USA > Illinois > Madison County > History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches > Part 16
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8. Two skulls found with the pottery at the foot of the great Cahokia mound. The one on the right is a common form of the crania with the pottery. The one on the left is not uncommon and may be the result of artificial flatten- ing, although the appearance of the rounded frontal bone would indicate otherwise. They are both nearly entire.
9, 10, 11, 12. Finely finished pipes of red catlinite and found in the mounds; the bird pipe on the left is in the collection of Shurtliff college, and was found on the Gill- ham farm below Wood river. No. 12 is remarkable as
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
showing a sort of beard on the side of the face. It is of stone and found with the pottery.
14, 15, 16. Stone images. Probably used in religious or other important cercmonies. In each there are two funnel- shaped cavities in the back and posterior portions that have led some to believe they might have been used as pipes ou great occasions. No. 16 is a splendid specimeu of stone carving and was found in a small mound on the Piasa creek, near the north-line corner of Madison county. It stands about (8) eight inches high and is cut from a single block of hard, red catlinite, or Minnesota pipe stone. The original is now the property of Blackburn University.
No. 14 is also of red catlinite, of fiue workmanship, and exhibits a hideous human form with a fish protruding from the wide open mouth, with auother fish held in the hands between the knees. We also took this from a small mound on the banks of the Mississippi, near the mouth of the Illinois. No. 16 is also of rel catlinite, and was found by some laborers making a new highway or public road, not far from the great Cahokia mound. It was broken into several pieces by the plow, and the head is wanting. We obtained the original from the Missouri Historical Society, and made the restoration as given in the cut The original was made from a single block of stone, very neatly carved and highly polished.
The builders of the Cahokia mounds, from the relic . left behind, seem to have been of a peaceful character rather than warriors. Some of the finest implements of stone from this vicinity are implements of agriculture. Hoes not very unlike in shape to those of iron in present use, were made of flint, and with such skill as to be very serviceable tools. Spades and digging tools of flint also, and we have several fine implements that are worn in such manner and of such peculiar shape as to indicate that they were fastened to a stock aud pulled through the soil after the manner of a plow. Some of these implements of agri- culture, doubtless used in the cultivation of corn, are among the most valued of the relics of the stone age.
We have no evidence that this people had any knowledge of metals, except copper. They used both iron and lead ores as a stone, and both these ores are frequently found in their mounds. The age corresponding to that of bronze in Europe was a copper age on the Mississippi. Our mound- builders knew nothing of tin. Copper ornaments were not uncommon (see illustrations) here and were made by heating out pieces of native copper, obtained apparently from the region of Lake Superior, where the mines were worked quite extensively.
The domain of this people must have been of great extent else their commercial relations extended very widely, for we find side by side copper from Superior, plumbago and mica from the East, obsidian from Mexico or the west, and shells from the Atlantic coast.
What became of the mound-builders is not known ; living as they did in communities about the alluvial lands of the rivers and streams, they were no doubt subject to epidemics and plagues, and thus were either destroyed or so weakened
as to fall a prey to the nomadic tribes whom we now know as their successors. Even
" Lo! the poor savage whose untutored mind."
bears no record in history to tell whence he came.
There is still another class of antiquities in Madison county, found in the caverns and cane shelters along the rocky bluffs above Alton.
The aborigines, such as we see in the red Indian, it is well known seldom used a cavern, or even entered one, having a superstitious fear of such places ; still it is quite probable that they were sometimes driven by storms or other- wise to accept such shelters. Notwithstanding these facts in regard to the habits of the red men, the caves and cave shelters about the bluff's show numerous evidences of occu- pation in times past Accumulations of ashes in these caves are not uncommon, showing that for long periods these places were inhabited by savage men, who lived on the flesh of animals, and also of the unsavory shell fish found along the shore of the Mississippi. Large accumulations of the shells of the Unio and other shell fish are found near these old cavernous abodes.
Nor are the indications entirely wanting that they did not sometimes partake of human flesh and were cannibals. In several of the caves about the Piasa and in the vicinity of the mouth of the Illinois river we have found among the debris of these cave dwellings human bones that had been broken lengthwise, apparently to extract the marrow. Farther up on the Illinois river, Judge Henderson and others have found similar evidence of apparent cannibalism.
The implements left by these cave dwellers are very rude. We have some beads made of stalactite, as well as a few rude implements of the same material. As these cavernous re- treats have not been thoroughly explored, much interesting information may be derived from this source.
To sum up the ethnology of Madison county it would seem that there are to be found many traces of men of whom we know but little, except that they were the merest savages, living almost like the wild beasts with whom they fiercely disputed for dominion
Then comes a class of eartheu mounds that seem very old, but which contain little or nothing to furnish data for any history whatever.
Then there suddenly seems to intrude a class of earthen mounds, some of which are of huge dimensions. These peo- ple seemed to have a systematic government and religiou, and to have followed agricultural pursuits. They scemed to have passed the pale of savagery, and advanced to some of the higher planes of barbarism. They lived in great communi. ties generally occupying the low lands which they cultivated, The fact that these people had so many customs, and singular ceremonies, almost exactly like the barbarous nations of the old world would indicate that there was a remote period of contact, and that the commencement of civilization may have had a common origin or started from a common centre.
Solon's story of Atlantis as told by Plato and learned by Solon of the Egyptian priests is the only theory, in our opinion, that explains the wonderful similarity of the cus- toms as exhibited all over the world. Solon's story was that
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
at one time a vast island, or rather a continent in extent, existed in what is now the ocean, and connected Europe, Asia, Africa and America.
This great island was two thousand miles long and one thousand miles wide. It was densely populated, and the centre of all civilization, which spread from here through commercial relations. In one awful day this great Empire sank bencath the sea, and the surrounding continents kept not only a tradition of the great catastrophe as a flood, but retained many of the customs learned from them.
Whether our great mound builders were a colony from Atlantis and founded an empire on the Mississippi, we are hardly prepared to prove.
They disappeared, and the later Indians, a large portion of whom are romantic, succeeded them ; from where, how, when, are questions we cannot answer, but we are dilligently gathering together as story a leaf here and there, that are cast up, like empty shells on the shores of time.
CHAPTER VI.
FLORA.
T is not the purpose of this chapter to give an elaborate or scientific treatise ou the plants found in this county. The design is rather to give a catalogue of the var- ious plants indigenous to this region. The state of Illinois is divided east and west into three quite distinct botanical belts, viz .: The heavily-timbered regions of the south, whose flora is distinguished by its great variety and luxuriant growth, the central portion, embracing the great prai- ries of the state with their multifarious forms of vegetation, and the northern part which is divided between woodland and prairie.
Madison county has most of the botanical characteristics common to the timbered and prairie regions of the state.
The plants of a country are a sure index of the character of the soil, and for this reason the following list will be of special interest to the agriculturist.
To add a detailed botanical description of each plant, or of all the species, genera, or even familes, represented here, would fill a large part of this volume, to the exclusion of other more appropriate matter. By way of preface, it may be stated that vegetation is a sure index of the character of the soil in which it is growing. No class of persons realizes this fact so fully as does the practical, observant farmer. If he wishes to buy uncultivated land, the kinds of trees, shrubs, or grass growing in the locality decide for him the approximate depth and fertility of the soil, and the conseqnent value of the land for agricultural purposes. According to its flora Illinois has been divided by botanists into three parts; the heavily timbered regions of the south,
whose dense vegetation is remarkable for its variety; the central portion, which, except in the vicinity of the water- courses, is mostly prairie, and noted for the great number and variety of its grasses, and other indigenous plants; and the northern section, which is about equally divided between woodland and prairie. This county lies within the great prairie belt, a region famous for the fertility and depth of its soil, and the luxuriance of its flora. Plants, like animals are greatly influenced in their growth and development by surrounding circumstances. As man and the domestic animals have driven many species of the native animals from this region, so numerous kinds of indigenous plants have disappeared before the onward march of civilization. Hence, we find to-day in the fields and meadows few of the grasses and other plants that flourished in their native beauty here fifty years ago. Thus, under the great laws of evolution and succession, all animated nature, from age to age, moves gradually, but grandly forward toward the eternal destiny which the Almighty, in the beginning, ordained for all His creatures. For this region the following is a complete
LIST OF NATIVE WOODY PLANTS.
Acer Saccharinum, Rock Sugar ' Corylus Americana, Hazelnut. Cratagus Coccinea, Hawthorn. Maple.
A. Nigrum, Black Maple.
C. Tomentosa,
A. Dasycarpum, Soft Maple, Sil- | C. Crus-galli "
ver Leaf Maple.
Carya Alba, Shagbark Hickory.
A. Negundo, Box Elder, Ash C. Sulcata, Thick Shellbark
Leaf Maple.
Hickory.
Esculus Glabra, Stinking Buck- eye.
C. Tomentosa, White Heart lick- огу.
A. Serrulata, Smooth Leaf Alder: Amelanchier Canadensis, True Service-Berry.
C. Glabra, Pig-nut Hickory.
Dirca Palustris, Leatherwood.
Euonymus Americanus, Straw-
Amorpha Fruticosa, False Indigo Shrub.
A. Canescens, Lead Plant.
F. Viridis, Green Ash.
Ampelopsis Quinquefolia, Virginia F. Sambucifolia, Black Ash. Creeper.
Asimina Trioba, Papaw.
Betula Nigra, River or Red Birch.
Carpinus Americana, Blue Beach. Hornbeam.
Gymnocladus Canadensis, Ken- tucky Coffee Tree.
Hamamelis Virginica, Hazel.
Witch
Juglans Cinerea, Butter Nut.
J. Nigra, Walnut.
Juniperus Virginiana, Red Cedar. Lonicera Grata, Woodbine.
Menispermum Canadense, Moon- seed.
Morus Rubra, Red Mulberry.
Ostrya Virginica, Hop Hornbeam, Iron-Wood.
l'. Angulata, Cotton Tree.
Platanus Occidentalis, Buttonwood Sycamore.
C. Sericea, Kinnikinic
C. Circinata, Pigeon Berry.
C. Stolonifera Osier.
C. Paniculata „¢
C. Sanguinea,
F. Quadrangulaia. Blue Ash.
Gleditschia Triacanthos, Thirce- Thorned Acacia, Honey Locust.
Ceanothus Americanus, Red Root. C. Ovalis, Great Red Root.
Cercis Canadensis, Judas Tree, Red Bud.
Celastrus Scandens, Bitter Sweet Wax Work.
Celtis Occidentalis, Hackberry.
Cephalanthus Occidentalis, Button Bush.
Prunus Virginiana, Choke Cherry.
P. Serotina, Black Cherry, Cabi- net Cherry.
Cornus Alternifolia, False Dog- wood.
Populus Tremuloides, Quaking Asp, Aspen.
Red P. Monilifera, Necklace Poplar, Cottonwood.
Prunus Americana, Wild Plum. Pyrus Coronaria, Crab Apple.
berry Tree.
Fraxinus Americana, White Ash.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Quercus Macrocarpa, Burr Oak. Q. Obtusiloba, Post Oak.
(2. Alba, White Oak.
B. Prinus, Swamp Chestnut Oak. Spiraa Opulifolia, Vinebark cum.
Q. Bicolor, Swamp White Oak. Spiræa.
(2. Imbricaria, Laurel Leaf Oak. Spira Tomentosa, IIardhack, Wil-
(2. Nigra Black Jack Oak. low Spiræ.
Q. Tinctoria, Yellow Bark Oak, Staphiylea Trifolia, Rattle-box, Quercitron Oak. Wood- Bladder Nut.
Q Coccinea, Scarlet Oak.
Q. Rubra, Red Oak.
Q. Palustris, Swamp Spanish Oak, Tecoma Pin Oak.
Radicans Trumpet- Creeper. Tilia Americana, Bass-wood.
Rhus Glabra, Sumach.
R. Toxicodendron, Climbing Poi- Ulmus Fulva, Red Elm.
son Ivv.
U. Americana, White Elm.
Ribes Cynosbati, Prickly Gosse. U. Racemosa, Cork Elm, llickory berry. Elm.
R. Ilirtellum Smooth Gooseberry. Viburnum Prunifolium, Black
R. Rotundifolium, Haw, Arrow Wood.
R. Lacustre, Swamp, 66
R. Floridium, Black Current.
V. Lentago, Sheepberry. Vitis Aestivalis, Summer Grape.
Ros Lucida, Prairie Rose. V. Cordifolio, Frost grape.
R. Blanda, Wood Rose. Zanthoxylum Americanum,
Salix Tristis, Rose Willow. [Prickly Ash.
S. Humilis, Cone Willow. Lendera Benzoin, Spice Bush.
S Eriocephala, Silky-head Willow. Rubus Strigosus, Red Raspberry,
S Nigra, Black Willow. Occidentalsis, Black Rasp-
S. Fragilis, Joint Willow, Brittle berry. Rubus Vilosus, Blackberry.
Willow.
Sambucus Canadensis, Elderberry. Robenia Pseudocacia, Black Lo- S. Pubens, Red Fruit Elderberry. cust. Sassafras Officinale, Sassafras.
Of the forest trees the most valuable deserve special men- tion. Rock Sugar Maple is excellent ; the Black Cherry is used by cabinet makers and is a wood of good color and grain. The Shag-bark hickory is perhaps the most valuable of its kind. The White Oak is much used in making furniture and agricultural implements. The Blue Ash is capital for flooring. The Honey Locust is a very durable wood and shrinks less than any other in sea oning. The Walnut is nearly all gone. The Plane tree or Sycamore is used by cabinet makers. Of the Oak family the most valuable kinds are the Burr Oak, Panel Oak, and Pin Oak.
GRASSES.
In the following list of grasses, the common grain plants, not being indigenous to the county, are omitted. Some of the grasses given are not native, but are among those best adapted for animals. Hence we include them :
Phleum Pratense, Timothy. Festuca Elation, Meadow Fescuc.
Agrostis Vulgaris, Red top. Bemus Secalinus, Common Cheat. Muhlenbergia Diffusa, Nimble Phragmites Communis, Common Will. Reed.
Calamagrostis Candensis, Blue- Arundinaria Macrosperma, Large joint a native grass of the prairies, Cane.
where it grew from ten to fifteen Lolium Perenne, Darnel Rye feet in height. Grass.
Dactylis Glomerata, Orchard grass. Anthoxanthum Oderatum,, Sweet- Poa Pratensis, Kentucky Blue- . scented: Vernal-grass.
Phalaris Arundinacea, Reed Ca- gra-s.
Poa Compressa, Wire Grass. nary Grass.
P. Canariensis, Canary Grass, Sectaria Glauca, Common Foxtail. S. Viridis, Bottle Grass. Panicum Sanguinale, Crab Grasz. Panicum Glabrum, Smooth Pani- S. Italica. Italian Milet.
Panicum Capillare, Witch Grass. Panicum Crus-galli, Barnyard
grass.
Andropogon Scoparins, (?) Brown beard grass.
FAUNA.
The following chapter embraces all the animals within the memory of man that have had their habitation in this county. Prior to the advent of the white man, the princi- pal animals were the buffalo, bear, wolf wild cat, deer, pan- ther, &c., which have mostly disappeared before the onward march of civilization. These various occupants of the wild prairies and forests afforded rare sport to the pioneer settlers of this region, and furnished an interesting subject of study to the student of natural history. That all classes of readers may find pleasure and profit in the article, both the technical and common names of the animals enumerated are given.
Without transcending the scope and purpose of the chap- ter by describing in detail the orders, families, &c, we ap- pend the following list :
Of the ruminating animals that were indigneous to this ter- ritory, we had the American Elk (Cervus Canadensis), and still have the deer oftwo kinds ; the more common well known American deer (C'ervus Virginianus), and the white-tailed Deer (Cervus Leucurus). And at a period not very remote, the American Buffalo (Bos Americanus), must have found pas- tures on the alluvial prairies and rich bottom lands of this county. The head-, horns and bones of the slain animals were still numerous in 1820. The Black Bear (Ursus Americanus) were quite numerous even in the memory of the older settlers. Bears have been seen in the county within the last fifty years. The Gray Wolf (Canis Occidentalis) and Prairie Wolf ( Canis latrans) are not unfrequently found, is also the Gray Fox (Vulpes Virginianus), which still ex- ists by its superior cunning. The panthers( Felis concolor) was occasionally met in the earlier times : and still later and more common, the Wild Cat (Lynx rufus); the Mink (l'u- torius Vison) ; American Otter, (Lutra Canadensis) ; the Badger (Taxidea Americana); the Raccoon (Procyon Lo- tor). The coonskin among the early settlers was regarded as a legal tender. The Bear and Otter are now extinct in the county, and were valuable for their furs. Many of the pleasures, dangers and excitements of the chase are only known and enjoyed by most of us of the present day through the talk and traditions of the past. The Buffalo and the Elk have passed the borders of the Mississippi to the west- ward, never more to return.
To the weasel family (Mustelidu) belong the well-known animals, minks. skunks, otters, common weasels, &c., most of which have long, slender bodies, five-toed feet. and glands which secrete a liquid of very disagrecable oder. Otters
Shepherdia Canadensis, Buffalo Berry. Smilax Hispida, Greenbrier
1
Symphoricarpus Vulgaris, Coral Berry.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
and minks are hunted for their furs, which are very valu- able. The former are amphibious, and are at present rarely seen The costly fur called ermine is obtained from a weasel which inhabits the northern parts of Europe and Asia.
Weasels are brown in summer and white in winter, the tip of the tail being black. The color of minks is dark- brown, or black, throughout the year. The otter (Lutra Canadensis), is black, and is noted for its size and strength. Its toes are webbed ; head large and flat ; ears short ; tail slighly flattened, and nails crooked. It is aquatic and sub- sists on fish. Minks and weasels prey on birds, poultry and small animals of various kinds. The skunk (Mephitis Americana) has a pointed nose, bushy tail, and is nocturnal. It feeds upon beetles and other small animals. It is also fond of eggs. It was very common a few years ago, but like most of the wild animals, is gradually disappearing Of the opossum family (Didelphidc), the only species here is the common opossum, ( Didelphys Virginiana). Opos- sums are small animals, about twenty inches long to the tail, which is from twelve to fifteen inches in length, nearly bare, and prehensile. Its hair is whitish with dark-brown tips. When captured and wounded, it feigns itself dead. It is a marsupial, or pouched animal, and carries its young, which at birth,« weigh only a few grains, in a ventral pouch situated near its hind legs. On emerging from this ponch, which occurs four or five weeks from birth, the young twine their tails around that of their mother, and thus supported ride on her back. The oposum lives on birds, eggs, insects and other small animals. This animal, like the raccoon, is found in all parts of the United States and throughout most of North America.
RODENTIA, OR GNAWERS.
The animals of this order are easily distinguished by their teeth. In the front part of each jaw, they have two chisel shaped incisors, between which and the molars is a considerable space, without teeth, these animals having no canines. The largest representatives of the rodents ever known in this country, the American beaver, Custor Cuna- densis, is still met with in this county in the timbered nooks of Wood River. The rats and mice (Maridc) constitute the most numerous family of the rodents. They number, in all, about three hundred species in the world.
Their appearance and habit are too well known to re- quire description here. The black rat ( Mus rattus) was formerly very common, but of late years it has been almost extirpated by the brown or Norway rat (Mus decumanus) which is much larger and stronger.
Of the mice we note, as found here, the common house. mouse (Mus musculus), the field-mouse, the meadow-mouse, the jumping-mouse (Jaculus hudsonius, of the family Jacu- liduw) which has a body about three inches long and a tail six inches-and the tree-mouse. The musk-rat ( Ondatra zibethicus), allied to the beaver, has but one species. This animal is about the size of a cat, and has a strong, musky smell. It is amphibious, building itis mud houses in ponds
---
and shallow lakes. It is a native of North America, and is still quite common. Its fur, like that of the beaver, is valuable. The fur of the latter is used for making the finest hats.
The sqirrel family (Sciuridc) is represented here by the red (fox) squirrel (Sciurus hudsonins), the gray squirrel (Sciurus Carolinensis), the flying squirrel ( Pleromys volucella) the ground squirrel ( Tomias striaatus), the gopher (Sperma- phitus), the prairie squirrel and the woodchuck or ground- hog (Arctomys monax) all of which are so common that they need not be described.
Of the hare family (Leporidee) the common gray rabbit (Lepsus cuniculus), is the only representative now inhabiting this region. It is very prolific, and is destined to propagate its species long after some of the animals mentioned shall have become extinct
Bats and moles-the former belonging to the order of animals ( Chiroptera), the latter to the order (Insectivora) -are still very numerous. Both are carnivorous (inscctiv- orous), and during hibernation are semi-torpid.
REPTILIA OR REPTILES.
Under this class we find represented here the order Testu- dinatu, or turtles. and including such individuals as the box turtle ( Cistudo virginea), snapping-turtle ( Chelyara serpen- tina) wood tortoise ( Glyptemys insculpta), and soft-shelled turtles including mud turtles. Of the order Lacertia (liz- ards,) the common striped lizard ( Ameiva sexlineata) is the only representative we have found here. Under the order (Ophidia) or serpents, we note the common black snake (Ba›canion constrictor), water snake (Serpens aquaticus), rat- tlesnake (crotalus horridus), moccasin( Toxicophis atrapiscus), copperhead ( Trigononcephalus contortrix), garter-snake (Eu- ania sirtalis) house snake. joint snake, blue racer, and green snake. Of these the rattlesnake, copperhead, and moccasin are very poisonous, and therefore most to be dreaded. The blowing, or hissing adder, a venomous serpent, is rarely seen here.
The class Butrachi, or frogs, has as representatives, the leopard frog ( Rana halecin), bull frog (Rina pipicns), wood frog, tree rog ("tree toad ") Rana hyla), maish frog (Rana palustris), common toad ( Bufo vulgaris,) tadpole, salamander (Amblystoma punctatum), triton, or water newt (Dicmictylus viridescens, and mud puppy (Menobranchus lateralis).
The class of Pisces, or fishes, is represented in the streams of the county, by the white, the black and the striped bass, catfish, pike, sturgeon, (rare), gar, gogle-eyed perch, sunfish, chnb, white perch ("croppie "?), white and black suckers, buffalo, and a few others of minor importance.
CLASS OF AVES OR BIRDS.
In the following list of birds indigneous to the county, the old system of groups, or orders, is used rather than the new classification of birds adopted provisionally by the Smithsonian Institute at Washington. The former, as it contains fewer and less difficult technical terms, will, it is believed, be more readily understood by the general reader.
Ţ
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
The chief characteristics of all the birds belonging to each order are given first, an.l appen led thereto are the names of such birds of the order as are indigenous to this region.
RAPTORES, OR BIRDS OF PREY.
These are generally of large size and stout form ; bills hooked and very strong; claws sharp and curved; wings extensive and muscles powerful ; females larger than males ; live in pairs and choose their mates for life (?). Under this order and belonging to the hawk family ( Falconidc, are the sparrow-hawk ( Tinnunculus alundarius) ; swallow-tailed hawk (Nauclerus furcatus) ; hen-harrier blackbird (Merule musica), king bird, or bee martin (Tyrannus Carolin ensis) Raven ( Corvus corax), common crow (Corvus Americanus), Summer red bird (Pyrangra astira), scarlet tanager, Balti- more oriole (Icterus Baltimore), pewee, or Phoebe bird, (Suyorius fuscus), kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon), ruby throated humming-bird (Trochilus colubris), yellow-billed cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), ruby-crowned kinglet, goklen-crowned kinglet, whippoorwill (-Introstomus vociferux), grass sparrow, or black throated bunting, lark sparrow, or finch, snow bird (Junco hyemalis), chipping sparrow (Spizellu socialis), night hawk ( Chordciles popetue).
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