USA > Iowa > Scott County > History of Scott County, Iowa > Part 27
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It is quite apparent that all these strata were deposited before the mighty river, which, at a later period, filled the valley from hillside to hillside, had excavated its broad channel, and the bluffs had assumed their present form, and before any strong currents were established in the waters which accomplished the work. This is shown from the fact that all the strata, including the old soil and peat bed, extend entirely nnchanged to the edge of the bluff, out- cropping when not hidden from view .by land slides, or by the recent soil.
A tusk, several molars and some bones of a mammoth (Elephus primi genius) of a race whose last individual roamed over the con- tinent ages ago, were exhumed sometime since by the steain exca- vator, and traces were observed of other portions of the skeleton entirely decomposed. This was found at the junction of the yellow and bluish clays, three feet above the peat bed, indicating that the skeleton was deposited after the blue stratum, the body having floated there upon the waters, or the creature perhaps hav- ing "waded in" to his destruction. The tusk was considerably broken by the machine, but was nearly all secured. It was nearly seven feet in length, very much curved, and measures four and three-fourths inches in diameter at the base. One of the molars weighs nine and a half pounds.
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One of the chief circumstances indicating that the clay No. 3, next above the forest bed, was deposited suddenly, is the appearance of an ancient ditch, which was cut through the peat bed and soil, and considerably below, its whole depth being about six feet. It would seem that if this had been exposed to the action of a flood of still waters for any considerable time, the black soil at its sides would have been softened and disintegrated, and settled down somewhat into the bottom, and the light-colored clay in set- tling gradually into the ditch, would necessarily have become more mixed with it, and if in running water it would still more certainly have been so. It is, however, distinet all the way down, the line between them being as sharp as a lead-peneil mark on paper.
The clay within the ditch is as clean, and every way precisely the same, as that extending over the whole surface, and perfectly con- tinuous with it, and without the slightest appearance of separation.
A sudden overflow of the elay upon this region might account for the position of the elephant bones several feet above the old surface, by the animal being overwhelmed by it, and perishing there.
MOUND NO. 3, COOK'S FARM GROUP. "
BY REV. J. GASS.
Mound No. 3 is the largest of this group, and is situated on the highest ground in the vicinity. Its diameter at the base is about 60 feet and height three and one-half feet above the natural grade. Having been many years under cultivation, its height has doubtless been thereby somewhat reduced. The form is not coni- cal, but considerably flattened. It is a so-called double mound, there being in the central portion two graves, extending east and west. and parallel to each other, separated by three to four feet of earth, and excavated to a depth of two and one-half feet below the natural surface, reaching to the hard clay in the middle of the excavation, which is sloping on all sides, giving it a concave form, thoughi flattened at the bottom. The actual mound raised over the whole is now only three to four feet above the original surface, and presents somewhat the form of a cone.
When in the latter part of 1874 I, with the assistance of W. Engelbrecht, E. Borgelt and II. Decker, who were at that time theological students, explored the other mounds of this group, I
* From the Proceedings of the Davenport Academy of Science.
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.
opened at the same time the southern grave of this mound, the details of which work I here give in full, from notes taken at the time.
We made an opening several feet in width, and, as we afterward found, three or four feet to the south of the grave, in the southern part. At the depth of one foot we found a scattered layer of lime- stone, under which was a stratum of earth about one foot deep. At the southern side of this opening, one and one-half feet from the surface, we discovered two human skeletons. From the condition of these skeletons, and from their arrangement, and the nature of the objects found associated with them. it is clearly shown that they belong to our century, and not to the age of Mound-Builders, the bones being in a good state of preservation, and, as is often found in Indian graves, covered with the boughs of oak-trees.
The objects found with these bones were a fine steel, a common clay pipe, a number of shell and glass beads and a silver ear-ring. A few of the bones exhibit some ents, made apparently by sharp teeth or some cutting instrument. It should also be remarked that fragments of human bones were found scattered through the earth at about the same depth as the skeletons above referred to,-one and one-half feet below the surface.
Immediately beneath the above mentioned skeletons was found a thin layer of river shells, from one to two inches in thickness, which sloped slightly toward the north. At the south side of this excavation, about two feet below the surface, we found a large quan- tity of ashes. This bed of ashes was beyond the circumference of the shell layer, hence we cannot positively determine whether the ashes had been placed there by the Mound-Builders.
The layer of shells above mentioned rested upon a stratum of earth 12 inches in depth, under which was found a second bed of shells, three or four inches in thickness. This second layer of shells sloped more abruptly to the northward, which induced us to proceed in that direction, until we reached what proved to be the south side of the grave. There, at the depth of about two feet be- low the second shell bed, about five and one-half feet below the surface, were discovered three skeletons, two of adults, and the third that of a child, lying in a horizontal position on the hard clay, with the heads to the west and the feet to the east. The small skeleton was lying between the two larger ones.
At the east end of the grave we found several small fragments of skulls. All of the bones were covered with loose black carth, occupying the space between them and the lower shell bed. Im-
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mediately in contact with the bones of the child's skeleton were a large number of copper beads. About three inches above the south- ernmost of the two larger skeletons and near the right shoulder were discovered two copper axes lying side by side, with the sharp edges toward the sonth.
Near the northernmost skeleton were found three copper axes in the same relative position except that they were about two feet above the bottom of the grave, and immediately beneath the lower layer of shells. Nos. 1 and 2 were lying side by side with the sharp edge toward the south, and No. + lying aeross them with the edge westward. All the axes had been wrapped in eloth, which was more or less imperfectly preserved. A few of the bones of the child were of a greenish color, quite well preserved, proba- bly by the action of the copper; while the rest of theni, as well as those of other skeletons, crumbled in pieces as soon as removed. Just north of the northernmost large skeleton, and in a small cavity excavated at the north side of the grave, were found the fol- lowing articles: 1st, A number of small red stones arranged in the form of' a star, about three inches in diameter; 2d, Two earved stone pipes, one having the form of the ground hog and the other a plain one; 3d, Several eanine teeth of the bear, etc .; 4th, One arrow head; 5th, One large broken pot. with bones of the turtle ad- hering to the inside of the fragments; 6th, Two pieces of galena; 7th. A lump of yellow ochre. Here I would also mention that at each end of this grave were found several stones of a few pounds weight cach.
The fact that the bottom of this grave sloped upward and out ward in all directions, confirmed our opinion that all the contents of this mound had been discovered and a further search would be useless. Messrs. Farquharson, Tiffany and Pratt, to whom full permission was given to prosecute a further search, coneurred in this opinion, and did not think it advisable to avail themselves of the opportunity. The work on this mound was therefore diseon- tinned, and operations commeneed in an adjacent one.
In tilling the field containing these mounds, many shells were turned up by the plow, on the north side of mound No. 3. This eir- euinstance led me to believe that the shell layer extended further to the north than I had formerly supposed, and to consider it prob- able that on the side opposite to the former excavation, on the northern slope of the mound, a second grave might be found north of the first, or some other reason must exist for the extension of the shell layer so far in this direction.
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.
My intention to begin in the latter part of the summer the work of a second excavation was repeatedly frustrated by the unusual wetness of the ground and various private hindrances, until the early settings of severe winter weather made it seem advisable to postpone operations until spring. Learning, however, in Deeem- ber, that the farm was rented to a new tenant, who was to take possession on the first of March, 1877, and that after that date the permission to exeavate, which had heretofore been freely. granted, could no longer be obtained, the shortness of the time remaining indueed me to commence a new exploration, in spite of the diffi- eulties attending such work in winter, the ground being frozen to the depth of about two and one-half feet. Accordingly, on the 10th of January, the weather having somewhat moderated, I com- meneed the work, assisted by Messrs. Willrodt and Stroltzenan, aided also by five other men, whose curiosity attracted them to the spot.
Commencing on the north side of the mound, about 15 feet northwest of one grave, and, as we afterward found, about six feet from another grave, we made an opening several feet in diame- ter. Five or six inches below the surface we came upon a shell layer one or two inches in thickness, which sloped downward to- ward the southeast, until at a distance of four or five feet it reached the depth of two feet, or rather more, from the surface.
Between the surface and this first layer of shells a number of human bones were found scattered through the soil; also a num- ber of stones, which, as was afterward observed, were more nu- merous over the second grave. Associated with these bones, which, like those on the other side of the mound, were doubtless of modern times, we found a few glass beads and fragments of a brass ring. This layer of shells rested upon a stratum of earth from 12 to 15 inches in thickness; and beneath this was a second layer of shells. This layer was from three to four inches thick, and in a sloping position, nearly parallel with the upper layer. These indications caused us to continue our excavations in this direction, and so we reached the northwest corner of the second grave. Here the shell layer was five inches thick. Below this layer was a stratum of loose, black soil or vegetable mold, of 18 or 20 inches, resting on the firm, undisturbed clay. In this soil were discovered fragments of human bones, and small pieces of "coal slate," or bituminous shale.
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.
These circumstances arrested particular attention, and caused me to proceed with more caution, until soon after-about five o'clock in the afternoon-we discovered the two inscribed tablets of coal slate, which, with other relies from the mound, are now in the museum of the Academy. The two tablets were lying close together on the hard clay, in the northwest corner of the grave, about five and one-half feet below the surface of the mound, the larger one to the southward and the smaller one north of it. The smaller one is engraved on one side only, and the larger one on both sides. The larger one was lying with that side upward which was somewhat injured by a stroke of the spade, and the smaller one with the engraved side upward. They were covered on both sides with clay, on removal of which the markings were for the first time discovered. A number of fragments of the coal slate lay in the immediate vicinity of the tablets. It should also be remarked that I did not leave the mound, after penetrating through the frost, until the tablets were discovered and taken from their resting-place with my own hands.
South of the tablets. in the southwest corner of the grave, were found a few pieces of skull-bones, of which one piece was saturated with the green carbonate of copper. Also, several pieces of hu- man cervical vertebræ, a small bit of copper. and an artificially wrought bone. In this grave were a great number of bones of the body, and also in the northeast corner, as in the southwest corner above mentioned, some pieces of skull and bones of the neck. It seems probable that here had been two skeletons, lving one with the head to the west and the other to the east, but this cannot be positively determined.
About two and one-half fect east of the west end, at the south side of the grave, and about three inches from the bottom, we found a copper ax, which exhibited no indications of having been wrap- ped in cloth. and two feet still farther cast. on the same side of the grave, a few copper beads, fragments of pottery, and a piece of yellow pigment. A piece of mica, two crystals of "dog-tooth," some flakes of selenite, and a flint arrow-head were afterward found. In all parts of this grave, above the bones, we found many pieces of rotten wood, and. in one instance, a piece of bone about three inches in length, apparently artificially wrought.
The two shell layers over the second grave were united toward the middle of the mound, and formed a continuous layer with the shells in the southern part, showing that both of the graves were
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covered at the same time. These layers were lowest immediately over each grave. The shell-beds are composed of the species of river shells common in this vieinity, having been separated. They extend about two or three feet beyond the graves in every direction, terminating in a border of stone, fitted closely together, and form- ing on the north and south sides a layer of about two feet in width, and on the east and west sides consisting of only a single row.
Over the middle of the broad layer of stones on the north side was found a bed of ashes and a number of human bones, at the junetion of the layer of shells and stones at the northwest corner, and immediately beneath them a few fragments of bones, with ents or seratches, like those deseribed, found on the south side. It was remarked that in the earth near the surface of all parts of the mound were found more or less of human bones, showing that it was used as a burial place in comparatively modern times. Pieces of pottery were found at the top of this mound, also at the top of other mounds of this group.
I subsequently made a further exploration of the mound, and it was at this time that the copper ax, a number of copper-beads and fragments of pottery and yellow pigment, mentioned in the de- seription of this inound, were obtained. The value of these artieles in themselves is seareely commensurate with the expense ineurred, but the opportunity thus afforded for further observations upon the structure of the mound was very desirable, and has given us a better understanding of the whole, and I would present my thanks to the Academy for thus having enabled me to prosecute the work to completion, and to present a fuller description of the entire strue- ture.
After finding the tablets, some intruders entered the excavation in our absence and took some relies, which, however, I was fortunate enough to obtain from them. These were some pieces of mica, some crystals of dog-tooth-spar, flakes of selenite, and an arrow head, which are also in the Academy Museum, with the ax and other artieles above mentioned.
I now have to also report that in other places in the immediate vieinity, and to the southward of this group, where mounds are supposed to exist, I have made a careful examination by boring a great number of holes and examining the earth from different depths. We found in each case a number of stones, as in the other mounds, and below these stones only sand and gravel and the hard elay, but no indieations of shells, human bones or other artificial de- posits, and henee coneluded them to be only natural elevations.
CHAPTER III.
PIONEER LIFE.
One of the most interesting phases of national or local history is that of a settlement of a new country. What was the original state in which the pioneer found the country, and how was it made to blossom as the rose?
Pioneer life in Scott County finds its parallel in almost every connty in the State, and throughout the entire West. The beauti- ful prairies were to be robbed of their natural ornaments and the hand of art was to assist in their decoration. Who was to under- take this work? Were they qualified for the task? What will be the effect of their labors upon future generations ?
EARLY MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.
The young men and women of to-day have little conception of the mode of life among the early settlers of the country. One can hardly conceive how great a change has taken place in so short a time. In no respect are the habits and manners of the people sim- ilar to those of 60 years ago. The clothing, the dwellings, the diet. the social customs, have undergone a total revolution, as though a new race had taken possession of the land.
In a new country, far removed from the conveniences of civili- zation, where all are compelled to build their own houses, make their own clothing and procure for themselves the means of subsistence, it is to be expected that their dwellings and garments will be rude. These were matters controlled by surrounding circumstances and the means at their disposal. The earliest settlers constructed what were termed " three-faced camps." or, in other words, three walls, leaving one side open. They are described as follows: The walls were built about seven feet high, when poles were laid across at a distance of about three feet apart, and on these a roof of elapboards was laid, which were kept in place by weight poles placed on them. The elapboards were about four feet in length and from eight inches to 12 inches in width, split out of white oak timber. No floor was laid in the "camp." The structure required neither door,
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window, nor chimney. The one side left out of the cabin answered for all these purposes. In front of the open side was built a large log heap, which served for warmth in cold weather and for cooking purposes in all seasons. Of course there was an abundance of light, and, on cither side of the fire, space to enter in and out. These "three-faced camps " were probably more easily constructed than the ordinary cabin, and was not the usual style of a dwelling-house.
The cabin was considered a material advance for comfort and home life. This was, in almost every case, built of logs, the space between the logs being filled in with split sticks of wood, called "chinks," and then daubed over, both in side and outside, with inortar made of clay. The floor, sometimes, was nothing more than earth tramped hard and smooth, but commonly made of "puncheons," or split logs, with the split side turned upward. The roof was made by gradually drawing in the top to the ridge-pole, and, on cross pieces, laying the "clapboards," which, being several feet in length, instead of being nailed, were held in place by poles laid on them, called " weight poles," reaching the length of the cabin. For a fire-place, a space was cut out of the logs on one side of the room, usually about six feet in lengthi, and three sides were built up of logs. making an offset in the wall. This was lined with stone, if convenient; if not, then earth. The flue, or upper part of the chim- ney, was built of small split sticks, two and a half or three feet in length, carried a little space above the roof, and plastered over with clay, and when finished was called a " cat-and-clay" chimney. The door space was also made by cutting an aperture in one side of the room of the required size, the door itself being made of clapboards secured by wooden pins to two cross-pieces. The hinges were also of wood, while the fastening consisted of a wooden latch catch- ing on a hook of the same material. To open the door from the outside, a strip of buckskin was tied to the latch and drawn through a hole a few inches above the latch-bar, so that on pulling the string the latch was lifted from the catch or hook, and the door was opened without further trouble. To lock the door, it was only necessary to pull the string through the hole to the inside. Here the family lived, and here the guest and wayfayer were made welcome. The living room was of good size, but to a large extent it was all- kitchen, bed-room, parlor and arsenal, with flitches of bacon and rings of dried pumpkin suspended from the rafters. In one corner were the loom and other implements used in the manufacture of clothing, and around the ample fireplace was collected the kitchen
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furniture. The clothing lined one side of the sleeping apartment, suspended from pegs driven in the logs. Hemp and flax were gen- erally raised, and a few sheep kept. Out of these the elothing for the family and the sheets and coverlets were made by the females of the house. Over the door was placed the trusty rifle, and just back of it hung the powder-horn and hunting-ponch. In the well- to-do families, or when crowded on the ground floor, a loft was sometimes made to the cabin for a sleeping place and the storage of " traps " and articles not in common use. The loft was reached by a ladder secured to the wall. Generally the bed-rooms were sepa- rated from the the living-room by sheets and coverlets suspended from the rafters, but until the means of making these partition walls were ample. they lived and slept in the same room.
Familiarity with this mode of living did away with much of the discomfort, but as soon as the improvement could be made, there was added to the cabin an additional room, or a " double log cabin," being substantially a " three-faced camp, " with alog room on each end and containing a loft. The furniture in the cabin corresponded with the house itself. The articles used in the kitchen were as few and simple as ean be imagined. A "Dutch oven," or skillet, a long- handled frying pan, an iron pot or kettle, and sometimes a coffee- pot, constituted the utensils of the best furnished kitchen. A little later, when a stone wall formed the base of the chimney, a long iron "erane " swung in the chimney-place, which ou its " pot-hook" carried the boiling kettle or heavy iron pot. The cooking was all done on the fire-place and at the fire, and the style of cooking was as simple as the utensils. Indian, or corn meal was the commnon flour, which was made into " pone " or "eorn-dodger," or " hoe- cake," as the occasion or variety demanded. The " pone " and the " dodger " was baked in the Dutch oven, which was first set on a bed of glowing coals. When the oven was filled with the dough, the lid, already heated on the fire, was placed on the oven and covered with hot embers and ashes. When the bread was done it was taken from the oven and placed near the fire to keep warm while some other food was being prepared in the same oven for the forth- coming meal. The " hoe-cake " was prepared in the same way as the dodger -- that is, a stiff dough was made of the meal and water, and, taking as much as could conveniently be held in both hands, it was molded into the desired shape by being tossed from hand to band, then laid on a board or flat stone placed at an angle before the fire and patte I down to the required thickness. In the fall and
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early winter, cooked pumpkin was added to the meal dough, giving a flavor and richness to the bread not attained by the modern methods. In the oven from which the bread was taken, the venison or ham was then fried, and, in the winter, lye hominy, made from the unbroken grains of corn, added to the frugal meal. The woods abounded in honey, and of this the carly settlers had an abundance the year round. For some years after settlements were made, the corn meal formed the staple commodity for bread.
These simple cabins were inhabited by a kind domestic industry and happiness rarely elsewhere to be found.
It is well for "Young America " to look back on those early days. It involved a life of toil, hardship, and the lack of many comforts, but it was the life that made men of character. Scott County to-day has no better men than the immediate descendants of those who built their cabins in the forest, and by patient en- durance wrought out of the wilderness the landmarks for a pros- perous commonwealth. One of these writes that "the boys were required to do their share of the hard labor of clearing up the farm, for much of the country now under the plow was at one time heavily timbered, or was covered with a dense thicket of hazel and young timber. Our visits were made with ox teams, and we walked, or rode on horseback, or in wagons to 'meeting.' The boys ' pulled,' . broke ' and ' hackled ' flax, wore tow shirts, and indulged aristocratic feelings in fringed ' hunting-shirts,' ' coon-skin caps.' ' picked ' and ' carded ' wool by hand, and ' spooled ' and ' quilled ' yarn for the weaving till the back ached."
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