrcd to the nation by the enemy) ; with a violent effort he dashed the tropliy to the earth, braiidisliing liis knife in the air, and goint? tliroiigh the gestures of a scnffle, or fight ; he then kicked the trojihy to the ring, wliere it was received and kicked back to tlie centre, followed by an Indi- an from the ring, who after going in turn through the gestures of a light, kicked it back to the ring again, where it was again and again received and returned until all had kicked it ; in the meantime war-songs and dancing were going on around the ring, accompanied with the most vehement gestures by each of the captors who in turn entered the ring. When all had thus insulted the trophy, it was seized by the original cajjtor, and thrown about from one to the other, amidst the most horrible shrieks, and finally it was trampled upon until it was mashed flat; it was then again taken by the captor who introduced a small leather bag of powder among the re- maining moss and leaves, and after they had surrounded a fire by joining hands in a circle, he threw the trophy into the fire; they continued dancing until the explosion took place, and then retired in confusion, amidst the most itidescribahle whoops, shrieks, and yells. In the morning I returned to my boat, and found everything safe. Having found the funeral mound that I was in search of, I resolved to go no further at that time. The wind, however, blowing up stream, I remained all that day at anchor. In the evening was presented by an Indian with a rich treat of honey in the comb, for which I gav§ the donor a few trinkets. Tlie next morning, the wind proving fair, we descended the river. We remained one day at St. Peter's, and then at- tempted to ascend the Mississiiipi. We proceeded to the falls of St. Anthony. I there concluded to leave my boat in charge of my boy, and employed three Indians with a canoe to ascend further, for the purpose of discovering, if possible, the burial group of the six kings. After a diligent search of six days, we succeeded in finding it. (Letter T, Cut 32.) I took the dimensions, position, exact location, &c., of the group, and returned to mv boat: then weiHiino' anchnr, we floated slowly down the stream, frequently stopping to ex- EAKTHE.Y DEP08ITK, EXPLORATION, &C. 53 amine the adjacent countiy. This bears in general a roiigli and broken appearance, and does not appear capable of sus- taining, by agricultural pursuits, a dense population. In de- scending the river, between the falls and the lake, I dis- covered many mounds on both sides; these were principally treaty and battle-burial mounds. It is worthy of remark that at or about the junction of the Mississippi of each of its larger tributary streams, from the falls of St. Anthony to the Ohio river, there appears anciently to have been a dense popula- tion drawn thither, as is probable, by the advantages such points present for fishing and hunting. K"ear the junction of the river St. Croix, on the eastern shore of the Mississippi, we discovered an apparently unfin- ished group of tumuli representing an animal with horns re- sembling those of an ox, with nnfinished foreleg, as seen in Cut L, No. 20, together with a small circular embankment that was formed by throwing the earth from within ; this em- bankment measured forty feet in diameter, and was elevated four feet above the surface of the surrounding earth without; the earth within being scooped out to the depth of four feet in the centre, forming a bowl or basin eight feet in depth. The third was a long, flat embankment, seen at Fig. 4, Cut Z,No 41, elevated to the height of six feet at the east end,' and' pre- senting an oval surface twelve feet west, presenting thus far the usual finish of a national monumental mound, but gi-adu- ally descending thence to the west, bearing at that point an elevation of two feet. The unfinished condition of this group serves to explain the method of construction, and, perhaps enables us to account for the unusual solidity and firmness of the earth, which always characterizes the national monument mound. It 13 probable that after the embankment had been raised to the height of several feet, the operatives carrvinc small portions of earth, ascended at one end of the mo\md and walked to the other to deposite their load, thereby pack- ing and hardening the earth under their feet, during the en- tire process of construction. We are of the opinion that the Mississippi, from the lake to fet. i eter s, was anciently, and for a long time, the boundary 64 ANTIQUARIAN RESEARCHES. ■I ■ 1 M ' \l line between two warlike nations, from the fact that on either side of the river may be seen large battle-burials. "We also incline to the belief that the nation on the east side were the 'conquerors, from the additional fact, that the greatest number of treaty-mounds are found on that side of the stream ; and from the frequent appearance of unfinished groups we are led to the conclusion that the extinction of a nation was consum- mated in this region. At the lake I formed an acquaintance with several half- breed Indians, who accompanied me on a visit to some mounds in that neighborhood, which had been previously de- scribed to me. On our arrival at the spot, I found that the description had been accurately given. I passed some ten days in the examination of the lake shore and its vicinity. I found several unfinished groups, one of which nearly resembled the one which I have already de- scribed. It contained the representation of an animal similar to that represented in Cut L (excepting that the hind leg of the latter is imperfect). The circular embankment was twen- ty-five feet in diameter, with an elevation of only two feet, formed by throwing up the earth from within, there being no apparent removal of earth from without, I opened this cir- cular emljankment in three places, but found no indications of any deposite. I then sunk a hole in the centre to the depth of five feet. Eigliteen inches below the surface, I passed through a stratum of ashes, of about four inches in thickness, mingled with small particles of charcoal and porous earth. Beneath this stratum, I found nothing but the native earth. On a high pinnacle overlooking the lake, I discovered an unfinished embankment of one hundred and eighty-four feet in length, the east end being thrown up six feet in height, and twelve feet in breadth, regularly formed for seventy feet, then gradually sloping to the west, to the height of three feet and breadth of seven feet at its western termination, with an uneven surface. I also discovered, on a conspicuous point of a high bluflT west of the lake, a flat embankment one hundred and thirty EARTHEN DEPOSITE, EXPLORATION, &0. 55 feet square, with an oval mound on the top, Laving an eleva- tion ot fourteen feet, the flat embankment being two feet and a half high. On sinking a spade in the small mound, I dis- covered that it was composed of ashes, small particles of charcoal, and sand similar to that found on the lake bluff. Here M-as something novel, in the progi-ess of my discov- eries, and I resolved to probe it to the foundation, in the an- ticipation of finding some precious relic of antiquity. Throw- ing oft my leather coat and rolling up my sleeves, I began to throw up the sand and ashes with more than Hibernian ardor, and very much to the amusement of my Indian friends, who sat gnnn.ng around me. The digging was easy, and I made rapid progress. On coming to a level with the flat embank- ment, I discovered that it was formed of clay unlike any in the vicinity, around the small mound ; and yet, i„ sinkint, I discovered no change in the centre. I became yet more ex- cited but being much fatigued with my labor, I retired to the shade of a small tree which grew near by to rest myself- and, while sitting there, wondering within myself what the an- ticipated relic would prove to be, an aged Winnebago squaw, whom curiosity had drawn to the spot, ascended the mound to view the excavation. She shook her blanket, and approached :ne ; and, perceiving that I was flvtigued, she presented to me a bladder filled with whiskey, and desired me to drink I drank sparingly, and returned to my labor. She followed me to the pit, and looking into it, she thus addressed me-" Ah how-she-mo-ko-mon, wah-wonk; cow-ean shu-rah ; she-mo-ko! mon, sketch-ah-waw-wonk;" being interpreted, "IIo, white man, you are a fool ! There is no money there. White man jou are a very great fool !" and she went awav, amid peala of laughter fi-om the surrounding group. I, ii^weveVcot t.nued digging until I struck the surface of the surrounding ea th, bn without discovering any deposite, or any change of ^e*. l'^''\'Pf!''^'^'^'^ the surface-soil to the depth of' two had b! "; ?^ no change nor indication that the earth Hbors Li T' ^"'''^^' ^ ^^'^^^'^^^ "\y unsatisfactory iaoois, and retiirnod to m^ bn-if Ti,r,. t. - - found rnvnl-i ...:..7„: / ' '\ ^''''^' *^ "^3^ g'-eat joy, 1 found my old friend and adopted 'father, De- JO J. coo-dah : and the 56 ANTIQUARIAN RKSEARCUE9. fatignes of the day were soon forgotten, in recounting to liim my adventures, lie manifested some displeasure at my mode of examination of the mounds, and requested me not again to disturb the ashes of the dead. I took up my spade, and de- liberate!}' threw it into the hike; and he tlien iiiiniediately became cheerful, and we Buioked together the pipe of friend- Bhij). lie remained with me for a few days, and I learned that he intended to visit a Chippewa friend, lie asl; -- dignity." o't>'"ncant ot tiieir uumber and cl.a,acte, in^eon^:: ' Lrtirr", """ """'^ Jected, mitil thpl.. \u °^^ "^''^^^^^ were neow '"Kl .no .,, ™ ,t:;,™f ,^7;™» obsolete, nav^ I in.,nediate„ c'^^ntrt H , r t rl t" ■"' "J""^" =S:^.-::i^^;-,:dt'T~»"-^^^^ "«"k."on.s in „,; It;, ;• f «;r',r "Vr'"=^'"s"'"-"- De-c„o.dal,,a„d was not „ i e ^ „ r°,' V,"'";'""" '^f'™ lorn, position, location &c I l!,T ''," '■-"^'U'"'"" of I'im at vaiions times He Jl ? , ' "'""'' ^ ^''o™l to l"«to,-y of each gronp on It;;;'; ^' »"™ "'" "'O t,-adition„l d'-aft of eacl, sifnila g,;,^ " ' ., ^I^' "^ '"kon b„t one "Lateaso l,e could disi'„ is , ,1 ^' "■""'""" ^'^'^ "■'* and account for their p c'u K i^ Is f f' ""',"'" ""'"foment,, lal design. PO'-uHamiesof (oim, location, and gene- fi of an nn- ■ litbtiine ; 'ul fifteen yen years ny eighty, reveronco ii'ected at Vequently itl that at 'h nation wher and t lield in tiiat loiio- lad been hloody 3 re ne£>. Ilavins: le alone. 5 of our tarsal of the in- of the lar em- hefore )fion of ', taken wed to itional nt one e with nents, gene- jVT O. Sca/r, 80 feet to the inch TBEATV MEMOKIAL. Cut X. UKFlAlsnED \VOi{KS-/ZZ. 1 i^^H ^■' ,t <'| ^^^Htf \ ,j|gj L t ' SI [ '! 'ill ^^^■h , 1 ]t ni 01 01 ni ta th of roi ]ar eai an tio wi( be( fac pre iiai me; per tOg( AMALGAMATION MOUND. 61 CHAPTER VI. AMALGAMATION MOUND. rrmS rommLablo oartli-work is eitunted on tl.e northern -I .Ing . land of tl.o Wisconsin river, about miy miles abo.^ itsjiinchon with the Mississippi. ^ 'WL8auo^o It i8 traditionally represented to have been constrncted as a V Til r^'i'l^'- ---'> to con.n.o.norate an n^or nt event m the Instorjof two ancient nations. These rations once great and powerful, had become greatly retliiceri' nu.nbers and resources by the adverse fort^unes of M^r^„^^^^^^ ta n"™ m".?'- ''^'^^ "° ^°"^^^>- ^" " condition toi;! tain separately he.r national existence, they resolved to unite And ,^"^"' ^,f J^^V' "" ^'''' ''''' or'^Soveregn kI; And th,s earth-work was constructed as the great sea and ItT f ;r 'T' '' '""* ""'^" ^-^ amalgama^ n of it lo^n • '" V""'"'' ''''' '"■^'^^^* l^-'^ - «- vicinity of Its location, and commands an extensive view of the su. onndmg country. It occupies a position which ha a sin." ar natural formation; the highlands, whose generaTcousfs east and west, niake at this point a sharp anfle tore "1 an , after running about three fourths of'a mtle in tt d tec: ^on gradually curve to the west, preserving a ur^form been mtfic.ally constructed ; presenting a slightly oval sur face of about eight poles in width at tlie base, and havi" precipitous declivities on either side liaHnlrJn •'^''r^''"^ '^'^ ''''''''' ^^'^'^ the natural pecu- memonal wh.ch occupies it is far more interesting and im- portant, presenting in outline the forms of two gigantic bea^ together with a well-dolmpaf.^ l,,^„-, .^ ^ ^ ^ ^®^^*^' The figures of animals, thrown up largo and full, lie in an ig 6? ANTIQUARIAN EESEARCHE8. ■f\ I I east and west line, measuring, on the centre of the summit, one hundred and sixty feet in length : separated in the centre by a conical mound of twenty-two feet in diameter at the base, and eight in perpendicular altitude, as seen in the ap- pended cut of the amalgamation mound. The front portion of this work has a base of nine feet, with a general elevation of three feet. The hinder part has a base diameter of eighteen and a perpendicular altitude of six feet, presenting a smooth and oval surface ; a projection from this part of the work running eastward, eight feet in length, may be easily supposed to represent a tail, and another projection running to the south, eighteen feet, forms a leg. To this leg is at- tached a singularly-formed earth-work, eighty feet in length, and eighteen in its greatest breadth, gradually becoming nar- rower and lower, from an altitude of six feet, until it termin- ates at a point in connection with the imaginary foot of the beast. We may here remark that this singular species of earth-work is frequently met with, in connection Avith other works in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin, but is never found isolated or entirely alone ; and is, generally, of smaller di- mensions than this. On either side of the union moimd, or central work, there is a truncated mound of eighteen feet in diameter at the base, and six feet in perpendicular altitude. These mounds have flat summits, and bear the marks of fire, in the presence of bits of charcoal, mingled with earth and ashes, to the depth of about fourteen inches. ' From the breast of the animal effigy, another elevated pro- jection runs south, twenty-two feet, terminating in a small conical mound twelve feet in diameter at its base. Immediately west of this projection, there is a sudden con- traction which gives form to the neck of the figure, and con- nects with a flat, oval swell, somewhat resembling the form of an egg^ from which proceeds a representation of horns, with branching antlers, as shown in the diagram. The main Btem of the front horn is eighteen feet, while the other, which inclines backward, is only twelve; the longest antlers are six feet, and the shortest three feet in length. AMALGAMATION MOUND. QQ In connection with this imaginary head, U an earth-work running south, Oi.e hundred and sixty feet, and about three feet in height, which we recognise as a human efBgy, with a base diameter of ten feet across the breast, and eight across the Joins; with one arm somewhat elevated, and tlie other in a declined position. This work, at its southern extremity, is attached to another which runs parallel with the main iwrk on an east and west line, eighty feet in length, and twenty- Beven in base breadth, having an altitude of six feet ; and farther east, in a line with this last-mentioned work, are seven conical mounds, the central of which is the largest, having a base di- ameter of twenty-seven feet, and a perpendicular altitude of SIX. The mounds on either side of this central one diminish graduall; in size, to the east and west, contracting the base- diameter about three feet, and diminishiufr in height one foot at each remove from the centre, terminating at each end in a mound of eighteen feet base, and three high. Having thus given a brief description of the superficial form and dimensions of this remarkable relic of the ancient world, we now proceed to give its traditional, hieroglyphical import, as received from De coo-dah, an aged son of the for- est, who (as I have before stated), represented himself as a descendant from, and one of the last remaining relics of the ancient Elk nation, now extinct. He represented that nation as one of very ancient origin, and as descended from a trih« of the mound-builders which had long before been swept away by the tide of war. He often interested me in his re- hearsal of the traditionary history of their wars and struggles nnd the causes which led to their final dispersion, ending in their total extinction as a nation, at the fall of their last king 01- absolute sovereign, traditionally known under the name of De-co-ta, the Great. Before giving me in detail, the traditional explanation of the import of this remarkable earth-work (from a drawino- of the premises I had previously made), he told me, that w1ien this great continent was inhabited only by the wild man, game was abundant, and easily taken ; so that he havin<^ much leisure, wrote his history on the ground ; that a knowF- 64 ANTIQUARIAN RKSEARCIIES. |l t i ■ill ! HI ! J{ 111 ! edge of that liistory was preserved by tradition, and perpetu- ated by the gradual erection of various groups of hieroglyj^hi- cal earth- works, commemorative of natioiuil events, titles, dig- nity, royal marriages, royal births, valorous achievements, national treaties, &c. "Tliis work," said he, "is more singular and complicated in its order and form than most others known to tradition, being the last hieroglyphical relic of international sacrifice." But few locations were to be found strictly adapted to the construction of these works, a law having been universally recognised by the mound-builders, that national sacrifices should only be oft'ered on the highest pinnacle of the adjacent region ; while another law imposed on all that assisted to rear the mound of amalgamation, an obligation to observe, in construction of the hieroglyphical figure, an east and west line, the position occupied serving as a general key to the de- sign. The hieroglyphical figure, when thus constructed on an east and west line, was emblematical of the rise or fall of na- tions, as prefigured in the rising and setting sun. The front or head of the figure pointing to the west, was recognised as a monumental seal to the departed power and setting sun of those who reared the monument ; aiid the same figiu'e rc»-ersed, or looking toward the east, would have typi- fied a nation's prosperous estate and rising sun. Tlie hierog ypliical human figure, being of equal length with the combined animal effigies, records their united or concentrated power; and, facing the meridian sun, in the po- sition of its greatest strength, disclaims the acknowledgment of any superior national power on earth. Thus the ancient mound-builder could read the national prosperity and dignity of his ancestors, in the position ob- served in the construction of their works; while the body, or parts of the body, not only record their name, but also per- petuate the knowledge of the ancient existence of nations long extinct. TTorna appended to effigies represent warriors. One horn being longer than the other, shows one nation tu Lave been AMALGAMATION MOUND. 65 the stronger of tl.e two; and one Lorn having more prongs than the otlier, rei)resent8 one nation as having more celebrar ted chiefs tlian the other, while some prongs, being longer than the others, represent some of the greater and more dis- tinguibhed cliiefs. The front horn pertaining to the front effigy, in this arrangement, bears record of tlio superior power of the front or leading nation at the date of amalgama- tion. ° Tl.e central work, in which the two bodies unite, records the union or amalgamation of the two nations ; and, not only this, but at the time I visited the work, it bore the nnmis- takeable record of more than four centuries, which had gone by since its construction, in the presence of a stately oak firmly rooted in its Ijosom. (The tree has since been removed and converted into BJiingles; and, in 1844, it formed a canopy over the drunken revels of Muscoda.) This oak numbered four hundred and twenty-four concentric lines of growth. Its widespread boughs gave a worthy shade to the proud memo- rial of a vanished nation. The truncated works on either side of «he union mound, were sacrificial altars, on whicli national sacrifice was annu- ally offered, and bore record of the union, in sacrificial ser- vice ; on these altars were offered by fire the heart of the elk and the heart of the buflralo, the symbols of the two nations designed to be represented in this work; and the fires were kept burning until the smoke from both altars united in one column over the union mound and ascended, bearing the in- cense of sacrifice to the sun, which was in those days the prim.iry object of sacrificial adoration. Tha^ the sun, moon, and stars, were regarded as objects of WG/ship by the mound-builders, is evident from tiio fact that tumular effigies, representing those luminaries, are found in relative connection, on the high land of the Kickapo, in Wis- consin, and in groups and isolated positions at various other points where mounds abound ; but the strongest corrobora- tive testimony is supplied by the fact that to the depth of fourteen inches beneath the alluvials that now cover those altars, the evident impress of fire is seen in the remains 5 66 ANTIQUARIAN BKSBARCHES. ■1 ¥\ I "'• ll > <' ; \ of burned earth, charcoal, and aslies ; tliongh on the most critical examination, in a long series of excavations, I could discover no such deposite in any other portion of the works. The earth of which those sacrificial altars are composed dif- fera in texture or material from that of the remaining por- tion of the work, which k formed of soil similar to that of the adjacent region ; the altars are formed in mingled strata of sand, gravel, and yellow clay, with the exception of the upper stratum, which in the altar on the north side, is formed of a tough earth resembling pipe-clay, of a light color, min- gled with ashes and charcoal; while that on the south is of a blue cast, with a similar mixture. I will now proceed to a more minute traditional descrip- tion of tlie hieroglyphical import of the human figure seen in, connection with the great efiigy. This figure being equal in length to the united lengths of both the animals, represents and records the strength of both nations united in one body; and having the feet attached to a national embankment of even length with the body to which it is directly attached, records the union of nationality as centred in that body, and giving name to their future nationality. The left arm, pertaining to the buffalo, in its declension and connection with the foot of the elk, is emblematical of the resignation of a former national name ; and, both being attached to one national seal, record a voluntary and willing union; while the uplifted right arm, pert£\ining to the elk, records his reserved sovereignty and right to rule. The singular earth-work, traditionally denominated the tnoimd of extinction^ pointing to the buffalo, shows the ex- tinction of his nationality. The seven truncated mounds running east from the national mound, are traditionally represented to be matrimonial memorials^ recording the international marriages of seven chiefs, which occurred during the erection of the work. The central matrimonial memorial being the largest, and its loca- tion in the midst, commemorates the international marriage of a sovereign or chief in higher authority than the others; AMALGAMATION MOUND. m and tlio three smaller ones, on either j'de of the large me- morial, gradually declining in size as they recede from the centre, record the international marriages of three grades of chiefs from each nation, in final ratification of the national union. The Union being monumentally confirmed, and matrimo- nially sealed, the Buffalo became for evsr one with the Elk nation. 68 ANTiqUAUIAN BESEARO'IKS. V'h #• ni CHAPTER VII. NATIONAL MONUMENTS. THE singular eartliwork sliown in the Cut "W", Fig. 2, is located on the liighland of the Wisconsin river, and ia traditionally recognised as a national monument. Such memorials of a departed race possess a peculiar inter- est, for the reflecting observer. From the remotest antiquity, nations and their rulers have vied with each other in their cf- foi-ts to erect memorials of themselves which should withstand the ravages of time, and, by their colossal proportions, costli- ness, or rare beauty, impress coming ages with a conviction of the greatness and power of the builders. The pyramids of Egypt, the mighty columns of Balbec, the palace walls of Yucatan, all tell the same story. But it has not seldom hap- pened, in the world's history, that the monument has outlast- ed the memory of its builder or its tenant, of the nation which erected it, or of the event it was designed to commemorate. The sculpture or the paintings upon its wall, and the hiero- glyphics which arc supposed to record its history, speak an unknown tongue, and only dim tradition can aid us to guess their origin and import. It is only within a very recent period that the attentive study of the Egyptian antiquities has been rewarded by a discovery of the key to the hieroglyphic writings; and, yet more recently, the sculptured walls of buried cities are beginning to reveal secrets lost for ages, and to tell of populous nations and mighty sovereigns, whose very names had been nnknown for centuries. But while the an- tiquities of the Old World are deservedly attracting so much attention from scholars and antiquarians, ought tlioseofour own country to be forgotten or overlooked ? And ought not the earth-work memorials of the mound-builders, presenting NATIONAL M0NDMEN7S. 69 (as we believe) some of the earliest and primitive forms of hiero- gljpli • records, to receive their due share of attention, as the eom-ces of all which now remains to us of the history of an exiuict race? Amalgamation monuments (one of the most remarkable of winch has been described in the preceding chapter), are lound m northern Illinois, and more frequently in Wisconsin • presentmg in outline the union of beasts, of birds with beasts' and sometimes of the human iigure with that of a beast We have aboady expressed our belief that these remarkable com- bmat.ons had their origin in the union or amalgamation of nations and that they were designed to preserve the his- tory of such events. A careless observer of the amalgamation-mound which has been described, might suppose that the designer had taxed his imagination, for the production of a strange and non- descript animal figure ; but a closer examination, with the assistance to be derived from traditional history, recognises in this wonderful figure, the union of the Elk and the Buffalo • and the mystery is then explained. Such a symbol, at the time of Its construction, was probably well understood bv every one ; but nou', except fur the vague traditions which preserve its_ history, its origin and signification would be wholly and irrecoverably lost. And now, when liistory presents only a blank, where the labors of the antiquarian lead to no certain result, and the conjectures of the scholar and the man of science are all at Jault-we must again have recourse to the illiterate savage ^vl.o by the dim and fast ftxding light of ancient tradition, de! ciphers the hieroglyphics of the national monuments, as he has already done those of the mounds of amalgamation The great body with outstretched arms represents dominion over an immense territory. The one horn represents the union of warriors; and, it being large and long, shows strength and numerical power Ihe four prongs show that these warriors were under four great chiefs. The great human effigy represents their king or sovereign, 70 ANTIQUARIAN RESEARCHES. !, ' T~ whose body is represented of equal length with the monu- ment, thereby indicating his unlimited sway throughout his dominions. The mounds extending in a direct line from the head of the king are four matrimonial memorials, recording the mar- riages of four chiefs with members of the royal family. The two smaller memorials diverging east from the first of the matrimonial memorials, record legitimate royal offspring, in the birth of two male children in the family of that chief; and the three small memorials, diverging from the third matri- monial memorial, record the birth of three children, leaving the second and fourth without issue. The body of the king, attached at the loins to the head of the animal efiigy, prefigures international legitimacy. The great length of the arms of the human figure, not only represents immense territorial dominion, but their even eleva- tion records the common right of royal honor, independent of any anterior national distinction. The arm, which in the amalgamation memorial is repre- sented as fallen, being raised to a level in the monumental memorial, symbolizes an equal future national dignity in the surviving royal remnant of the Euffalo nation. Thus aided by tradition, we read in the hieroglyph ical mounds of the earth, the dignity and destiny of nations un- known to written history. These monum«iits being several miles distant from each other, and both occupying summit heights, would, by the su- perficial or careless observer, hardly be recognised as differing in form. In fact, I was told, previous to visiting them, that they were identical in form. But, when carefully surveyed and drawn side by side in diagrams which exhibit the ar- rangement and exact proportion of their parts, the distinction is clearly perceived — the one being a great national memo- rial rests, as it were, on nothing, half-buried in extinction ; while the other, as a great national monument, stands stead- fast, on a firm foundation. The one facing the setting sun is symbolical of departing grandeur, while the other hails his rising as an omen of increasing glory. NATIONAL MONUMENTS. n I cntortam the opinion, that if a comparatively small per- tion of the funds expended in superficial surveys were appro- pnated to excavation and the acquisition of Indian traditions, from the more secluded sons of the forest whose dispositions and passions have not yet been soured by the inroads of civi- lization, that we should obtain knowledge that would lead to more rational and satisfactory conclusions than any yet at- tained relative to the origin and use of American tumuli At present the personal privations essential to the acquisi- tion of traditional knowledge, are too great to be willingly in- curred by hterary men unaccustomed to the hardships of a forest life; and the illiterate pioneer, feeling but little interest m the matter, will seldom give it time or attention. Thus an interesting history of the past is being lost to present and fu- turo times. If we would attain the much-desired knowledge, we must seek for men whose natural inclinations and antiquarian taste impel them to the work, and who are stimulated rather by a thirst for the acquisition of knowledge than for gold The extent of my own labors, in the excavation and ex- amination of some four hundred earth-works in the north- western territory, is, I am well aware, comparatively small ret, m connection with a limited knowledge of ancient his- tory it enables me to arrive at the conclusion that a large number of the conical mounds in North America were reared as sepulchral memorials of illustrious dead. The antiquity of the conical mound, or tumulus, bears even date with the most ancient historical records, as marking the spot on winch the invincible warrior fell, or as serving to pro- tect his ashes, and to preserve the memory of his name and exploits. Innumerable deposites, resembling decomposed animal rnattcr, are found in conical mounds everywhere from the Alleghany to the Kocky mountains. We presume that the primitive mound was originally ren- dered sacred by the deposits contained within it; and that the love of monumental commemoration £rradual!v increnspd with the increase of reverence until, in the fullness of time 79 ANTIQUARIAN RICSKAROnKS. 4 tumuli were cvorywlioro rcnrnrdod with lovcrential respect, and cormcquciiUy becumo the Bufoguaid of sucred places which they encircled. That the conical mound was the original object of rever- enco, is also attested by the fact, that within all tlie circles traditionally recognised as sacred, none other than conical mounds appear, while many works enclosing largo areas, tra- ditionally represented to have been designed fm- other than sacred i)uri)ose8, enelose works of various forms. Structures similar in form and general arrangement to the earth-works of North and South America, ai-e said to have been found in various countries of the Old World ; and these were probably constructed under the influence of similar su- perstitions, although they may have had tlieir origin in widely- separated orac. Some modern travellers assure us, that in the interior of Africa, on the river Niger, many largo towns are, at this time, surrounded by walls of earth. R. Lander, in his travels, speaks of entering a town of great extent surrounded by a triple wall of earth nearly twenty miles in circuit, and again speaks of entering a town called Roos-ea, that he represents as being a mere 'cluster of huts, surrounded by an earthen wall. Thus a striking resemblance is apparent between the walls that now enclose small villages in Africa, with the time-worn ruins of Fort Ancient, in Ohio. So that while, with the gradual extinction of the Indian race, the last relics of pngan superstition a.-e disappearing from the ftico of our prosperous and happy country, and the advancing footsteps of civilization are fast levelling to the earth the walls of ancient cities, the sepulchral mounds, and the altars of an idolatrous worship, the mound-builder may be yet permitted, in other and remoter climes to dwell wi'thin 1)13 earthen ramparts, and to pursue his accus.omed labors, as Ignorant and as superstitious as those who Lave gone before him. THE MONUMENTAL T0RT018B. 78 CHAPTER VIII. THIS MONUMKNTAL TORTOISE. npiIE extcn.fvo group of tnmuli and embankments (seen m -^ Cut L), was designed to connnemorato the title and diff- n.tyof a great king or potentate; and its erection was evt dentlj a work of groat time and labor. The central embankment representing in its f„rm tl.e body of a tortoise, ,s forty feet in length and twenty-seven in b ead ,,, a„d hv'elve in perpendicular height. It is con.posed d. tant place The mounds of extinction- (north and south of ^.central orto.se), are funned of pure, red earth, covered with alluvuU sod and are very perfect in form, each being twenty-seven feet m length, and six in greatest height, grad ually narrowing and sinking to a point as seen in the cuf Ihe mounung mounds, occupying the four corners of the group were each twelve feet in height, and twenty-seven in base diameter, composed of soil resembling that of the ad- jacent region. The i>oints of royal honor on the east and west sides of the group were sixty feet in length, and eight in height, with a >ase,ameter of twelve feet; these likewise M-ere%omposed ot soil common in the vicinity. The prophets' burial-mounds, on either side of the central effigy and between it and the points of royal honor just de- scribed, were twelve feet long, four high, and six in breadth composed of sand mixed with small bit's of mica in tte t erior to the depth of two feet, covered with white clay to the Burface, excepting a thin surflice soil. The war-chiefs' burial-memorial, at the sontl, (Fi. Q) ^^g twelve feet in height, and twenty-seven in diamete,, 'cZ M u ANTIQUARIAN RBSEAROnM. posed of aBtrntum of sand two foet in depth, covered with a mixture of simdy soil and blue clay; it contained eight dis- tinct strata, or dopositca, in a state of decomposition, of from Bix to seven foet long, and from two to two and a half in breadth, arranged as shjwn in the figure. Tiio council-chiefs' memorial at the north, was of similar formation, twenty-two feet in diameter, and four in perpen- dicular height, containing five strata, or,deposite8, as shown ia the Cut, Fig. 1. The tliirteen small mounds, on the north and south, and adjacent to the chiefs' bnrial-n'ounds, record the number of chiefs whoso bodies are deposited in each. FORT ANCIENT. This name has been given to an interesting and remark- able earth-work erected upon a prominent neck of land on the eastern bank of the Little Miami river, about thirty-five miles northeast of Cincinnati. It is not only the most extensive and magnificent work of its class in the state of Ohio, but it beara the marks of higher antiquity than most others. The terrace upon which it stands, presents precipitous de- clivities on all sides, except toward the northeast, where a neck of land, of about forty poles in breadth, slopes eastward, gradually widening as it recedes imtil lost in the common nn- dulution of the surrounding country. From either side of this neck, or ridge of land, two deep ravines diverge north and south, through wdiich flow two small streams tributaries to the Little Miami. That river is separatecT from the higher embankment by a narrow terrace, and is about two luindred feet below the general level of the fort. (See Cut V.) Various conjectures have been advanced as to the origin and design of this work, all, however, tending to the same conclusion — that it was designed for a military fortification, and for purposes of defence. The situation and general out- line of the embankments, similar to those of modern fortifica- tions, would seem to render this view a very probable one, in the absence of all authentic history or reliable tradition. But when we reflect how few and sim''>le were the implements of FOBT ANOIKNT. tl «? saij, ... MOW of 1,0 many „oticc8 ofit wl,icl, Imvo, from time to t„„e, boon published by visitors wl.om cniosi,: „ „ ™ of m.l,q„anan reBcarcl,, Imvo drawn to tl,o ,,lnco T 1 w,, „„, ,v , ,„,„ goncmlly governed by't „j„,,,! ^ of 1,080 «l,o bad preeeded tbem, have eontented tl e„,te ves at c„ >tK,„ that I l,„vo yet eeen, is to bo foand in D,-, E, ]I Dav,8 Ee«en,el,ee m tbo Valley of ll,o Mississippi, made in com,ecl,„„ „.„h Mr. E. G. Squie,. „„d „eeepted bjt , Sn,it, eon,.u, Insftution for publication, in ,847. Wl,i e I eo^ diallyoonpatalate tboso gentlemen on ,ho general in erest mamfes ed ,„ tbo extensive surveys tbey have pe,' ll l' made of some of tbe most extensivj and eomplield ant works ,n tbo nnmediate valley „f „,e Seioto ri'ver and mZ a nes, I can but regret tbeir failure to investigate, personally, 1..8 ma,nmotb among earth-wcls. And this is tl c more to be n^,ettcd m view of the exact accn.aey and futbfulne^ ma tested by Dr. Davis, in l,i, surveys and delineations of nmny ,n r.eate and extensive g,™,ps of earth-works, tbe traces of wl„el, are rap,dly disappearing, and which can only be preserved in diagrams. "^ In the adoption of Prof. Locke's survey, however, we were secure from eri-or, for all of the more recent survey's confirm ^s accuracy Many of the minor details represented in Mr Ji. C.. Squire s plan, have escaped my observation in several protracted examinations which I have made of the premises 11.8 plan presents a very pretty picture; but the traces of living water represented as diverging from the apertures or breaks in the embankment, I have failed to discover, and au- tumn frequently finds those which are shown in the appended cut, without water. There are, however, several rn v!n.= th.t enter tlie enclosure, through which the surface water from 76 ANTIQUARIAN RE3EAECnES. 1 1 4, Il4 i*] heavy rams and melting snows are discliarf^cd ; and tliis has, to some extent, changed tlio surface and deranged the form of tlie interior. The extreme antiquity of this M'ork is evident in tlie mag- nitude of the embankment situated as it is on tlie very briiilc of a precipice where no obstruction is represented to its rapid wear, by the work of rain, and the annual npheaving of the earth by frost, &c. In view of tliis fact, the almost incredible magnitude of the original work is also apparent. ISTotwith- Btanding Dr. Locke, and others whose opinions are worthy of much consideration, suppose the earth used in the construc- tion of the wall to have been taken from the pits within the enclosure, we mnst dissent fro)n such a conclusion. In a re- cent examination of the premises, by boring, we discover at points along the interior base of the wall, distant twelve feet from the same, and where i.nterior excavation is least ap- parent, stratified alluvial to the depth of eighteen feet, while at the distance of sixty feet fiom the wall, no such stratifica- tion is to be observed. The depth of alluvials at this point, evidently formed by the decomposition of vegetable matter, is strong evidence of the former existence of a deep ditch around the interior of the whole work, except where the em- bankment crosses the peninsula or ridge of liigh land, at which point this alluvial formation is found by borinjr along the exterior base of the wall, and to the depth of six fee^t within. It is, moreover, woilhy of remark, that (he woik en- tirely across this peninsula is not oidy much higlier than any other portion of the structure, but retains a uniformity of fin- ish not to be observed to the same extent, at any other point of the structure. At all points where the exterior declivity 13 most precipitous, the mngnifude of the walls is proportion ably less, and at several points does not exceed six feet in perpen- dicular altitude, while the line across the peninsula towers to nearly eighteen. The wall on the isthmus connecting the two great compartments, retains a more uniform height than any other portion of the work ; the stratification of alluvial does not run so deep along this isthmus as at other points, and we pre- sume the wall to have originally been less high than elsewhere. FORT ANCIKNT. 77 dent ,"1. ."T'-'"' "" '"'"''"'•™ '» ^1"""^ -i- worlCr beli V Z ta I , „ r"''/f'" ""^ '"^ "^ ""•' S-at formed a„ „nb,oI „ cl' '„ o„ I °"' ''' ':°"^"""'<^''- '" ''"vo resa or e„.e" s ILi^Iled' ' r .Tj ';'.' ^^ r,"";",f r breacl.esnoiv observed in fhe r>" l , ' T** "'"' "" "■» ing of U,„be, „.. H.e we , l;!:" T r"''' '"", "?™* a..st,u„ed b, ,1,0 faet, „,at „„ . e , "ide ^f Z' T" " compiirtinenf in mj.7 ti '^"'f'" siUe ot the southern tl.«ea,,,.act,„ e,rc',L r", """'f "^ •■'■<•«»• ""<• lliev co,„tit„le 1' '"'" ''« ^'■*™<, ^v^,ose favoriee food b«>vy ,,„„>, „,. other accidental ea„sc, Tl , n , ^^ •■..Hi,e,.,„,,i,„a„a ,,,,,„„ des;:;^ap":;:o:':.';rtu 78 ANTIQTTAKIAN BESEAECHE3. m at that point, and present another location for a lloch-house as perfect as any of thrze whlcli now appear. We suppose this ditch to liave remained unobstructed for a long time after the abandonment of the work, and until much of the surfiice of the wall had been gradually removed. The first general obstruction was probably occasioned by the uprooting of large trees, whereby large masses of earth were deposited in the ditch, and the free passage of water im- peded, thus giving rise to the formation of ponds at numer- ous points along the wall. These ponds were subject to such casualties as we have already referred to, and occasioned many of the breaches which now appear. Otiiers of these breaches have been produced by the uprooting of heavy tim- ber which formerly grew upon the wall; for it^is apparent that in many instances the removal of trees now occupying the summit of the wall, would result in similar breaches, and of equal magnitude with those which now appear. The embankment is formed of tough clay, resembling that found at the depth of from five to twenty feet beneath the surface alluvial of the enclosure and the surrounding country. This clay resists saturation to such a degree, that surface water is in many localities retained in the spring until taken up by evaporation ; it is of an oily texture and so solid and compact that the lighter alluvial, formed by the decomposi- tion of vegetable matter, is annually removed, and the sur- face covered with moss, which afi'ords additional protection to the wall, and retains moisture sufficient to sustain vegeta- tion. The strong resistance afforded in the "nature of the ma- terial of which the wall is composed to the action of the ele- ments, partially accounts for its remarkable preservation, as compared with other and similar works; for there is no struc- ture found in the entire valhjy of the Ohio, composed of simi- lar materials, while m-ny are found enclosing larger areas, but which have been almost entirely obliterated by the rava- ges of time. This successful resistance of the wall to the fac- tion of the elements satisftictorily accounts for the hev.vy <;e- posite of vegetable mould apparent in the interior ditch. Cut W. niEROGLYPniCAL MONUMENTS. Cut E. © tW. Q o o o © Q © © Scale, to pet to the inch UONUMK NTAL ?'OiJTOISE. 1 80 n Jii va thi to the clif l're( ear enc reft the oto, T ted yet the: sin, ploy( able we h WISCONSIN AND MINNESOTA. 81 CHAPTER IX. WISCONSIN AND MINNESOTA. rrUERE is probably no portion of the United St.t.„ fi . J- presents so trreat i dlv^-c-f e . , ^^^^ *''^^ earthen m-uUs. Heavy workthn '"'" '"''"'^^ ^^ 82 ANTIQUAKTAN RESKAUCnKS. in the lineal mn^cs (livor<;iiipr from Circlevlllc, in Ohio, of which we shull trt-at in anothiT ])lace. Many of the earth-works of WisconRin hcinrr thrown np in the form of ethanes representing' men, hirds, hcasts, tishes, and reptiles, isolated, conneeted, and amalgamated, ean not fail to enlist the attention, and cliallenge the investigation of the cnrions observer. Even the illiterate savage has not heen entirely unmindful of then?; although long and familiar acquaintance has served to render him generally inditferent to them, yet his most an- cient traditions make mention of these works ; the degree of probability which some of these traditions possess, entitles them, in view of the apiiroaching extinction of the Indian race, to consideration, and makes them worthy of record. The importance of such a record l)ecomes"more ajiparent when we rellcct that the advance of civilization (hreatens the total demolition of many of the most singular and interesting ancient works of man, unknown to wHtten history; and if prosperity in the future is best secured by the attentive study of the past, the completion of such record becomes a debt duo to posterity. MUVNKSOTA CIUOULAn CKMETICRY, AND SACUIFICIAL MOUND. . In that portion of Minnesota which lies south of the St. Peter's river, and west of the ]\Iississippi, we find, not oidy iu the mnnber, but in the magnitude, diversity, and compli- cated arrangement of the works of the mound-builders, evi- denccs of an ancient population more dense and numerous than probably existed north of those streams. About twenty-seven miles southwest of the junction of th^ Blue Eai-th river with the St. Peter's, on the summit of a beautiful natural elevaticm in the midst of an extensive undu- lating prairie, and commanding an exceedingly interesting landscape view of many miles in circuit, is a large, artilicial^ truncated mouTul, apparently designed to give finish to a nat-' ural circular hill, which rises to the height of fifty feet above the adjacent undulations, and occupies an area of about six acree. •V MINNESOTA CIRCUIAR CEMETEEV. gg Thia m„„„a (s„o Cnt G, Fig. 1), ;, composed of various ocl..]. c .0 tlio gccral farm „f tl,e l,i||, i|,„t, wo.o if „„t for I... d,.crs,ty„f material, it ,v„„,d be ixtre.nel/d ffl , t to .•ocogmeo ,t as artificial, it .,oi„j; eovered ,vith\„ a ill BO, , a,,. ,:„eldy elad witi, a luxuriant growth of grass In smking a shaft at the su,„,„it, after removiL the nllu- ml surface, wo came in contaetwitl, a dense stratr,mof eh hearn,g .he marks of intense heat; this rested on a stratum o sand ashes, and ehareoal, of several feet in depth,' bnea.h wlneh lay a eo„,,™et hearth or pavement, regular y formed of ound water.washed stones, that were evidently obt^ird a somcretnote l^ace, as none of similar form are found in the v.cunty On „r.her examination, I discovered, on removW the contens, that this pavement lay in the fo m ofTbasif cght cat n, diameter, and about two i„ depth, and csled ou a stratum o elay which continued nnclmngcd in tex ,re to the depth of about eight feet; it there bcca'ne mingled with «!7a;i;rt';:fair''"''"^ '--'' «-~"..vi::;; At the I«se of the hill are twenty truncated mounds of var,ons dnnensions, from twenty to thirtyfive feet base Id from four tos.x in perpendicular height, arranged cqui-di^tanl :n an exact c rcle aro.unl the hill. All'of thc'small no , "d, are eomposcd of clay tningled with ashes, which seemt ave .een deposited .„ snmll parcels, interspc.ed throughout 1 hody^o. the work, being most dense and compaet^ne: tie Af-ter examining, by thorough excavation, four of the»„ small works, and discovering their identity of material td general anangcment, I came to the concluLn that al wx • unitorm in design. ^ Ilaying discovered works exhibiting a similar Arrangement m Wisconsin, winch were traditional 3. represented by De coo-dHh as sacnhcial depositories (the cenlral monnd i^,l the altar, and the snrronnding works formed by doposiUn^ rehcs of sucniiee), we discontinued further exaniat ^ ^ 84 ANTIQUARIAN EESEAKCHES. Ii',4 ' ' MINNi:SOTA SPIDER. Although it has been urged by Bomo early traveller in what is now known as the territory of Minnesota, that no artificial earth-works were found within its borders, yet a more recent and critical survey of the premises, abundantly disproves such a conclusion. All must concede, however, that these works are less numer- ous in Minnesota than in Wisconsin and the territory south and west of the Wisconsin river, yet they may be occasionally seen north and west of St. Anthony's falls, on the Upper Mis- sissippi. Most travellers in their explorations of those northern re- gions, have mainly confined their researches to the immediate vicinity of the navigable water-courses; most of which an- nually inundated the lowlands adjacent. But when we con- sider the fact that the mound-builders in every part of this continent yet explored, were singularly careful in the location, of their works, to place them, almost universally, in situations not exposed to inundation, it no longer remains a matter of surprise that early travellers in those regions failed to discover them. While it is conceded that in explorations heretofore made, the earth-works found north of the Chippewa river are few and far between, yet their strange forms and singular rela- tive position render them abundantly worthy the attention of the antiquarian. Inasmuch as artificial earth-works are'found in each quarter of the habitable globe, a careful comparison of relative posi- tion and of form, we humbly conceive, may yet lead to con- clusions more satisfactory and rational than any yet attained relative to their origin. In exploring that portion of the territory of Minnesota lying west and south of the Mississippi, above the falls of St. Anthony, and south of the junction of the Crow-wing river, to the junction of the Blue Earth with the St, Peter's river, the appearance of artificial earth- works is extremely rare ; we dis- covered one, however, that we suppose to be about sixty miles [I Cdt v. Area 54 Acret. FORT ANCIENT. Opt G. CEMETERIES OF NEBRASKA AND MINNES KOTA. *-J ffl f'' [! 1 ! 1 ii^ 1 ,', I i> Ij TRIANGULAR WORKS IN MINNESOTA. gy north of tho junction of the St. Peter's with the Mississippi, wh.ch we deem worthy of notice, not so nu.ch on accoun! of the magn.tude of the work, as its strange and peculiar con- nguration. ^ This work (.ee cut P, Fig. 4), presented in well-defined out. hne in a connected duster of embunkinents, with a perpen- d.cular altitude of from two to four feet, is located on a promi- nent emmence, in the midst of an extensive undnlatin-. prairie and occupies an area of about one acre. An observeroccupy! ing the summit or centre of the work, at the point of its greater elevation, wdl readily recognise the outlines and figure of a mammoth spider, and as such we class it with animal effic^ies lluv.ng received j.othing traditional relative to the us^e or origin ot this work, we must leave the reader to exercise his own fancy, with such assistance as the faithful delineatioft in tiie drawing will supply. TRIANGULAR WORKS, MINNESOTA. These works, of rare occurrence in Minnesota, are more abundant in Wisconsin, are in general of small dimensions Ihey are sometimes seen in the form of solid embankments (as shown in cut P, Fig. 3), but more often consist .f walls enclosing triangular areas, with sides of from thirty to sixty teet. The wall seldom exceeds a perpendicular height of more than three feet, with a base of from four to six feet, composed of earth similar to that of the adjacent country, and destitute ot any apparent deposite. They are traditionally represented by De-coo-dah, to have been used as cemeteries, and to differ trom the small circular mounds so common in Illinois only in their triangular form ; that form being indicative of a distinct nationality. The interior of these works (as shown in cut L, Figs. 3 and 4), is represented as containing the dust of the dead. When the entire area enclosed had been superficially occupied, the space between the several bodies being filled in with earth, a second tier, or layer of bodies, was commenced above those previously interred, and so on, one layer above another, until the interior was filled. Tiie work was then levelled on the summit, and a new wall created. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // ^J i/ Uq €/. % 1.0 I.I 1.25 1^ 13.2 MUu IM 2.0 1.8 U 111.6 V <^ /^ o^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 # '^1 V iVS- \ C\ 4^ - if- 6^ <.> t^ . «.^ 4 ^^ «^ fi> 83 ANTIQITAKIAN EESEAECHK8. The correctness of this tradition is abundantly verified by an examination of these works in their linished and unfinished condition, as we now find them ; some having but few depositee, while others are in a more advanced stage of completion. ENCLOSED CEMETERY, MINNESOTA. This singular arrangement of earth-work, represented in Cut N, Fin;. 7, occurs at or near the junction of a small stream or tributary of the Crow-Wing river, within about twenty miles of the junction of that river with the Mississippi, but is more frequently observed on the highlands bordering on the St. Croix and Chippewa .rivers, in the intermediate space between those streams. We have not yet discovered it south of the "VYi^consin river. It consists of a conical or truncated mound, of from thirty to sixty feet in base diameter, and from six to twelve feet in perpendicular height. The interior of this mound is composed of earth that bears the impress of fire, mingled with ashes and particles of charcoal ; the exterior is alluvial, mino-led with clay. . ^ This central mound is surrounded by an earthen wall, of from two to four feet in height, and from six to ten feet base, forming a perfect square ; and this is surrounded by a ditch] or depression, at the base, of from one to two feet in depth] and from four to eight feet wide. From the exterior brink of this ditch, radiate fotn- elongated triangulaV embankments, varying in dimensions from twenty to sixty feet in length, a(f- cording to the magnitude of the work enclosed, generally arranged as repressnted in the cut; but sometimes in the smaller works of this class, the radiating embankments diverge from the four corners of the enclosing wall. Similar radiating embankments sometimes surround truncated works (see Fiff 3 in the cut). . ^' -^^m<-^ SACBIJICIAL PENTAOOW. 89 CHAPTER X. SACRiriCIAL PENTAGON. J- of the Sacrificial Pentagon, has pmbab)/ elicited Z! numerous conjectm-es ae to its original use Aan L„! T oarth.w„,.k yet discovered in the vallev o t e jfLS^i '" Ch^n n 7'" "''°"' "'"■'3' "'iles northeast of Prairie da pe':t:;„:atri::i:edTr :: -"t "■■'*r--"A various di,^ensions,a,t'sr;/,.::rerc'r'"^' """"^^ "^ faced. It is fovered^rd::.^ h'^'^lTo^ro^L":-:^ smaller shrubs and under-brush ' *'"• cir!!;r„f:il"t 1,77. "'™/«'- '-■'^-1 fee. in ;: -.. ^ f '»% -ts^ diZeti';- ;?„--- Ateen leet. ihe successive removals of iv^^. f :r=^;:^:Xit;Ti.:-.,rif^?- four to si"fe^i:re ll ,'" t1" '^,'"""^« ."- ™™» «- aim,..raced,its,reaeii:::,rS,~^^^^^ betw efi an ::: IT''";""'' "'*'•" "« P»'»8on, a," . f.™. HavinraV:;:r:;;',r::i:rtr:^^^^^^^ "-^ -^■■"«■ wha i2":Tha?tb:se':-:r!™r »' "-^ ™'- --'^ -•» -«.■ pears to beVeWt " ""' f"""«°"' ""'^ "« f"™ "I- ;■ I t' I 90 ANTIQUARIAN BE8EAECHKS. The central mound of about thirty-six feet in diameter, and retaining a smooth finish, seems to have suffered but little from the wear of time: It is nearly flat on the summit, with a slight depression at the centre. This singular arrangement of earth-work is traditionally represented to have been designed for a sacred national altar, at which human sacifice was offered; and this tradition is sustained not only by the fact that the summit of the central mound still retains the traces of fire, in the remains of burned clay, charcoal, and ashes, but also by remains of the same de- posite found near the surface of five flat mounds adjacent to, and south of the main work, the deposite being more abun- dant in the central mound of the range, than in the other four. (These mounds are not shown in the cut.) The central mound is represented to have been the most holy sacrificial altar known to tradition; and the peculiar form of the surrounding works show it to have been of the highest order of saci-ificial monuments, and dedicated to the offering of human sacrifice only. The head being the only part offered in human sacrifices, the peculiar form of the pentagonal work was symbolical. The ancient American recognising, in the five angles of the work, the five senses — seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, and smelling; the head, being the recipient of, and fountain whence flowed the manifestations of all those senses, was rec- ognised as the representative of them all, and was conse- quently set apart as the highest and holiest offering, known to the ancient sacrificial service. Tradition asserts that human sacrifice was offered at this altar by the ancient Americans twice a year — to the sun, and to the moon. The sun, being the great fountain of light and life through all creation, was supposed to hold the supreme power of the universe, and, as supreme ruler, to be worthy of the highest and holiest adoration. Without the light of revelation, and looking only to nature and its analogies for his views of God, it was hardly possible that the ancient American should have entertained the pos- SAGEIFICIAL PpNTAQON. ^ sibillfy Of intelligent existence without the distinction of sex Naturally therefore, the moon was adored as a goddess!!a nbord.nate de>ty,-and exercising peculiar dominion over the de >ny of emales. She was supposed to be assisted in h r government bj a great serpent, whose formwas recognised Z >i.e CMcle that sometimes surrounds her orb, whiclfwas be^ heved to have especial charge of refractory spirits Thus the sun, in his diurnal course, was supposed to be en- inoon,an inferior deity, was intrusted the care and keeping of the weaker and less worthy sex ^ ^ This great altar of sacrifice was regarded as the holy of holies or inner sanctuary ; and no foot save that of a prophet nugh pass within the sacred walls of the pentagon IJter L complefon The prophets having thus the su^iC'etnt of this sane uary, resided on mounds in the vicinity and m mediately adjacent to the work. ^ _ The five small mounds v uhin the pentagon were denom- piophet, they frequently retired there to receive oracular counsels, which, from the summit of the mound at 1 en people. The five prophets set apart for this service were in Z^r^"'^''^ their wants being administered rby The times of offering sacrifice were in the spring and fall An offering was made to the sun in the sprint l^ soon .8 vegetafon began to put forth, with much feastLg aTi;;. a o . Then, ,, „.,, , willow showed its early lel.ves, fhe 'led of the nation assembled without the pentagon, and t was the pnvdege of the oldest male present to ofFei- hL heal ilsa '' fice; or he might unite with the four who were next in a.e and, with them, cast lots for the privile-^e Tl Ln th! IT' self-appointed, or der.,.mined byL, asl cl e ;Cl t - paired t. the tent of the senior prophet, who, aicfed by 1 a onr pimor associates, painted the face' and adol-ned L bo y of_ the favored v.ctun with a covering of the mistletoe tha^ being the holiest and most rare of evergreens ' 93 ANTIQUARIAN BHSEABCHES. They then conduct him to the oracular mound, at the en- trance of the great circle. The elder prophet and tlie victim ascend its summit, and there stand erect until the people arrange themselves on the summit of the wall. Meantime the younger prophets continue walking around the mound, chanting songs of sacrifice. Tlie spectators all being orderly arranged, the senior proph- et takes the victim by the hand, and they proceed around between the circle and the pentagon, the younger prophets following behind. They walk hand in hand in pairs, chant- ing the dirge of sacrifice. The people on the wall continue to strew evergreens at its inner base within the circle, that the victim may walk thereon, until the procession has passed five times around the pentagon. On their arrival at the oracular mound, at the termination of the fifth circuit, the younger prophets arrange themselves around its base. While the senior prophet and the victim ascend to the summit, both standing erect, the prophet draws forth the knife of sacrifice. This is a signal for universal silence. He presents the knife to the victim, who kisses it, and returning it to the prophet, kisses the hand that receives it. Tfje prophet then points the knife at the sun, while the victim voluntarily prostrates himself on the summit of the mound, with his face upward, gazing at the great god of day. The younger prophets each seize a hand or a foot, holding the victim close to the rround. The gref\t circle of spectators who line the outer wall, in perfect silenc v/ait the consumma- tion of the sacrifice. The prophet then severs the head from the body, and con- veys it bleeding to the altar, when a universal shout arises from all present. There placing it in the same position as before, facing the sun, he descends to the inner circle, where he continues walk- ing around the altar until the younger prophets arrange the fuel upon and about the sacrifice. They tnen seat themselves at the base of the altar, and the senior prophet, ascending to the sacrifice, point3 his blood-stained knife at the sun, and 8ACKIFICIAL PENTAGON. 98 waits tl.e return of tl.e younger prophets, who go to his tent to bring each a brand of fiie from the holy liearth * _ With these he kindles the fuel, and again retires to the inner circle, where he continues walking about the altar, while the other prophets feed the flame until the sacrifice is consumed While the fires are burning, all those in attendance on the summit ot tl:., outer ciicle, occasionally pointing with one hand at the sun, and with the other to the altar, solicit their god to receive the sacrifice, and to bestow his blessings upon the nation. or These ceremonies continue until sunset, then all retire Early on the morning of the next day, all resume their posii tion on the circle and about the altar, to salute the rising sun It the sky is clear, and the sun rises bright, the fire is ac^ain lighted, and bountifully fed with fuel for several hours • it is then 8uff"ered to burn without further supply, until the sun reaches the meridian, when the prophets, having gathered together the evergreens that were strewed at the base of the circle, place them on the fire, that their smoke may ascend to the sun as a national incense. After these have been con- sumed, the senior prophet uncovers the body of the victim places the mistletoe on the coals, that the smoke of this, too,' may ascend as a sweet savor, and disseminate the principles of life, that all may inhale and live. The younger prophets then carry brands of the holy fire to their tents, and return each to convey a live coal to the tent of the senior prophet, whose hearth alone must supply the fire to kindle a sacrificial blaze meet for that holy altar; a hearth whose fire is always fed, and never suffered to be extinguished. If the sun rose clear, a portion of the sacrificial ashes was delivered, with the body of the victim, to the friends or rela- tives, for monumental commemoration ; a part being reserved for deposite by the prophet in the oracular mounds, to secure intercourse with the dead. But if the sun, at its rising, was obscured by clouds that were considered ominous of some national calamity, or as indicating the disapprobation of the sun, or his refusal to accept the sacrifice, then the ashes were retained on the altar, that the sun might daily look upon them, 94 ANTIQUAUIAN RESKARCITKS. and thus he propitiated ; and thobody was delivered over with wailing. If the sun reinaint'd obscured for five successivo days, a second Bacrilico was offered. Diirin<5 these cerotnonics, an nnbroken fast was strictly ob- served by all who were in attendaiice, and in the event of a second offering, the nation was required to fast for five days. In autumn, iniinediately after the first blighting frost, tho same ceremonies were observed. But now, the victim behig a female, tho selection was seldom made by lot, for their love of monumental commemoration was so groat, and this being the only means through which they could obtain it, that the privilege was considered too precious to be placed at the risk of chance. This sacrifice, being dedicated to the moon, -was always offered at the full moon ; and if at that time of offering, the moon was surrounded by a serpent, or circle, two victims were offered at the same time. After all the ceremonies of sacrifice were observed, tho fast was succeeded by a sumptuous feast at the Festival Cir- cle. (CatG.) This circle is formed by five crescent-shaped earth-wor1<8, surrounding a central work of circular form, with a smooth level surface, surrounded by radiating triangular projections. These projections are regularly arranged equi-distant from each other, v/ith spaces between of sufficient width to admit of convenient ascent. In a work of this description, seen on. the^low lands of tho Kickapoo, tho central work, designed to represent tho sun, has a base diameter of about sixty feet, with a perpendicular altitude of about three. It is traditionally represented to have been occupied only in sacrificial festivities consequent upon the offering of human sacrifices. The five crescents, or lunar circle, also present a flat sur- face, with an ele^'ation of about two feet. Immediately after the propitious offering of human sacri- fice, the people assembled at this place to indulge in festivi- ties, that were celebrated with singing and dancing. In the Cut G. ^ SACKED lEriTIVAL CIKCLE, ClT L. WOItKS IN OHIO ANO NKBIJASKA. I SACniFICIAL PENTAGON. 97 feetlvnl dan.o, tl.o mnlcs occnpiod tho central mound, or sun and tho to.nuIo8 tl.o crescents, or lunar circle ' have discovered bnt five of these festival circles, and but two pentagons; and have not found in any of them any depos.to whatever, except that found at tho pentagon 7n the rema.ns of burned clay, n.ica, charcoal, and ashcB.'' ' Trad U.on declares that the fire used at the pentagon in sac- rfi al eerv.ce was received from tho sun by tho most holy opl et, on tho sunnnit of the altars. Does not this assist us in finding an explanation of what has hitherto given rise to Z^rZf '''''' r' -"-i-^"-' "--b-, thelrequent oe! cunen o nl^oa deposited in tumuli, at places ren ote from any natura locality of that substance ? The tumuli in which wo have d.scovered these deposites, are those which tra- dition has indicated as tho burial-mounds of prophets. Now of idolatry, the pretended miracle of calling fire from heaven to consume the offering upon the altar of Sacrifice, ha be" a favorite dev.co with which to impose upon the credumy and superstition of an ignorant people. Especially has th^ been true of those nations who have regarded the sun as t e aupreme ol.'ect of idolatrous worship. Zoroaster ta Tgl followers that tl.o sacred fire which he intrusted tS the r he modern fire- worshipper must burn with no flame less pure Oian hat which the rays of tho sun itself serve to in'd l^adition informs us, as wo have before stated, that this de- V ce was not unknown to the prophets of the a;cient AmeH- by I.em f 'T " ""P'-^^'-^ble that mica was made use of by them, for tho concentration of the sun's ravs, in effecting tb.B apparent miracle, of kindling tho sacred fire • and "a! consequently it became to be regarded as itself sacred and to bo set apart for tho exclusive use of the prophets ' Ihere are many circular enclosures (without a penta-onal enclosure, however), larger, smaller, and of nearl/ h^saTne d.mens.ons as this; but in none of them do we fi.^ an' Bunilar central deposite. This seems, at least, o i dicate 08 ANTIQCARIAN BES1CARCIIK8. Bomo peculiar nnd marked design in tho constiuctlon of tlu« 8in;:;uliii- work. Circleville, in Ohio, enclosed witliin a double wall, has a control work of similar form to that enclosed by tlio penta- gon ; yet no traces of nwlies, cliarcoal, or earth, bearing marks of fire, were discovered there. Tliia work, however, con- tained some rare Bpecimens of mica. Fort Ancient, and many other enclosures in tho Scioto valley, are entirely with- out micu. CIUCI-EVILLK, m OHIO. "While there nro rnnny embankments of great extent, vary- ing in form and relative connection, which tradition rec- ognises . -i the enclosures oi' ancient cities, nnu places of refuge, the works at Circlovillo traditionally denominated the Temi)lc of Peace, and those which enclose the pentagon, just described, are the only ones which are regarded as oxclu- fiively sacred. (See Cut L, fig. 2.) On presenting to De coo dah a drawing which I iiad pre- viously taken of the earth-work of Circleville, his eyes beamed Vi^ith delight, and he exclaimed, "Scio-tee!" But when I informed him that a populous vilhigo now stood within the walls of the ancient enclosure, his frame trembled with emo- tion, nnd his visage grew dark with anger, I observed his excited state, and sought to change tho subject. Ihit my ef- forts were in \ain, for luemories of that anfeient work seemed to engross all his thoughts. lie soon, liowever, became more composed, and again repeated, as if to liimself, "Sci-o-tee!" Soon lie inquired whether those sacred works remained un- injured ? I hesitated for a moment, before replying. IIo raised his voice to a louder tone, and with an apparently un- conscious inovement of liis hand toward the handle of his knife, he asked, " Do the bones of my fathers rest in peace?" My reply in the affirmative apparently re-a§snred him; he regained his coinposure, and soon began to rehearse to me the traditiotuil history of the place. Kotwilhstanding his advanced age, for De-coo-dah Lad oinciFviLLR, IS oiiro. tbon numhorcd tnnro trmn A 00 loct oiiihcoro nnd ten ycni-B liiq rrrnl :.o,„ „..,.., vivid „„„ cle,„, „,„, I „„, „i„i.l', uVmS; accuracy „. I,„ ,l™c,i,,ii„„ c,f r,„.,„ „,„| „,.,.„„Ro,„„„t Sov.,,.y..ix vvin.c™," .„i,| |,e, "!,„,„ p,„.„, „„. ,. »n,,„ ^'^ festival square, one of which was dedicated to the matrir ma service of each nation ; m,d one, at the entmnceto „d T-}^ztr • '° "" '"'"■"■°"'"' ''"-"" '"'"'^'■ At this tem|.le the order of circular matrimonial celelra. t.on was first instituted, it having been the custom in mo™ 100 ANTIQUARIAN RESEARCHES. ancient times, for parents tc bestow tiieir daughters without their consent. Tlie prophets perceiving that unwilling matri- monial union engendered st- fe, instituted this ceremony, that females might have power to escape unwilling thraldom, without infringing on the riglit of the parent to bestow liis child, it being easier to establish new customs than to abro- gate old ones. The ceremonial consisted in running the ring or circular trail around the matrimonial mounds that were slightly ele- vated, and made level and smooth. During the annual feasts, the resident prophet occupied the summit of the prophets' matrimonial altar, from day-dawn to sunrise, and from sunset until tlu^ close of twilight, and at these times, those wishing to unite in matrimony might ap- pear at the matrimonial altar, dedicated to the nation of which they were members. On the appearance of a male at the base of the altar, the prophet repaired to and ascend- ed it. If a female then appeared at any other altar, the ceremony was international ; but, if not, it was national. In the latter case, af>er qiiestioning the individual about his matrimonial engagement, his family, name, &c., he was commanded to sing a nuptial song. This was f^e signal for the approach of tlie female. If she came accompanied by her parents, it was a national evidence of parental approval ; but if she ap- peared alone, their disapprobation was apparent, and the chanting of the matrimonial song by the surrounding guests was in accordance with the circumstances. In either case tlie parties were entitled to the privilege of the ring. The suitor takes a position east of the altar, at its centre, and the female takes hers on the west; all being now ready, the prophet commands him to pursue his bride. They both start at full speed, and if she is overtaken before she makes three circuits of the altar, she is his bride, otherwise, Le may not receive her in marriage. If the ceremony was international, each party appeared at their respective j.ationai matrimonial altars. If the female desired to retain her nationality, she remained steadfast at CIRCLEVILLE, IN OHIO. 101 her place,, regardless of the matrimonial song sung by her snitor ; that she might thus secure for her issue the privilege of aclinowledged descent from her own nation. But if she forsook her matrimonial altar, at the call of her emtor,8he relinquished her nationality, and became for ever after one with the nation to which he belonged. "This form of mai-riage," said De-coo"dah, ''during its strict observance, was of great national importance. It not only debarred the cripple and effeminate from nuptial union but secured the succession of an athletic and healthful pro^ geny." -^ Now if this system of matrimonial union was established at the temple of peace, as represented by De-coo-dah, does not the appearance of the same form of earth-work more than a thousand miles northwest, in the regions of the blue-earth, in connection with the lineal range of pentagons extending from the coasts of Labrador to Brownsville, in Pennsylvania, fur- nish strong evidence of a migration of the mound-builders, at some remote era, from the north to the south ? And does not the 1 ast dimensions of these works in the south, compared with the smaller works found at the north, testify to the con- clusion, that from a mere colony, they became a great and powerful people ? ^he retention of some of their original traditional customs among the Indians of the present day, who are farthest re- moved from civilization, is indicative of the ancient connec- tion or amalgamation of the two races. But that the present Indian, and the ancient mound-builder were of distinct na- tional origin, is equally evident. It is evident from the fact that a population so dense, as the works of the mound-builders indicate, could not have subsisted by fishing and hunting- and, besides, the known aversion of the Indian in all acres to labor, forbids the possibility of their construction by that race. "Tins," said Decoo-dah, "is one of the most ancient sa- cred structures known. Here was the great storehouse of ancient tradition; here many sacred rites and ceremonies haa their origin; and the wilful transgression of laws and edicts here promulgated was punished with death. 102 ANTIQUAEIAN RESEAKCHES. "Many moons were spent 'in the construction of this groat work. "With the earth of the central mound were mingled the ashes of dead prophets, gathered together from the four nations. The ashes of infants helped to rear the matri- monial mounds, and the remains of many generations formed a part of the wall of the inner circle. Thus was the work rendered sacred, by the materials employed in its construc- tion. But the exterior wall was formed of earth thrown from the ditch which surrounds the inner circle." Notwithstanding this work is generally regarded as a mili- tary rampart, or fortification, yet its contiguity to high ground which commands a full view of its interior, seems of itself suf- ficient reason for rejecting this conclusion. The traditionary history as given by De-coo-dah, is more probable. Had the work retained its ancient form, I should have endeavored to induce that ancient son of the forest to revisit with me the tomb of his fathers. Shortly after this interview, I showed De-coo-dah a draught which I had previously taken of a circular work near Cincin- nati. After looking attentively at it for some time, in silence, "Tell me," said he, "what is your opinion of its use?" I told him, in reply, that white men held in high estima- tion the art of war; and that when they viewed these ancient works, which seem to have required so much time and la- bor for their construction, and noted the similarity of their outline and general arrangement to their own ancient mili- tary fortifications, they naturally inferred that these were de- signed for the same purp^^ses. ^ " Ah !" said he, " the white man, with all his wisdom, is liable to be deceived! The tradition of my fathers recog- nise this circular work as the scene of mirth and festivity, not of war and strife. It was a national festival circle, the prop- erty of a single nation, subject to be used in common. Once a year it was occupied as the theatre of national festivities." This work, enclosing about twenty acres, is surrounded by an earthen wall of light structure. It has suffered much by the ravages of time. De-coo-dah, being old and given to reflection, used some- CmOLEVILLE, IN OHIO. 1()3 times to fall into melancholy moods, and at such times seemed to tlnnk only of his ancestors, and his departed wife and ch.lda-en. He would recount the many kind offices of his Wife, the sudden death of his children, the fall of his last son at the battle ot the Bad-axe, and other incidents of his do- mestic history. One evening, as I sat listening to his mournful recitals, I unconsc.ously shed tears. He perceived this, even before I was aware of it myself He immediately filled his pipe of friendship, and affectionrtely addressed me: "Brother "said he, «I am very old, and must soon sleep with my fathers to be remembered no more. ' "I have no son to perpetuate my memory, or transmit to posterity what yet remains of ancient tradition. "I have never trusted any white man with the traditions that I have imparted to you; receive them as the words of trntli, and Iceep them as a sacred trust. « You have treated me with kindness without the hope of reward. I have nothing to leave you in return that will call to your re.nembrance our mutual friendship, save those an- cient traditions. Treasure them, then, in your paper-book, and keep them as the dying gift of De-coo-dah ; and when you return to your f^icher, your children and friends, these will furnish matter of interesting conversation for you all And when you or they look upon any of these ancient works' t ley will, perhaps, recall to your remembrance your friend' the old Mocking-Bird." ^ ' lOi ANTIQaAHIAN BESEABOqES. CHAPTER XI. TKIUMPIIAL MEMORIALS. IN the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa, there are many earth-worlcs which resemble in form the' bodies of tnen of gigantic proportions. These are frequently met with in pairs, but in various rehitive positions. Sometimes the effigies are constructed side by side; at others, the heads are contigu- ous, while the bodies diverge, and the feet point in opposite directions ; some liave outstretched arms, interlockinKl and UpOT lemg of w peace. Tho latter was usually an evergreen, the pmo, m n» ANTIQUARIAN niWTCARCnKS. Ill ccdftr, &o. To mar tlio trunk or break tlio liml)"* of tliia tree of peaco, was regarded as a formal declaration of war ; and to mar or break the tree of war, denoted the cessation of hos- tilities; but at thoiinal ratification of peace, each nation pros- trated its tree of war, and planted a now one in its i)laco. "Every nation had one monumental mound, at which no other ceremonies than those just described were ever observed ; ftnd 80 sacred was the soil of which they wore formed, in tho estimation of those who reared them, that all game was sufTered to rest unharmed upon them. To stain that soil with tho bio ;d of man or beast, incurred tho penalty of death. No medicinal \erb or root that chanced to grow upon these moun>] *, was BufForod to bo removed ; thus they have, until recently, retained their original fniins. But now, could tho spirits of the great departed be permitted to revisit tho land of their birth, to wit- ness the ravages of the white man among these sacred mounds, they would mourn and wail ; ay, they would proclaim an endless war against those whoso rude or careless hands have thus done violence to holy places, and insulted the gods of the old world." De coo-dah paused, and for half an hour remained sdont, apparently lost in profound reflection. He then recovered a cheerful air, filled his pipe; and voluntarily resumed tho con- versation by inquiring if my father was yet alive. On being answered in the affirmative, he inquired where ho resided. 1 answered that he lived nea. the eastern shore of this great continent, and that I was born near the ba-nk of James river, at the mouth of which tho first wliite men settled. " Are there any monuments remaining in that country ?" he asked. I told him that on my father's farm there was a great pile of small stones thrown up in tie form of a conical mound. " That," said he " was '■ h' iCbt iiir place of ou.iie great war-chief or chiefs, placed there by national order, to be honored with a funeral pile, in anticipatioa of leaving the country." I then informed him that the pile yet remained undisturbed and entire. He clasped my hand, and exclaimed, with much apparentemotion — "Thesonof agood man!" Then, passing the pipe of friendship, we retired to rest. CirrY. • • • • 41 • • • • • 1 > • • • • • • • • • * • • • • • • • • TBIANQULAU AND CKESCia^T OUOUl'S. .|. 1 • I' : I* . • •- Oct II. Bcale, 200 feet to the inch. esurssTVus effiqie3. 8 THE 8BBPENT IN THB WILDERITESS. 115 CHAPTER XIII. THE SERPENT IN THE WILDERNESS. TTAYIlSrG thoroughly explored the eastern shore of the X-l. Mississippi near the junction of the Wisconsin, and dis- covering many monumental designs similar to those generally found on the opposite shore, I resolved to cross the river for a more critical and extended examination. Soon after crossing the Mississippi, at the junction of Turkey river, proceeding up that stream, I discovered, on the farm of Mr. H. F. Lander, an isolated triangular group, par- tially destroyed by the progress of agricultural innovations, which, on a careful inspection, I recognised as an unfinished group of residential embankments. (See Plate Y, Fig. 1.) After taking the form and position of this group, o^ being informed by Mr. Lander that the liighlands in that vicinity abounded in tumular embankmetits, I ascended a precipitous bhiff terminating near the junction of Turkey river, and soon discovered a serpentine range, or series of mounds. After observing their position and order of arrangement, I traced them two and a half miles, and found them to represent the body of a huge serpent, with his tail entwined around a na- tional monumental mound, to which were appended two sac- riJcial altars (Cut II. Fig. 1) ; and on the opposite or south side of the serpent, twenty poles distant from the altars, I dis- covered an embankment representing in form the body of a huge tortoise. About midway of the body of the serpent, on the same side, and distant about twenty poles, was erected another national monument, with two sacrificial altars. On further examination, I found all of these sacrificial altars to be covered with an alluvial soil, to the depth of about four inches, under which was a stratum of ashes, earth, and chai^ 116: ANTIQUARIAN KESEAKCUES. coal commingled, to the depth of from twelve to fourteen inclies. After removing these two strata from ahove, I came in contact with a bed of clay burned imtil it was as hard and firm as well-burned potter's ware. I then entirely removed the two upper strata, when the summit of the mound pre- sented to view a large earthen basin (See Cut "W, Fig. 2), re- sembling in form a baking dish, eight feet in diameter, and fourteen inches in depth ; but it was so brittle that it could not be preserved and removed in its original form. On sink- ing down beneath this vessel, I discovered that the interior of the mound was composed of sand, surrounded by clay of two feet in thickness, which formed the centre outer surface. I then commenced an examination of the Ic, - erabank- ments, and found these to be composed of earth resembling that which immediately surrounds them ; the mounds which give form to the body of the serpent, are composed of similar materials, and I discovered nothing like a primitive deposite in any of them. I observed a lineal range of mounds run- ning northwest, which I afterward traced to the Spring Grove, a distance of about one hundred miles, running west from an altar near the tail of the eflSgy. (See Cut.) I had previously received from De-coodah, a drawing rep- resenting an earth-work in the form of a serpent, with which was connected a tortoise and sacrificial altars. lie asserted that these were worshipped by the Black Tortoise nation, in the days of his ancestors, and that on thos^ altars they burned the hearts of their enemies. Since then, 1 have discovered many works of this kind, agreeing with De-coo-dah's repre- sentation, given in Cut II, Figs. 2 and 3. And as no other animal effigies are found in their immediate neighborhood, there can be little doubt that this mountain, now peopled by Christians, devoutedly worshipping the true God, once pre- sented scenes of idolatrous worship, when the great tortoise (according to the traditions of De-coo-dah), was placed there as a national intercessor with the serpent god. I l\ave never regarded with much favor tlie views of those who regard the primitive inhabitants of North America, THB SEBPENT m THE WILDEHKESS. iVt ns the descendants of the lost tribes of the children of Israel. But I confess that this curious earth-work, thus raised on high, on the very summit of the loftiest hill in that region of country, and in full view of several extensive groups of resi- dential mounds scattered along the shores of the Mississippi, does, indeed, forcibly remind the observer of the Brazen Ser- pent raised up in the wilderness. But this subject belongs rather to the province of the theo- logian, and to his consideration I willingly surrender it. In traversing the high lands of Turkey river, I saw many monuments common to the western shore of the Mississippi, but took no drawing until I descended to the low lands of the Mississippi, and arrived at Gottenbnrg, a thriving little German village situated on the bank of the Mississippi, on a high prairie bottom, with a good landing for boats. The country west is fertile and capable of sustaining a dense pop- ulation. The immediate location of this village was formerly called Prairie Laporte. This beautiful prairie, surrounded by mountain scenery of the most romantic description, pre- sents a very extensive group of ancient monuments, among which we recognise the forms of two large serpents, traced by a series of tumuli, as seen in Cut U. To one of these ser- pents '8 Attached a monumental tortoise, much defaced (on which account it has been omitted from the drawing), which is situated just within the village. In this whole group, we read a record of the dominion of twenty-two successive sovereigns or great chiefs, indicated by that number of national memorial monuments, appended to the effigy, and twenty-four lineal memorials, appended to a national mound. We have also a record of the extinction of that line, in the presence of the titular monument (in the form of an animal), to which is attached the mound of extinction, pointing to a battle-burial mound. I was very careful in my enumeration and delineation of these mounds, as it is evi- dent that the whole group will soon be demolished, by the rapid growth o' the villajre. This series of mounds consists of residential, monumental, liB AKTIQCARTAN RESEARCHES. matrimonial, memorial, burial, and titular, tlirown up In na- tional, lineal, and hieroglyph ical order. On the towering summit of an adjacent bluff, are two sacri- ficial altars, \vhich bear an appearance of having been nsed for many ages. On examination, I found the summit of both these altars, of similar form with those formerly described, as found in connection with the serpent efiig}'. These altars, however, seemed to have been exposed to a much hotter fire, the crockery basin being much thicker, and as hard as a well- burned biick. I labored hard for six successive hours, with a good steel-pointed pick, to make a hole in the centre. The basin proved to be twenty-seven inches in tiiickness. The sand beneath was ])erfectly dry, and had probably been so for many ages, as the basin was imjiervious to water. We suppose this to have been one of the eternal altars spoken of by De-coo-dah, upoti which the fire was always kept bui-ning, and where the punishment of death was occasionally inflicted by burning. Having been traditionally informed that hieroglyphical me- morials of the revolt of De-co-ta the Great might be found in tliObe regions, on the east side of the Mississippi, and liaving spent much time in search above this point without success, I crossed the river to Cassville, with the intention of examininjr the adjacent country. Being informed by my host that there were niatiy monuments about three miles below that villaire. I immediately repaired to the place indicated, and soon dis- covered that this identical spot had been* spoken of by De- coo-dah. In the first group examined (as seen in Cut P), I found the representation of an animal resembling a lion, and liaving been previously informed by De-coo-dah that the royal resi- dence of the Elk Lion would be found below the junction of the Wisconsin river, I commenced a critical examination of the entire group, and soon discovered, in the vicinity, monu- mental representations of the tortoise and alligator. Being satisfied that this was one of the three residential grot'ps de- scribed by De-coo-dah (See Cut R), I had immediate recourse to my traditional notes, which read as follows: "This group THE SEEPENT IN THE WILDEENES8. 119 presents the figure of an animal resembling a lion, and is rep- resented to have been the royal residence of an Elk cliiof, who bore, as his title, the name of that animal. This chief had added to his train two great chiefs that had revolted from the Black Tortoise nation; and the four memorial mounds running in a line from the head of the tortoise to the hind foot of the Lion, were constructed in memory of the skill and bravery of the tortoise, who personally commanded in four successful expeditions into the enemy's country. As a result of these expeditions, five tribes were added to his na- tion by the Elk chief; these are memorialized as being com- manded by the Alligator, as shown by the erection of five memorial mounds running in a line from the forefoot of the lion, to the head of the alligator. The tortoise and alligator being the two principal conspira- tors against the great black tortoise (the ruling chief of their nation), and afterward subject to the Elk Lion, are repre- sented in the group standing beneath him ; and the represen- tation of a tnmular cross erected immediately below, records the event of their having crossed the boundary line of nations, and stand as seals of their loyalty to the Elk nation. (This cross is shown in Cut P.) The main memorials with which the Elk Lion is ingrouped, record him as victorious in nine battles, commanding an in- ferior force ; and the two memorials standing between the three national embankmer.ts, in the same range, record his victories in two national pitched battles. The triangular lo- cation of the tortoise and alligator with the lion, shows them to have been meritorious allies in all those achievements. The three national mounds, in a line with the tortoise, with their three memorials, record his victories in three pitched battles, with three different nations, as commander-in-chief. The three memorials in a direct line witli the alligator, bear- ing a central position to the three national monumentals ap- pended to the lineal range of the Elk Lion, record the AUi- gator's meritorious deserts in engagements with those three Several national enemies. The fifteen memorials, which run in a line from the battle- 120 ANTIQUARIAN EK8BAECHES. burial group of five large flat mounds, mark the deposito of a portion of fifteen tribes lost in five defensive battles fought at that place. The largo memorial north of the lion exhibits a retrospect! e record of numerous feats of valor achieved by the Elk chief before his promotion ; and that memorial being constructed in the form of a residential, shows his promotion to have been based upon signal services previously rendered. The semicircular group of eight memorials appended to the line of tlie Elk lion diverging from head and tail to the cross, represents him as having won his royal laurels in eight tri- umphant victories. This group is situated about two miles south of Cassville, near the Mississippi, but has been partially destroyed by the ravages of the plough. About one mile south of this is another residential group (Cut P), differently arranged. It is traditionally represented to have been the permanent place of residence of the great Red lion ; who the same tra- dition declares to have been a man of blood. This title mon- ument is known to be his from its being covered with red pebbles. The extent of his power is read in the twenty-two tribular monuments appended to his residence. They are known to be tribular mounds from the position they occupy with respect to the national monument to which they are ap- pended. These twenty-two tribes are memorialized as divided into three independent divisions, by the erection of the three na- tional monuments ; they were commanded by fourteen chiefs, memorialized in the erection of their fourteen residentials en- closed within the titular moimds. The five battle-burials, located north of the title monuments, record the repulse of the enemy in five battles fought at that place, but are not given in the cut. The monumental T, or three fourths of a cross, record the decapitation of two chiefs of royal descent at that place (this form of monument universally bears record of decapitation) ; the position these monuments occupy, being entirely surrounded by tribular memorials in this group, bears record that the decapitated chiefs were conquered by the whole united forces of the Red Lion. i # m { *^ e C 1 • s 1 © Cot R. • m • |. • 9 / • ©0 i: • * « • 6 #^®# EABTH-WOBK NEAB CASSVILLE, WIS. C€T P. e « « ® @ • * • €>' e t ® EE8IDENTIAL MOUNDS, WIS. sacificial altar he I'l^ ''' '' "l''""""'' "'"national ». the „.a„. irctr "% r.-'rr'"' "■*• and design „f ,|,i8 ,„ ,,.7 , ^ <'omj,nh,„d ll,o ord.r nial,six fativaT ten! attlZf '■•''''";''''''"'■' "'1^'" '"■^'"■"o- eigl.tj aces, in a"„Z!l ' !" ^"^ T" "" ■'™'' "^ »''<"" occurred dn in. t"S,2oZ 7"-'''' "'"''°"''' ^'""t^ "'»' memorial Imvinstenetf? "'"'■'"" "™"''"™' ™» ''i"g o.- ."lor. fLeseninc, fv "'^"'""g"™«°n of each "..■o"gl. t^elegiti^te i^oTsixSr^ "T "T""'' «;e six national n,o„„„ental effli T , t"" P "'°" ""^ allare appended to the six ™„n,„ !' '"'"'" """''flcial of eacriflcial eorviee tl IT , ' 'T"'' "'° "''''"•vance ™nt,one dedica ei 1 e ?J7 """" '» -=" «>™"- testifles to the universal tdT.; I , °"'°'' '° ""^ """O". tbronghon. the ontirl reil;'"/: ITe' "'"^'"•° '""'■•""■- rated in that record. sovereigns eommemcv t^'ttititrraCe^^;:.:"'"™'^' ■■- "-' '•"™ «' l"erosl.yphieally mer^oiafedf ''"''"'' '" "'' ''" ''"■""'''» '» ".on,, sho,™ the! o have . \"^ "." ""•■"" «PP^»^'«i faith of their fathe!" B„ ttll T '""' '"""'''''^' '" *» Btrneted on either side of the » "■•" T"^'''"^ •"""•» «»"- became a proseiy e (o the "i fl ,°'"'' '"'"'' ■■"'='"■'' *»' l>e wMeh he « a'dopted Tn 't °T'"-' °'"" """»" ""» monnmental memorW \Z . ^ '^'""""' °' » """"""l lineage in that naTo" ' '""' '"" '» ''-« been without The six festival mounds >ver. r<.i-J •.,,-, nehering in of these siv Hi.,- ./ 1 commemoration of the -atrimfnia, mordV^e r:™ t'd"; I,"'"^"' ""^"*^=- «'^ «tie e.ectea for the accommodation of 124 ANTIQUAniAN UE8EARCIIE8. these six families, and two for the common service of the na- tion, and stand memorialized as such within the matrimonial group. The ornamental mound (not seen in the cut), one hundred and sixty poles in length, and four in breadth, situated on the cast side of the group, and extending its whole length, ap- pears to he partly natural, and partly artificial. It is cov- ered with heavy oak trees, while all the other embankments are richly carpeted with a luxuriant growth of grass. The pinnacle mound, towering above the others to the height of eighteen feet, commands a handsome view of the Mississippi river, and the country adjacent. Tho. ten battle-burial mounds contain the ashes of the dead. This people, being worshippers of the sun, consumed the bodies of the slain by fire, and as worshippers of the moon also, they erected two sacrificials at each place of residential offering. They offered sacrifice to the sun by day, and to the moon by night. There is no appearance of serpent worship in this, or in any of the neighboring groups east of the Mississippi in this region, notw.thstanding that the tortoise, and probably the alligator chiefs were originally of that faith; the alligator, however, being memorialized as of regular national lineage, was, probably, the offering of international amalgamation. There is, however, about thirty miles north, and in the vi- ■ cinity of Prairie du Chien, in the residential group of the Eagle, a small serpent which is the oitly one known to us in those regions, represented in Cut S. This group is traditionally represented to have been the permanent residence of a king who bore, as his title, the name of the Ewjle. The pinnacle mound was the seat of royal resi- dence, and his title mound being constructed in the form of an eagle, in a line with two national monumentals, records the reign of two sons. The four small mounds connected by embankments with the pinnacle mound, show the births of four sons ; and the four detached mounds, in a line running south, the births of four females, whom the long embankment of national order records as having been offered in national THE 8KHPENT IN THE WILDEBNBBS. 125 eacrlficc. Tlie four mounds running noitli, from tlio piunncle to tlie national square, were asaifjuod t.) birth-day festivals, and present indistinct traces of the fentival, or matrimonial ling. The national square is formed of four national emlmnk- ments connected togeti.er, which record the joint dominion of the four sons. The figure of an animal, constmcted on the east side of the national square, records the eldest son as having signalized himself, and thereby rendered himself worthy of titular commemoration; and tiiree small mounds running west from his birlh festival mound, show the birth of three children ; the other three birth festivals, having but one memorial, re- cord the birth of one child each. The serpentine range com- prises twenty-memorial mounds, commencing within the angle formed by the two natioruil embankments, and proves the serpent to have been an object of reverence, or worship, to those sovereigns ; and the number of the memorials shows nineteen annual offerings to have been made by tiiem. Two of the memorials being connected by an embankment, record an offering of twin children. 126 ANTIQUAIUAN RK81£AUUIIiai. Oil AFTER XIV. NATIONAL FK8TIVITV, AS nESCttlDKn IJY HR 000-DAH. ON tlio Littlo Miami river, nbout twcnty-fivo miles nortli- eiiRt of Cincirnuiti, it) the Btiito of Ohio, is to bo seen a graiul imtional circle, eiiclosinj^ a small circle and central trun- cated moiiud. The lar^e circle is about one mile in circum- ference, with an embankment about eij;;ht feet wide at the bottom, and about three feet high at those places where it has remained a])|)arently uninjured. The inner circle is about forty poles in circumference, with an embankment about two feet in perpendicular heipjlii;, with a flat surface, and twenty foet in thickness. It is much defaced, aiid in some placea nearly destroyed, by the uprooting of timber which formerly grew upon it. The central mound, also, is much defaced from the same cause; but the small mound, located at the entrance of the outer circle, still retains its original form. This group, standing at a considerable distance from any other, is said by De-coodah to have been erected for the pur- pose of enclosing a plot of ground which had been consecrated by the prophets, and set apart by royal command, for national festivity. It belonged exclusively to one nation, and was rarely occupied without the presence of some representative from each branch of that nation. It was the ancient custom, in the construction of a national circle, to enclose land enough to admit of the erection within it of one tent for each family belonging to the nation. When a nation prospered and increased in numbers until their na- tional circle became too small, a new one was erected. " You thus," said De-coo-dah, " can form some idea of the numerical strength of a nation, from the dimensions of its festival circle. You will observe that where a circle has been vacated, tho \m iH ' Oct J. Scale, 260 /irt to the inch. INTEBNA'aONAL FESTIVITY. TETANGTJLAE GROUP. 129 pa8s-w.ay or place of entrance, Ims been filled up, so that the outer embankment forms an unbroken rin- " De-coo-dah then gave me the order of occupancy a8 follows • The cntral mound was occupied by great national func 0^1* nes ; then- tents were placed around the inner circle I ronn^" .ngthecentral mound;and there, oncea3.a;,rei„Z^^^^ was secured between the governors and the govern dS ::zrz ^'■"^''^"^:^' ^'^^ -^^^-^^ -^- cemeld'r, The great chief occupied the south centre of the circle representmg the meridian sun, who sends forth his grea ij wa mth at m.d-day ; his council, in the north, to represent the sun s rays ; the prophets, in the east, direct lis rise • Ind his — :;rcSd;;;^r::Hr°"^^"^^^"^^^^^^ These feasts not only served to strengthen the ties of friend- ship and of national union, but afforded an opportun ty for consultafon about the occupancy of territory for'th en uin" season so as to secure to each band or tribe a sufficienc of game for their sustenance; in this allotment, large dist icts were held m reserve, to admit of the propagatiin and inc aee of game for future supplies. _ The national circle is of very ancient origin, and gradually increased in s.ze with the advance of nations. So small Hideed, were some of them, originally, that they were after-' ward levelled to form circles of celebration, and Ln enclosed \Mth a national circle of larger dimensions. Still later, as nations became more numerous and more populous, ^^n^.;^ festivals were instituted, in the celebration of which two or more nations united. These gave rise to new torms of construction and arrangement of the festival circles and to changes of order and ceremonies. ' TRIANGULAR GROUP. ^ This group (Cut J), representinff the union nf fi.vne ^ntV^ m un.on festivity, may be seen in Iowa, about twenty mVes west of the Mississippi, on the Eoot river. It stands in a 9 ^39 ANTIQUAEIAN nESKAECHES. grove of timber-trees, partially overgrown by dwarf sbrnbs. The circle of celebration, in the centre of the group, is nearly obliterated, but the festival mound enclosed, is twelve feet high, and thirty-six feet in base diameter. The national embankments are three, four, and five feet in height; each is twelve feet in diameter, and one hundred and forty-four feet in length. It will be observed that the combined heights of the national embankments are precisely equal to the vertical height of the I'estival or central mound; and these combined heights, multiplied by the vertical height of the central mound, give the exact length of each national embankment. The matrimonial mounds, at each entrance, three in number, are in a good state of preservation, being formed of blue clay. They are thickly coated with grass, but, nidike all the other embankments, have no shrubbery on them. The order of occupajicy differs from that of national circles, but is similar to that in the union of four aations, a description of which follows. FESTIVAL UNION OF FOUR NATIONS. On an open prairie, near a small grove, about twelve miles east of Mount Trumbull, in Wisconsin, may be seen a very remarkable arrangement of mounds and embankments, repre- sented as the festival union group of four nations. (See Cut K.) The festival, or centra^ mound, with the circle of celebration whichencluses it, was composed of clay, which could not have been procured in the vicinity ; but the Yong embankments are composed of earth similar to that of the immediate vicinity. The matrimonial mounds are composed of blue and white sand. Tiie national, or long embankments, of unequal height, indi- cate the comparative strength and importance of the rations to which they* severally belonged. The central mound towers up to a height equal to the com- bined heights of the four national embankments, one being three, and another four, and the other two five feet each, makinor in all seventeen feet, the precise vertical height of the central mound. HI I m i! 13 glVO Cut K. e Q INTKUNATIONAI. FESTIVITY. mn FESTIVAL UNION OF FOUR NATIONS. 133 The circle of celebration that suitouikIs it, has a slight ele- vation, compared with the other embankments. Its embank- ment is seventeen feet broad, and perfectly flat and level on the surface. Tiie space between the central mound and the circle of celebration is thirty-four feet, being exactly equal to the width of the circle and the vertical height of the festival or central mound. After taking the exact measurement of tiiese several parts, I could but admire the nice precision of arrangement observed in the construction of these apparently simple monuments. But the simplicity of occupancy, as narrated by De-coo-dah, was not only probable, but highly amusing. After having given me a draft of the embankments, he undertook to draw upon the ice for me, a representation of the mode and order of their occupancy. He stated that the great body of each nation occupied, in rows of tents, the out- side of its proper national embankment. Each row contained the same number of tents, so arranged that four of these rows sufficed to fill the circle of celebration, and thus all might enjoy the dance in regular rotation. The chiefs and prophets of each nation, were located within the embankments, and between them and the circle of cele- bration. Tliey occupied, during the dance, the space between the circle of celebration and the central mound, the elder chief of each nation occupying the summits of the central mound, to give signals of order. The chiefs and prophets who were within the circle, would sometimes give place to the aged, and take their places in the circle, to join in the dance with the younger men. lU ANTIQUARIAN BESEARCHE8. iri err AFTER xy. or.Lii;:^!iATiON of thk' union festival* /'\NCE a jc'ii, tlio nations met togetlior. Before the de- yj paiture of eacli from its own tcriitorj, bands of liuntcrs were designated to procure supplies for the coming festival, and these, at an appointed time, all went forth in ecarcli of game. The rest of the hunters, together with the old and young of their nation, sot out in detached parties, and took up their line of march for the place of meeting, providing sup- plies for themselves by the waj. The festival was held at an appointed full-moon. The time of begmnmg the journej, was determined by the distance each nation had to travel. On their arrival at the place of meeting, they pitched their tents on the outside of their re- spective national embankments, and new tents were erected at each annual festival, [rt appears to have been a custom with the ancient Americans, yet observed by the Indians of modern times, never to occupy the same wigwam a second time. A superstition is universally prevalent among the north- western Indians that live in tents, that when a place of abode lias been deserted, an evil spirit enters Knd dwells there.] When the bands of (lie festival hunters had all arrived, the oldest chief of the nations ascended the central mound, and sang a song of union. The four nations joined in the chorus each in its own language. The clash of voices, and the ab- sence of all harmony in this wild song, with its returnino- echoes, struck the ear in a confusion of harsh sounds, that seemed almost to make the trees of the forest shake. Tiien began the preparations for the feast. When the game had been cooked, and nil had eaten cnffieicntly, the oldest * Traditional. OBr.KBBATIOH Op TnU BKION FB8TIVAI,. IJg Chief Of each nation, accompanied by tl,c p,„p|,e„, repaired o „„K,n mound. Tl.o aged a„d infinn, 'will, 'JJ^ caled at tl,o f„,„- places of entrance. TI.eso prepamtory occapy I ,e f,,-, ,.„„.s, or l,ne of tents, dividing i„ tl,o centre r.gl.t and left to toe place of entrance, wl.ere tl,ev promhj. m«lyn„,to 1,3. j„i„i„g ,,„„<,,, „„<1 ,,„, ,„ donUc lie tTthl ma.r„n,„„al monnd.. There tl.ey separate, and „,^rclnng n.-onnd, n.oet on the opposite «ido, «here hey agai ote l""Kls, and nmrch to the circle of celebration. TlL" 1^ arrange then.seve, in order for the dance nntil th cM Is full, when the dance begins. After the circle is full; the residue of tl,e nations take their cats ,.ro,n,seuonsly „n the nation.al cnbankments, to elm ans and make .nelody for the ring. Thoold ,nen,old women and c ddren, having previously assembled at the natrinrn al mounds, „„,„,e themselves with the appearance of the une^ a pans as they pass along; th.at ineiuality constituting one of the ch.ef sources of festival amnseu.ent. To see a.^^d mothe™ escorted to the dance by bashful stripling.; the^, iZ yed manen by t e . d and white-haired chiefs here t^vo mile, . unt, g each other with effen.inacy, and there two females ach c ann.ng li.r he,.„lf the honor of manhood, leading each othe,. ,0 the „,erry circle, gave occasion for many rnde jests All, however passed off in go„d-hnn,or; for to have been angry on such an occasion, wonhl bo the highest breach of politeness known to the ancient American The first dance being concluded, the ring w.as v, oated for he reception of another circle of occupants: the same o'de of p.omiscuons minglmg being observed throughout the first hree ay,; but on the morning of the fourth,those intending to nnite m matrimony, arranged themselves in the line of march so as o meet at the entrance, joined hands, and passed tie matrimomal monnd together. Tliis was considered a pnb c declaration of marri.ngc contract. Then thevdance toget^ie they feast together, and, the matrimonial mound being vacated 186 ANTIQUARIAN RE8KAKCIIK8. H 1 I at evoninfj, tlicy run tlio nmniago nice, wliilo all the nations assomhliid within and upon tlu; nutioiial nioiinda, circles of celchratioii, aiid central mound, unito in singing nuptial clianta and songs of rejoicing. The groups wliicli have been particularly described (Cuts J and K), wore constructed ^ov international festivities only ; but soniotimos they were so arranged as to permit of their occasional occupancy by a single nation of tlie union. In works of the latter description, the distance between the extremities of tho several embanlcnients, was equal to the entire length of each. When a feast was held by a single nation, their tents were erected in a circle outside of their national embankment, around the tent of the oldest chief or prophet, located in the centre of tlie residential circle, around which they danced. Single mounds were sometimes constructed by single bands or tribes, for ordinary feasting. These were sometimes cir- cular, sometimes long, according to the taste or national custom of the builders. Those of cii'cular form were surrounded by the circle of celebration ; but this kind of festival monuments were not entitled to matrimonial altars. At these festivals, an abundance of food was provided, including all the dainties of tho forest; nothing was nsed sparingly or with grrtdging hand, but band vied with band, and nation willi nation, in the bounteousness and variety of tho preparation. In describing the mode of construction of these national circles, and explaining their arrangomcnt, De-coodah re- marked (as he had done beforr ), how, mucli the M'hlte man had been mistaken in supposii g them to have been erected for warlike purposes or for national defences. "The tradi- tions of my fathers," said he, "show them, to have been only the scenes of mirth and festivity. At a given time the nation provided with a supply of provision sufficient for several days, repaired to the circle (which had been already marked ont by setting stakes), and erected their tents within it. Tho great chief stood in the centre, and each member of the na- tion brought thither a basket of earth and spread it around, to form the base of the central mound ; this done, he was sur- 1 4 CELKBEATION OF THE UNION FESTIVAL. 187 rounded by subordinate chiefH, warriors, and Imntcrs, to wait the orders of their great licad. lie next selected the leaders of the hunting-parties; these gathered their respective bands, and then rei)aired to the i)r(.i.het for advice and direction; they were ordered to return within a given number of days' and each hunter was accompanied by a nimble-footed squaw,' to dress and bring back the game. They departed in the midst of tho joyful shcuts of the whole nation. During the absence of these liuuting i)arties, tho time was occupied bv the resi.lue of tho nation in gathering earth and placing \t around tho circle to form tho wall; the children meanwhile bemg employed, under the direction of the aged, in constructs mg the nuitrimonial mounds. Thus tho embankment re- ceived annually an addition to its materials, until it eventa- ally became a towering wall. On tho day appointed for the return of the hunters a general fast was observed by all, and fuel was gathered' to supply the lircs for cooking the feame, and for giving light to the circle. At the setting of the sun, the hunters returned, and were greeted with joyful acclamations. Then tho feast M'as.speedi- ly made ready, and all ato until they were satisfied The dance followed. Feasting and dancing were continued at in- tervals, until all the provisions were consumed. Then the great chief, marched at the head of tho nation around the summit of the embankment, to render its wall firmer and more compact, and afterward led the way to the entrance There ho ascended the mound of public address, and pro- claimed to each band, as it left the circle, its location and territorial limits for the coming year. 'i / I 188 ANTIQUARIAN EESKAR0UE8. CHAPTER XVI. PRIMITIVR DKP08ITE8. I i TyilEN we treat of primitive deposites, wo mean those de- » » posited at the time of the erection of the monument; as there are also many deposites found in monnds that have evidently been placed there within the last century, such wo term recent deposites ; some of those were probably made by the first pioneers of civilization, and some by Indians of mod- ern times. We are not aware, however, that tribes of the pure Indian race ever practised, to any considerable extent, the custom of tumular deposites. Human bones, pipes, beads, and other ornamental trinkets, common to Indian tribes of various national origin are some- times found, not only in burial monnds, but in other embank- ments not originally designed for burial purposes; and it is now becoming more common than formerly, for Indians of various tribes along our frontier lines to deposite their dead m monnds, believing that white men view these with some degree of reverence. It is worthy of remark, that in the critical examination of more than four hundred embankments by excavation and re- moval, I have universally found the primitive deposite, when such existed, to bo placed either on or below the natural sur- face of the earth upon which the monnd was originally erect- ed ; while recent deposites are usually found near the sur- face of the mound or embankment, particularly where the embankments are large. ^ The want of knowledge necessary for a correct discrimina- tion between primitive and recent deposites, may frequently lead the antiquarian astray in forming correct conclusions relative to the original design of the monument \ PRIMITIVB DEP08ITEB. 139 Well-mado onrthen-vessols are «omctlmefl found deposited m the ame mound with other articles, which arc evide t y ofs.mpeandBavage origin, and evincing no indications of found no pn„ntivo depositee of «„y article what iTwZ recent deposite, are not nneommon • and even ZZ .ition of .„j™,, natter is so eomp,ot'e::,l:\: 'IZTZ .goof flesi, or bone is rarely perceivable; the only . Tale „f tl depos, te w ,.cl, rcMnuins, i» seen in a .l,in stratn, , of ear* of different color and te.tnre, from that which surround T Where the mound is composed of sand (which is freZ', W fhe case along the shores of rive,, and lakes), those stra"f seS'"; T" "r" ™™ ^"""'^' "-'"^--oquenH;;™- sentmg the forms of men varying in stature from five to seven and sometimes eight feet in height, someLeldl pes, ed s,ngy, and sometime, in a circle with th iri eada pom tag he centre. But in recent deposites whe,e bone are found they are usually deposited without respec to a^ particular order of arrangement ^ In mounds traditionally represented as containing ,ho ashes of prophets, we have on examination invariably dfscov ered more or les. mica, a deposite not found in any Z; order monument, except such as are traditi»all7r " J rented to have been oracular or sacrificial. The oraculu- mo.rad (winch is traditionally known as such, by its "da i™ p«,t,on ,n the group of which it forms a p'arf), f e'en ! contams large quantities of mica. This favo,. the conl e „ a ready advanced, that mica was an article exelnsivTer fbyThelS'T';""- , ^""^"""^^ '"^ P'*""" '- -de of -t by the prophets, we have already ventured a suggestion. i:, I 1 >' 1 li' ,1 ',)l 1. IIJ 1 lli 1 1 1 140 AirnquABiAN resraroiies. CriAPTER XVII. VISIT TO TIIK ANCIKNT MICTUOl'OLia. VTEAK llio junction with tlio Mississijipi of a small stream -*-^ called the IJad-Axo, in the etiito of WisconHin, lliero is a complicated groii[) of eartii-woiks occn})jiiijr a surface of nearly forty acres. (Tliia re^i<»n is more particularly de- Bcrihed in another ]myl of tliia volunio.) I roHolvcd to re-visit the place in contpaiiy with my old friend Do coo dah, for the purpose of ascertaining from him, as accurately as possible, the traditional origin and use of the earth-work. ]?eing at this time located at the distatico of two days' tiuvel fiom the ])laco I freighted a canoe with provisions, cami)ing equipage, &c. and set out on our j(mrney. At evening we stopped with Bomo Frenchmen who had commenced a snuill settlement on the eastern shore of the Mississippi; (jiey had Indian wives whom they seemed to regard almost as slaves, for they treated tliem harshly, beating them cruelly for trivial offences. I re- monstrated with them upon the impro])riety of such treat- ment; but they took the matter veiy lightly, and appeared to be much amused with what they t'jrmed my ignorance of the Indian character, arguing that physical force was the only means of securing obedience and subjection. I had al- ready discovered that this was tiio only means resorted to in the Winnebago nation, with a few lionorable exceptions among the aged whose habits had been formed previous to their association with wliito men ; these scarcely ever made use of the rod, even with their children. Notwithstanding the persevering efforts of pious mission- aries to ameliorate the condition of the Winnebagoes, they are daily sinking deeper and deeper in degradation? Drunk- enness, theft, and almnQt nvery p.pccics of debauchery, are oa VTBIT TO TIIK ANCIKNT MlCTUOrOMB. 141 tlio inoronHo. Yot now nnd tlion wo discnvor among tlicm somo of tho noblor traits o( their original clmractor. These bocorno lens rare as wo rccedo from tho lino of the frontier Bottlo.ncnts. Tho moro remoto from tho whito man, tho more virtuous and tho more honornl.lo is tho Indian, with moro of kindly focdin-, Jobs of vico. This may in part bo accounted f.)r in tho fact that most of those with whom they aro brought int.. intercourse in tho whito settlements, aro" of degraded character and Inv morals, who set before tliem both tho cx- om|»lo of, and tcinptiitions to vice, over-reaching them in trade, defrauding tliem of their money, fur, and blankets. T..C indian, wanting in proper discrinnnation, learns to look upon all whito men with suspicion ; and not even tho mis- sionary, Ijowevor devoted to his work, can bopo to exert a salutary influence among them, until by a long residence in their midst, ai\d un imdcviating coin-so of honesty and kind treatment, he has removed their prejudices against bis color and race. Having satisfied myself respecting the motives and cbarac- ter of my boats, I continued my journey with De-coo-dab to- ward the grouj) of mounds T proposed to visit. We entered the Bad-Axe river at its mouth, and proceeding up its stream about a mile and a quarter, Veared our tent on the north side near a cold spring of pure mountain water; wo prepared our supper, passed tho pipe of friendship, and retired to rest. The next morning, we visited tbe metropolis. We entered the east corner of tbe group (see Cut), and passed tbrongb to tlio west corner. At the base of this mound itiy conductor stopped suddenly, and placing his right band on bis beart, and bis left on bis forebead, muttered, inaudil.ly, a 8iu,it sentence, with his face westward. He then faced the soutb, and raised bis bands toward Heaven ; tben proceeded in a southeast direction, witb uplifted bands, until wo arrived at a mound of similar size and form to tbe one we first visited, where lie again stopped, as tbougb be hesitated to go further. But in a few moments be proceeded around to the soutb side, and stopped again; tben proceeded to th seat them- selves around the base, and the wives of the absent warriore occupy the smaller mounds, surrounded by the hunters. When all are in order, the oldest prophet gives thanks for past vic- tories, and receives such offerings as are presented to be sacri- ficed at the next new moon. The great pipe of friendship being filled by the elder prophet with the dried leaves of evergreens, was handed to the king, and kindled from the sacred-fire: he smokes first himself, then passes it to the VISrr TO THE ANOIBNT METEOPOLIS. w prophets, wlio, in their turn, pass it to the old men, who smoke together; the hunters continue smoking through the whole ceremony, at the close of which all unite in a song of victory, and retire to their tents. " The north mound was called the royal council tower, and was used previous to engaging in war with any nation. The councils held tiiere were attended only by the king, prophets, head chiefs of bands, and orators, or chief councillors. The tower was occupied by the king, seated in the centre, on the summit, surrounded by great war-councillors and prophets, the orators occupying the small mounds. Tlje council-chiefs firet addressed the sovereign relative to the grievances of the na- tion ; the oratoi-s then speak in turn, until all have spoken. The orators and councillors then retire, and the king, in pri- vate, takes counsel with the prophets, and pronounces his de- cree, wiiich is by the oldest prophet communicated to the people, from the summit of the central mound, or king's tower. During the sitting of this council, the whole city was wrapped in silence. "All \var-parties returned to the city by way of the royal council tower. Previous to entering, the commanding chief ascended the tower to announce victory or defeat. At a given signal, the prophets repaired to the tower to receive the news, then they immediately retired to the king's tower, around which the people assembled, and the eldest prophet proclaim- ed the tidings. In the meantime, the king repaired to the council tower, and, standing erect thereon, saluted tho warriors as they entered. If prisoners had been taken, they were con- ducted to the king's tower, to witness the triumphal war-dance of their captors, after which they were placed under guard to await their destiny. Each succeeding new-moon one was offered in sacrifice, unless they were satisfactorily redeemed. " If the warrioi-s had been successful, and taken much plun^ der, feasts and war-dances were kept up for many days." Here De-coo-dah paused, and sat in silent reflection ; for a long time, he appeared unusually solemn. I saw that the old man was much agitated throughout this interview ; tears flowed copiously down his furrowed cheeks ; but after nassin^r tl.A 10 ' °~" 146 ANTIQUARIAN EESEAECHK8. pipe of friendship, lie became more composed, and very soon he very affectionately addressed me, as follows : — " Brother, I am very old, and must soon sleep with the dead ; I shall be remembered no more ; I have no son to perpetuate my memory, or transmit to posterity these lingering relics of ancient tradition. Tne Winnel)ago listens to them as idle tales, the Chippewa recer/es them as fictions, and the 3'outhful Sioux langhs them to scorn. Brother, you have noui-ished me as a declining father, shall I now adopt you as a faithful son?" I gave him my hand, he grasped it affectionately, and ex- claimed, " My son ! my white son !" and he added, " I have never intrusted any white-man with the traditions I have made known to you, will you receive them as truth ?" When I had answered he resumed, " Receive them freely, and keep them sacred until I am gone, then tell them to the red-man, proclaim them to the white-man, and I shall sleep in peace !" He paused a few minutes, apparently absorbed in reflection, then continued — " You have treated me with kindness, without hope of reward; I have nothing to lea\o in return, that will awaken in your remembrance our mutual friendship, save these traditions. Since you appear to be interested in them*, I shall hereafter take pleasure in making known to you whatever of them I may clearly recollect. "When you return to your friends, knowing that I am no more, they will furnish a theme of con- versation interesting to your children ; and when you or they look upon any of those ancient monuments, you will bear in remembrance the existence of old De coo-dah." We then again passed the pipe of friendship, struck our tent, and returned. He assumed a more cheerful countenance, and ever after familiarly addressed me as a confidential son. The idea of total annihilation was, probably, to this old man, the most gloomy thought that had ever entered his mind, it was one from which he seemed to shrink with terror. Yet it was vain to speak to him of the consolations of Christianity. He would at once point to the Christian world, representing them as double-tongued, double-faced robbers. He chal- lenged their right to the territory they occupy. He viewed all missionaries as impostors, and would have no dealings GENERAL REMARKS. 147 with any of them. He would receive no part of the Indian annuity, but strenuously contended that it was the price of robbery. Shortly after the interview just described, I proposed to talk with him on the subject of Cliristianity ; he readily con- sented, and we had a long and free conversation, but it was not attended with anv apparent result. lie was fond of hear- ing the Scriptures read aloud by me, and used to appear much interested in the Old Testament narratives — the his- tory of the creation, of the flood, Phaiaoh's dream, the feats of Samson, &c. GENERAL REMARKS. ' This group which tradition represents to have been the ancient residence of a great warrior chief, or king, bears evi- dent signs of liaving been vacated centuries ago; the growth of timber with which it is covered, being promiscuously strewed over the ground ; many of the mounds presenting a broken appearance, as though they had leceived injury by large trees having been torn from their summits, while other trees of ancient growth jiow occupy their place. A casual observer might pass through and among these mounds with- out observing their true arrangement. The four large corner mounds, being somewhat remote from each other, when viewed from the centre appear to form a circle ; but in pas- sing direct from one to the other, it will be seen that they form a regular square ; and all the small mounds, except those surrounding the corner mounds, will be found to be within the lines of that square. The centre mound, or king's tower, having n© small mound near it, appears, at first view, to have an irregular location ; but when the order of occupan- cy is understood, it will be discovered that, with a view to its easy defence, a strong and secure position had been se- lected for it. A double circle of tents being formed within the group, secures protection from an assault made with arrows from without; while the memorial embankments afford points Mi 146 ANTIQUARIAK BESEARCHES, .of elevation, from which the archer would be able to Bend liis arrows with certain aim to a greater distance than could those without. Besides those mounds are so arranged, that they form a regular breastwork for many of those engaged in defence of the tower, which, occupying a central position, the commander-in-chief would not only have a full view of the enemy, but would be able to command personally the whole •force in defence of the city. I am of the opinion that the .labor performed in the construction of this group was nnder the supervision of the artful usurper, known in the annals of tradition under the title of De-co-ta. The king's tower, occupying the centj-e of the metropolis, measures thirty-five feet in base diameter, and eighteen in Burftice height. The four corner mounds seem to have been erected with reference to the four cardinal points, together witli the four small mounds that surround them. These lari^e ^corner mounds were twenty-five feet in base-diameter, and •twelve feet in height; and the four small moundt, surround- ing each of them are thirty-six feet distant from the large mound, from centre to centre. The oracular mound, or prophet's tower, is said to be iformed of earth collected at various points, frequently con- -veyed many miles, gathered from places where the dead had 'been deposited ; and at those mounds the prophets were said to hold intercourse with departed spirits at certain in- -tervals. After the death of De-coo-dah, my curiosity led me to ex- amine, by excavation, this singular group; and being aided by some Frenchmen whose curiosity had led them to the spot we cut a channel five feet wide entirely through the prophet's tower. We discovered that it was originally composed of sand gravel, and alluvial soil, to the height of about five feet; that was placed over a thin surface deposite of mica; above this bed or stratum was another, five feet in depth, composed of mixed earth and soil of every variety known in those regions • and above this, was a third stratum of two feet in depth com' posed of sand, gravel, ashes, shells, and fine partir.leR of'.l.ar- coal; a portion of this stratum resembles that which is found GENERAL BEMABK8. 149 on the Shore of Lake Pepin, situated abont one hnndred miles distant, being mixed with shells, and with many pebbles that resemble cornelian, with which the margin of that lake abounds. ° We also examined, by excavation, the council tower, the tower of war, and the tower of dedication. These were all composed of alluvial soil resembling that of the adjacent low- land, and contained no perceiveable deposite of primitive order. On further examination, I discovered that the pros- pective, or central mound, which is much the largest in the group, was composed wholly (with the exception of a thin al- uvial surface) of a red, or what is sometimes termed a mulat- to soil unlike any that I could discover in those regions and which must have been brought from a distance, it con! ainod no deposite whatever. This earth resembles that thrown from pits where lead mineral is now obtained ; but, after careful and critical examination, by washing, I dis^ covered no traces of mineral in it. I did not succeed in ma- king any further .discoveries of peculiar interest in the vast group tliat surrounds the king's tower, except their singular order of arrangement. ^ Notwithstanding this entire group forms a perfect square • they are, nevertheless, so arranged as to leave a circular space m the centre, by throwing a circular line around the tower at a distance of about twenty-five poles; and the second, third, and fourth lines, gradually increasing in size as they recede from the centre, are so arranged as to break spaces, thereby forming a regular breastwork for the defence of those within the circle. When I remarked to De-coo-dah that I could observe but little advantage gained over an at! tacking enemy by the occupation of this work, he replied that an advancing army, with breasts exposed to missiles, would be unable to throw arrows with as much force and precision as could hose who were elevated above them; and that while one half of those engaged in the defence of the tower, were 8liie!(Jed by the embankments, the enemy were entir<^ly ex- posed. Thus we see that a strong militaiy organization was 160 ANTIQUARIAN EKSHAROnES. provided for in the construction of this simple, yet remark- able earth-work. We imagined that, notwithstanding the great antiquity of this group, it yet embodied the latest improvements in military organization known to the ancient Americans of these regions ; it being a consolidation of residential groups, many of which seem to have been constructed with an especial eye to their capability of defence. liuiiiiJ I'Ti i ! remark- in ity of iiilitaiy egions ; f which to t.Leir Cut R. © m KOYAL KESIDENCE. THK BATTLE OF THE BAD-AXK. 168 CHAPTER XVIII. THE BATTLE OP TJIE BAD-AXE. JJAYITO provided myself with a small boat and freighted A ^ ,^**1' F'-?^'«'«"9. at Prairie du Chien, I prepared to as- cend t e M ssissippi. to Lake Pepin. Bui Jy ^ZZsZ an-ested by the early setting in of winter; on U.e Solh of Oe tober eame a very heavy fall of snow, whieh in a few lom^ covered he r.ver with a flow of slush-iee, against which we found at „nposs,ble to n.alce head, and we^'e under the n cls^ half a m.le, we moored onr boat at the mouth of a small river t? 1 t\ m""' '^'V''^ ^"^^-'^ ''^ Mississi,:^ nea the ast battle-ground of the brave Black-Hawk. Near its mouth, on the north bank, between the bluff and the lowland of the large group ot earth-work described in the preceding chapter as the ancient metropolis of a great nation. The soil ffvTich l";r-r''r ^'''^' ^^^-^^^^P^" the place (some of winch are tlnrty inches in diameter), are low and stunted, sTlT"-? .f ^'''"'^"^' f---g- dense and gloom; shade as if even the sun refused to lend his light to re-ilh^ nnne the spot whose ancient splendor has so long departed. On the opposite side of the stream is an extensive river-bot- torn covered with a handsome growth of tall and straight ^mber-trees, o various kinds. Between this bottom X bluff, l,es an elevated and beautiful prairie. The bluffs on both sides are h.gh and rugged, presenting great variety of color, with here and there a d warfish cedar swinging from some crevjce, and stretching out its ever-green aLs hil in^i" Abon half a league below the junction of the Badaxe lies the sm&Il island upon which Black-Hawk, hard pressed by 151 ANTIQITARIAN nKSEAttOriKS. his onomicB, 8onp;lit n tempomry respite to recruit the forces and revive tlie tlroopinn; spirits ot'liiH ImlfBtarved nriny. In Hccordanco witii a i)n)iiii80 irmde to We-ru-cun-no gah, an old bravo, I insert tlie account which he gave nio of Black- Hawk and his lant hatfle. After liaviiig had fionie coMvcrsation with liim upon rc- lif,'iou3 snbjectfl, I perceived that hia eyes were fastened on the little island to which I referred, and in a few momenta I Bawatear {i;lide down liis fin-rowed cheeks; then he suddenly fixed his eye on me, and with a look solemn, yet somewhat Bcornfiil, ho exclaimed: — "Brother, I perceive that we donot worsliip the same Great Spirit." "How do yon see that?" I, asked. Again iixing Ilia eyes on the island, he resumed : " Indians never fight unless they are imposed oii ; Indians never fight for more land. Our Great Spirit told us, through the prophets, that wo had land enough, hut none to spare; and when white men conie to take our land, our Groat Spirit tells us to fight. Four Great Spirit tells you that the Indians have too much land, and that you have not land enough. Now one of these Great Spirits must lie." Here he paused, and I inquired which he thought told the lie. He replied, "The Indian's Great Spirit don't lie; but the Indians being unmindful of what the Great Spirit said, let the white man have some land • then the Great Spirit got angry with the Indians, and left them to take care of themselves. "Black Hawk got angry too, atid gathered his warriors, and went to fight. The white men were too many; they ■ drove him back to that island ; he ran from Wisconsin river- old men, warriors, squaws, and pappooses, all ran. They had no meat ; they ate bark from the trees ; they were worn out, and could get no further. But the white men came to kill them. Black-Hawk sent some young warriors to tell them he would not fight ; the white men shot the young warriors and then began to shoot squaws. Then the warriors beo-an to fight. The squaws threw logs and brush in the river to form rafts; the old men and squaws got on the logs and brush, and started down the river; the warriors drove the TTIK nATTLK OF TltR BAD-AXB. 166 pon.08 into tl.o etroam, and tl.eso fullowin;. tho squawR, renrod upon t rults an. In,, and .,,avv« and papp.K.os snnk down u the bat o,n l.en flK, wl.i.o n,en cou.o with lu. flre-ca.oe (steamlxmt), to sli.mt Indians in tho water. ^ " Bhick-Hawk and a few warii^ns and sqnawn got over the rP-or and h.d an.ong tI,o rocks till dark ; they ran all ,.l«ht; but tlu, W.nneba.oe. jo.ned tho white men, and can.d.t UM. Hawk. Ihen the wh te n.en took bin, away toward the snn- r.c,Jo^show hnn thou- warriors, .ore than there are t.eeB in that r"' '' Jr ti' "■' \ " '"' '" .^"'^"^ 'J^''-'^ ^" '^ -^'' -" that? Noth,n''^^^ -^'' - --- Z^ :^':L'^^.'Sr'f ^' -y ^-: They pre. ted me with De-coo-dah's 1 token of th vited me to mount the white arge pipe of friendship, in eir errand ; then having selected an ox, thev m- pony, and accompany them to Tradition. I ^j;l INDIAN FESTIVITT. wr their camp. I assented, and we started with a joyfut shout from the Indians, that caused the ox to scamper off a fuU speed ; t e snow being deep, ho took their traifand kept hL speed unta he arrived at the camp. There he was in med ately surrounded, until De-coo-dah, coming oat with Z^e brought him to the earth. ®' his^el-air^t/""'"'' ^"^".^^/'PP^^ «ff h'B Bkin, and tore out his entiails these were quickly distributed, roasted and de voured by the women and children. In the mean i^e I wt conduc ed by De-coo-dah to a large tent, and in duc^d as^ good whUe brother, to a circle of twelve grave-looki^^, aged tT:^easttgT ^'' ''^" '-''-' '^''- '-- -^> - ''"'''" ^^' dedicated cated to the tw^: ::;1 t Ztelt'D^ ? T' ^^^''^ '^^^- tribes this festival mound ZofJofTrT^r"''^''^'''^ to the memory of their tlelvT/ , *"'"'"" «°"S« ^^^^ "The three rou d o7to TTT^'''-''''''^'''^- iwiiiius or tlio festival ii dp wIM. fi. • n a» groups of ancient mon.m.c.nt., being i ,- ft. .ned t ,„t I designed visiting ,„y fnen.ls in the sprinf, no ongo . erfnlntod the hilarity that he had oceasionally „d,dUd in. Ke seemed to give np all hope of seeing me a.,ain tor ould I prevad with him to „ccon,pan,y me. "lie .^22 S '" '"■"""" '""' '"''"'« '""" "" ""^ doavo ng to refresh Ins memory respecting the flr,t and second dispersion of the Elk nation, hdievi.fg U, it it U d be interesting tome. "The first dispei-s!on,"!aid he "To „ not sat,s ictorily recall the traditions'of, but' the second be g in which tT'""" =""!'"■»«''" »■'"' '"y gnindfathe™, and on! in WMch I was much interested when very y„un.r l' an vj ollect many things that I desire should hiplaeed"; Z^ I imniediately prepared for the record. '* He eominencod by oliserving that this country (meaninir tb« ..nme ,ate valley of the Mississippi), was, by hisgioat-!™"^ fat er's grandfather, traditionally spoken of to his grandlkl ler as having been the primitive residence of their nation fin nindrcd winter before the birth of his father, which took pU " two hundred and thirteen wintei-s gone by. "So you peroci 1" sa,d De-coo-dah "it is more than six hundred'wint f «o t U last dispersion. At the time of this general dispersi n the prim tive Elk nation, originally a brandi or trib ; U aiei, American had become mingled and amalgamated With the race of the red men fmm t».o o,.,,fK a ,,.,.. tbe original Elks, however, yet remained ^iiro iiri;;:d::n''d 11 162 ANTIQUARIAN RFSEAR0IIK8. , ll! il2 a. i'l, returned to the east, to unite with a remnant of the nation that occupied a territory bordering on the rocky liills [meaning the Allegany mountains]. This emigrating remnant liad cm- bodied themselves, at the time of the last dispersion, for the purpose of joining their brethren of the east, who liad main- tained the occupancy of their native homes through the war wliich gave rise to the first dispersion. "The second dispersion occurred during the reign of the great De-co-ta, who was a usurper, descended from the Black Tortoise nation, which came from tlie south. It originated in contention for dominion in that family. My ancestor belong- ed to the Elk nation who came originally from the North, and once held dominion over all this country, from the Mississippi, east and north, to the great waters. I have frequently heard n»y g'-^at-grandsiros speak of the great metroi)olis, and of its ancient order of occupancy by the great Do-co-ta, who was said to have grown in power at that place, until he became an absolute sovereign, and pushed his conquests north and west, far beyond the original claim of the Elks. " De-co-ta, being bravo and ambitious when young, attempt- ed to usurp power over his native nation, but being over- powered by the loyal forces of the Black-Tortoise, he was forced to seek refuge among the Elks, who had long waged a defensive war against the Tortoise. His first attempt to de- throne his sovereign, the great Black-Tortoise, liaving thus failed, driven from his native territory with many followers he became an ally to the Elk nation, to aid in their war acrainst his own race. ' '^ " Being well-acquainted with their mode of warfare, loca- tion, &c., he rendered valuable service to the Elks. lie en- gaged their enemies at their weakest points, cutting them oflT band by band, and aided by two warlike sons, and two b^ave grandsons, he ultimately succeeded in conquering the Black-Tortoise, whose ashes were honored with a funeral pTle on tI>o bank of the St. Peter's river, to which is attached mounds of extinction. Thus ended the reign of tl»e great Black- Tortoise. " De co-ta, having thus succeeded in his design to overthrow? OKNKKAL DISPERSION OP THK BLK NATION. 163 tho nillng power of l.is native nation, now becnmo snpromo 1 r over an un.u.nso territory. S. extensive was hie .llain mlrcwr'- "^^^^^'-^ '- ''- ^^ P'^-1 - -t in petty' "In order to aeciire supreme power to himself, ho estuhlish- ed one son on his right, and another on his 1 ft below « jnncfon of the St. Peter's with the Mississipp v^ 111 lo Mississippi to be the boundary line between his two sons, they fitood independent of each other in dominion ; bnt a a !o omtory south of them having become depop lated by he avages of war, the red men from the south began to occut It. Ihey not be.ng subject to the government of De-co ta e Z:7\t '"'^V^V-^^"""^ twot.andsons south :f the 't! ritory of h.s sons, dividing their dominion by the same line h^ A . ^'^«'««'PPi, (now called Rock island) dvin! liim independent dominion on l>nM. o;^«. e ,,,">'' g'^*"K "•'Sl'ty prophets from ,|,„ ,o„.h, and ,l,ro„lh hI' Z^' ""^ was enabled, without the eheddino- of bS m k'""'*'''""''^ standard an imposin.. armv ThS "i , ' ^ *"''"« '" "'» tion of ehiefs to l,e two ^^H^ , "' ''° '*"' » ''oP'""- effusion of blood wi, ,|" ^ ®' """""" ""•>' """"'"'•al' kingdom,. ThetS "!,r'"r '" """" """"^Pendent bition,, asked «?,, „ ,.1 f7 ''"'™ ""'' '"^ "'" "™m- e«or the .natter,- winch I'Ltll^Zn:" ""'"" ""'^ ^^ 164 ANTIQUARIAN KESEARCnES. « In the meantime they repaired to their fathers, to inform them of the conspiracy that was meditated against them, and in company with them, visited the great De-co-ta. But De- co-ta, placing implicit confidence in his great-grandson, refused to hear them, and charged them with being engaged in a mu- tinous league against the young De-co-ta. The latter, being informed of these movements, and having his arrangements all made, saw that there was no time to be lost. The four kings, who had been unjustly accused, immediately held a private council, and came to the conclusion that De co-ta the Great must be killed, for the general safety and good of the nations. They cast lots for his executioner ; the lot fell to the Little-Otter, the younger grandson. He repaired to the royal residence, and at midnight, when De-co-ta the great was asleep, with one blow of his axe, he severed his head from his body, and the murderer, with his associates, immediately fled. At the dawn of day the deed was discovered, and with the rising sun, the news went forth throughout the nation, and all assem- bled to rear the funeral pile. General anarchy ensued, bnt De-co-ta the great having many old and well-tried chiefs, they agreed to divide the power among themselves, and thus were organized many independent tribes. "In the meantime, the four kings gathered together their warriors, each commanding in person his own forces, and went forth in union to meet the young De-co-ta. They found him on an island, in which was a la. c«U„fw„r were „g„ „ ,„„„. i„ „,„ „,„3„,„„„„ „f ,„_ .ulted,«,,l .ulo.„,„„„ds kogun „«„,„ .„ t„ o,«lcd i con - tl.o J, ,.ck-Bea,- and the Big-Dnffi-lo, ,v!,ich ,«« fl„ally de- c clod by pe,.a„„al conflict, «,.t „,„i„„,„j ;„ „,^ ^^ "^^ j« Ihat event ,8 memorialized west of Lake P,„in. This conflict Wwever, d,d not veenit in ,l,e further di,.,,er»ion of ,tao ban.,, for ,l,e rnling power waa ti.en „,nfl, ed to the Cd! b!S,> ''Tn'''':' *" '"""""^^ descendants of ,0 Bla l-Ifear and Bip-Buffaio, and Ihey lived in peace will! each other. The Bald-Eagle being pacifically dilsedT^ P ople prospered and becan.e powerful. But the l!t, e-Bea «ho was ,„ore qnarrelsome, frequently engaged in war with h., ne,g bor», until he was at last elain ly fhe' Whi,e!werse and Ins r,be un.ted with the Bald-Eaglo, as memorialized on *e highlands of the Kiekapoo. [Cut W Fig. 4.] TI B,ld Eagle was succeeded by lineal succession of Eagles thrZh s.,x generations, monumentally recorded on the CmTS the Kiekapoo and Wisconsin. 'femanas ot " The sixth Eagle, however, was slain by the Big. Weasel ^bo succeeded him, and divided the command witif tlTe Red- L.on, h,s twm brother; they ruled in harmonv nntil thoy be- came old. But, in process of time, a quarrel" arose between si t"t '':;7 "•'- --P-ey of territory, that did not result m the sheddmgof much blood for many moons- in testimony whereof, there yet remain many small treaty mounds w.tbin the territory occupied by them. The Wis- consin nver by mutual consent, was their original dfv s- on Ime, and the lowland, of that stream present 1™ treaty-inounds than any other stream in those regions. ^Z ^J!.'^'7.°' '''"®",' '''°°''"' '° '^"'o "'^ "■»««'• in pitched battle between their whole forces, and assembled on Z OENEUAL DIBPKRSION OT TIIK KLK NATION jg^ banks Of the WisconHin, near the junction of Bl„o rivor .n 1 — iMg, i„ perscn, hi8 own anny The c , „ 1 i c I ' i' : ^ .u;po,.,„„ee ean,e eve„.„„n, Jho w' p, 1^ '^ mve ce„aed to flow. The groat vaily „f 1 M '""" .-i„. ,„i,.ied it, ,a,. ,„vorei,f„ .„„„„ J,; , 'l^:;:''!;;'' youno; De-oo-ta, it, inhabitant, d ispoi-sinR over an imll morv a o„,,di„, in m, flo.h,„„d L, wfrlen. elTel':;- Clothe themselves, en oyin.r peace fni- ma« ^"feeaana pale-faced men o the ^000'^^" sited tS T' 7"'" "'» "P >l.ei.- soil and laying "w Of!,, ^ 1 f™', *"•'"'"■"« .^ei;.".ntin,groi,„df,thoy:e:::/r^ :::^,^ :ai^tj::i^^iBi^zS= red man relnotantly gave way from river to iv^' / rTe:„:i:-n:L:i— ^^ . ..eon the dividing line of natif^r T re t " "t tS |.on.h was compelled to mingle with a peoTe dTffl ■ l-.Knage, manners, and customs, who madeT ' '" as a bix-ast-work iigainst; the pale-faced intrud uim serve thein er, until all the 170 P! 'i^ni -ANTIQUARIAN RESEARCHES. red »e„ eas. a„d ao,.th „f the great hills became nationally ee::i;'7he:u:r,::„!'^ r f r °' -^ '""■'"• - ^ - De-coo-dab." ^ "^"S-the h„to.y of daj-e unknown lo TOET MEIGS iNo „3 knTKOM. JilM Cut F. e e @ es ao e @ © © ©S©S©o m NATIONAL EAGLES. 9 & o o « 9 Cdt M. TnUNGULAB WOKK OF WISCONSLN. a TBEATY MEMOKIALS. 178 CHAPTER XXI. TREATY MEMORIALS. QN the lowland adjacent to the Wisconsin river abont y twelve m.Ies rbove its junction with the Mississippi, is a g oup of seven long, narrow, flat embankments wi^h six small round mounds, not very near each other, and with no apparent systematic arrangement. When I had shown a drawing which I had made of this group to De-coo-dah he informed me tnat it was composed of treaty memo;ia! mounds, exhibiting the usual features of works of tl I^c asl found throughout the valley of the Mississippi, but occun I rarely south or east of the Ohio. occuuing They are sometimes seen in groups, but more frequentiv B.ngle and isohxted, unless when appended to resSId groups; there they are laid in regular lines, some w 1 and others w.thout, matrimonial mound, between them The jnarnage memorial mounds which sometimes accompany' hem often appear to have been thrown up without regard to-order or arrangement, wherever fancy or conscience 'dic- Treaty memorial marriage mounds differ from other matri- mon.al mounds oeing low and flat upon the top, with a cir ' . at t.e base winch is slightly sunk below the surface • this c.rc le having been formed by the removal of the ear h arc d tl^Y-^se, out of which the mound w^as const.cted. ; l .tl,er ^.a^monlal mounds were formed of earth brought .ro.n a diJ Wy monnds were formed !n a cimilar manner, an.l have ^ sl,gl,tly , e„res,ecl or nndnlating s„n..ce around i,em'. The ends are obl„i„e or levelled, f„r,ning, with tl,e side, JTo ".'3le» or points diagonally opposite to eaci other Til 1V4 ANTIQUARIAN EKSEARCIIES. were never constrncted in nortli and south, or east and west lines, but always deflect, at a greater or less angle, from the cardinal points. They are found scattered through the coun- try, at various places where treaties were entered into or ratified ; and frequently contain deposites of blue and white arrow-heads, &c. IS IfiiJ I PLAN OP ST. CLAIk's BATTLE-FIELD. Explanation.— A, encnmpment of the militin; B, C, encampment of main army; I), retreat of the militia; E, trace of the retreating army: F, the grave of Genl. Butler, and others; II, tlie site of Fort Kecovery, built by Gen. Wayne, I, brass cannon disinterred in 1S30. rNFmrsHED earth-woekb. 176 CHAPTER XXII. UNFINISHED EAUTH-WOEKS ON STKADDLE CEEEK, ILLINOIS. 'THERE is, at the junction of St.addle creek with Plumb ■^ nver, four miles weRt of Mount Carroll (Carroll Co 111 ) a group of mounds some of which are apparently complete, but many .hers are in an unfinished state. De-coo-de h represents these works to have been constructed by a peop.e who were accustomed to burn their dead The rings or circular mounds, shown in the Cut,* are from 'twelve to twen y-five feet in diameter, and about two feet in height The earth appears to have been thrown from within, forming the ring and leavmg the interior in the form of a basin Each family for.ned a circle that was held sacred as a family bunal-place, or funeral mound ; and when one of the amily died, the body was conveyed to this place, and fuel A^f TT,' ""'"" ^^^''"^ '" *''^ ^'^"'" ^"^ there burned. Afte. the body was entirely consumed, a tlnn covering of earth was spread over the ashes. The next deafh called for mmilar ceremonies, and so on, until the enclosure was filled Then the rmg was raised about two feet, and thus prepared for further use ; and this process was repeated as often as be. came;.oceP .-y the diameter of the circle being gradua Iv d.mnns led at the erection of each addition to the Hn^g, givi . ^, finally a conical form. Some of the rings showS fn thS battle-burml mounds attached to this group: I sunk a shaft - one and was fully satisfied of the ^corretnesrof the a d.tional history, from the fact that after sinking abo ten nches, I s ruck a bed of earth and ashes minglell with pa" ty incites below the snrrniinfllno. sn-n See p6g<) 6S>, aeo. W !i4 . 1 170 ANTIQUARIAN RESEARCIIEg. I Tills mound was constnicted in the form of a tortoise without head, tail, or feet, and I presume it to contain tlio aslies of a portion of that nation. I examined the other mound of tile same class, and found it to be composed of the same ma- terials, and so of several others which I examined. In the vicinity of this group, and about forty poles south of it, there is another completed group, where tnmular-burial was practised without fire. The traces of bodies in decom- position are evident. Doctors A. and .T. L. Hosteller sunk shafts in two of thoeo mounds, in one of which they found the jaw-bone, with tlie teeth of a human being apparently of gigantic proportions ; they still retain it in their drugstore at Mount Carroll. I presume, however, tliat this was a relic of some recent de- posite, as there were also other bones in a better state of pres- ervation in the same mound. The other mound adjacent to it was found upon examination to contain nothing more than the usual strata of decomposed matter. After a tliorou"-h ex- amination of the group, I was satisfied that there had either been a change at some past era in the common mode of buri- al, or that this region was inhabited by an immense popula- tion, at diflferent eras, who practised tnmular burial in difi"ur- ent ways. The traditions of De-coo-dah sanction the latter conclusion; ami it is fin-llier corroborated by the fact that, west of the Mississippi, as far as our researches have extended, we have found in all burial-mounds examined, the traces of fire in a deposite of charcoal and ashes; while on the east Bide of that river, from the junction of the Missouri to the falls of St. Anthony, we have only found an occasional iso- lated mound of that description, with the single exception of the group on Plumb river. From these facts, in connection with the traditions of De- coo-dah respecting the ancient inhabitants of those regions, as of various languages, customs, and color, we are led to the conclusion tluit at least two distinct races of men have occu- pied tliis territory at different eras, and that both became na- tionally extinct anterior to the occupation of the present In- dian race. And we presume the era is not far distant when 4i 'I UNFINISHED EARTH-W0KK8. 177 time will add to the catr bgue of extinct races, that of the North American red man. Not three centuries have passed emce he ranged tl forest of the east, roamed over the prairies of the west, basked in the sunshine of the genial south, and visited at pleasure the regions of the far north, undisputed master of all, and with none to make him afraid. But the white man, greedy of territorial extension has, by gradual ad- vances driven the Indian farther and farther west; war, dia- ease, and famine, have rapidly diminished his numbers ;' the vices which civilization brings, have done their work in the degradation of the Indian character, and the extinction of aU its nobler traits ; game has become less abundant, and already the forest, the river, and the prairie, refuse to supply the means of a comfortable subsistence ; the miserable remnant of a great people must fly to wilder and more remote regions or contmue to drag out a wretched existence upon the scanty pittance dispensed by their conquerors. A few more years and the red man, like the mound-builders, will have passed away. ^ Such were frequently the reflections of De-coodah He was aware of the condition, and mourned the doom of the Indian race ; but would occasionally take comfort in the ex- ercise of a faith that the Great Spirit, or God of his fathers would at some future day pour out his wrath in retributive vengeance, to the total extermination of the white man. Let us now examine more particulariy the evidences of a plurality of nations anterior to the occupation of North America by the modern Indian race. We suppose the Mia- sissippi to have been the point at which those diff-erent na- tions came in contact with each other, from the fact that at that point a marked difi-eren*;e appears in the general form of their tumular monuments, and, moreover, the amalgama- tion or mixture of forms in the construction of those mounds or embankments exists to a greater extent along this river than m any other region. This circumstance probably origi! Hated by the chances of war, in conquest; as these border nations would necessarily, from time to time, advance over one another's borders in alternate acquisitions of territory. 178 ANTIQUARIAN RESEABCHK8. IT«! I !(■* and during their intervals of occupancy, each would erect monuments according to their own taste and design. The fact that both nations were in the habit of rearing tumular monuments seems to militate with the belief that either was nationally connected with the North American Indians, as the latter have never been in the habit of erecting tumuli at any era known to history or tradition. That those nations, differing in customs, came first in collision with each other at or near the junction of the Missouri with the Mississippi, is evident from the fact that as we go south from that point, the tumuli gradually partake of the pyramidal form, resembling those found in Mexico, South America, &c., and rej^resenting in miniature, the tumuli of Africa. On the contrary, as we advance north and east, the pyr- amidal form gradually sinks to the low conical, or flat mound, presenting many circles, squares, and triangular groups and embankments, resembling those found in the north of Europe. These facts seem to carry with them the rational probabili- ty of the former presence of nations which derived their origin from two continents. And if I may be permitted to indulge in speculation sustained by lingering traditions I come to the conclusion that these two great national powers waged war with each other for many ages (as the immense tumular monuments erected by each seem to indicate), until both became greatly reduced in numbers and strength. Thus enfeebled they fell f.n easy prey to the wandering hordes (probably of Asiatic origin), who. assailed them from the south, were wholly subjugated, and lost their national ex- istence by amalgamation with the race of their conquerors. These two powers thus united, would find but little diffi- culty in overcoming the tribes of the north (probably of Euro- pean descent), who are traditionally represented to have been engaged for more than a century in one continual scene of in- ternal war ; and after the cessation of hostilities, international- amalgamation would give rise to numerous nations, with their peculiar manners, customs, and language. The wandering habits of the conquei-ors being adopted by their tributaries, they became dispersed and scattered until the lapse of a few TTNPINISHED EARTO-WORKg. j^jj FORT HAMILTON, OHIO. Fort Hamilton was erected by Gen J St. riftir ;« a t , .. A, the old fort built by St Clair n I ' ^'^^''''^''' »'91-ExplanfltIon. bridge that spans the Miami '^'^''^f'S', block-houses; C. the present i^ Ki 180 ANTIQUARIAN RB8EARCHE8. CHAPTER XXIII. BATTLE BURIAL-MOUNDS, AC, NEAR PRAIRIE DU OHIEW. PAINTED ROCKS. 'PIIAT the ancient Americans were very numerous, there ■*- can be no doubt. Their battle burial-mounds show that great numbers must often have been engaged in conflict, in the meeting of hostile armies. Near Prairie du Chien there are not less than nineteen monuments of this desciiption. One of these now bears upon its summit a large and splendid mansion, erected by 11. 11. Dousman, a gentleman well known in that region, who had accumulated a large fortune in the fur trade. The location is a beautiful one, when considered without reference to its association, as the once-hallowed soil of a funeral mound. During the excavation for the cellar of this building, I frequently visited the place, in the hope of discovering some relic of primitive deposite ; but we found nothing, except the presence of a large quantity of decom- posed matter, resembling a mixture of lime and ashes, with no appearance of charcoal, or other traces of fire. This strat- um was, at the centre, about five- feet in depth; and after the excavation was completed, it presented a plainly-marked line entirely around the cellar, of about ten inches in width The laborers informed me that they had taken out about four hundred cart-loads of this earth. The embankment is sufficiently extensive to form a hand- some oval yard entirely around the building. It was near this place I presume that the traditional battle between De-co-ta the Younger, and the united kingdoms waa lought; and it was near here that the White-Deer fell and yet stands memorialized in a tumular monument reprosentinff the body of that animal. ^ 11 BATTLE BURUL-MOUNM, 40. Jg^ tie, a, given by De-coo-dal, "' '"'""■^ "f"'"' >""- «»eeio„ „f fo,„. linl I "^ ;*/'"" ""f"'' '"<^'«' abo rtC::,!: ^7™™"^'/""'. f-^-'g abont ave feet ground npwl d it s "T ' ^''"''"'"^ "''''™S «'°" "'» an. sn,a,,X:t; :Ul :t^:"tnToV:f '^d "'"''^■"• tain a superstitions reverence for it 7n7 "''"'"' '■'^^• Without leaving tobacco, or^sln^U';, inr'.To;': -^ " 0?::;:;:^ r '"°"° -"— -• »;:: ^iT mi.:; '.ad c:-.h rb-ror' "" "'*r "^^^'^ ^™-''™n,v,:o rock for forty years h re J°r7r''^P''"'"= ''^' ""'^ ^•''^''^d yjeais,lie.emarked that there had been noaddi- IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // ^^ ^ :/- u. /a 1.0 1.25 1^128 ■ 50 "'"^'» 4.0 u I. ^ 2.5 1.8 U III! 1.6 V] <^ /2 o> v^.. ^ FhotDgraphic Sciences Corporation ^^ S3 ^\ -^ %^ 6^ ^ .V 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 f/i 132 ANTIQUARIAN EE8EAECHES. tional painting on it since his knowledge of it, and tLat tLe colors were jet as bright as when he first beheld it. In imitation of those paintings, the Indians of the present day occasionally indulge their taste for painting, and their paintings may frequently be seen on the bluff-rocks of the St Peter's and Blue Earth rivers. They, however, are easily dis- t.nguishnble from those of the ancient American r the fi^^ures are accurately drawn, but the colors are much inferior in dura- bility and brilliancy. My attention was arrested in view of a group of paintings on a bluff rock of the St. Peter's, that I learned had been recently executed. I sought the artist, and found him near the junction of the Blue Earth river. He was an aged man, and he informed me that he had recently finished the last memorial of his art ; but after furnishing him with oil, paints, and brushes, I prevailed on him to execute for me a few drawings on canvass. He was known by the name of We-ru-cun-ne-gah. He appeared to be endowed with a lively imagination, was passionately fond of female society, and hrd six wives In conversation on the subject of a plurality of wives, he con- tended that no woman could be found possessing all the graces which properly belong to the female character— to wit: love, duty, innocence, sincerity, wisdom, and devotion, or religion — and that man was entitled to the enjoyment of all these. He admitted that more than one of these graces might exist in one woman, and that no female was destitute of them all. He believed that there were mpn incapable of appreciating any of these graces, and consequently not entitled to social hiter- coui-se with the other sex. He had three tents, or wigwams, in which he kept his wives by pairs ; love and duty, sincerity and innocence, wisdom and devotion, occupying tents together. He divided his time among them, and had twenty-four children, and many grand- children. They all appeared to dwell in harmony, and lived plentifully. He had, also, a small lodge or tent, made of well- dressed elk-skin, in which he kept his paints and paintings. The interior of this lodge was literally covered with paintings, representing men, birds, and beasts ; one circle of the lodge, P SI. id tLat tLe it. the present ', and their ! of the St. I easily dis- the figures ior in dura- in view of ter's, that I artist, and '. He was d recently ishing him jxecuto for T the name lation, was ivives. In ;8, he con- the graces wit: love, religion — bese. He it exist in 1 all. He ating any cial inter- his wives sdom and his time ny grand- and lived le of well- paintings, paintings, he lodge, &PIDEE AND TEUN6ULAE CEMETEEY, Cut L. Scale, 100 feet to the inch. [ UNFINISHED CEMETEEIE8. J IlllWil BAITLK BUBIAL-MOUXDS, Ao. " jg, however, was set apart for the works of in« • . Tlie sun, moon, and stars wIM, a „ , ^*^ inanimate nature, liaat colors, enclosedt a' d W d "'"'"'^ ^^•°^°-' ^« 1>-1- one third of the space withh the jl'^'^^r^'^'.^^^^P^^d ^^out interesting dome. ^ ^^^S^' ^^'''^^ng « rude but 4'rwh- h^et"^^^^^^^ Wcun-ne-gah at this vass. He was a native of the Lr ^"'"''^ '°^' "^« ^° «-»- the head-waters of tho'^ tip;r':nrhT '"'^""^ ^ t>on8 of many groups of mounds that h«h IT ""^ ^^^«"P- young; but he retained no tradU^^^^^^^^ '^'^ '^^" ^^«" origin. '''' traditions of their primitive use or FOKT GREENVILLE, OHIO. '^--«Sts:^-:--t:-- 186 ANTIQUAEIAN EE8EAECHES. CHAPTER XXIV. THIED TOUE OF KXPLOEATION. JJAYIJ^G devoted about two .years, accompanied bv De- Al. coo-dah and otbers, to the superficial survey of tumular iiistoiy, 1 resolved, in the sprin(r of 1840 fn f« . Bu.voy of the Imeal mngcs. Having promised to meet mv On my arrival, I was informed that De-coo-dah had not p jd to be aead ; fo. Us z. it/'zir:^'::^:^ a cont.act oi fulfil a promise, and he had promised to «i„..„ and preside at a feast, to be held i„ the anc enTorder TZ u^,ra-p e of the Spotted-Deer, in commem 1:^':; t f fesfval treat of white men, celebrated at the fe tiv,! Circle of the Wolf, Deer, and Weasel, the preceedTng wtte" He had given the order of arrangement for this feast, prTvilus' his departm-e ; which consisted in procuring twelve delto be roasted who e, in honorable commemoratio^n of tie twel've De-co-tas ; the fe^t to continue three successive dav in iTotr of the thi-ee chiefs last memoi-ializcd ; four deer to be ""n sunned on .ach day ; the feast to close ;vith a bounll rera"t 1 ed"!::?' «° "^ .""'™°'-y of "" -'"'e .nan who C Bished the ox for the ancient feast at the tribal circle. THIRD TOUB OP KXPLOEATION. 187 Tlio mention of lli<.3oeircn-«».„„„ • D«oocl„l, ,,„d told „„ ■"^' r ''"°°""''""°"«'''' ■"«' feast w,,ic,. ,,e ,,ad ;„ e™! ^ Z " ""•;»'>-"''»". »f ■> g-at tl.e best coarse of action in C^ttiV "m ' °"""" '"■"' "» '" ed mo ll.at Dandy Jacic air 1',' '"""''■• ^I" '•"•'"'•'"• ''•« i" the vioinay and I'T^''"' Menonnnee sportsn,,,,,, ^ould l,e nH«t lil^e ; „ ! ^\"''"'" "" '"»' sopa.ated, -odd, My f.,end -•:;', t;:r,j^:»^'" ^-'^ -^ d. seek Jack, and in/bnn l,im tint i''.' "'essenge,- to >"■">■ Early next m«,-„i„l T I '^ "" """"'""' "i* "ondnoes and six nrinnch', ' ^""""'C""^'' l>y tl„ee Me. !■"" 'I.at a „„ao . ™ 3 : "'" ",'• "^^ '''"^^ «•<"» De-coo-dahwas dead b , Ir™;* ""^ Menonnnees, that any positive infonnat o 'oJlr' T'° "f ""^ """ ''"d very kindly offered to a d me i" 1 '" ■"'• •'»°''' ''O"---. fon; said that l,e knew Declod.p"''"^ ""'"''" ''"f'"""'- l.ad feme knowledge of tbe ftmi'lv l,'-'',"? °' '''^""""°". ""O tl.eu held a couneif relative;,^ '" ""' "> "^i'- We " wonid be most sati! :;;*;";:f ' ""^ -"elndcd that go and seek De-coo-d-d, JL , I "^P"'"' " delegation to "' "- oouneil thTt het'as tal ' ™"'!,?"™"'"^"t'""«" >ny services, and n-as soo'i^v' / "■•'""'"'"elr volunteered -formed tl^m tl, o^ e iltd^a"'^" »*-• ^ "-» monnds, going and returZl ^xammation of the should travel slowly, atd til d" '""T"""" °' ^''"■'^'' I that accompanied fn^ and f ^t"^?'" '" """P^^ate those . would be m'ost con fo rtaHe T """'"' "' ""'" » l""''^ «» tion of companions ,f. I '"^'""^'"^ "" "'*" « '"lee- inq..fred who'had "L Lt k ?"! "'"' '"^ °"" "-''-• I -'-h we must pa s to: itrrsr*' "" "'■""■^ ""■""«" " Poket." ' ° ' * '"'IMozen voices responded, Poket, being an elderly Winno.ago, and Iraving two s.uaws 188 ANTIQUARIAN RESEARCHES. hat were hale and nimble-footed, with a sprigl^tly daughter (to whom Dandy Jack was making matrimonial overtures) I deeded on taking the whole family, and anticipated a pleasant party. The selection M-as cordially approved of, and the council adjourned. * Having deposited my stores at Prairie du Chien, I pro- ceeded to that place, and furnished each of my companions with an additional red blanket, obtained a good rifle and fowhng-p.ece, with a full supply of ammunition and other small stores, and started for Lake Superior. We ascended the Wisconsin to the junction of the Kickapoo, and thence ascended that river about seventy miles. Here we landed, finding some Winnebago lodges, with the occupants of which we lett our canoe, to be returned to Prairie du Chien, Intend- ing ourselves to return by another route. Thence we visited the monumental eagles (previously described), at a point on the highland of the Kickapoo, which I have mentioned as he terminus of four ranges of lineal mounds, diverging tbence to opposite and remote points (as seen in Cut F) We traced the north range to the vicinity of the Chippewa river where we discovered an arrangement of earth-work differing m form from any we had previously seen; these were trian- gular enclosures, of various dimensions, some of which enclosed rr^TM7''w"''7 'l""""' ^" fonn, but of various arrangement. (Cut M). We also found several triangular works, thrown up in solid mass (Cut P, fig. 3), but made no excavations. We then proceeded in a course a little east of north, with the de- sign of approaching the western shore of Lake Superior, and passed but few mounds of any description, until we iame within about thirty miles of that lake; there we occasionally discovered on isolated truncated work, generally of small di- mensions. When we approached the immediate vicinity of the lake where the friends of De-coo-dah resided, we soon learn- ed that he was dead, and was deposited in a mound about eighteen or twenty miles west of the lake. Obtaining a guide, we proceeded to his grave, which we found located on a prominent elevation. I procured from a neighboring brook a flat stone, and on it rudely cut his THIBD TOUR OF EXPLOKATION. 189 -mo, with the inUiaU of ™, „„„, .„, ,„„„^, .^ ^^ ^.^ the monumental eaZ^SftLT" '""' °"'' ""'""^ f"' latod crescent Ztsot hf™ 7 ^' "" P""""* ='""■"' '«- thet':;rea"r„l';; ?r -"-o-"- -«!», we ...aced ^^n..ea the. stoL^l^ll^irnntbt HKnlt .es„,.edTc:;^:°tr frt,^^^^^^^^^^^^ -r'e ancestors, I formed 1? . ""■* "'"^'^^ "'* «''»--'=°«I. and evidentfv wZt. '•" '°™ ^'^ '» "■« depth of nearly two fee,^ when we came m contact with a stratum of earth'o^^JS ■■H 190 ANTIQUARIAN RESKAH0HK8. of fl,6, ,„ tl,e i-c»eml,l,„,co of decayed e«rtl,c,M™ro. Tl,i8 and ,«(ed on an„ l,e.-, mingled with eand ; among -vLicl «-J dmcovcied several b„,„|1 pieces of mica, b ,t found no other depo„te ,n any other part of this ei„g„i;. ,.„,.k. We then proceeded to an exn,„i„„tion of the great crccent wor s ,„ he V cinity (.h„w„ in Cnt G), and Bnfk a „f in that t a r' ""';"•" ."i'-'-^'g -ny 8«m,iHcatio„ other earA ir ' 1^° ■''°?":''^"« "'" »'"«""> »' "'« primitive Zd ;■ , "J""*^ " '''"'^ '" ""> ■=»'" "f "'« '^"nt'"! work (trad, ,„n«llyea,d to represent tl,e snn), mica, in small sheet. was abundantly i„ter»po,.ed throngb a's'tratut^ of abo « ty inehes m depth, arranged in circdar form, and occnpyin,. a to that of the snl«„il of the adjacent lowland Ihe earth of this circular stratum was evidently obtained at some ,^mo e point, it being a mixture of white-clay blue sand and mica, apparently rendered firm by press, re t rested on earth similar to that of the adjacent regfrrnd ;„s covered by alluvial of from ten to twelve inelfes depth wh,ch had either been gathered from the surrounding s, or thll tlfe "";•'"' ''--'position ot^ vegetable'ma ;;^^ though the lapse ot many ages. Had this surface soil been removed w,th care, and the stratum beneath been washed by a few heavy showers of rain, so thoroughly studded ™1 w.th small particles of mica that, under The'^.un'sra' he r 'x:;it;rar"'' "" "'"^' ''""'"'-' ■— - After making, by thorough excavation a satisfactory exami- nat,o„ of t e pentagon and its traditional appendLette festival Circle, we revifiifPfl Mio orv,oi l- i i '=""'*K«) tue in the vicinltv nf Z f amalgamation mound, located nei (pa.tiallj described m chapter vi.), to re-examine it bv we trl d' f 5' ""'''""^ "'^^'"^ ^"^ ^^^'^--^1 ^-covery, we p.oceeded to an examination of the sacrificial altars, by the im press vare. This ?8 in dt?pth, ? 'vliicli we 1(1 no other !nt crescent a shnft in ation otlier lin stratum 3 primitive mtral work lall sheets, out twenty ciipjing a I'tlj similiir ' obtained ;laj, blue- assure ; it J, and was in deptli, ig soil, or e matter, soil been ashed by id was it rs, it cer- presenta- 7 exami- age, the , located '^isconsin ne it by he main scovery, I tars, by Oct 0. CRESCENT W0UK9 OF WISCONSIN, Cut C. Scale, 100 feet to the inch. MOUNDS OF EXTINCTION, ETC. Tm»D TCDB OF „Pl,>,„IOW. ^ . clay, wo diacovorod on |,„ ....falof T •° ' "''"*■ pile., or Br„«n truncated monnT V , ' •'''"'' "' °''»1 two foot Wgl,, i„ „rranir„t ' "''"'" '^'"- '"•" •""• «"<1 ...d wl,i,„ claV of ,0 eu " , 1 1 '7,""° "'' "'»' "^ "'» ""» «.o whito clay, and tbe wL 1' .» ."" ""I'* '^'"^ '■'""'«'>' Wo next P.«e;ded t^tta^r. o„ o'A- ' "':^ '^7 "'"•'•> raont ( eatcd of in olmptor vii ) w" „ J'-r 7"°""' ■"°"'- by eioking four el.afts in tlJbodyJfTo T ■ ^""T"""". diecowred no furtlwr cban-o TL, , """«'"«')' "fflgy, wo flcation. Wo a. d^ee ndod 7.1," 7^ ""'"'■'"d "™«. Muacoda, but '■>und no d . ''''"™ '" '""'■"'d of nnmorou w" LT„ tha^ „ T "' '"""«»«"<>■• i" any of the works of small dimensions .",''"'"',' "'"""""^ 'rancalod embankments, tbat r s mbie 1°^^"' ^'""^ "^ »'»"8»"«1 Tl.e body of [heso ^rC boinl omp„:/'T'' '°^''T''""- easily penetrated, monvexoavatllTT, '"""^ """''»'. by tbe passing «nti,Lro'rr':sotn?™™"f '"»'''' reserved to return to'tbe MissiU;;! nter ' "" "''™'"™ We afterward descended tlm Mlc^ioo- ' • i. of tbe Wisconsin to the ju„ tlj^lf ,T '^'°"' "■<'i™=«on Btreara,thatente« t|. MiSZ oil t °°'""'*' " "■""" designated as the S .„d S f Tr^ ?» extensive plain, Fosent, on its bos.n ma!; ma„ !!'; , ?'"'? '= '- I"'""'' ! i= small dimension,, among wb eh we Sr^ ^' '"""'P'"? »' tained a rude st^ne vault but wTtl"^ °"° """ «<>»- About twenty mile, noTo 1:'* f; Pf"'™'''^ deposit., extensive range of trnncated wo* 'cZmonri' '' ' "'^ Jacobs' Mounds, some of wbichrro of b,T^ """ ■» ™ised to the alti'tude of t Jenty fiv^ feet ''p r'°""™' "^'"^ tions have been made i„ tl. , Extensive excava- of the largo worrbei . n ^^ T"'',' ^' ""= ^"""O"'' «°mo Plements blrbtnifnte:™/ '?"':''"'• • ^'""^ ""■» "- ape^ed among human bone? ' °^' °"^'"' '''"""' '"'»- ire m 194 ANTKitlAMAH KESBAEOHBS. lUi This group of works appear to have been used by the Indian abor,g,„e, of the existing race as a common cemeter7for many yeara, and contains more bones in various stages of'de- compo»,t,o„ than are to be found at any other place in that .eg,on conntry Bones, which are nearly decomposed, are found mragfed with those which have been more reeenti; de posited, and that seem to be but little decayed. In the exammafon of these works by excavation, it i, everywhere apparen that the earth of which they are composed 7JbZ fnd solMitv "^ f ■ ""^J"" •"■^'^""■"8 "'^ compactness are locatd"^ ZZT "°"'"^' " *' "'"'"''^ These mounds aie located near the nver, on an elevated fertile alluvial hot are composed of sand, evidently obtained at some dLL luuLZ^t'^T "'" "-''^^ ""* »f '""■'' location t a tha pomt may be seen a very extensive excavation on the umm,t of an undulating elevation, which commands Z ex! tens.ve v,ew of the surrounding plain, and which is composed of sand similar to that of which the mounds are consTncted to the depth of from nine to sixteen feet. There are svrd of these excavations adjacent to each other, wl, ch a „ now wash ftom the emb.inkments which surround them The argest occupies an area of about one acre, is twelve f^Jt deep we .t^h:?;r"' ■' t"""'' "^^ ^''=^' eieva^:: ti:^ theTrea wuC °' " "™°'^' ™"' ^^^'S-" '» "-'<- Jacobs' Mounds are situated on an exceedingly forHle plain cf great extent, yet they seem to occupy a posit on snecbl v marked out as the resting-place of the IL j'^or notwE' ing the site presents no natural features indicative of the fXat^r to^rr ' ''--'' ^^' ^'■' -™f '' - -p; Jl^l-f^""^'' "' ^'"^ "S'"' '"'='"»« ^0 fascinated with the be uWu scenery of the surrounding landscape, and tl" er tihty of the plam that, in the early settlement of those region, he determmed to make a permanent residence in thelmm^ d.ate vcm,ty of the mounds, and erected a commid iiiiuuioas THIBD TOtTE OP EWLOEATIOS. diyelhng.ho^e in the midst of them but 1,. „ Pelled to vacate it and retii-o in „ "' 'O™ «»">- Wa wife and seve.al cbiid'n' . "™'''"^""° °' ^^ ''^''«' »f -t1„''o;:iXt:a:a7iit:!:ij;^^^^ <^- large group, of m^^ds w ' "em ri" t ""'""^ strnoted for tl,e denosite of fl,.T\4 ^""^ ''««'> «»■"- vaiis to a rancl, Hate" elntT,' ^°f'""''*' <"'««»«« P-- -.pi>ose this resnItM be ci''~' wft .?"'"'■''• ^ ''" "»' -nnd, but to natural o^IXnt 'Zr^"? "'i.'"' for It IS evident that vvh«,.^ ^^ *''® local tv; located that the^ t „ t ^"bie^tT" "' ''«'"""" "="'-•''<> a™ permitted t^ Co:XT:r:Zr' ^'''' ^' ''''' "l.ere there are natural obstmcZs rT '■'" f^"'""' a-, a deleterious miasma must ex Lf b ■"„ ""<'"' "^ and death. Such localities 1 e of, ^ ^^ "'"' " '^«»»<' sudden curves and grea bendlf '^"""J °«'"™"ce in the surrounded by nnbXn ZfZaTnVi""' ^''''"' "'^™. culationof ai,syetwherr,h °''"™<" *«' «■«« cirl invite the eary"^; „ ^^ !^^^^^^^ fertile allurial, fae. partially LlJ: t'l'Z ;/„: ':,*^'' "■■^»'- ^hi, bur,al mounds in such localitie "for" f t f""""! r^^'K* were an agricultural peonle a, M„ '.""'""''■''"''<'«'» evidently indicate, the' ale%al3 '" '"""^ ''«'°°» would furnish material mo,! T 1 "If' a"ng m earlier eras, aalubrious lands, fote cons n,':;''.^ 'I'"" '''^''" ''''<> "-« >nay also be remarked that h • """" «"'^'«™». It 'eries, it is „„t nucommo "to ^ '""""^ "^ '"""""" <"="■«■ Stagnant water, Tc :n" \„ T^'^' '™'='» o'' ""-^^'y land, populated regions, tho In ert^IlTrr"? "' "'»«« «- «ned a popXi":: h'"c ,^1 ::"!7 1™ »; -- -a, s„. I'y fishing and hnntin. i« Z , »»' poss.bly have subsisted '"■nnli. On all the ^I^ „" „ 7 "' '■°'" ''" ■■^™'- "^ below, bordering on He "^^ ve ' fr T^ "'"'' "''°™ ""<' elongated ^i-M, °-,, , ' '° "•""eated mound „.j o'lie" a.Ji-.vorl-, with iiaio „„H Ik . ••■'" ere and there a stri ''' "'^ '" "= ""'' '^"" ' '^"^ - ais; »;: rgTat:;,::! m ANTIQUARIAN EESEARCIIES. dance, tracing the smaller tributaries, far into the interior, east and west of the Mississippi ; nor are the highlands exempt. On the summit of the lofty bluffs along the ridge of their craggy spurs, and even on the mountain side, the mound- builder has left his record. Aboi.t nine miles north of Jacob's mounds, near the junction of Plumb river with the Missis- sippi, ou the lands of Messrs. L. Davison, Cooper, Bowen, and Others, m the vicinity of an extensive marsh, annually inun- dated by the spring floods of the Mississippi, extensive groups Of burial mounds, of small dimensions, arranged in lines, circles, squares, and triangles, abound, and many of the early pioneers of the vicinity have contributed to swell the number on the adjacent highland. But the indomitable energy and enterprise of those gentlemen in draining the marsh, has very much contributed to the healthfulness of the vicinity, and it now seems likely to attain entire exemption from the in- fluences which formeriy unfitted it for human residence. _ Near the junction of Apple river, a few miles above Plumb nver, are also many burial-mounds, among which I discov- ered several that bear the marks of fire, and one that presents ft circular deposite, on the primitive earth, resembling decom- posed animal matter, covered with a stratum of neariy two feet in depth, of pure clay, on which rested another, of five feet in depth, composed of sand and ashes, mingled with char- coal, beneath an alluvial surface ten inches deep. This being the first work of this description that I had no- ticed in those regions, I examined it with much attention. Alter sinking a shaft from the centre of the summit to the base, we shaved, with a sharp spade, a section eighteen inches in width, from the top to the bottom of the shaft, and found that the work appeared to retain uninterrupted solidity. At the point where the two strata unite, appeared a well-defined line of pure ashes, resting on clay and covered with sand. Ihere being five strata at the bottom, with no corresponding memorial mound adjacent, and the entire work presenting in outline the common form of the traditional battle burial mound, I resolved on a more thorough examination, and commenced a drift tracing one of the strata outward from the centre, until THIRD TOUR OF EXPLORATION. JQ-^ drifts iZgirjii:T; ^™"™ '"•■«"' °f "'" '»» formed by Dtco'rh Z il ' '"^ ■"""' P"''""""^- '»■ were c„„i;,med by tt a,!d ^7' t-'^r'''" "" ''°<"^» long before the /net,' el^^eL^r in /„ "^' '°°'' •"'"" refusal of tbe s^n to Bhino dul "Zjil „fT"°""' °' "'« and good king, wl,e„ it was d creed 1^/ ^""'."^ " ''™'" sbonid no more be consumed bvfi, ,^™'" """ S""^ was a battle burial-m^nd Jf *'\^'\'=°ne'udod tl.at tl,i, were interred i" ac ordal ^^ i i""^'"' °' "'^ «'"«» fnneral-pile of tbeir f!,I L ' '''"'"'■ ""'^ """ *« or memorial monnd, in tbe "cinil^ ndi ,^ "" *?' ""'■ tradition, extinction by conqUt Tbi. ^^ ""'"' ^^ *" and alone, baving a bar:?! 'bnnd edrj fiTf T'T perpondienlar altitude of about eight feet wUh . 1 ' ' " Bbgbtly depressed in tbe centre "™""'' 3n.al.er dimLit'l; :';^rb irrm afof ^'7™' "' composed o'7^elon"at'IZ"^^°'."'" "°* '^ """'I'-- in Cut 0. The mfit „■'''' '' ' '"''^ ''"^•■"'"'' ^' "^"""^ perfection and eVur^ If"* "'PP'^r "l ™'"'" "^ P"™'«- Uie tree appeal h^a 2 ;„ 7,' *"'■,' "'' '■"•««'■■ ™ ''^''■=>' a' a point ner' the n , ,': '7 Tr ""' 'T"""^ °'' ''""- -^ed . cb- ,;!:vr;s^^^^^^ in Cut D d! fl^ 1 "nd ; ;: "■■7"°" °f "" ^i" («-■' a; the points wheJet tes't 2::!!:::: z/'^^T ".o,r ,„,„oval,are presented, and bear rCVoffe^;- '^ 198 ANTIQUARIAN BK8EARCHE8. «nd .lleg,t,macj.. These works, „le„, „e isolated and alone Tl,e,e a,-e sevei-al other work, of this description on the econd terrace of Pl„,„b river, and one nearVevre "iver Boveral „„les northeast of Galena, b„t they most abo ,„d on Eock r,ver, about thirty miles above Dixon ; they alsoTbonad o . the second terraces of the Illinois river, knd there a Itwo -Ihe.c ,s a smgnlar work on a small trihntary of Apple river o Ei zabeth It somewhat resembles some of the works of t le Scoto, ,n the state of Ohio. It consists of an oblong sqnare woZn," '" 'T-1 ^'^""^ ^'^'^f-'- The wall isZ ot clay that beam the marks of intense heat, in all its narts li as', p """ " 'I r"" '""■""'^ ■" « •"»=«. ■« " "ow o;:c,t L'Ti::::"" °' ""^ "- °"'^ "^ '™^^ '^ *» "^p* This square is enclosed by a circular wall of the same d.,nens,o„s, connected with the square at each corner, a d"s formed of sandy alluvial, mingled with water-washed Ubbl and broken shells; the area enclosed is level, and presents no f^ ure d,st,„guishing it from the surrounding surf'^ce of the ea h. Th,s enclosure stands isolated, there being no other It to be an unfinished work. (Cut Z fig 1 ) in 'TUllf'" r;"""'' "' *'■" «W,'i8 another enclosure, n the fo ra of an oblong or ellipse, enclosing in the centre he remams of an animal efBgy. (See Cut Z, fig. 4) T e work has been mnch broken by curious iuve tifators and presents a very dilapidated appearance. ° ' TV md alone. )n on the svro river, iboiind on so al)oimd •e are two asli. ople river, lie village works of ng square 1 is about is formed its parts, tructure ; S it DOW be depth Cut Z. Scale, 1,000 /««< to the inch. FESTIVAL CIRCLES. he same r, and is pebbles isents no B of the no other suppose 1 closure, J centre :.) The )r8, and Cut Q. NATIONAL CIKCLE AND OCTAGON. LISEAL BANOKS. 301 CHAPTER XXV. LINEAL EANGES. coming f„„^ 3gti,a,out fifteen miles we,t, tl.ere i, a l„rgo grove of po nta. (Cut K, hg. 2.) We fonnd „„ water in tl.is grove, and mceeded on „„r way west, nntil I „,,ived at another g „„,, m sl.own „, tl,e san>o Cut, eomposed of a la.ge tnuftfated «.o„nd, surrounded by eigbt small conical mounds a "Inged in a crclo, in the order of tl,e effigies first des r'ib d fl U gronp .s loeated in tl,e vicinity of a small grove nel abro * : d:: 1: fT"'/?" "'° "— f ^Ln it:::!:, t^ Id wi H T f««^ '■™«i"s of coal and asl.es being n in- g ed nil, the clay. This grove is about tl.ree miles east of it LTtlnvr- "■" ' ''"'""'' "° °"'- ^"-^ ^--» Tl,on I proceeded np the Missonri for four sncoessive days on tt/d ■""" '^'■"''".™"»- A'™"g t'-» I noticed one constincted in a serpcntne form (Cut H flo- oi „i 1 central efiigy resembling a tortoise. I'^l.if^I Side t'hL: excavations The central work presented, near the snrfico Bnmm.t, coal and ashes; but the serpentine work contained no deposite. I found no other work in the immediate viein y ; bnt, nhont twelve miles northwest, I discovered a gronp the arrangement of which is shown in Cut T, fig. 4 I hive frequently discovered this arrangement in lidi'ana and Illi! no,s, destitute however, of the elongated mound which is here appended There are many serpentine efBgie, of sma dimensions m those regions; their eommon order" of arral mentis represented in Cut II, figs. 1 and 8. Figure 1 Z •esents the range of truncated mounds west of the Mississippi ■ ivei, n an arrangement which I have fonnd nothing exactlv resembling on the east side of that river, althongh th! "11 tine efiigy ,s found far east, in Ohio, in the intermediate space east of Illinois. They are, howev;r, exceeding™ ' Diverging monnds, or eiiigies, aiTanged aronnd truncated works, as are seen in Outs N, E, and V, are of common „^ currenee west of the Mississippi. East of that rivertZy a" LINEAL BAN0E8. S08 found appended to enclosures in Illinois Tn^- cons.n. In the country lyin. east of 7 w 1"?' '"^ ^•«- of the Ohio rivers, they leLTf " ^''^'"^' '^"^ ««"t>i ^Wear at all, a fa^t nll^t^S^ef ""^' '' ^"^^^ ^'^^ -:ar:;^rrjn:i:^r «J„ Chien there i8 a firo,"„ eon S? ' m^' ^>' ""'' "' ^''"^'o (Out S.) ' ""<''"<"',«•'"' a aerpentine arrangement. Three months were cxcIas.Vely devote,) t„ ,l of the J.neal range, connoeted with the T.°l' '^''"''"'"'"'' Durmg that time I travelled, ZZZl I ^^ "?' "■"«"• twenty miles per dav n,nv„ ,i "'""^"""e Ic my reckonini;, at "A b/-cav„tin s7v;rsi*::,r° T'"" "■"-.->™i"- '".ndred and forty-ni "e m^.d 'T '' ""Z "'"»^-^<' f™' "'& to my own entire eafofenH ""''"'''' "'" """WiBh- confident that futnr „vesH° 1 "l " 7°'"™" «''«'■ I «m lineal ranges were de ignedTand! T""''"™'"' «»' '■"> or international landmafkaand bonndaTes™''' '" ""'•»"" is common among Ivage Ittns nT'^.r"' '" "■« "■•'= "'«" noss of outline, ool-ee.S of ;::' " tn'*!?"''"^ "'^ ^^-'■ rangementof many of the works 'tL^ / "J-mmetrieal ar- timt the mound-buildem ofXnortl ' "" '° "'" ^"'''t making deposi.es such as a fo^n^roT"''' 'V''^ ''»''" °'' Bouth, to Mexico, and indi ates the 1 ?' ""^ "" "'^''"" cnstoms, if it does not atte»t ? f. ^ "'"'""' °^ ^'•^•"'"R Posites found at tl stu^p estmir I'T""'^- ^^"^ "' symbols of ancient idolat?^ ft „f he t"" •™° °'"'^ cliange of religious belief, or the fori of ■ZT'"" """ " occurred among the mound b, iM T ? 'dolatrons worship "t the north did not experfenc" " '"""' "'"^•'' "'"« bohcal, that they were connected with or r;ra.:d J^Z prt KM if ANTIQUARIAN EE8KAKCirK8. va.lmg religion of the country, and that they were designed as ejnibol8 analogous to those exhibited in sculpture at the south, I entertain no doubt. This belief finds confirnmtion n the fact, that m those regions where effigies occur, sculp- tured deposites nowhere abound ; and the depoeite even of pottery ,8 very rare In all the mounds excavated by me west of the M.ss.ssipp,, I discovered only one deposite of earthen ware, consisting of a large jar, or urn, that contained ashes. This was disinterred in Dubuque county, in Iowa, about twelve miles southwest of the city of Dubuque. It was taken from a small truncated mound in the vicinity of a large coni- cal work that still retained the traces of fire on its summit and which IS located on the summit of a high hill command! mg an extensive view of the surrounding country. This urn was much decayed, and fell in pieces on its removal BHAWNEE VILLAGE. design cd at tlie firiiiation Jr, sculp- oven of me west ' earthen d ashes, a, about as taken rge coni- sumniit, mmand- Ihis urn Cot V. MONUMENTAL CEMETERIES. CrxK. IINEAL EANQE3 IN IOWA, :||ii CdtT. VAULTED C^METKl.Y Cvrr>. Scale, loo/eet to the inch. THiL'MPnAL MOUNDS. MouwDa m wiBooHanr. 809 CHAPTER XXVI. MOUNDS m WISCONSIN. be found i„ .|,e .pJZeiZil' "P'''''^'"^""'" °f "Woh will t'on of the union, or ami\^ZTt- J ^ '" """"nomom. bearing «,. „„„ ' „" XlZtZ '"»/""•»■■«. «■« on. Eear be.ng l„et i„ u,e body of the birH I / '""'^ ""''» »»t.on one, ebief, the honor of coLioarlr '".'"^ '""^' sr;r/e.ts„r:f-^ «ce»SilL'::°irCi;roni''';-7f!!'»^«^- ^. -o* river. It is ,„;d ,„ ha™ been * I'f^^"^ "^ "" »ckapo» ".ent, in co,n,„emoiof co„o ^t 'nd'-'' b"'™"'"" «"'-■ ft' sovereign who succeeded t'o he do™ „ ""'/ " ^°"*- He 18 represented as standing Z « , "'"'"n of the Bear. • eating the „i«d„„ „f h" ,tln f„ n' "" f "" ^"' "'«■ father and predecessor T?! '"« ""» "=»""«" of bia with equal eleS tco^ tir?'''"'^'' '""'-'"Wly, „ tiee to both of the unitMlti*: ''■^'»"""™«» "t oqual'Ju^ c"nt;'-4°"he'l',rerr:t:.biv''^;"""' '" «■■' — '• Here the sovereign, „ol"orst»T;' " ™"™« ''"°"°"»- I'e Bear. i» .„.„"',.'.",.!?«?'. '!""<''"K erect on , head of «" circle, with a crescent-shaped mound, repreeentinrr fl,a the days of the monnd-buiidere. Fig 2 loL «. ' • crease b, Wds, „, pabs; .b,o tbe t^i^^Z^'^ ^ success in destroying young herds. C>»t W, fig. 1 presents the view of n oo^vJA^- i j in a mound in the vicinltv of Z li '^'''^f ^^ ^^P^^'te miles norfl. of Pol 7 ^ ^^"® "'^""^' twentv-two conr:^Lo-^"'C ^'"^ between Vis- iu iiiinn.^. ling eartli-work is s tuated on a slIo-l.M^ so" ion 7J",™ ' '". "" -'•^'"'"■■''-d of JZ i [ aecfon of „l,,cb is shown in fig. 2. The vessel found with m tt oontamed about half a bushel of ashes ; it was eoll ed of elay, and was easily broken, being mt^ch delve7 I.t Bhape was nearly that of the common earthen afas' now made for use in the dairy. The neighboring 1^17 bore the marks of fire, in the remains°of a st^tl of bunied clay, as shown in the cut. owma Fig. 8 Cut W, represents a circular earth-work seen in he v,c,n,ty of that shown in fig. 2. This circleT.as a a,n^ tr of three hundred feet, and encloses a truncated mound oT la Iff /"t,""""'' °' "-^ ''^»^' ""^ «- f«et in pe,rndicu. a height. The summit of the truncated mound is nearly Z with slight undulation at the centre A mll\ f!^ ' tion is appended to this circle ""'' "' '"""<=- _ Tig. 4, Cut W, represents an earth-work located «1,n„t twen y^flve miles east of Mineral Point, in Wiscl „ 1h» also a s,m,lar work on the highland of the Kickanoo TJ . work presenting the combined effigies of a WdnnTl, . jeco.,s tljo change in title or nam! Vi ''^'X\t"'^^ r7fl™ ,. , ■'^ ]'"""«' """I""''''' "'« ""=»»'. off^ed in sac. rfrtl:"J"f,."r.«™ »f.^-crificia, altaLn either sid: oeast. xhe effigy is one hundred and of ^"i h/-><^" ^xT Ai, - M0I7NDS m WISCONSIN. gj- yet bo traced in L alSl with ; rVT"™ "'""'='' ""r Tio whole wo* was C d" ^I"';; a -*. '» o-^d' which was evidently hronrf.t f,.„ j- ^^''"'' ''^'"'•«. eo.e,.ed with a Uaok aSlttt! f'r i ■"" '' « »°- inches. °™ '" ""* depth of about twelve Aokeron, or Rock Hve°t wteonTi^ xT '"•' """^"' "' separate worlia, the relati™ w,- ; °°™'"« »' "ree fawing. The' oe2TZ!TZlt^'''f^ '' """"" ■" ""' feet, with an „„e„„al alttode „f . ?' <'""»eter of eighty outlines of the efflgy no of m"™ '? '» ^""^ '''^et. The tinctly traced; yet L u fl ' ""■"' "°* "V >« dis- poot, and the'fle Ig TtssZTW."^^'^ " ''■•*» -* fig-re. The southern Innd If """" ""^ '•^«' »f ""e finished aspect. "'^ •"« » '"■"ken and nn- We have discovered several works „„ -p , . appear to have been deserted Tf ? ^*>* "''<''• "'"'e'' oondition; and also severlrLl f-f" '" »" ™fi"»>'ed in Illinois. "' '" ^o™ «"d Nebraska, and many e-?of nattn!', ZT^: Jl't .r'"-'™ ."™''^»--. » Lakes, in Wisconsin. TO s !',"„" "■" J'?""'? -^ «'» Ton, eonsin, and the northern trn^^M™' " """""o" '" W* i' also appcam on the eco')/' T" "^ ^°* river; lafayette, in Indiana "'■™"' "'^ "■» '"^abasb, near t-gc:^":;^;/;:r:':„:^^-/ *e tribal f.^ taken from an earth-work "nsH""'""- ^'"'» ""'"a" which was very perfect °„ 1840 b T'""' '" ^"'""^'•n. ened its demoHtion, It'is one If ,'b °f '""'■"■' ""=" ""•'"'^ festival circle,, being abo„: sTAl 'I'^^^f!' »:"- "^ «bal wii has an eight feet base wi,l, ."T,' '"^'"'"aineter; the vvan iuia an enrht feet biAA ,^-^u " V ^'^^^''^o'a^ieter the ee„.™l «o"„„d hi'::'.:'!!," ^ !™«»" ».f about two: an equal elevation with the wall sia ANTIQUAEIAK BBSBAROHHB. hse ft dii^meter of about eighty feet. This is the most extent sive >frork of this order that is traditionally recognised as tri- bal. There are many of those circles in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa ; few, however, have tlie appendage of the mound of extinction. One of email dimensions, near the junction of Eoot river, in Iowa, retains singular perfection of form and proportions. Cuts L and M comprise views of the triangular works of Wisconsin which are traditionally represented to have been designed for national cemeteries. The triangular form of \frork8 corresponds with the boundaries of the territory they occupy, as defined by lineal ranges of small truncated earth- works enclosing or surrounding triangular preas of great ex- tent. Tl)ey abound in Wisconsin, and appear also in the southeast portion of Minnesota. Fig. 3, in Cut L, presents a view of the wall of a triangular cemetery unoccupied, but ready for the reception of deposites. Fig. 4 shows an en- closure partially occupied by deposite. Fig. 6, Cut M, pre- sents a view of three central deposites, in union; and Fig. 6, presents a view of three distinct families. The deposite of Fig. 6 denotes, by its central position, the resting-place of the royal family, while Fig. 6 presents the royal area unoccupied by its destined tenant, but containing the remains of three families of royal relatives. We have not yet discovered any of those triangular enclosures beyond the limits of the territories enclosed by triangular lines, or lineal ranges of earth-work ; but have found several m finished condition in Wisconsin, as represented in Cut P, Fig. 3, of Minnesota. Cuts and O show the various forms and relative position of groups of elongated works frequently seen in Wisconsin and the northern part of Illinois. Cut O was taken on the south side of the Chippewa river, about sixty miles above its junction with Lake Pepin, and differs from a group of similar works on the shore of the Wisconsin river only in its connec- tfion with crescent tvorks. These works are traditionally represented to have been formed for monumental treaty-me- morials, and differ from national mounds only in the triangn- iur form of the ends, of the embankments. The crescents CdtGG. ^yptian Sanctuary Ind. EOBBEES' CAVE. CutQ. MASTADON OF MUSCODA. -*'^* ,i,.;, Ctn< W. UIEBOGLYPIUCAL AND SACRIFICIAL MOUNDS. Cut Z. UNFINISUKD NATIONAL WOEK& "OTOM m WBOOMSOT. jj. I'ore presented, are said tobe of reli,r!„„. • oommemomtioo of treaties eute e5 ITt tT'" '"^"^ '" ligions war. "meiea into at tlje close of a ro- Cat C, fig. 1 shows the forms an,! ~i».- ""go of national mounds e/t^H • " P<«ilionofa "long the Black river "nwtl^ '" ' "°""""'"" «»« tbe Mississippi. This inel ■?'"' '" J"""""" ""!> "0 from tiSt, to It Vo r'"''r'' f '''^" ™*» "■«' breadth, and tCo and fhaKn "-T^'' '''«'"^'» *«»' i" oach other about sil 1 i „ ' ^^ •'' """^ ■"■" ^i""-' from "early two miles, ut ate'ar T."P;'"/ " "''"''«'" "°« ''-'■• other works. ^ """" ""''"<'<' "' unconnected with »o!!fdslc,l*;krn""wl,Ior "', '1" ''■''^^'>"' f°™» »f « -nd symbolize TmitlStr " '•'""""°"- ^'S'- end of the work a squa^te™ I' ''^Z'! "' !!■" '"«^^ »'ons of fig. 6 is indicative of dZft'e ,1, "'^"^ ''''"■'°- I»».te being marked by a slirf.t !. . ° P""'''"" "^ <)»- the work; the round do's Si t^" """' "-' «»""•« °f cavalion made in the .'"■'''"' "'«P°""« of ej- presents the fom of h narT"°" "' '"" ''»* ^ig. 4 i"g from the mo^d f fit"!' "T' f '^""««™- ■^'*'- tl.e larger end of the work"^ TTl V^ "'"' '"'"' »' records a change in ffovemm»nt j ., ^ peculiar form, qnered monarch. S°'""™"'' ""d the deposits of a con- ^^iX^:tTi^:^: rfr °^» -»^e of «a national residential 00 2^^; <•"'''' ''""^'""^ inown as such by the preZe of ^ f \°' ™'"»' ""d works. This arrangemenHs «.»„ • '°'^™"=<'""« '™ncated of truncated works r„d',-, '"r™"«<>° "'"ft groups sometimes found in' III noirkd •'""'' "I "'"""• ™ey afe most in Uie southern ptro'?'wisr„r ' °"'"' -"' "''°-'^ soutl"„fW^tn^sir.Teytlurm TT """ "" "»' ««» e-tern and southeastor^p tl^"' t'?"™"^'" *« "orth- «ota. Orescent works ^tet^Z^^^T""^"^ Minne- relative connection Le.r„t™l" '1""°'^' ""^ "»' '" the . . ''""'="> ""iy are also seen in 218 n. ANTIQUARIAN EK8EAR0HE8. Miolngan bordering on tl.o lakes.' An iBolated gronn of crea- cent«, such as is presented in Cut O, fig. 2, we Imvo only discovered on tl.o waters of the Chippewa river; b,.t the relative arrangement presented at fig. 1, occurs on the high- land of the K.ckapoo, and in the vicinity of the Delve, on the Wisconein and in the neighborhood of Mount Trumbull, and east of the Cuppili Blufis of the Mississippi. We have heard 110 tradition relative to the arrangement of fig. 2; but figr 1 .8 represented to have been a national altar of sacrifice,' dedicated to the service of females only, at w'liich the de^ vout assembled to offer sacrifice at the appearance of each new moon. Fig. 1, Cut T, is traditionally represented to bo a royal cemetery. It is seen, in a dilapidated condition, on the n r^V n?'"'^"^^"^ '''''^ '' ^''-''^y^^ ^^ P^!"ti"g on a blutt of the Ch.ppewa river, occurs in an unfinished condi- tion near Cassville ; and the form of the main stem of the work 18 seen near Dixon, on Rock river, in Illinois; but in the finished condition represented in painting, I have only found It m Minnesota. "^ Fig. 2, Cut T, is traditionally represented to be a sacri- ficial altar of national character, where the nation offered annual sacrifice to the sun. This arrangement is seen in Wisconsin and Nebraska. The central work was dedicated to national sacrifice, while the smaller works were designed for the use of individuals by whom they were erected ; and the four remote and larger works were held sacred to the use of the prophets. The drawing from which the cut was made was taken from the regions of the Blue Earth, and was the most extensive group among many that we have surveyed, a de- tailed account of which has already been given. ^ Cuts y and N" represent arrangements which abound most in Wisconsin, but figs. 4, 5, and 8, are seen in Iowa, and lig. 4, in Nebraska. These cuts, however, are taken from works in Wisconsin. The central work enclosed by a circu- lar wall (fig. 4), is traditionally represented to be a national sacrificial altar, where a thank-offering was consumed an- nually, and is known as such by the double circle that sur- MOUNDS IN wrsoowsw. S19 rounds It, of wall and conical moxmcU Ti mounds boar tl.o inipress of fi o nn i . """^^ ^'^"'^"^ "Bed for tlio olFor ri of 1 •? ' ^^ '"'^ "'''^ ^'^ ^'^^« l>«en TI.0 clung tod r^^ by individuals or families. symbol of- atlllitv V " '""""'"'"' "'°""^^' ^« ^ho teen ^.iles eoutl/of Madison . Wiseo s ' Tb " '' T""; truncated works fin^lno^ ^ ''"laconsin. IJio circio of acres. Tb I's no!" o . ' '""''""'^ "" ^''^'^ ^^ ^'^<>"t ^-ur the region oB,rEar:^"" T^". "^" '" ^^'^-'^'^ - tificial in U. ^'"f-^^\tb river, but it is evidently wbollv ar tincial in its construction, wbilo tbat nP fl.« -ni t^ *; miles abovn its ,■„„„«„„ ^it h H,„ w "'' "''°"' "'"« form, and of tholr.j^llr'fT'"''"!™ °'''» "'gi""' the n„,„ber8 six and fojSl nf ™'!" °'^°"''' "''P^"'^''^- on,,^..o,„..dat„n.p„,n,as.non«„„odi,a^^^^^^^^^^^ f.™ the cent/o of eac T delS'ttb fo,'™""." ''™^«'"^ points appended: „?:::e:::itr,„Y„7:^^ m no other instance have I discovered ate than H ' •''"' ■n connection with this arran<.eraenl T L V ? P"""' dition respeetinff the ex J, If f "''^ ^^""^ "» '■■«- sented. ^ "" ^'''"" "'°'^« "^ ""■"-gement bere repre- Cut K is a view of a gronp „f earth-works about twelve ' sto AKTIQDARUlsr lUWBAROIIlM. If pre :s: :™:r;,r s;; .xr^^ *? Cut J, tnken south of Root river in Tnw« , abound moot in Mi.aonri h.., „ """""Hslied. Theeo works tie I„w„ river".„d tl ii^ r?r" °" ^""' '"'"•• "'" J-i*- desc, be,! in tbe previ„,„ detail oU.^ZZl " " '""^ wo* „iu, tbe. bioro„,p^ri::"i;;rd:gr' '^""^ "''""■■ «onn river, in Missonri ; and fl,„ 3 .1 ?! -"^ "'°' tinuous line running fro', tbo wlelt fivT,:':,: cr pewa nver, intereocting another range r„„nZ ea^/tf '"P" M..e.«s,ppi, about seventy or eighty .files ea t of Take p"^ of a small stream in Wisconsin eflled'', le^B d-te"°Tr^ .0.T1 . ^; ' .' ' ^ *' feP'-esenta detached eronns of earth-works, described in tbe detail of exploratioS whose order of arrangement differs from any olhe™ I have yet dT covered m the valley of tbe upper Mississippi Tirsjrj forms here cembined are met with ia other groups „ lo" Ibno,s, Wisconsin, and Minnesota; bnt I have ^ot f„,rd these i>ecnl,ar combinations or mode of arrangement Z Cut B and T comprise groups in which angles, trianjles «.d sem,.circles occur, tbe relative position ll ^U^u'^^i rosonted to lio union of in Wiacon- jpresents a iiavo been vo nrningo- re a Imgo lieso works 3r, tlio Lit- . East of It is fuJIy > position, 8 of earth- ing from the Mia- snt a con- ;he Chip- from the fe Pepin, ploration. litionally > vicinity e. This orations, •onps of I, whose yet d is- le same n Iowa, t found nt else- ipected. iangles, 3h, and CvT A. CIECLE. TWAKGLE. AND PAEalLEL WODKS. Cut W. niEEOOLYPHlCAL SCUU'TUBE. m ^ovm>B m mscomm ■ fheir connection with parallel l.'n i descnbed in the detail of exnlml ^ '? ' ^^"^ ^^''^'-^^J been ^« especially ^'emarkable for 1 7 f '^'' ^'"'''^'^ g'-°"P), P^-esenting, on an area of ei. t Z "' '^ ''' ^arth-works dred and fifty „,ounds or sepa 1 Tl T' '^^^" ^"^ ^-- g';o"ps, but all n^utuall, SeT T ' ^.?''^^ "^ ^^^^^al who :s familiar with the gen r^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^o any one class in those regions. ^'^angement of works of this -o^rds^iL!ltictl"an''!Hr f' '^''^"^^ P^«'^'- of ^•epresented as residential monnds^t' f T' '''^^^"-"ally "ever discovered either str^Sl '^ ^'""P^ ^ ^^^e '-^"d jet they are of frequent 00' ' ""' '^''' '^ ^^P^site; and Iowa. ^"'"* occurrence in northern Illinois ENGRAVED STONES. "--^:::^=tri--^.*;^.„. re- 15 II !i2e ANnqUABIAIT RE8EAKCHK8 CHAPTER XXVII. IIIEROOLTPIIICAL PAINTINGS. rilJT X presents a view of a einjrnlar group of pjiintinrrg yj seen on tlie sn.face of a bluff rock wl.icli overhancrs^a pleasant spring of pure water, some tliirty-five miles so'iith- west of ti.e jtniction of the Crow-Wing river with the Missis- sippi. This spring rises at Ihe head of a deep ravine shnt in by craggy bluffs whicli are thinly covered with dwarf shrubs The rnde figures painted on the rock are relatively arranged as in the cut. The various forms composing the group are Bncli as often occur in earth-works; but the hieroo-Ivphical Characters appended to the several effigJes, are very remark- able, and challenge investigation. Cut W illustrates the general character of the painted rep- resentatlons frequently to be met with on the surface of the bluff-rocks along inany western rivers. Some of these thongh covered with moss, retain great brilliancv of color' when stripped of their covering; other^ have suffered much by long exposure to the weather, and can not be easily traced. The cut presents a view of all the fiiiurcs which could be clearly made ont, on the walls of a cavern in Indi- ana, about twenty jtiiles below the junction of the Wabash with the Ohio. The cavern was commonly known to the early settlers as Wilson's Cave. (See a previous reference to these paintings, in Chapter I.) Cut P, fig. 3, presents a view of three triangular cemeteries, traditionally represented to be in a finished condition, which appear iiv the northern ]>art of Wisconsin, and on the south- eastern border line of Minnesota. Fig. 4 represents a sin-ular work, resen.bjing a RpUier in shape, found in the northeastern CutB. r pnin tings I'erliangs a iles 6011th- tlie Missia- iiie shut in urf shrubs. y nrrnnged group are oglyphical 17 I'cmark- linted rep- Uce of the of these, i' of color, ired much be easily i'C8 whicli n in Indi- 3 "Wabash vn to the ference to NATIONAL M2A10CIAL. jmeteriea, i»n, which the 8ontl> i singular theastern CCT X niEROGLTrHlCAL PAINTINO, i' fl ti It ^nRROGLTPirioAL PAmriKas. '^"t 1 comprises views «,f «.„.. ' ^ loms; „nd Fig, 2 is of ",„'"'" "'''"^ <"<«' of St 'e.Tace of R,,eL.,.; ;;;--:" °"""'=- "■> "•» -oond -«n,e,„e„t of an °ex.o„ J^^TjJ ' ^^^ C"' S sho^e the ST;:d7r''''''^''^™''-*'' " '"'"■"' --■.V of CasswneTr;^;::::^^ K- e%ies ,„„„d ,•„ .„e '•"e.-, .-...d tl,e Wab^el, ri.e and '^l /"'■'" '' """" "" Rock nortliein Illinois, ' ""'' "''°""'J» '» Wisconsin and Cuts P nnd X sliow fl borof w„,.„s,occ.,™S„,.,ro^"c"l rZ-'T *^ '"""> "m- 'fP«sentsan„„fi„is,,,d ,„'•;»'; ''''■"•Wisconsin. CtX ••"■ei-- g'onpof iire bunal-monnds, on Pl„„b ' onally .-epi-esonted to l,a™ |Z ' ^""""^i". «no .-.ver, m Wisconsin, and at tho intersection of fonr ™ o .neal monnds These groups aro traditionally repn. f^ a h.eroglyph.cal and as hearing record of war and . c"^ coiKpiest and extinction. I'^ice, Toward tho southeast arc two effigies, separated l.ynn intm. )nod.ato n.ou„ two ])iiii.. icIoHtMl hy jnntHliato, Ulfcd 8UC- Tlio con- tio, nmiks of ti'oafy, )on which on of* tho A royal 1(1, 18 rcp- ;ho Bliarp mtlon of I tho fact ss in tliig ir eagles i doublo- thcro do- lls j)laco, 'caco, re- mound, rl on tho "luantity VVT J. NATIONAL «VM„o,^^ 1 1 Cot I. NATIONAL MEMOBlALa t.^ . iiiii i ^lli' * i 1 1 p a ramooLTPTOii, PAmTWM. Cut F, fig. 1 shows th exploration. , rounds at and diverging from tjlr! ^'''*r ^^ *^« ^^^ritoriat of msconein. Ti^es^e effilTlr!r.°^'^'"°^"^^"^^^e«gle» -monumental men^orialsoWe^^^^^^ and separate domains. TheTw f'"' °''"^^^°^ ^'^^^^^^ described in the details of eLo'f- ^'''^ f^'^^Y Partially add that the double-headed 'ffi ^'''"' '"^ ^« ^^ve only t6 f^ that of the conqueror ruHnf.^^ " tmditionally recogn.C f-Iects, with both'of wh ch /e tdTh-" T."''"^ ^^^--^ IS shown by the transfer to fhl ^ '"^'^^^ ^^™"'a»-- This qnered or decapitated eagle "^'' '' ^'^ ^^^^ ^^ the bon • Cut C -fi 11, '^"s^c. ^-ibed, Si;:tZ:tS^t of a group pre;iousl, 2 gives views of what are adi«on!n """''"' "^°"°^- ^'^S- cemeteries, or funerd moundf f ^ represented as firf- The three connected circX wL '" ""^'^^^^^^ condition • of Straddle creek, C rot clf' T ''"'^' ^^ ^^^ ^^^^ with appended crescents, wMch tre""!! ^'"^ *^^ ^^'^^e, form circles when completed on ^'''^"""^ 'designed to -iles north of that poKCS "' 'fl' ^'^^^ '-^red J^entlty of form and ar^t H^^lj^ f ^-nesota. This f f early national migration orll!'' ''"""^ evidence ;^n the existence of co'rrespo^d^nrcusr '"f '^"^^ ^^---"> distant localities. ^ ^ '''''*^"'S and funeral rites in pnLl ek'^es^Vo^Cn thetc ^^ ^^*"' -nu- Io^va river, about thirty milellr"^ ''''''' ^^ ^he upper t'^^ state of Iowa : they ZZ.2 T '' ^''' Atkinson,^^ ■ "mental heroes. Fi^ 2 '1 !'"^ ^'"^"^'^ated monu ;'-ka ontheplaiJof'th^B^r^^^^^^^^ ^^'•^^--^-^ of ^ those of Cii-cleville, Ohio, tradltfoln T' "'"^^^^ f^'^ of peace, and descr bed Hhi^ r?^'^''^^ ^^'^ *«»? (Chapter X.) ^'^ '^e details of exploration presents views of the forms an^ » • -owa and mvlr ''"i^^^em. pent! a series of earth- works -hrciska. ig. 1 was taken from "Pon the highland of Turkey river ; m» AXn4VIkmAM BB8EARCHBB. «g. 2, froim the plains of tbe Blue Earth river; and fig 3 from a second terrace of Big Cedar rirer, south of Fort Atkinl «oto, m Iowa. There are, in those regions, numerous small works, of serpentine form, of which the cut presents the mosi common types. Cuts AA and BB, are plans and views of some of the most Intcrestmg tumuli of Venezuela, in South America, already described under the head of South American tumuli. These present, as will be observed, in U.eir general arrangement, striking resemblances to many of the earth-works of North America. Cuts CO and DD, are views of monumental title memorials as seen m Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. They have been pai-ticttlarly described is Chapter XIII. THE KAETH-WOEKS OF OHIO. 239 CHAPTER XXVIII. THE EARTII-WOEKS OF OHIO. especial i„,o,.est 1„, all I;,! ' . ""« '""" '"l^'"''<"i "'iA <"■ «.e Wide plains „, fe. lie "! ? ' '"'--'da ,vl,„ „„„, j,,,, tlie relics o<'.,e ancient «!?*"' '•'•''8''°" »" ™'> i- of tl,e raonnd-bnildero to vf ' '° '''"f ''""" '"«1"* J"l»., »» beet witl, blind vet ,„,"'""' '!°''' '"diffoi-ence, or .. u una.jet nnqncslioninKivondei- in Europe, it would not be tln.s w Implements lil.'° ''o d- wonia devote « "^^ll^tl^ ^.^i'r n,:"ef "'j"""'"^'-^"' Oiigm, design, and Inslorv of Jc.,tl elncidation of tha «er; and it is probable Lfl'""'^^™;-?'™'''""- » '=h«™c. tl.e Atlantic, i„d iud'.ce A ' ° '"q"iO' would cos, antiquities of a„otl'rc:,„tr;i'Tt'V°''"'"^'° '"'^ '» '"» tion wl.ici, it has l,itl,e,t„ bee '.! i m f '"' "^ """"'* «"«- in.i.e,„ fo,. .1.0 antiq:;.i:s:r"t,:;:'f!™"«'"^™"^- *»"->'- "ided b,.l,efunds ft eS,°t son ;■'"'. °' ^''■"'™""'. G'"A «- tl.e month of May mo t , . ""^ ""oWryed until, .„ e..t:irvf;™f ;:::•»« i)o.„o-d„Mrnccd «.«., •I;« <•■■" onsw, I visit To-. eS' ^'cT'^.-'J I»™. ■•" oftesting tlio tnitl, „f f,..„l;.' ' '""' "'* "'« <'«»ign tl.» i.nx,ad,, made |,„ „ tivZl T"'"" "i'' >'"P"'»'™- «nd tification of 11,0 wo, k °"? f .Jf °"'' T'^'""^ '''«"•' '*«■ "nd Ci,oIeyil.e, and eo™ s"„c £ ^dis °°" "'"' 1»'"' fined mound al,o„t t^yo miles notthfp"""^ " «"■*- <=.'""ty; pr„.cedi„s on a d,,e *?,"'"' "^^'''™ ^^etto called tl,eRattl„,S,rake „„ddL ■ '° '" " ™"" «"-™"' tn.«d, we e.a,„i„ed , I'ewe'rr""^ "" r*' "" *« ""« "« ln.e, we dis<,„yZi a iT T l]' ""f that riye,. we found "". ™''' °" "'» ""«« 61 16 fourth wo.k. We then, with 242 ANTIQFATtlAlT RE8EARCHK8. the assistance of a pocket-compass, retraced the line, and be- came fully convinced that it was, in fact, a lineal range. Wo returned to Circleville, and about seven miles east of that place, we found a well-defined lineal mound. Then tracing a line two degrees south of east, in about five miles, we dis- covered a second, and a third about seven miles farther on, following the same course. We then retraced our steps, and were convinced that this too was a lineal range. Having become fully satisfied as to the concentration of lineal ranges at or near this point, and in the belief that fu- ture investigations will abundantly substantiate the correct- ness of my conclusions, I proceed to lay before my readei-s some diagrams of the more local works of that valley — plans of which I had previously exhibited to De-coo-dah. For a more extended notice of the antiquities of the immediate val- ley of the Scioto, I refer my readers to the first volume of the published contributions of the Smithsonian Institution. Cut U, fig. 2, is the copy of a sketch drawn on the ice by De-coo-dah, and by him represented to be the plan of a royal cemetery formerly to be seen on the east side of the Scioto river, north of Circleville. I suppose that this has been par- tially, if not entirely destroyed, in the progress of cultivation. This work is traditionally represented to have been designed, when complete, to receive in deposite the remains of eight kings; but it was abandoned when yet unfinished. The outlines of the main work, as seen in the drawing, present the exact form of the great cross seen at the intersec- tion of four lineal ranges in Wisconsin. The latter, however, is not accompanied by the smaller works which are seen ap- pended in the cut. These are represented to have contained the remains of eight prophets, presented in the order of their burial (in the unbroken union of monumental points), as de- scended in one common genealogical line, through successive generations. Fig. 1, Cut U, represents a remarkable ef&gy found near Granville, Licking county, Ohio. This work is situated on a prominent point of the highland, commanding an extensive view of the surrounding country. Various names have been THE EARTH-WORKS OF OHIO. 243 cut. Tl,ei-o is a small T. <■ . **"''" " «'"=» "' «'« -e s„„pose toMt'aStCri.-t:;^: ™*' "^'«" liaWng eliown me tint Mm ;„. • ' '"y excavations eelf if of stone? 1 ed ^'T n'"'"" "' "'" "^^^ "- Binking atscnc points ,! twrlntl'lfT " T '■"■='"'• oent,.o and end o/tl,o tai, it is oven le'r "'' '"' "^'"- "'^ of Turkey river and in th.\ J ' ""'' ^^"^ "PPer sources l.ne ; and another, on the second ZnZ of th #"'"" '"'■ not very remote from stone; but neitrer of tl ^'^^^?'"'^^' Bents any stonework in any par of h?' . '''''^'' l^^'^' Fix' ^ r.,fTT • . •^r^'^^^*''e>i-con8trnction. entire length, „.„ei„g th^^entL Id 7n '" *''" «'"' "» U.0 coil of tl,e tail, is one , ho," nd and "7 ""> '""" »^ t.e of the body it s neariv tl 2 f t • "i f*"' ' '" ""> ""n- and about five in neme L ^^i ."' """'' "' *^ !"•«»> and sinking towa^/^Cr":/:,!'' S're'^ T™"'"^ tlio imaginary tail. w„,.i,, „. '. '*°"'> '»rag lowest at occur in lowa'and NetaU '" "''•™^'^' ''"l-^'^ One of the most singular featm-PQ ;« *i work, is the pecniiar fL of tto vor" "Tr"""" "^""•» traditionally said to represent I™ vTtlfel 1 •"" t""' eerpcntinc effl"i<» .l,.,/, •,..,.. . . .>' "' ""' tortoise. The ° "' """""" >n io»-», Wisconsin, and Na- 244 ANTIQUARIAN EK8KARCIIKS. braska, whether constructed of solid earth-work, or portrayed in the arrangement of truncated mounds, are universally ac- companied by one or more of these elongated oval works ; and wherever they appear in solid earth-work, this figure is appended to the head or at the larger end. Now here, in Ohio, at a point not less than seven hundred miles distant from any known work of the kind, this singular feature is faithfully preserved. I first visited this work in the year 1832, and revisited it in 1849, with a view of satisfying my curiosity in regard to this 'feature which was represented by De-coo-dah as an inseparable appendage; he stated that this union of symbols originated in the fact that both were insep- arably associated as objects of worship, and that works of this kind were always constructed in high places where sacrifices were offered. And this representation is abundantly verified here, not only in the remaining impression of intense heat on the stones that lie adjacent to the work, but also in similar impressions apparent on the surface of the interior structure. In conver- sation with De coo-dah relative to tliis fact, he observed that when the worshippers of rept s were reduced by the for- tunes of war, and compelled to recognise the sun, moon, and heavenly bodies as the only objects worthy of adoration, they secretly entombed their gods in the earth-work symbols which represented the heavenly bodies; and that those earthen symbols were arranged in the relative position o# those selected in the heavens ; and that the selection of deities was granted to all, and that when a suflBcient number united in choice of the same stars, they constructed their symbols in conformity with that choice. And he then remarked, that he supposed that a large number fled before their conquerors, and established themselves for awhile in that remote region, where they were permitted to indulge in the use of their fa- vorite symbols; but upon the advance of their enemies, when the hope of retaining their favorite form of worship could no longer be indulged, they buried their gods and fled, leaving many behind who buried their deities, and were thus enabled secretly to worship them in the midst of their conquerors. portrayed rsally ac- il works i figure is r liere, in 58 distant feature is the year ying my lented by that this re insep- ks of this sacrifices lere, not he stones pressions 1 conver- "ved that the for- oon, and ion, they symbols at those sition or of deities sr united mbols in 1, that he iquerors, e region, their fa- es, when could no , leaving enabled rors. Cut U. EFFIGIES OF OniO. Cut T. EESIDENTUL CIRCLES. KABTU-WOBKfl OF OHIO. 247 CHAPTER XXIX. TIIK KAR'm-WOKK8 OF OHIO (CONTINUED). RtTLINO prophet's RESIDENT CIRCLE. /J^IIIS work is Situated in Ross county, Ohio, and is near twelvo feot, with a base diameter of fortv fl!l , ' "" area of twem, aces. The V^r^lL!^^::^^^^ bankment that forms the great circle wna <=,v f . "; ^"^ em- twenty aces Tl.ore are five email circles in the vicinitv „f the ™,„ work, varying i„ dian,eter fro,„ two Idrc" 'and fifty to B.xty feet; these are Bimilar inform with th. t.on of one that pre»enta, at iu entrant r»e,„n!a,irT; innerextensionof wall. eiongation or Adjacent to one of the small circles we fin.1 o ♦ • double circle, with an adjacent conicallLThri:",:: a small circle attached to one of the lonr. wnli. rare and singular arranc^ement T T^ ' P''^^«"^"'^ « foiiiai rtiiangement, ihe two lon^ walls i-nnn;,,.- parallel w.th each other and commnnicating wiU^ h "a 5 In presenting the outlines of this work to T)p .nn ^ i , circles idj^cirt Jo^e^ll: ,: .^Lf.J^r- ?^ ^^^ -^11 ?ion of the great circle, his ^l^^^;^ ''•^^' '"'-'"^ ^^'^ -- in honorable commemoration of which lie ordered the sons erec- Ill S48 ANTIQUABIAN ItKflKARCHES. tion of the twin circles, to which ho nppeiuled as niirsery circlo, tho old residential; that in nftor tinio ho attached a residential circlo to tho fostival square, tor his first born, that ho might aid him in tho government of tho peoplo. IIo uIho erected a circlo for tho second born, to which ho appended tho seal of sncccssion, set in the inner curves of his circlo. And to tho one of long walls of secret secluwion, he appended tho sacred circlo of prophetical widowhood, in honor of tho mother of tho twins. HOLY crry. This stupendous oarth-work (shown in Cut Z, fig. 3) is tra- ditionally represented to have been tho encircling safeguard, or rampart of a holy city. This, like tho former, is sihuited in Ross county ; but it encloses a much larger area, and is of more complicated form. Tho large circle is thirty-five hundred feet in diameter, "With eleven exterior openings; and the small circle eight hundred feet in diameter communicating with the large circle, but having no exterior entrance. The whole work, as will be perceived, comprises two circles, a semicircle, and a square. Within the semicircle there is an embankmentrosembling, in outline, a crescent, or a new moon ; and there is a sacrificial altar ai)pended to a national mound within the larger circular enclosure, and between it and the square. The smaller circlo is traditionally represented to have sur- rounded the secluded residence of the ruling prophet. The larger circle enclosed holy or consecrated ground, where daily intercourse was liad with the prophets ; and it was occupied by such as bore rule, and were highly favored by the people. The square appended to a circle was universally set apart as a place of public resort, where all might join in feasting and merry-making. i I Cut V. ^Ei^t^ 0#dLANATioN.—AA, Walls of EiiHli ; B.IIighlanflj CC, Wells; D.Alexandria; E, Portsraouth; mmm, Mounds. Works similar to these are found in great numbers through- out the Mississippi valley, and in the valleys of the Scioto and Miamis there are many of them, evidently disconnected and yet contiguous to each other; some connecting en- closures, some leading to watering-places, and others isolated and unconnected with other works, extending many miles, and running on parallel lines. There is also a single line of embankment running in a northeast direction from a point near the Scioto toward Lake Erie, that may be clearly traced seventeen miles in length, unbroken except by water-courses, yet in many places almost obliterated by the uprooting of large timber that fo.-merly grew on the work. Tiie moei; per- fect remains j^vesent an altitude of from four to five feet ^v'''^ a general base of about twenty-five. Three hundred and ^ix miles of this order of earth-work, in the state of Ohio alone, may yet be ckarly traced, and yet this order of f .:rp and n r- rangement embraces but a small portion of fJio Oiirthci* re- mains of antiquity in that state. It ir. aho worihy of remark that the ma'^nitude of area enclosed is not always u corrcjt index of the amount of labor expended iu the work. l\ Ilioii- GREAT MOUND OF MIAMSBTJRG. 267 land county, Ohio, there is a work, with little less than one n-ile and five eigliths of heavy embankment, enclosing a frac- tion less than forty acres of land, and Fort Ancient, in Warren county, Oliio, has a fraction over four miles of heavy embank- aient, enclosing only one hundred acres. The entire group of enclosures at the mouth ox he Scioto, with more than twenty miles of embankment, encloses less than two hundred acres. GREAT MOUND OF MIAMISBFRG. ^ This grand colossal earthen structure is situated in the vi- cinity of Miamisba:g, Montgomery county, Ohio, and is sixty- eight feet in pcipendicular altitude, and about eight hundred and fifty in base circumference, containing three hundred and eleven thousand, three hundred and fifty-three cubic feet of earth. Mounds of this form abound throughout this valley, and are of all sizes and dimensions, towering upward from the mole-hill to the miniature mounta/ . At the junction of Grave creek with the Ohio, in Virginia, we find another, seventy feet high, with a baso oirciaiference of more th, :i a thousand feet. At C.Jiokia, u. nois, there is another, tower- ing to the height of ninety f^et, with a base circumference of over two thousand feet, and a level top, with an area of more than two acres. Mounds of liicrie extraordinary dimensions abound more in the south, and with increased dimensions. Near Salvers- town, Mississippi, there is one that occupies an .iroa of six acras ; but in the uppei valley of the Mississippi, from the f*j 26^ ANTIQUARIAN EKSEAKCIIES. junction of tlie Ohio river nortli, a base diameter of from twenty to ninety feet, and an altitude of from three to tliirty is most common. _ And yet there are many groups in the nortli arranged in circles, squares, triangles, and lines, together with others thjit present no apparent regular order of arrangement (hat would require for tlieir construction the labor of a thousand men many montlis, aided with all the modern improvements in mechani- cal implements in their construction. Others are seen isola- ted and alone, occupying summit heights of large dimensions, formed of earth in strata, evidently obtained in different and distant localities. A splendid view of many of the last de- scribed may be had from the heights of the hills west of the town of Dubuque, in Iowa, occupying the points of lofty spm-s that grace the eastern shore of the Mississippi. They seem to have been designed to give an artificial finish to a most beautiful and romantic natural scenery. Indeed, some of those works are of such colossal proportions, that many per- sons hesitate at first view to ascribe them to the hand of man. But they are uniformly placed in such reference to the ad- jacent and surrounding hills, and their confirmation is so unique and similar, that few observers hesitate long in referring them to the hand of art. ANCIENT WORKS ON PAINT CREEK. Explanation.— A, an enclosure, containing seventy-seven ncrpr, ■ J, ., ^ightj- four acres; C, do., one hundred nnd thirty-si.v acres ; D, wells in TaiMt creek; E, an area of twcnty-eevea acres; F, do., twenty-seven acres; a, a, v .-lis: m, m, truncated mounds. This plate exhibits a section of nearly five miles of Taint creek, a tributary of the Scioto river. Withiii this limit are ANCIENT WORKS ON PAINT CREEK. 269 erahraced three exfensive worlds, desii^natecl bj letters A, B and C. Tliese woiks combined, present upward of six miles of heavy embankment, and enclose areasof from twenty-seven to one hundred and forty acres each. Tlie work marked B, IS about fonrteeu miles dibtant from Chillicothe,and is a well- preserved structure. The gateways, or places of entrance, are wider than those generally seen in similar structures. This form or arrangement of earthen-wall, is seen at three other points^in this valley, but none are so well preserved as this one. Tliere are several elliptical elevations in the vicinity, a^d a well-portrayed crescent work, resembling those found in Wisconsin and northern Illinois. ^ The work marked A, is situated a few miles nearer to Chill icothe, and on the opposite side of Paint creek. This work presents an uncommon feature. It occupies two terraces, the square being i)lace,d on the second, while the main body of the woik occupies the third terrace of the creek. Within the larger work, near the centre, there is a large elliptical mound, the largest elliptical work in this valley ; its length is twohnndi'cd and furty feet; base width, sixty ; height, thirty. The interior is composed of earth resembling the'snli-soil in the vicinity, but the surface, covering to the depth of eighteen inches, was evidently obtained from some water-conrsL° as it is composed of sandy clay, l.)am, water-washed pebbles, and stones of various small dimensions. This work is surrounded by a slight wall, or elevated work, that resembles the matri- monial ring so frequently seen in Wieconsin. But the inter- mediate space between the ring and the main body of the work, is nearly filled with the wash from the sides, and now presents the form of a low stage or flat teirace. There are several large truncated, or conical mounds, adjacent, that are fo.med of elny ; tliere are also several deep pits in the' vicinity from which it is believed the earth was obtained f..r their con- struction. Adjacent to the great circular work, or wall, is a small circular wali, enclosing an area about two hnndied and fifty feet in diameter, with a flat circular mound in the centre the facsimile of the matrimonial circles that apj^ear on the* waters uf the Chippewa river, not less than seven hundred 210 ANTIQUARIAN KKSKABCHE8. miles northwest from tin's point. This work will soon disap- pear in the cultivation of the premises. There is also a cres- cent work in the vicinity, formed of earth and stone that bear the impress of fire; and many small mounds are in the vicinity, appearing to retain no deposite whatever. The work marked C, exhibits the form of a dilapidated arrangement of stone-work, on the summit of a high hill, overlooking a narrow valley, through which a small tributary of Paint creek, denominated the Black run, flows, and where other similar works appear. The body of this work pre- sents an elliptical form, and the lines may yet be clearly traced, notwithstanding much of the material has been re- moved by the first settlers in the construction of chimneys and buildings. The purpose of this strange work in the valley, is considered by many inexplicable. The position occupied, together with the small area enclosed, entirely precludes the idea of defensive origin, it being located in a narrow valley, wliere the natural hills would command far ijreater advantages. The material, however, seems to have been promiscuously thrown together, and there is no evidence of any other arrange- ment formerly than is now seen. Thei-e is, however, a feature in connection Avith this work, that may afford an aid to con- jecture : it is the singular construction of five walls, startim' within ten feet of the unbroken line of the elliptical enclosure, extending north about one hundred feet, slightly diverging, but running in nearly parallel lines. These walls are about ten feet distant from each other, and twenty feet broad at the end nearest the enclosure; they diminish, as they recede, to ten feet at their extremity; but if extended one hundred and fifty feet, the five walls would terminate in one connection, and present in form the precise outline of the earthen mound of extinction that abounds far west; its location on low land is also a corresponding feature. This work is totally unlike any stone-works that are located on the highlands in the vicinity. The great stone-work of Paint creek, two miles distant (letter C), that overlooks this work, bears no resemblance to it wliat- ever; both works, however, may have originated with the eame people. It is a reasonable presumption, in view of the ANCIENT WORKS AT MARIETTA. 271 fact that neither possesses, in any of its parts, the regular finish that is_ frequently seen in truneated; or conical sine' works, occurnngin similar localities in the surrounding regions ^roLTr 7- "' '^'' '''''' ^^'-'"^^^ ^^-- ^^--tures piesent to view nothing more than a large collection of mate- ml, gathered together and conveniently arranged for the stnicture of great works, that were from som^ cause per- mitted to remain unfinished. Many earth-works, here and elsewhere, present the same feature. The form of the work C is well given in the cut. It conforms to the ground on Which 1 rests, the land falling off precipitously all fround, ex" cep at the north, where it connects with the receding- hi^h land. Its location is similar to that on which Fort Ancient appears This huge mass of stone, collected at the cost of much labor, presents no appearance of a completed artificial wall, althotigh the arrangement of the material favors such a design. The area enclosed being about one hundred and forty aci-es, and the material being very equally distributed in the cucujt, ftivors the idea that the construction of a wall was anticipated. ANCIENT WORKS AT MARIETTA. Thi, interesting gronp of ancient remains, briefly noticed in another part of tliia work, is .itualed on the second terrace of 272 ANTIQUARIAN KESEAECHES. the ]VInsl' ""e hundred ad ten acres snrronnd,^! by an earthen wall, partly encom: a ed by a ditch twenty feet wide. Within' bis cue osum there is ,a group of six conical luounds, that are also sm™Z! i 274 ANTIQUAniAN BE8EARCUE8. ed by a wall and ditch. Tlicso conical works seem to liave attracted the attention either of the first pioneers or French occupants, or possibly of the Indian tribes of tliat region, and were evidently used by them as cemeteries. They not only contain many skeletons in difterent staples of decomposition, but the earth of which they are composed, gives evidence of Ijaving been recently disturbed by the mixture of vegetable mould, and by the lack of solidity in the earth lying directly above the deposites as compared with the earth elsewhere. The small enclosure ai)pended to the larger on the cast side, contains an area of about sixteen acres, enclosed by a wall of earth, vith several places of entrance, but with no signs of a ditch or other appendages. Kear Somerset, in Perry county, Ohio, may yet be seen the fragments of a wall, enclosing about forty acres, formed of earth mingled with fragments of stone and rock promiscuously thrown together, sufficient in quantity to form a wall of five or six feet in height, with a proportional base. The principal opening to this enclosure is protected by a rock of sufiicient size for that purpose. Near the centre of the enclosed area, there is a large truncated mound, composed of earth contain- ing Jio apparent deposite. Near the southern extremity of the enclosure, there is a slight circular wall, resembling the matri- monial rings heretufore described. FORT HILL. Near the south line of Highland county, Ohio, about twelve miles south of Hillsborough, is an isolated hill, unlike any in the vicinity, its sides being steep and difficult of access, ex- cept at its northern and southern angles, and its top level and smooth, with an area of about fifty acres, densely covered with heavy timber. This plot of land, with an elevation of about five hundred feet above the level of Erush creek that washes its base, is surrounded by a ditch of considerable depth, that has been partially filled by the wash and wear of its own sides, and the decomposition of vegetable matter. Along the exterior edge of this ditch, extending in an almost FORT niI,L. 273 mLrokcrt Imo aronnd Iho summit of the hill, thore yet ,e ma,„8 „ J,„ge „„« of .tones tl,„t bca,- no nmrks of mecl „ ,i cal „n-ange„,ont, bnt wl.id, ,vcro cvi,iontly tl.rown p™„ t ' o.>.ly together iy the hnn.ls of nutn. liig partly c^ed hy a portion of the earth thrown from the ditch and LI ennudation of vegetable mould for many 4" ;;,"';: ; present a wa 1 of earth and stone, more than Sne mile and! ^"If .n length, mterrnpled «t intervals by break, Z7oLi by some to have been designe.l for gatLays b7 t:' breaks ocenr treqne.dly at points natnrally in.eeessib e a d .s fact confi,cts with sneh a conclusion. By sinking shafts m three different places along the interior ofthe wa^ Id covered, that on the surface of the primitive earth, th^ t^e was not mixed with earth as at or near the surface bnt hul been buried by earth thrown front the ditch, a'itu, «mve at the conclusiou, that the collection of materia land • he ex-cavat.on the ditch, were prosecuted at one and the s me t,me, and that those i„,„ginary gateways were ft f he conventence of persons engaged in the collection of ma ter a , designed to form a wall, the foundation of which should je, m the d.teh, and bo protected from the ..pheaving „ f-." by the replacing of the earth along its interior and ext Z base It IS evident that a wall composed of so great a ' „ t.ty of ma erial, built on the surface of the eaith, wouU be amiually istnrbed by the frost, and in the const ,i',f of u a wal on of undressed material, a wide foundation wa mdispensable to secnre strength and stability. It ,„„,( of irtirl'lTf "" """'^"f.-™-"' "^g-V>nd thus hive in the fini»h a narrow summit, if sufficiently elevated to se cure protection from man or beast. The quantity of mater a at many points of the work, wc suppose to be adennatTto ^0 coustrnction of such a wall not lesf than ten or vefve fe above the surface of the area enclosed. The height of tie wall measuring from the bottom of the ditch, varies from six to fifteen fee , and its base width, from thirtyfivs to forty feet There are thirty-three breaks or openings in the wall, twenty: two of which are irregular and narrow; several of hem an parenl V . ,.= ™(.,) .„ ,i,.,,v o ,-. , '. . ™ "P r ., -- loiel to ciam ihc ditch, liaving channels cut V] m % -c*l ^r^^ "% > c%.' .'?>'* y^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I ^1^ Hi Hi Ui " 1^ 12.0 11.25 1.8 U III 1.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation 7 <5 [^j (/. iV *^\ 9> '\^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ■ A <- '™"""" nr/n nf 1 . • , '^^'^®- ^his embankment surrounds an aiea ot about eurhteen tpvoq ti t , iwuimus an etrnction of this wm^ nT . '' "''^ "^ *^'' ^""- • • . vjKjat ivjLuiir , as tnera ai-p iinf- >-na,n,ng i„ tLa. stream «itl,in seveml miles ^f tbe woA. It 278 ANTIQUARIAN KESEAKCHES. commanda a view of many singularly-formed earth-works in the adjacent valley, some of which resemble the works of northern Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Some of these are in small circles, ellipses, and cresccjits. The work on the penin- sula, however, does not present the solidity in strucfnre ap- parent in some other works of the sanv class. Having in ifs original proportions moi'e earth, it has consequently suffered more from the wash and wear of rain and frost. It is a re- markable fact that wherever the smaller works composed of earth and stone appear in the Ohio valley, tliey generally bear the features of a better and more thorongh finish than those of the largest proportions. I have not yet been able to discover any of tliis class of woi-ks in the great valley of the Mississippi, enclosing areas of over twenty-five acres, that re- tain the features of a regular or final finish; from which I in- fer that the mounds of stone and earth were the last works of the earthern mound-builders; that they were erected for de- fence, in anticipation of an assault from a foreign enemy deemed more potent in means of assault than those with whom they had previously contended, and by whom they were finally conquered and' reduced to the servility which resulted in the total extinction of their nationality. It appears to me apparent; also that the valley drained by the Ohio river, from the Alleghany mountains to the Missis- sippi was the place of collision. This conclusion is sustained by the fact that nearly all the works of earth, or of earth and stone, that seem to have been designed for military purposes, and which are of any considerable magnitude west and north of those mountains, are found in this vafley ; and there is prob- ably no part or portion of North America in which the evi- dences of a more numerous ancient population are more defi- nitely marked ; not only in the appearance of works of great magnitude designed for defence, but also in the immense number and complicated arrangement of extensive earth- works adjacent to each other, and evidently designed for other purposes, as well as the innumerable small works that adorn the hills and the plains from the Mississippi to the Monongahela. MOUNDS OF MIGRATION. 279 MOUNDS OF MIGRATION. Haying obtained from De-coo dah what I esteemed the in- teresting and reasonable explanation of the design of the amalgamation mound of Muscoda, I soon discovered a cor- responding degree of plausibility in his traditions of the origin and use of others, among which I number the mounds of mi- gration. Those mounds, of various forms but regular in arrange- ment, we discover interspersed throughout the entire vale of tiie upper Mississippi, running from the north to the south, and from the west to the east, frequently diverging from those lines by following the highlands, or dividing ridges between leading streams or large water-courses. E Ungated embank- ments, with intermediate conical mounds of small dimensions abound most in this order of arrangement. These are some- hmes accompanied by small effigies, but are more frequently without them. The migration memorial ranges differ from national lineal ranges, not only in the irregularity of distance between groups, but also in their more distant and remote lo- calities. Their migrating import, however, is better known by their relative position, as seen in each group, and by the variety of size and form preserved in all the groups of the same range. Having been informed by De-coo-dah that there were many ancient works of divers import in what he termed the holy land that surrounds the four lakes in Wisconsin, I pre- vailed on him in the beginning of the autumn of 1842,' to ac- company me on a visit to those regions. We descended the Mississippi fi-om my trading post on Eoot river, to the west- ern terminus of what he termed the highway of nations, but better known in modern time as the old Indian trail, run'nincr from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi river. I Jiave but little doubt, however, that this trail occupies the best natural Jine for travel between those two great waters, and has been used for very many ages by the ancient inhabitants of those regions, and will continue to be used as the great thorou-hfure m time to come to the full consummation of its ancien't and 4 a- >- r^li 280 ANTIQUARIAN EKSEAECIIES. dignified title; that it will lead along through the holy land the sons of all nations, presenting to their view the remaining relics of a custom once universal, but now to all alike un- known. In pursuing this trail, even the most indifferent traveller can not fail to observe and feel an interest in the mysterious ruins presented to view, in the greatest diversity of form, and by their numbers indicative of an industry and energy be- coming the most energetic and ambitious nations of theearth. Having previously given the forms and figures of the most of those relics, as seen in relative positions at various other points, I may now proceed to notice such figures of the holy land as are rarely seen in any other region with which I have ■ heretofore been personally familiar. Among these the mounds of migration stand most conspicuous. They present a group or range of animal efiigies, unlike any that I had previously observed in physical form, with the exception of one seen in the valley of the Scioto, diflering, however, iu relative ar- rangement from all effigies heretofore noticed. They are sometimes enclosed within an oblong circular area, surrounded by an earthen wall, with no other appen- dage, as represented in Cut Z, fig. 2. This group is scattered along the trail, forming an unbroken range of nearly three hundred and seventy-five poles in length. It commences with a conical mound of about fifty feet iu base diamfeter, and foin- in hei^^ht, composed of sand raid ashes mingled with small bits charcoal, resembling in size, form, and material, others found in the adjacent country, and along the Eock river, in Illinois, and on the Wabash. It was recognised by De-coo-dah, as a funeral pile where the body was con- sumed after death. The second noticed in the range was an elongated work or wall about fifty-one feet in length, twelve wide and three in height, and was composed of clay, similar to that found beneath the surface soil in the vicinity. It is traditionally represented to be a national mound. TJie third is presented in the form of a human figure one hundred and forty feet long, thirty-one feet broad, measuring across the body, with projections on either side seventy feet iu length, M0UXD3 OF MIGRATION. 281 representing arms. Tlio legs diverge' from tlie body, forty- live feet m length, and at their extremities are seventeen feet apart, tlius presenting tlie form of a prostrate human fi-nuo with arms and feet expanded at full length. The head o"' the elhgy IS well-proportioned with the body, being about twenty live feet in base breadth. The fourth and fifth wo-ks in tho range are similar in form and material to the second, but of arger proportions ; the one being eighty, and the other one Lund red and twenty feet long. The sixth work is a circular wall, enclosing an area of about seventy-five feet in base diameter, with an elevation of about two feet, and is located about fifty feet north of the lineal wnge. It was represented by De-coo-dah as havin- been de- signed to form the base of a second f.meral-pile of larc^er dimensions than the first, but it was deserted and left in \n unfinished condition by its projectors. The seventh work 'in the range is an animal effigy, about one hundred feet lonr, and twenty-two in breadth, with a general elevation of near! v'three teet, and resembles in form those found in the vicinity of Cass v^lle and on the east side of the Mississippi, from the jnnction 0. Rock river to the junction of the Wisconsin. It also re- sembles the enclosed animal effigy of the Scioto valley in the absence of a tail, whicli is also a singularity that characterizes the entire g.-oup of animal effigies at this point, and distin- guishes them from many others that are found in the surnnmd- ing country. But there is yet a more strange peculiarity in the relative position of this effigy to the remaining effi.Wes that form the range, which we have failed to discovei in any other range heretofore examined. Its arrangement in the <.roup is transverse. National mounds in lineal ranges, frSniently occur in transverse position, while effigies in these lines are never so found. The eighth and ninth works in the ranc^e are simdar m configuration to the second and fourth desci-ibed but are of smaller dimensions, occui)ying interchanc^ed po.i! tions, the larger work being placed in the rear; boH, work, however, have uniformity in order. Tho tenth, eleventh' twelfth, and thirteenth works in the range, are animal effi^ie.' and the first, second, and fourth, of these have generaruni! 282 ANTIQUARIAN RKSKAliCIIES. formity in form. Tl.o tl.ird, resembling the transverse eflii^y, differs in the form of the head from the tlireo with which it is directlj associated. The foiirteentli work is a national mound, similar in form to those previously described in the range, and occupies a position between the fourth and fifth regularly- arranged lines of effigies, separating the fifteenth from the thirteenth work in the group, the fifteenth work being an ani- mal effigy. Tlie last in the lino presents perfect identity in general configuration with the transverse and fourth effi'c^ies in the animal range. These three diff^er in physical form from the other three, in the protuberance of the body beyond the hinder-leg, and in the general configuration of the head, while the other three present uniformity in the natural propor- tions and form of the head of a quadruped. The transverse, or first animal efl3gy, in connection with the fourth, sixth, and last effigy in the range, present in the general configuration of the head, an elongation that resembles the beak of a bird. While those effigies preserve general uniformity in base width^ they vary in length from ten to twenty-six feet; the smaller being ninety feet in length, occupies a front position in the range. The sixteenth work being a national mound, similar 111 form and dimensions to the last described of that order, is located a little south of the main line, diverging from the same to the southeast. Having described the extent and relative position of the effigies in this group, the reader is referred' for form to Cut Z, fig. 2, for quadrupeds, and to Cut M, for the form of the human effigy, where a faithful delineation will appear, omit- ting the funeral-pile that is portrayed between the feet of that figure. We may now proceed to detail the traditions of De- coo-dah relating to the origin and use of those strange symbols. Having been frequently noticed and partially described by various writers in periodicals and other literary communica- tions, a diagram of the work is deemed superfluous in this connection. The reader is referred to the faithful delineation given by Mr. R. C. Taylor, and published in the first volume of the Contributions, &c., by the Smithsonian Institution, on page 126 of thrt work. MOUNDS OF MIGRATION. 283 These," sa.d De-coo-dab, "are memorials of migration, and belong to a portion of the ancient inhabitants of the great c.t,y m the vicinity of Cassville. [See Cut R.] Here we be- ho d .the six animal effigies, slightly differing in forn,, sym- bo i.ing the migration of the six tribes, and absence of the tail to each ofhgy, records the circumstance that a portion of each tribe was dismembered and left behind. In their mi-ra t.on south, they tarried in these regions until after the dt^ath ot tlie.r leader, as indicated in the human effi.ry. Three of the tribes descended from the ancient Buffalo nation, as rei)- resented by the natural form of that animal, but the remain- ing three descended from tribes that were governed by the sovereign eagles that frequently appear in cfRgy on the high- lands ot the Kickapoo, and at Prairie du Chien. [See Cut S 1 Their genealogy is indicated in the beak attached to the head of the three biped effigies. Their ruler, or leader, was de- scended from the eagle tribes, as prefigured in the transverse position of the biped animal effigy; that position also is the record of h,s death, in connection with the human effigy. The nahonal, or oblong mounds, situated between the trans- verse effigy and the continuous range, being unequal in length, the longest being adjacent to the departed ruler, indicates his superiority, while the shorter work adjacent to and in range with the oblong work and continuous line of effigies, relates to bis successor, and records his youth at the time he became ruler of the tribes. The third effigy in the advancing range having the bird's head, memorializes the continuous distinc' tion between the united tribes, and the leading effigy bein<. of the biped race, indicates that the descendants of the eaglet retained the ruling power in their migration. The increased length of the oblong, or national mound, separatino- the governor from the governed, bears record of the growth and rising influence of their ruler during their sojourn in the holy land ; the oblong mound in front of the leadino- effi.f the human face, whie the modern abounds with various designs, skilfully arranged, and neatly executed, indicating an advance in art that savoi-s of European taste. And some used by the present tribes of Indians, especially those bordering -n our western frontier, are not only artistically wrought, but are richly orna- mented with rings and bands of the precious metals, decora- ted with beads and trinkets of various kinds. Such, however, are not found in the mounds, or disinterred by the plough! The sculpture of these articles attempted in imitation of the human face, and of various animals, is often tasteful; but they never display the nice observation and true artistic apprecia- tion and skill exhibited by those that we term antique. Tho ancient pipe hero presented, was taken from a mound of the Blue Earth river, and held as an ancient relic by We-ru-cun- ne-gah. ANTIQUE PIPES. In Plate VII., we present a view of come of the predomi- nating forms of pipes taken from the mounds that we term antique. Fig. 1, presents in configuration the head of a female. It is composed of a hard yellow stone ; the features are regular,' the nose turns up slightly at the point, and the lips are thick and prominent ; the eyes being closed, gives the whole a. placid impression of quiet repose ; the liead-dress is simple ; tho eai-s, which are large, are perforated with holes around their upper edges. At tho lower and posterior nortlon of tho head, drilled in convergent directions, are two small holes, that 802 ANTIQUARIAN KKSKAECnES. were probably designed for the int/odnction of stems. I may here remark, that pipes of cla}, witli stems diverging in op- posite directions, are seen among some of Jie northwestein Indian chiefs, that are by tliem denominated tlie pipe of friend- ship, and smoked in nnion by intimate friends, that were tradi- tionally represented by De-coo-dah as being anciently used in the final ratification of treaties; each p.trty introducing their national pipe-stem, regaled thonselves froui the fumes of the same bowl, in token of future friendshiiJ. The antique stone- pipe, presenting the features of females, are not unfrequently adorned with a painted representation of the new moon, or crescent, on the cheek, somewhat resembling those that are formed of earth. Fig. 2, in Plate VII., represents one of the best bpecimena of art in sculpture, that has yet been taken from the mounds. It was carved from a compact stone, that has, however, suffer- ed much from the action of fire, that renders it somewhat difficult to ascertain, with certainty, the true quality of the original material. The muscles of the face are well delineated, and the forehead finely moulded ; the eyes are open, and the lips are beautifully rounded and slightly tinged : whether through the action of fire, or the application of paint or stain, can not be determined with certainty. The faithfulness of the cut precludes the necessity of minor detail, and we have only to add, that the workmanship of this pipe, in point of symmetrical finish, is unsurpassed by anything yet lake*) from the mounds, and would compare favorably with the finest sculpture of the present age. In the same mound with these heads, were also discovered many specimens of fine sculpture of inc^igenons animals, in which fidelity to nature is critically observed and beantifully delineated. This faithful delineation of the form of animals, now common among us, certainly warrants the conclusion that the artist, in drawing from nature, has fur- nished us with features upon which his eye rested, and thus favored us with a view of the features of nations long lost in the lapse of time. Among; tropical animals in sculpture taken from the mounds, the tiger species enters largely into the account, among which THE LAMANTIN PIPE. 303 WO find the pantlier, leopard, and wild-cat, the latter of which we present in fig. 3, Plate VII. Those found in the mounds are neatly 8culi)tured and well polished. Some are presented as standing erect, others in various characteristic positions with whiskers and variegated colors well exhibited. The strong jaws, short, thick neck, and short tail, peculiar to that genius ot the tiger species, are all faithfully preserved. They are generally carved from solid blocks of red granulated poi^ phyry, that is exceedingly liard and susceptible of a fine finish The ot;er, the beaver, and many of the biquid species, are tound wrought of the same material. THE LAMANTIN PIPE. ^ A great variety of sculptured figures of animals are found m the mounds, that evidently originated with the ancient Americans, among which we find many peculiar to tropical climates as far north as the state of Ohio. In Plate VII fie 4, we present a faithful delineation of one of the Lama'ntrn species — nine sculptured representations of this animal, have been taken from the mounds in Kentucky and Ohio-this representation is supposed by some to be a strange creation ot tancy. The general figure of the Lamantin, is known to be rather elliptical or elongated, its head shaped like a simple truncated cone, and terminates in a thick fleshy snout, semi- circular at its extremity, and pierced at U.e upper part by two small semi-circular nostrils, directed forward; the ed-e of the upper lip is tumid, furrowed in the middle, and provided with stiff whiskers ; the lower lip is narrower and shorter than the upper, with small ea.-s, and eyes that are set high in the head ; the neck is scarcely distinguishable in any diminution ot size from the head and trunl: ; the tail forms about a fourth of the length of the animal. This description, from natural history, compared with the sculpture that ic faithfully por- trayed m the cut, seems to be the most satisfiictory evidence ot Identity of design, and a knowledge, on the part of e artist, of the form and existence of tropical animals. The greatest variety, and some of the most beautiful epeci- 80i ANTIQUARIAN EESEAKOHES. mens of .art in sculpture, are seen dh the ancient American biquid stone-pipe. The wren, sparrow, quail, dove, parrot, hawk, owl, and buzzard, with a great variety of long-beaked and web-footed fowl, have been taken from the mounds, indi- cative of the great admiration and love of the mound-builder of nature's most beautiful handiwork, together with a capacity for imitation on their part, that could only have been attained in critical observation, and a long cherished study of nature and art. The pipe presented in fig. 6, Plate VII., I presume was designed to represent the buzzard. It was carved from lime- stone, and is truthfully exhibited in the drawing. Limestone, and the red granulated porphyry, are much used in the sculp- ture of birds, of which .' spt^cies now known in North Amer- ica are left unrepresented, and among which some peculiar to other countries appear. Among the many antique sculptured representations dis- covered iu the mounds, evidently dedicated to the luxury of smoking, that of the toad or frog, is in no wise the least inter- esting to those that deem expression in sculpture the leading feature of admiration. In fig. 6, Plate VII., they will find a faithful drawing, taken from a well-finished and choice speci- men, ill which there is something to amuse and much to ad- mire. The knotted, rough, corrugated skin, the form of the leg and toes, the expression of the eye and face, together with the attitude of the bodj', are so true to nature, that if the sculpture were lying on the earth, partially covered by grass, moss, or leaves, the imsuspecting observer would be apt to rec- ognise the living animal in the effigy. Several of those effigies have been found on or near the surface of the earth in an unfinished condition, presenting lines and folds evidently cut witli tools; the marks of the implements used in chipping and grooving, are too clear to be reasonably mistaken ; they are generally cut from blocks of pure limestone. Plate VII. ANTIQUE PIPES, FEMALE HEADS. 1 I ri aboun vallej' conne sissipj: referei causes excee( thoroii have ( brief ( tion w my vi( isted ii The tiop, ai walls, cline, 1 of a cii as thou wide d the tor pent a] the op] eomewl rear of more 6 behind body, a EGYPTIAN POPULATION. 807 CHAPTER XSXIV. EOYPTIAN POPULATION. ^HE evidences of an ancient and mixed population in J- America, presented on the interior walls of caverrq that abound in the Atlantic states, and more abundantly in the valley between the Blue mountains and the Alleganies, in connection with those seen above the lower rapids of the Mis- sissippi, and in Kentucky and Indiana, when considered in reference to the existence, raannere, customs, and probable causes of the linal extinction of the mound-builders, become exceedingly interesting. Among those best known and thoroughly explored, Wilson's Cave, in Indiana, e. oms to have elicited most attention as an antiquarian record. A brief description of this I have previously given, in connec- tion with Cut GG, but will here notice it in connection with my views of the mixed races which I conclude ancientlv ex- isted in various portions of this continent. _ The tokens of antiquity that most forcibly arrest the atten- tion, are seen in the paintings and sculptured work on the walls, representing the sun in various stages of rise and de- cline, the moon under various phases, a serpent in the form of a circle, with its tail at considerable length down its throat as though it were endeavoring to swallow itself, the viper with wide distended jaws in the attitude of war with the scorpion, the tongueless crocodile, the seven stars and the hydra ser- pent apparently arranged in a detached group or cluster. On the opposite wall, single and alone, there is a huge monster somewhat resembling the elephant. About twenty feet in the rear of this figure, there is another much smaller and still more singular in configuration, with claws alike before and behind, and witli it? month Tjortravef' ayed in the cen body, and in the act of feeding itself with its foot LIU ui ita 308 ANTIQUAniAN RKSEAKCHES. There fire also inan_y other delineations less clearl}' defined, interspersed thioiighuut the cave, resembling the vultnre, the buzzard, tlio owl, the eagle, the dove, the quail, and others of the biped tri he, peculiar to tro[)ical regions; with the bear, tho panther, the fox, and the sloth, and otiier tropical quadrupeds. There are also several representations of human figures witli cos- tumes resembling tiiose anciently worn by Greeks and Eomans. This array of singular figures evidently implies an original design, a key to wliicli I conceive is partially fm-nished in de- posites eMtombed in the mounds, in Hcative of a reverential regard fir this singular cavern. In a oi itical examination of the form of the sculptured pipes taken from the mouruls, the work- manship ot" which indica es the most exquisite skill, we find the identical configuration of each, and all the figures seen in this cave, except that of the huge monster, and more strange noiidescript. In their entombment, we recognise the rever- ence of their former owners for this subterranean sanctuary, and at once perceive many facts from which we are led to ascribe the origin of these sti-ange emblems to the Egyptians. In 1795, at a place not very remote from this cavern, in an- other cavern in Kentucky, the catacomb peculiar to ancient Egypt wiis discovered, containing bodies embalmed in as great a state of perfection as was known in Egypt in the days of Abraham, eighteen hundred years before Christ. This art being chiiracteristic of that nation alone, sustains the conclu- sion that, where it is found, its autho?'s once existed, notwifh- Btanding their distant national locality may seem to conflict with the conclusion. If Ptolemy, an Egyptian geogrnpher who flourished about two tiiousand years ago, was able to give, as is stated by Morse, a nir.ro modern geographer, a correct mnp of the island of Ireland, u hind equally remote from Egypt, is it not proba- ble that America was kiu)wn to the Egyjitians ? The Piicene- cians wIkm.wc the art of navigation to the Egyptiai\s, are said toliave di«covered England fourteeen hundred years before Christ, ami their country lying east of the Mediterranean sen, a voyage of nearly four thonsaiul miles is i-eqnired to roach that point. If they were able to perform such voynges more EOVrTIAN POPOLATION. 309 «mn three tlionsand yeara ago, is it not prohal.lo that tho l!-g3-ptia..8 weio ianiiliaily acquainted ^ith An.eiica at that, and ijrobaI)ly, at a ni.ich earlier era, especially as they are known to liave been a maritime and enterprising people ? ' The hydra serpent was also used in Egypt as a symbol to convey tlie idea by the presentation of one body with two heads, that envy and malice were iiisejiarable ])assions, tho viler passions being generally symbolized by venomous rep- tdes. The scorpion was the symbol of hatred, and the viper of revenge. Thus far we liave reasons, through llie known traditions of the Egyplians and Indians, from which I claim for the mound builder of Ameiica genealogical descent from remote nations. Tl.o larger figures represented in the cave, and on the bluff- rocks of the Mississippi, may have been peculiar to Ihis con- tinent. That aninuils of colossal stature once roamed through this valley, and have, witli tlie mound-builders, become ex- tinct, there can be no doubt; as we yet find theii* bones pre- Bei-ved by the salts of the earth in various places, and thpir effigies portrayed in tumuli among the mounds. It accords with the known customs of idolatrous nations, that in the event of the existence of such an animal it should become an object of worship, for we perceive, in the dnvs of Job, when the arts and sciences were flourishing in Egvpt, that he Bpeaks of this or a similar animal, in connection with the ways of God. "Behold Behemoth, his strength is in his loins he moveth his tail like a cedar, his bones are strong as bai-a ot iron ; he is the chief of the ways of God ;" but we have otiier of those objects, symbols known to have been used by the ancient Greeks to display the nature of (he world, the at- tributes ot man, and the omnipotence of God. In the early da.: ^ the Egyptians acquired a knowledge of nature that rendered them eminently remarkable, and their historians in- torm us that (heir p,i«s*s did not divulge their doctrines ex- cept by the aid of signs and figurative emblems. Their mode was to discover to their auditors the mysteries ' of God and nature in hieroglyphics, and in the use of certain 310 ANTIQUARIAN RESEARCHES. visible shapes and forms of creatures -whose inclinations and dispositions led to the knowledge of the trutlis designed to be tanght. All their divinity and their philosophy was compre- hended and retained through these ingenious symbols, and figurative characters. In the common and almost universal use of the pipe, an ob- ject so constantly before tlie vision when in use, an opportu- nity was afforded in the same way, to inculcate doctrines in- dicated by the shape of the pipe and precepts to be kept in remembrance for ever. In the striking similitude existing be- tween the general forms of sculpture, and painted emblems in this cave and in Egypt, the idea of identity in origin be- comes almost irresistible ; and these facts seem to lead to the conclusion that this cave was once used by the mound- builders as a sacred sanctuary, and that at this point a colony either from Egypt, or of Egyptian descent, at some era here took up their abode. An examination of the theology of Egypt and Greece becomes interesting in connection with this cave. The sun, the most glorious of all visible objects, whose image occupies a prominent position, and first attracting the eye on entering this spacious cave, is represented in history to have been a God of those nations; and, with the mound- builder, the great fountain of light and li;^ was considered worthy of universal adoration. The moon, the next most beautiful object in creation, is historically, and traditionally acknowledged to have been worshipped as a subordinate deity, not only by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, but by the mound-builders generally who occupied those regions. This is abundantly attested in the forms of those luminaries at various points heretofore noticed in the great valley of the Misbissippi. The serpent in the form of an orb or circle, biting its tail, or feeding upon itself, was a figure used by the Greeks and Egyptians, to convey the idea of perpetual mutation of creation, and change of matter. The same figure was used by the Greeks to demonstrate that philosophical idea that the world feeds upon itself, receiving from itself continual su^v EOYPTIAN POPULATION. 811 l>lic8 for renovation, and nourishment; and, again, the ser- pent in the traditions of De-coo-dah is not only recognised on and in earth, as an object of adoration, but is also represented as ruling in conjunction with the moon, and consequently en- titled to a place in the most holy sanctuaries of the ancient American 012 ▲KTiqUABIAN BESEABOUSa. CHAPTER XXXV. KXTINCTION OF THE MOUND-BUILDERS. WIIILE tlicro ftro but few subjects that have presented a more extensive field for the investigation of the practi- cal antiquarian, or the consideration of the ancient or modern historian, it is nevertheless a fact, that neither have hereto- fore bestowed the labor and thought essential to the acquisi- tion of knowledge relative to the era, origin, or primitive use of tumuli that abundantly abound in Asia, Africa, Europe, and America, in great diversity of form and relative arrange- ment, that I humbly conceive the subject morally merits. The actual amount of labor bestowed on eacli continent of the globe in the erection of earth- works, aside from other considerations, evidently entitles them to claim of nationality and origin more antique and mysterious than any other relic known or noticed in literal history ; and when we view the complicated variety of relative arrangement in connection with diversity of form, magnitude, and extent of tumnli, to- gether with the simplicity of structure and material ap- parently arranged with mathematical precision at many points throughout the entire vale of the Mississippi in connec- tion with the thousands of isolated works that seem to have been erected without reference to any apparent or well-de- fined order in relative position, in the absence of all literal record, I falter and almost fear to indulge even the most ra- tional conjecture relative to their identity of national orio'in. "While we behold the works of man interspersed through- out portions of each habitable quarter of the globe, that past time has failed to chronicle, indicative of a population nu- merically dense, with physical energy equal to the construc- tion of artificial mounds of colossal magnitude and symmetri- OBOLOOIOAL BXTINCnON. 313 Cftl form, pcrcliod on tlio stimmit of tlie lofty hill, or profusely Bpreiul abroad on tlio iiiidiilatiiig plain, in connection with tlio eaitlien wall enclosing vapt areas that have battled with tho wubIi, the wear, and the ravages of time through r>>es and eras buried in oblivion, or totally lost in tho continno -s mu- tation of matter and mind, save and except tho passing noticQ of the inspired historian, who declares that tliero was a time when tho whole earth was fidl of wickedness; this declara- tion fairly implies density of population, and tho almost utter extermination of that people, accounts for the absence of knowledge relative to data of origin, or tise of the mounds. But the first work of Noah after leaving (he ark, is declared to have been the erection of an altar, on which to offer sacri- fico unto the Lord, and most rationally sanctions the conclu- sion, tliat the earthen mound had its origin with the antedilu- vians, of whom we know but little, notwithstanding they filled an era of time sufficiently long to enable them to people the whole earth, and in their expansion carried with them a custom that bears record, not oidy of their actual existence on every quarter of the globe, but sustains tho declarations of tlie holy men of old, that spake us the spirit gave them utter- ance. GKCIOGICAL EXTmCTION. In the investigation of ji complication of causes, in tlie total annibilaiion of the mound-builders in Americfi, I shall first no- tice tlie evidences of geological convulsion, in connection with the ravages of jiestilencc naturally growing out of the same ; and, secondl}', the amalgamation of colors and races of men in connection with pliysical degeneration. It is everywhere evident that this earth has undergone many geological changes that have materially interrupted its surface; and some of those interruptions having occurred in remote eras, and distant localities, may have carried in their consequences, the total extinction of all animated matter within their influence. There is probably no portion of the ibe that verifies this presumption in its present geological tormation more than tiiat iymg east ot the Allegany inoim- 8U AMTIQUABIAN BESUARCHEii. taina in Nortli America, extending to the "West India islands. But I only design noticing in this connection, such cliangea aa are sustained by evidences tluvt are tangil)]e, and stand in- separably connected with the total extinction of the mound- builders east of the Blue mountains, running south from tho state of New York to the Carolinas. It ia abundantly evi- dent that this portion of North America, has at some era been entirely submerged in water, in tho dt- posites of shells, fossil, and marine substances, and that this submersion has occurred since tho Noachian deluge, is equally evident in tho arrangement and geological formation of the country. On ex- amination it is everywhere evident that the Blue Ridge pre- sents, in its formation, a general mass of disorganized matter, not lying in regularly crystallized strata, such as are found in the adjacent low-lands, being formed and composed of de- tached blocks of rock of various magnitudes imbedded in clay, mingled in many places with vegetable mould ; from these and other corresponding circumstances, we are led to the con- clusion, that at some unknown era in time, it was, by one grand convulsive effort, extending from one end to the other, hove up from the depths beneath, and thus formed a barrier, or moun- tain dam, to all the waters flowing from the eastern slopes of the Allegany mountain. When we aLtentlvely examine the land embraced in this territory, we readily perceive that this entire chain of mountains forming the Blue Ridge, runs in a transverse direction to the principal rivei-s flowing east to the Atlantic ocean, such as the James river, Potomac, Susque- Lannah, Delaware, and others, all of which present evidence of rupture in their passage through the Blue Ridge, But the example that has heretofore attracted most attention, is seen in the Potomac near its junction with the Shenandoah. Here the eye is greeted in approaching this spot from the east, with a prospect truly sublime in view of a tremendous mountain rampart, towering to the height of a thousand feet, with a grand breach from the top to the bottom, of about three quarters of a mile in width, through which the victorious Po- tomac now runs, On both sides of the chasm, trees and Bhrubs have taken root among the rock?, and partly conceal OEOLOOICAL BXTimrnON. 815 Bome of tho evidences of rupture ; on the right hftnd Bide, however, about two thirds of the wjiy up, ft huge pcri)endicu- livr eurfaco remains bare, and plainly displays traces of an- cient union, with linge blocks of gray quartz that by the im- petuous flood have been rolled several miles down the stream, where they yet remain as testimonials of convulsion. The corresponding lieights of the mountain on either side of the chasm, the identity of strata of given heights, and other cir- cumstances, afford abundant evidence that this place once formed a mountain dam, that obstructed the onward passage of the Potomac as it now runs, consequently a lake above of great extent must have been the result. From the lines or grooves in the rock that curve precipitately downward on the eastern side of the mountain, I presume that a leading issue from the lake existed, long anterior to the final demolition of the mountain at this point ; and that falls such as Niagara now presents a similitude in miniature, filled the surrounding re- gions with the rumbling roar of troubled waters. This conclusion is not only warranted in the evidence pre- »jented on the spot, bvit is amply sustained in the fact, that at various other points along the mountain, its eastern declivities present at their lowest summits, traces of runnin^^ water, curving precipitately downward, where smaller issues presented falls of a magnificent grandeu), that once marked the scenery of primeval landscape with transcendent splendor. Snigger's Gap, in Loudon county, Ya., furnishes a striking example to this point, and plainly displays the ancient marks of running water from summit to base, that flowed over the summit in a shallow sheet of about twenty poles in width, concentrating in a narrow volume as it descended, cutting an irregular chan- nel through quartz and clay to the lower level, where in ser- pentine trail, it coiled along to its issue into the Potomac at the present confluence of Goose creek. This conclusion is not only sustained by the evidence presented at the issue from the lake, and the apparent surface channel, but is furtlier at- tested in the fact that by digging in this channel at various depths, from four to fourteen feet, water-washed pebbles re- pembling thoae found in the beds of all the adjacent streams $16 ANTIQUARIAN RESEAKOriRS. appear, in a regularly-forrood stratum from tlio ilJge to Goose creek. At various other places along the mountain, similar evi- dence is presented at points where no living water may now be seen, where by digging in ravines diverging from tho lowest gap summits, regular beds of gravel, petiifiud shelln, and water-washed rocks appe^.r. Brock's Gap ])resents an ex- ample to the point, where the bed of an aucietit sti-eam may be traced to its junction witii James river. Tiiis river also presents evidence of an ancient issue from the lake, ]ireviou3 to the final demolition of its barrier, wliere falls less magiiilicent than those of the Potomac appeared, that filled the adjiicent mountain-ravines with an eternal requiem in rumbling echoes from the impetuous cataract. It is also evident that the country lying between the Bbie- Bidge and the ocean was sectionally interrupted in the forma- tion of the mountain, or at some subsequent period, in tho appearance of other smaller mountains similar in foimation, some of which also present the appearance of having formed small lakes. The Short hill in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry is one to the point. This little mountain of ubout sixteen miles in length, running parallel with the Blue Ridge, from three to five miles distant, presents in the valley between a superficial basin, that is deepest about fis-e miles from the southern terminus of the hill, and at that point presents evi- dence of a breach in miniature, similar to- that seen at Har- per's Ferry, that finally drained the little lake; and in the chasm now appears the antiquated-looking little village of Hillsborouijh. That the valley lying between the ridge and Allegany mountain forming the basin of the great lake, was also sec- tionally intch-upted. is equally evident in the appearance of several basins detached from the great lake bv intervenin"- highlands bordering along the unbroken chain of Alleganies, that also present issues as aforesaid ; while at various other points along the present channel of the SliLiiandoah, there aro many signs of subsequent interruption of primitive formation seen in the disorganization of various strata of crystallized rock, GEOLOGICAL EXTINCTION. 317 tliat liave been forced from tlie cleptlis beneath to tliesnrface; n Rtrikinn^ example to tliis point appears on tlie western shore of tlie Sliei\and(»ali opposite the Shaiinondale Springs, wliere a Btrafnm of ver}' hard rocl<8 seems to liave been thrown to tho BUI face without an entire disembodiment of the same, and presents an a]>parent semicircidar formation, in a crnshed or broken condition, re-emhodied hy subsequent crystallization ; also along tlie channel of the Oppeqiian creek that traces the line of limestone formation on the east, separating it from a elate formation on the west side of that stream with singular accuracy f ; and thus prepare a partner for the subject of the secondary exercise of the same power in the fiimily of Noah, preparatory to the ushering in of a second era. And thus the descent of all nations from one blood (that blood being subject to the same law that governs universal variety), be- comes reconcilable in the univereal order of nature. As it is found that no lapse of time, change of diet, country, or climate, can possibly remove the leopard's spots, or change the 824 AJSTIQUARIAM BKSKAR0HE8. Ethiopian's skin; neither has tlie lapse of ages yot been known to change a white man, or his posterity, to the shape or color of an African. Although the hottest rays of the burning clime of Lybia, may have scorched him, or his pos- tei-ity, through many ages, and its soil have fed them on roots and berries, they still retain the primitive characteristics of their nature, as attested by Morse, the geographer, who as- serts that on the eastern coast of Africa, in latitude five degrees north, are found the glossy black, red, and white inhabitants, all speaking the same language, which is Arabic, living on the same diet, and professing the same religion, which is Mohammedan, and all living within the Maggadoxy kingdom. These people having inhabited in national union for many ages this particular portion of the globe, and there yet being gome among them that retained in original purity their pi-imi- tive complexion, would seem to furnish evidence that food and climate have little to do in the production of pure com- plexion ; and Procopius, a Greek historian of the sixth cen- tury, speaks of a people with fair and ruddy countenances and yellow hair, that dwelt far within the deserts of Lybia,' in Africa. And Doctor Shaw, of the seventeenth century, in his antiquarian researches, speaks of the same people, occu- pying the same region which is in latitude ten to twelve south, and as retaining their fair complexion and yellow hair notwithstanding a lapse of twelve hundred yeara transpired between thefie historians. It is granted, however, that a white man and his posterity will tan very dark by the heat of the sun ; but I presume it never can, as it never has, materially altered the shape of his face, or the quality of his hair, when his blood remained un- mixed with that of the darker shades of the human family, Kor do I suppose that power in the decomposition of food exists in the human stomach of sufficient force to overturn the deep foundation of causes established in the germ of being by the Creator. Nor can the mere circumstance of what a man may eat, or where he may chance to breathe, derange the eeonomy of nret principles. I subscribe to this doctrine because it is simple and natu- HATIONAL DEOBNERATIOK. 8Si8 ral — tho very vray in wlucb the great Author of creation works, by first fixing immutable principles in nature, that through those principles nature may work. As by giving gravitation to motion, the worlds are kept in their places ; by giving variations to fire, it breathes through all matter, ex- pands vegetation, gives motion to the air, and liquency to the waters of the globe ; were it not for this, all fluids that now TOOve over the earth in springs, brooks, rivers, or oceans, or pass through the earth, or circulate through the pores of trees, and herbage, together with all animal fluids of life, would stand still and become one universal mass of death. And thus I conceive that in the general order of nature, whatever is, is right; and that each, and every transgres- Bion of that order incurs, either directly or indirectly, the penalty of death. Thus I apprehend that an unnatural amal- gamation of distinct races had much to do with the extinc- tion of the mound-builders, and that the same drama is in re- action at the present time in the same regions on this con- tinent, that if persisted in, will ultimately result in the same consequences. Wherever we turn our attention to the fixed principles of variety, inherent in the procreative germs of nature in the animal and vegetable kingdoms, we at once discover a pre- disposition in such as in the order of nature iiay exist in physical union to amalgamation. Experience teaches the agriculturist that wherever he plants several varieties of potatoes together, or adjacent to each other, that a commingling of species is the invariable con- sequence; the same result is had in the mingling of vines, and various kinds of grain, and in the amalgamation of vege- table matter, an inferior article is generally obtained, and a continuous amalgamation of a few years' duration engenders disease, and destroys the procreative germ of each. But cul- tivate each species remote from each other, and a healthful purity remains unimpaired for ages. The same result is had in engrafting fruit ; cut away a large portion of the branches of a thrifty trunk, and engraft a different kind, and it may flourish and bear bounteously for a few seasons, and then 826 ANTIQUARIAN RKSEAROHRS. langiiislics and dies, wliilo tlio native crab of the forest, un- molested, retains its verdmo for centuries. In tlie amalffa- tion of fowls, apparently of tlio same species and general pliysical form, that may only ho distingtiished in their pe- culiar habits and variety of color, procreation ceases with the first traiipgression, such as t!io wild and tlie tiune turkey, tho wild and tame goose, &c. Tho same result is luvd in tlio amalgamation of tho horse and the ass. And I remark in the amalgamation of the white man and negro, tho unmistakable inroads of physical degeneration ; both in purity not nnfre- quently live out the good old age of threescore and ten, while th« mulatto or mixed races rarely survive their three- score years. The negro in his purity is everywhere known to be more prolific than the white and red races, while the mixed race is universally known to bo less prolific than either the white or black. From personal observation, in connec- tion with the facts presented, I infer that a prolonged indul- gence in the intermixture of the white and black races must eventually terminate in the total extinction of both. And the local position of America in reference to regions congenial to the nature of each, and its contiguity to continents adapted to the color and constitution of both, render it highly proba- ble that international intercourse anciently existed on this continent. And this conclusion gathers additional force in the fact that at the present time, the world is again a|>parently swai-ming, and America is hiving the surplus, and thus rapidly con- gregating together al! the materials of national combustion, in the concentration of different manners, and customs, politi- cal creeds, and conflicting theological interests, all struggling for supremacy in the exercise of their own physical means. If we roll this state of things back to the imaginary darker ages of the world, they are immediately stripped of all tho robes of chimera, physical degeneration becomes reasonable, and total extinction assumes the attitude of sovereign reality among the mound-builders. Cut FF. CtttEE. c in t den mai tfa« Kei C Coi Vir can S rabi F tion I tion Bui Riv r Wii tern I r CONTENTS. Introduction (Notice of De-coo-dali) Pab* 5 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. OfTering of Sacrifice by the Ancients.— The Division of the Earth in the Days of Peleg. — The Entombment of Idols in Tumuli.— Evi- dence of a Grecian Population in South America. — Evidence of a Ro- man and Grecian Population in the Mississippi Valley.— Evidence of the Ancient Migration of the Danes. — The Art of Embalming in Kentucky. — Phainecian Sculpture in Massachusetts 11 CHAPTER I. Conical Stone Cemeteries. — Ancient Indian Cemetery in Clarke County, Virginia.— Sacrificial Stone Cemetery in Frederick County, Virginia.— Cemetery of Earth and Stone in the Mountains 22 CHAPTER II. Modern Mode of Funeral Deposite in Staked Enclosures by Ameri- can Indians 30 CHAPTER III. South American Tumuli.— Excursion to the Battle-Field of Car- rabobo 33 CHAPTER IV. First Tour of the Author up the Mississippi River, from the Junc- tion of the Ohio to the Junction of the Crow-wing River with the Same. 40 CHAPTER V. Discovery of an Earthen Urn deposited in a Mound near the Junc- tion of the Wisconsin River with the Mississippi. — Return to Galena, Built a Sail-Boat, and ascended the Mississippi end St. Petor'a River. 4g CHAPTER VI. Description of the Mntind of Amalgamation on the Iligiiland of the Wisconsin River. — The Mound of Extinction.— Sacrificial Alta.s — In. temational Matrimonial Memorials, &c 61 ^80 CONTENTS. CHAPTER VII National Monument nieroglyphically historical.— Traditional De- ciphering of the Same, &c p^gj. gg CHAPTER VIII. The Monumental Tortoise.— Description of Fort Ancient in War- ren County, Ohio.— Discovery of the Ancient Existence of a Deep Ditch within by boring -, CHAPTER IX. Monuments of Wisconsin and Minnesota Triangular Cemeteries.— The Great Spider Memoralized on the Plains 81 CHAPTER X. Sacrificial Altars enclosed by Crescent Works, &c.— Triangles in Minnesota.— The Sacrificial Pentagon.— The Offering of Human Sac- rifice, &C gg CHAPTER XI. Triumphal Memorials of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa, seen in Earthen Effigies.— Memorials of Chiefdom, &c 104 CHAPTER XII. Title Memorial Mounds.- Their Form and Various Relative Ar- rangement — Reflections of De-coo-dah.— The Trees of War and Peace. — Their Locality and Traditional Import 108 CHAPTER XIII. The Serpent in the Wilderness seen in Truncated Earth- Works of Great Dimensions in Iowa '. jic CHAPTER XIV. De-coo-dah's Traditional Description of the Ceremonials of Ancient Festivity when in National Union — The Order of Celebration, &c.. . 126 CHAPTER XV. The Time of holding Union Festivals.— The Erection of Festival Habitations — Previous Preparations.-^The Mode and Manner of Forming National Circles, &c I34 CHAPTER XVI. Primitive or Ancient Deposites— How distinguished from more Recent Deposites.— The Deposite of Mica in the Tombs ot the Propheta jo^ 68 CONTENTS. 831 CHAPTER XVII. Visit to the Ancient Metropolis, nccompanied by De-coo-tJah.— His Reverence of Saereil Earth-Works. — Customs of French i , Pioneers — Lamentations of De-coo-dah, &c Page 140 CHAPTER XVIII. The Battle of the Bad-Axe as described by We-ru-cun-ne-gah. — His Distinction between Christian and Indian Theology 153 CHAPTER XIX. Indian Festivity in Ancient Order, by De-coo-dah. — The Great Ox Feast near Root River, in Iowa, Sucred to the Memory of the Mound- Builders 156 CHAPTER XX. The Traditional History by De-coo-dah of the General Dispersion of the Ancient Elk Nation. — Thei Execution of De-co-ta the Great.— Change of Government and Internal National Commotions 161 CHAPTER XXI. Treaty Memorials. — Their Peculiar Form. — How Distinguished from other Earth-Works. — Their Matrimonial Appendages 173 CHAPTER XXII. Unfinished Earth-Works on Straddle Creek, in llHnoi8.--Di8tinc- tion between Ancient Modes of Funeral Deposites, &c 175 CHAPTER XXIII. Battle Burial-Mounds at Prairie du Cliien. — Their Form and Con- tents. — Painted Rocks. — Indian Reverence for Them. — We-ru-cun- ne-gah, the Indian Artist 180 CHAPTER XXIV. Third Tour of Exploration. — The Death of De-coo-dah. — Memo- rial placed at his Grave — Discovery of Triangular Works near the Chipnewa River 186 CHAPTER XXV. Lineal Ranges of Artificial Mounds discovered in Iowa, extending from the Mississippi to Missouri River in connection with Serpentine Effigies 201 CHAPTER XXVI. General Character and Diversity of Form, and Arrangement of the Mounds of Wisconsin. — Their Traditional Import and Various Com- binations 209 •® CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXVII. Hieroglyphical PainHng Seen on Bluff" Rocks, in Cave«, and Se- cluded Placei.-Their Probable Origin and Design Page 226 CHAPTER XXVIII. Earth-Works of Ohio.-Their Resemblance to those Found Far West and North.-Royal Cemeteries on the Scioto River, &c 239 CHAPTER XXIX. Ohio Earth- Works Continued—Ruling Prophet's Resident Circle.- i^ ^f .--Festival Circles—Royal Union.-Prophet's Metropolis. — bacnficial Temples.— Unfinished Sanctuaries, &c 247 CHAPTER XXX. Egyptian Sanctuary in Indiana containing painted Emblems of Theo- logical Import—The Great Extent of Earthen Walls in Ohio.-Un- fimshed Stone Work on Fort Hill, in Highland County— Mounds of Migration, <&c 262 CHAPTER XXXI. The Ancient American Fish-Trap in Ohio and Nebraska— The Traditions of De-coo-dah relative to its Origin and Use.-lts Adapta- tion to its Traditional Design CHAPTER XXXII. The Deposite of Metals " i the Mounds.-Their Form and Proba- ble Design.— Of European Origin, &c 290 CHAPTER XXXIII. Modern and Ancient Pipes-Their Various Forms-The Antique 1*11)6.— Its Origin with the Mound-Builders, &c 298 CHAPTER XXXIV. Evidences of on Exceedingly Ancient Population in Kentucky; and Other Parts of the North American Continent 307 CHAPTER XXXV. Probable Causes of the Final Extinction of the Mound-Builders. .. 312 CHAPTER XXXVI. National Degeneration.-Its Origin and Effects 323 I I LIST OF ENGRAVINGS. Ancient Americans' Battle Mound Fboktispiecs Portait of De-coo-dah P agk 3 Portrait of the Author.. « 10 AA — South American Mounds 37 A — Circle, Triangles, and Parallels 221 BB — South American Earth- Works 37 B — National Memorials 227 CC— Title Mounda 109 C — Mounds of Extinction 101 DD— Title Memorials 109 D — Triumphal Mounds ,.. 207 EE— Dyer's Cave 327 E — Monumental Tortoise 79 FF — Scandinavian Cemetery 327 F — National Eagles 171 GG — Robber's Cave 213 G — Cemetery of Nebraska and Minnesota 85 G — Sacred Festival Circle 95 H — Indian Cemetery 22 H — Serpentine Effigies 113 I — National Memorials 235 J— International Festivity 131 J — National Symbols 233 K — International Festivity 131 K — Lineal Ranges of Iowa 205 L — Works in Ohio and Nebraska 95 M — Memorial Mounds 105 M — Triangular Works of Wisconsin 171 N — Group of Memorials 105 N — Cemeteries of Wisconsin 263 O — Treaty Memorials 59 O — Crescent Works of Wisconsin 191 P — Residential Mounds 121 P — Minnesota, Spider, and Triangular Cemeteries^ 1 83 ! ■j \ \ ^^* LIST OF ENQEAVINQ3. L— Unfinished Triangular Cemeteries p^^g j 83 Q— Mastodon of Muscoda " ' " * 213 Q- Circle and Octagon joo It — Cassville Works j2i K — Ro^al Residence "'" ,-1 S— Works at Prairie du Chien , '.'.'.'..'.'..... 249 T— Vaulted Cemetery 207 T — Residential Circles __ 041; U—Gottenburg Works ^.g u— Effigies of Ohio ---."!"!"!!!!!'.".'.".."."!!!"' 245 V — Fort Ancient „, V — Monumental Cemeteries 005 W — National Monuments »„ W— Hieroglyphical and Sacrificial Works '.'.'..'.'.'.'...... 215 "W— Hieroglyphical Paintings .'.".'.*.".'"" 223 X— Unfinished Works of Illinois '/// ' 59 X — Hieroglyphical Paintings ' 229 Y— Triangular and Crescent Groups !!'.!" 1 13 V— Prophet's Metropolis >r Sacred Enclosures ' 255 Z— Unfinished Works _ 015 —Sacrificial Pentagon 053 Z— Festival Circles .'."..'."."' 199 IV. — Modern IndianPipe '"*_ " ggg VI.— Ancient Indian Pipe of Peace [[[ 299 Fig. 1, VII.— Female Head. Antique Pipe, side view .'.'.' 305 Fig. 2, VII.— Female Head. Antique Pipe, front view. 305 Fig. 3, VII.— Wild Cat, Antique Pipe '.'."'."[ 305 Fig. 4, VII.— Lamantin Antique Pipe "' 305 Figs. 5 and 6, VII.— Buzzard and Frog Antique Pipe". !!.!!". !".*"'" 305 62— Works of Marietta, Ohio ; 271 C3— Metallic Deposites onq 64— Metallic Deposite ] ." 293 65 — Metallic Deposite 66 — Engraved Stone 67— Great Mound of Miamisburg, Ohio ' 267 68— Portsmouth Works, Ohio 066 69— Paint Creek Works, Ohio Ioq 70— Shawnee Village, Ohio .'".'."."."".".]!!!".".!!." 004 Fort Defiance ~ Fort Greenville .".'.'.".",.",." ,11 THE END.