observations made a good many years ago are valuable and here quoted.
"On the banks of the Scioto River, in Perry Township, the Williams History says, "are remains of
ancient works which have the appearance of fortification and were undoubtedly used as such by some
earlier inhabitants of this county, of whom all trace, further than these forts and mounds, is lost. On the
farm of Joseph Ferris, a mile north of Dublin Bridge, are to be seen in a good state of preservation, the
outlines and embankments of three forts. One of these is within a few feet of his house and is perhaps
eighty feet in diameter inside, with an entrance at the east side. The ditch and embankment are well
defined. A short distance northeast of this spot, and within arrow shot of it, is a large fort in square
form, and enclosing nearly, or quite, half an acre of ground. Although the tramping of cattle for many
years has worn down the embankments, they are several feet high and the ditch, which is inside the
works, is now some six feet deep. When the country was first settled this ditch was filled with water,
and was a bed of mire, a pole thrust into the ground to a depth of ten feet finding no solid ground
beneath. This would tend to show that originally this was a strong place and that the ditch was quite
deep. Time has filled it with dead leaves, and refuse matter has assisted in obliterating this work. It is situated on a hill that commands a wide view of the country for a considerable distance in either direction. At a little lower point, and nearer the river, is a small mound. There was also a small mound in the centre of the larger fort, which was opened many years since, and was found to contain the bones of a large man. These crumbled in pieces soon after being exposed to the air. It is possible that by uncovering the ditch of this fort some relics of the extinct race that built these works might be obtained. Search of this kind has generally been turned to the mound, instead of the inner ditches of the fort, where probably was the habitation of the builders. A short distance from this larger fort is a smaller one than that first described. There have been several old works of this kind along the banks of the river between these works and Columbus, but they are mostly obliterated by the cultivation of the land on which they stood."
Traces of the square earthwork can be seen in a plowed field. The henge in the upper right is visible in the front yard of a residence. I ronton Register, May 5, 1892,
Where Proctorville now stands was one-day part of a well-paved city, but I think the greater part of it
is now in the Ohio River. [Sic] Only a few mounds, there; one of which was near the C. Wilgus
mansion and contained a skeleton of a very large person, with all double teeth, and sound, in a jaw
bone that would go over the jaw with the flesh on, of a large man; the common burying ground was
well filled with skeletons at a depth of about 6 feet. Part of the pavement was of boulder stone and part
of well-preserved brick.
Burlington Iowa Hawk Eye, June 7, 1893
RELICS FROM A MOUND
REMARKABLE DISCOVERIES IN AN OHIO TOWN
A Human Skull Almost Twice the Size of Thise of the Present Day-Looks as if the Lost Race Were Croatians and Phoenicians.
The work of removing the old Indian mound in Walnut Grove, Martins Ferry, near Bellaire, Ohio, goes on slowly owing to the care exercised that none of the interesting relics to be found in it be lost. Probably the most interesting article taken from the mound is a huge skull, which would seem to indicate that in the days of the mound builders there were giants abroad. The skull is at least twice as large as the normal average of today. This skull is in a good state of preservation. In the collection of relics exhibited in the same place are the cuplike stones, which have been supposed to be cups made by ancient inhabitants. These and other relics are shown in the picture herewith given. Whether these were made by man or are the stones in the process of formation, the outer shell only having become petrified, it would take an expert to decide. Certain it is, however, that similar cups are frequently found in that vicinity in the ground or on its surface, having the
appearance of being a natural product and not an artificial one. Some of the spearheads and hatchets found at Martin's Ferry are as perfect as any found anywhere. Bones are found in every part of the
mound, bearing out the theory that such mounds were simply cemeteries instead
of graves and monuments at once of the great chiefs. Several corpses have
certainly been buried in this mound. The finding of curious precious stones
worthy of notice. What seems to be opals, emeralds and crystals nearly like
diamonds, have been taken from the mound. Learned savants have held that the
proof is complete, from the articles found at Moundsville, W. Va., that
moundbuilders were Croations and Phoenicians or both. The presence of
precious stones in the vicinity of these corpses, with flint darts, spearheads,
stone axes and stones with holes neatly drilled in them, may furnish another clue to the identity of the lost race. The mound at Moundsville is the highest mound found in that part of the country, it being over 100 feet high.
New York Times, March 5, 1894
Giants of Other Days
Recent Discoveries Near Serpent Mound, Ohio.
From the Indianapolis Journal
Farmer Warren Cowen of Hillsborough, Ohio, while fox hunting recently discovered several ancient graves. They were situated upon a high point of land in Highland County, Ohio, about a mile from the famous Serpent Mound, where Prof. Putnam of Harvard made interesting discoveries. As soon as the weather permitted, Cowen excavated several of these graves. The graves were made of large limestone slabs, two and a half to three feet in length and a foot wide. These were set on edge about a foot apart. Similar slabs covered the graves. A single one somewhat larger was at the head and another at the foot. The top of the grave was two feet below the present surface.
Upon opening one of the graves a skeleton upward of six feet in length was brought to light. There were a number of stone hatchets, beads, and ornaments of peculiar workmanship near the right arm. Several large flint spear and arrow heads among the ribs gave evidence that the warrior had died in battle.
In another grave was the skeleton of a man equally large. The right leg had been broken during life, and the bones had grown together. The protuberance at the point of union was as large as an egg, and the limb was bent like a bow. At the feet lay a skull of some enemy or slave. Several pipes and pendants were near the shoulders.
In other graves Cowen made equally interesting finds. It seems that the region was populated by a fairly intelligent people, and that the Serpent Mound was an object of worship. Near the graves is a large field in which broken implements, fragments of pottery, and burned stones give evidence of a prehistoric village site.
Newark Daily Advocate, (Newark, Ohio) May 5, 1897
Licking
Possesses Largest Stone Mound in Ohio
It Overlooks Buckeye Lake-An Interesting Article From Warren K. Moorehead
Prof. Warren K. Moorehead of the Ohio State University, who has made several visits to this county on archaeological investigations, contributes the following to the Popular Science-News on Ohio’s Largest stone mound which is located in this county:
“Upon a hill in Licking County, overlooking the reservoir is a famous stone mound. Today it is about ten feet high on the average, and covers a diameter something over 200 feet. In 1811 when first noticed, it was 50 or 55 feet high and about 180 feet broad at the base. No similar stone structure and but few earth mounds could compare with it in size and symmetry.
When the reservoir was constructed some 50,000-wagon loads of stone were hauled from it to “riprap” the walls. No one of the ignorant vandals engaged in this demolition had any conception of the importance of th
e structure. After one or two years of active destruction they reached the bottom of the stones and found eight or ten small earth mounds. It seems that the great structure had been erected simply to cover these. With thoughts of gold and other riches, several of the little tumuli were excavated. In one was found a large skeleton lay in a hollow log. Many beads were strung about the neck, several copper hatchets lay by the hands and copper bracelets encircled the wrists. Important as was the find there is but one slight trace of it remaining at present time.
Years afterward an enthusiastic crank at Newark pretended to have found a stone covered with Hebrew characters and also exhibiting “a picture of Moses” in the central portion of the mound. But all archaeologists immediately set it down as humbug.
In April 1896, the Ohio Archaeological and Historical society explored what remained of the mound very thoroughly. Not much was found, for only too thoroughly has the early explorers done their work of destruction. It was ascertained that the mounds had been erected upon a hard burnt floor and that each one originally contained a skeleton.
The stones weigh from five to twenty pounds and were collected by the aborigines in the neighborhood. Nearby passed the prehistoric trail, leading from Newark’s famous fortifications to the stone fort in Perry County. A branch of this led to Flint Ridge, where the ancients procured flint for the manufacture of arrow, spear and lance heads. All through the region are mounds and enclosures.”
The Adair County News, (Kentucky) January 1897
An old Indian mound has been opened on the farm of Harrison Robinson, four miles East of Jackson
Ohio, and two skeletons of extraordinary size and a great quantity of trinkets have been removed.
Some years ago a party of relic hunters, supposed to have been sent out in the interest of the
Archaeological society visited the Robinson farm, and after a few days search removed a great
collection of stone hatchets, beads and bracelets, which were packed and shipped to an Eastern
institute, and until this recent accidental discovery it was supposed that everything had been removed
by the relic hunters. It is thought by many that more relics are to be found and preparations are being
made for a through investigation.
Athens Messenger, August 6, 1903
MOUND BUILDERS' MONUMENTS
The Silent Witnesses of a Gigantic Prehistoric Race, Long Agone.
Wolf's Plains Was the Central Place for the Tribes Who Built the Numerous Mounds- What Became of the Mound Builders?
Wolf's Plains has long been noted for its many mounds, which seem indicative of its having been a central place for the tribes of a people who built them. While a great many of the mounds have been almost obliterated by repeated plowing, yet quite a number remain to give us an idea of their original form and size. It is not known what the exact use of the mounds was, yet the fact that in nearly every one that is opened are found skeletons and various trinkets and copper and stone vessels, seems to throw some light on the subject. Some claim that they were used as places of burial, but they were evidnetly used for a variety of purposes.
The Plain's school house rests on one of these mounds, which has been plowed and worked down to make it suitable for that purpose. During the process of lowering it, numerous trinkets and vessels were unearthed, among which was a particular article, consisting of two rings of copper beads between two pieces of buckskin.
All was in a perfect state of preservation when found, but the air soon changed the buckskin to dust. Charcoal is always present and is as bright as if it had made but yesterday. A large number of other things were found but some prominent men from a nearby city hastened to the spot and carried all the relics away to place them in museums. These things are always found near the base or bottom of a mound.
A prominent farmer, who not long since passed away and whose name could easily be given, if necessary kept plowing around a mound until he had nearly plowed it down. Near the bottom he unearthed the skeleton of a man who had been buried in an erect position. Charcoal was found near the skeleton, showing that for some reason a fire had been made near the deceased. These remains are always of men of great stature.
Such things as knives, tomahawks, beads, all kinds of copper and stone vessels, skeletons and other objects too numerous to mention have been found in mounds near and on the Plains. Another discovery that might be of interest to those who have not heard of it is that an ancient cemetery or burying ground some distance above where the new shaft is located. When the Hocking Valley railroad was being built it was found necessary to remove a portion of one of the nearby hills, or to make a “cut,” and for that purpose a huge steam shovel was employed. While at work they found the ancient cemetery. From the skeletons it is evident that the men were very large. It is said that the bones reaching from the knee to the ground were almost a foot longer than that of the average man of today. These facts, which will be well remembered by many of the older people, indicate that this country was originally inhabited by a race of people of whom we have not the slightest knowledge, except what is contained in their mounds and cemeteries. That this race has lived its day and perished, is rather a sad fact.
Chicago Herald, April 15, 1904
FIND SKELELTON OF GIANT
Interesting Relic of Ancient Mound Builders Uncovered in Ohio
A giant skeleton of a man has been unearthed on the Wolverton farm, a short distance from Tippecanoe City, Ohio. It measured eight feet from the top of the head to the ankles, the feet being missing. The skull is large enough to act as a helmet over the average man’s head. This skeleton was one of seven found buried in a circle, the feet of all being toward the center. Rude implements were near. The skeletons are though to be those of the mound builders.
Centennial Atlas of Athens County, Ohio, 1905 A small mound located on the very top of the hill bordering the eastern part of the Wolf’s Plains and a little northwest of the house now occupied by Mr. J. Taylor, superintendent of the Johnson Coal Mining company’s mine here, was opened by two or three of the citizens in the spring of 1905. They were in search of copper and stone articles and more especially inscriptions. At the bottom of the mound and lying on a huge flat stone was a skeleton apparently of a woman. The lower limbs were crossed. The bones had been much decayed by the action of water. The explorers stated theat the bones were remarkably large. The jaw bone would fit over that of the average man of today and leave plenty of place besides. The forearm bones 5 inches larger than those of the average man. Charcoal was found in three different layers.
History of the County of Williams, Ohio, 1905
On fractioned section 12, about 2 miles north of Montpelier, two large mounds which were six on seven feet in height and fifty or sixty feet in diameter… taking there from two skeletons, one very large and the other of ordinary size.
History of the Maumee River Basin, Defiance County, Ohio , 1905
A mound was found on the high south bank of the Maumee River, a few rods west of the middle
north and south line of section twenty and seven of Defiance Township… This mound was about four
feet above the surrounding land, about thirty feet in diameter… Brice, who gave the writer this
information, opened this mound in the year 1824. A small quantity of bony fragments were found
which readily crumbled between the fingers on being handled. Human teeth were found, some of
which were of large size.
History of Fulton County, Ohio, 1905
Of the works examined in this county, those most worthy of mention are situated on the farm of the
late Hon. D. W. H. Howard, in section 9, Pike Township. These mounds were explored during the
summer of 1892.
These mounds are in a group of twelve in number, of which eleven are located and clearly identical
and the site of the twelfth is plainly indicated… The mound mentioned as being located in the public
of stones about four feet diameter, containing within the circle about a bushel of charcoal and ashes.
The stones are what are known as “nigger heads.”
Nearly all of these mounds were opened and examined by judge Handy, and the report of two of them
we will give in the judge’s own language. Of one he calls Mound No. 7 he writes, “Sandy soil, light
yellow sand: about eighteen inches from surface found longest thigh bones yet discovered. No trace of
fire-no disturbance of soil here to fore-bones crumbled on exposure-highest of the mounds-found near
center skeleton with his head to the north, lying on his back and limbs extended-near hem found
skeleton No. 2, with head to the east and lying on his face. Both being large men.
About another mound in this group it was written: “The part of the skull above the nasal bones was
well preserved, and compared with the skull of an Indian found intrusively buried in neighboring
mound, was a distinctly different type of man.”
20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio , 1908
“The mound is situated on the banks of a rocky stream…on the farm of Solomon Hill, Concord
Township, Delaware County, Ohio. Two human skeletons were found in the mound, one about seven
feet long, the other a child. The shell (conch from Florida) was found at the left cheek of the large
skeleton.”
The Evening Telegram, Norwalk Ohio, February 28, 1910
PRE-HISTORIC MAN IS FOUND NEAR NORWALK
Fitchville Is Exited Over The Finding Of A Giant Skeleton Wich Measured Over Eight Feet In Length.
Norwalk, O., Feb 25-What is believed to be the skeleton of a prehistoric giant, was unearthed in the cemetery in Fitchville. The skeleton of another human being that is thought to have been buried at the same time also was unearthed.
The discovery of the bones was made by Cornelius Springfield of Fitchville cemetery, while he was engaged in digging a grave for the remains of John Laughlin, an aged pioneer resident of Fitchville. The Laughlin family burial lot in the Fitchville cemetery has been owned by the Laughlin family for the past seventy-five years, and a large number of members of the family have been buried there. The cemetery is located on a high piece of ground and the Laughlin lot is located on the highest point in the cemetery, a sort of a mound.
The Nephilim Chronicles: Fallen Angels in the Ohio Valley Page 38