Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 52

Author: F.A. Battey & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 976

USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 52
USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 52

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The mounds and their contents afford abundant opportunity to speculate as to the character and customs of the ancient people, of whom nothing is left save their crumbling habitations. They were a numerous people, as is clearly proved by the magnitude and elaboration of their works. Their presence here, beyond question, antedates the coming of Columbus, and very probably extends back a thousand years or more. Many interesting and important considera- tions, too lengthy to be narrated here, have been discovered in comparing the customs of the Mound-Builders with those of ancient people in the East. The Mound-Builders were unquestionably subservient to rulers or superiors, who had power to enforce the erection of gigantic structures, which, considering the semi-barbarous condition of the people, their lack of suitable implements of labor and their imperfect and insufficient knowledge of mechanical principles, are surprisingly vast in extent and ingenious in design. Their works indicate that the people were warlike; that they were familiar with many mathematical and mechanical principles; that they were religious and probably idolatrous ; that they were skilled in the manufacture of bone and metallic ornaments and

HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY.

pottery; that they had attained no little degree of perfection in the working of metals, and that they were essentially homogeneous in customs, pursuits, religion and government. They, of necessity, were an agricultural people, being too numerous to live by the chase alone. They offered burnt and other sacrifices and oblations to both good and bad spirits. Dr. Foster says they worshiped the elements, such as fire, air and water, also the sun, moon and stars, and offered human sacrifices to the gods they worshiped. Yet many of these considerations are speculative, and have but little substantial evidence upon which to rest, and authorities are widely at variance in their views. But little can ever be known of the history of these people; yet throughout all the future the civilized world will look with awe upon the decaying remnants of their works and weave the bright fabric of romance about their mysterious lives.

This much has been given on the authority of Schoolcraft, Wilson, Pid- geon, Smucker, Foster and the American Cyclopedia, to prepare the way for the classification and detailed description of the ancient earth and stone works in this county. No effort has been made in past years to gather together the pre-historic history of Noble County. No importance or value has been at- tached to disclosures of skeletons, the majority of citizens throughout the county regarding them as belonging to the Indians, and, consequently, the mounds which have been opened in years past in different parts of the county were not carefully examined, and no doubt much interesting, and, perhaps, val- uable, information has been hopelessly lost. The works and their contents can- not be too closely scrutinized, as very often nothing short of careful inspection will avoid overlooking important facts. About twenty-five years ago, a large mound situated on the old Jones farm, in northeastern Elkhart Township, was leveled down, or nearly so, as it was in the way, and several bones were found, which the owner supposed to belong to animals. Nothing further was discov- ered. They were, beyond doubt, the bones of Mound-Builders. On Section 2, Elkhart Township, on what is called Sanford's Point, there are several mounds, one of which was opened some eight or ten years ago by the neighbors, who expected to unearth some valuable trinkets. Quite a number of bones were found, and these were scattered around on the surface of the ground, where they were left. No trinkets were found. An inferior maxillary bone found is said to have been remarkably large and sound. The reader must remember that these are the bones of Mound-Builders, not Indians, and were certainly placed there at least five hundred years ago, and very likely longer.

On the farm of Jeremiah Noel, Section 1, Elkhart Township, three mounds were found situated so as to form the corners of a triangle, whose sides were 55, 42 and 30 yards, respectively. They were on the summit near the center of a semi-circular elevation that bounded a low marshy tract of land situated some forty feet lower, the concave face of the elevation lying toward the north. Two of the mounds were apparently about the same size, while the third was notice- ably larger, having a basial diameter of some sixty feet, and an altitude which,

HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY.

notwithstanding that the road had once passed within a few feet of it, and that it had also been cultivated over many years, was some three and a half feet above the general level of the elevation. As nearly as possible, the summit of this mound was found, and an excavation about a yard square was made, care being taken that all important disclosures should be noticed. The soil was a light, sandy loam with some gravel, and did not appear to be in layers. At the depth of about two feet, a small quantity of charcoal was found scattered through the soil, although no distinct layer of this material could be distinguished. Finally, at the depth of about three feet, unmistakable evidences of bone were disclosed. The shovel had struck through what afterward proved to be a human skull, and the thigh-bone-the femur-was broken, and a portion thrown up. The diam- eter of the excavation was considerably enlarged, and the work was continued with great care. The covering of earth was removed, and a number of the heavier bones of a human skeleton were taken out in a brittle and decomposed state. Not more than a third of the bones of this skeleton could be found, the others, no doubt, having long since returned to dust. In the meantime, portions of other skeletons had been thrown out, and, in order to get at the work better, the excavation was enlarged until it measured about seven feet in diameter. The work was continued, and, at the expiration of about ten hours, twenty-eight crumbling skeletons had been taken out. Some few of the skeletons were in a fair state of preservation, while the majority were ready to fall to pieces, and actually did. The skulls were usually found resting upon the vertebræ, ribs and pelvis, while the extremities were distinct from these. The evidences satis- fied those present that the bodies had been buried in a sitting posture, and they must have been packed in like sardines, as they were all found within a circle whose diameter was about seven feet. No skeleton was found entire, or, at least, it could not be distinguished from other bones with which it was mingled. The skulls were the only means of ascertaining the number of individuals buried, and this in a few instances was not absolutely reliable, as some evidences of addi- tional skulls were found. Eight or ten bodies, in addition to those counted, might have been buried in the mound, all traces of which had been removed by Time, the destroyer. Beyond question, the skeletons of three or four children were unearthed, as the small fragile skulls and diminutive bones clearly indi- cated. While many of the larger bones were almost wholly decayed, many of the smaller were in an excellent state of preservation. Many of the metatarsal and metacarpal bones were almost as sound as when first buried. The cuneiform, pisiform, trapezium, patella, scaphoid, os calcis, were found. The vertebræ, ribs and skulls of children were found. The skeletons of at least two women were among the number, one of the skulls being carried away by the writer. Not half the necessary number of bones could be found to complete the osseous structure of twenty-eight individuals. The teeth were generally sound, yet some of these were found badly decomposed. One bone-a femur-had undoubtedly been fractured or broken during the life of the individual, as around it about five inches above the knee joint was quite an enlargement. No trinkets nor

HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY.

implements of any kind were found. Growing upon this mound a few years ago was a yellow oak about fifteen inches in diameter, but this had been removed before the mound was opened. Those present at the opening were satisfied that the skeletons of men, women and children were taken out. One of the skulls and a few bones traced as belonging to it dif- fered materially from all the others, both in point of preservation and development, it having but little of that dark intermarking that pre- cedes decay. It was much higher than either of the others, having a splendid development at the organs of veneration and benevolence, and a noticeable lack of the animal developments at the base of the skull. All the bones of the skeleton were very thick and sound. This skeleton undoubtedly belonged to an importaut personage, and probably those buried with him were members of his own family, or his servants, or both. It was in truth a fine looking head for a savage-too fine a one to belong to a savage, or phrenology is at fault. The frontal development was not large; it was rather small compared with the gen- eral formation of the cranium. He was probably the " Medicine Man " (if the Mound Builders had such a humbug). This skull may be seen among Mr. Watts P. Denny's collection at Albion.

Three mounds, situated about half a mile south of Rome City, on the farm of John W. Teal, were also opened. They were also arranged to form the corners of a triangle, the sides being seventy, forty-three and thirty-five yards respectively. The first and largest mound was found to contain no evi- dences whatever-not even charcoal. It was probably a memorial mound, hav- ing been constructed to commemorate some important tribal event. Each of the other mounds was found to contain at least one skeleton, and one of them probably contained two, as bones were found at such a distance apart as to lead to this conclusion. Perhaps nine-tenths of each skeleton had entirely disap- peared, as but a few small fragments were found. A sufficient quantity was found, however, to prove its bony character, and to establish the fact beyond cavil that the bones were human. In each of the mounds containing skeletons was found charcoal, noticeably so in one of them, where a heavy stratum, including ashes and well preserved pieces of half-charred wood resembling ash, was found entirely covering the spot where the skeleton reposed. From this mound, in close proximity to the few crumbling bones, were found two small trinkets.

One of the other mounds was opened, and about a peck of charcoal was found, from which was taken a small piece of charred bone, possibly being a portion of the tibia, but more probably belonging to some animal. In this mound distinct layers of clay and loam, alternating with those of sand, were clearly distinguishable. The charcoal was in a stratum which extended over some two or three square yards of surface, and was resting upon a hardpan of half-burned clay, which seemed to have been built in the form of a small trun- cated mound, a foot and a half high and some four feet square. Resting upon this was the charcoal and a few charred stones and the piece of charred bone.

HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY.

This mound belonged to the sacrificial class. One was a piece of mica, about two inches square, and a third of an inch thick, which after a few hours split into thin transparent layers. The other was a slate ornament, nearly four inches long and about half an inch wide, the edges being straight and one side smooth, while the other was oval, thus varying the thickness from a quarter of an inch at the ends to a half at the middle. Quite a large bowlder was taken from one of these mounds, and around its lower edge a small quantity of decayed bone-dust was found.

A large mound in a cultivated field on Section 4, York Township, was opened, and portions of three skeletons were taken out. The skulls were well preserved, as were the ribs and some other parts. The customary charcoal was found, but no trinkets nor implements. The teeth were sound, and the bony base of the skull in two cases was taken out entire. Appearances seemed to indicate that the bodies had been buried either on the back or the side, as the vertebræ extended out in the sand some distance from the skull. The frag- ments of bone found in the mounds at Rome City were upright, and portions of the cranium found were some distance, perhaps a foot o more, above the bones of the lower extremities. The reverse was the case in northern Elkhart and York. No females' nor children's heads were found at Rome City or in York. Two large mounds were opened in the woods on Section 1, Sparta Township, but no bones, charcoal, nor ashes were found. The soil here was not as dry and mellow as is usually found constituting the mounds. It was a heavy sand and clay, there being a sufficient quantity of the latter to retain considerable water. If skeletons had been buried in such a soil, they would have decayed in a comparatively short space of time. The soil at the Noel mound was quite dry and mellow, more like the dust of the road. The members of the Davenport Academy of Sciences, discussing this question, say that " bones are often thrown into conditions that remain constant, and so will last for ages." They cite several cases coming under their observation to prove this, and even go so far as to mention the case of a mound opened in Louisa County, Iowa, where the stench was almost unendurable, showing that the fleshy portions had but just decayed. The mound in this case was undoubtedly pre-historic.

On Section 1, Sparta Township, on a low piece of land which extended into a marsh which was still lower, evidences of what might be pottery were discovered. No pieces larger than some four inches square have been found. The land is in a cultivated field, and at every fresh plowing many small frag- ments are thrown out. The fragments are composed of a dark clay, and seem to have been pressed into the desired form and thickness of one-fourth of an inch, and then partially baked. Large quantities of small stones, discolored by fire and smoke, are found scattered over the ground. The writer at first thought that some old cabin had been built on the site, and that the stones and burnt clay might have composed the chimney ; but there are some strong ob- jections to this view of the case. The oldest settlers who have lived in the

HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY.

vicinity since the county was first organized knew nothing of such a cabin, and state that the earth and stone at the point were in early years much as they are at present. One thing is certain : The earth comprising the so-called pot- tery is totally dissimilar to that composing the land where it is found, and must have been transported there, either from the adjacent marsh or from some dis- tant lowland where such clay is found. These and other facts lead the writer to believe that the spot was used as a site for the manufacture of pottery, and the portions found are the cast-away fragments. This spot is situated about half a mile southeast of the mounds above referred to that were opened. Di- rectly east from the spot, distant perhaps ten rods, and on the same knoll, was found an ancient mound which was opened, but nothing noteworthy was un- earthed.

On the northwest corner on the farm of Jacob Weigel, Washington Town- ship, and within twenty rods of the residence of Michael Bouse, a large mound in a corn-field was opened by the writer. This was opened in the usual way by making a perpendicular excavation at the summit. Great care was taken to no- tice everything. The soil and surroundings were very similar to those of the large Elkhart mound. A half dozen small pieces of charcoal were found about six inches above the skeletons, but no implements were found, save a fragment of pottery about three by four inches, one side evidently being the rim of an earthen vessel. This fragment did not seem to be among the bones, but was at least six inches above them. It is the opinion of the writer that it was a cast-away portion of some vessel, and got mingled with the earth when the mound was built. It resembles, in every respect, the fragments found in north- eastern Sparta Township. Portions of sixteen skeletons were unearthed, as was proved by the skulls, though their preservation was less perfect than those of the Elkhart mound. In other respects they were very much the same. There was at least the skeleton of one child present, as was proved by the vertebra. If female skeletons were present, such fact was not disclosed. The bones of the extremities were best preserved. The teeth were also quite sound, some being found where the maxillary bones had entirely decayed, save a small quantity of powder. Standing upon this mound was the stump of an oak about fifteen inches in diameter; a small distance southeast of this a small sacrificial mound was opened, and as much as a bushel of charcoal was thrown out ; nothing else of importance was seen. A member of the historical force opened a mound in the Salem Church Cemetery, Washington Township, but discovered nothing save a considerable quantity of charcoal. Mr. Denney opened two mounds on the farm of Samuel Myers, Orange Township, both containing nothing but charcoal; he also opened three more near there, on the farm of Otis Grannis, one of them being eight feet in height and about eighty feet in diameter at the base. Three quite well-preserved skeletons were taken from this mound, one of the skulls being almost entire, and having a much bet- ter frontal development than the average. On this mound was an oak tree four feet in diameter, and probably more than three hundred years old. This mound

HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY.

is probably the largest in the county. Two other mounds near it, of average size, contained a bed of charcoal each. Mr. Denny, assisted by his brother Orville, opened three more on the bank of Skinner's Lake, Jefferson Town- ship, and took from one a quantity of human bones ; but this mound had been opened a number of years ago by novices in the neighborhood, who used no particular care either to observe or preserve, and the number of individuals buried there is unknown, though there were several. The other two mounds contained charcoal. The most important mound opened was one west of In- dian Village, and as it is just across the line in Kosciusko County, but little will be said of it here ; it was undoubtedly a sacrificial mound, as, besides a bed of charcoal, there were found many fragments of charred human bones, as pieces of half-burned skulls and other prominent bones of human beings clearly proved. Turtle skulls and various other bones belonging to that animal and others were found among the remains, and perhaps half a peck of these half- burned fragments were unearthed. It has been told the writer, on very good authority, that a mound in Washington Township was opened a 'number of years ago, from which were taken, besides skeletons, a number of copper orna- ments or trinkets. It is unfortunate that no careful and extended examination was made of this mound, if the above report is true. Too many mounds are opened by inexperienced persons, for often the structure of the mound itself shows to which class it belongs.

Noble County has an interesting Indian history, though unfortunately but little of it is known. The tribes living in the northern part of Indiana during the last half of the last century were more or less actively engaged in all the border wars with the pioneers in Eastern Ohio, Western Pennsylvania and Northern Kentucky. Beyond question, white prisoners who were captured were often brought, not only to Fort Wayne, but to the Indian village in Sparta Township. One of the settlers living in Sparta Township picked up, many years ago, a stone having the shape represented below, and the indicated in- scription cut into the stone:

I WAS TAKEN PRIS NER BEY THE IND IANS IN 1776 ANDREW CLINTON

HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY.

The stone is undoubtedly genuine, and, so far as known, Clinton was the first white man in the county. Some other evidences of the early presence of white men have been found, one being an inscription on a tree. There is no township in the county in which temporary Indian villages did not exist in early times, either before or after the appearance of the first white settlers. Every stream and lake has its legend of the red men of the woods, which will live in song and story as long as romance and mystery are admired. J. Fennimore Cooper has woven a crown of beauty about the dark brow of the Indian, that will be- come more heavily jeweled with gems of fancy as time passes. By his pure images of manly character, and his vast knowledge of the native American, he has blended every redeeming trait of the Indian race in a living type that will bear the criticism of ages. Longfellow has rendered into immortal song the life and legends of the Indian tribes. Is there anything sweeter than the fol- lowing description ?

" ' After many years of warfare, Many years of strife and bloodshed, There is peace between the Ojibways And the tribe of the Dacotahs.' Thus continued Hiawatha,

And then added, speaking slowly,

' That this peace may last forever And our hands be clasped more closely, And our hearts be more united, Give me, as my wife, this maiden, Minnehaha, Laughing Water, Loveliest of Dacotah women!'

" And the ancient arrow-maker Paused a moment ere he answered, Smoked a little while in silence, Looked at Hiawatha proudly, Fondly looked at Laughing Water, And made answer very gravely :

' Yes, if Minnehaha wishes ; Let your heart speak, Minnehaha !' And the lovely Laughing Water Seemed more lovely as she stood there, Neither willing nor reluctant, As she went to Hiawatha, Softly took the seat beside him, While she said, and blushed to say it,

' I will follow you, my husband !'

" This was Hiawatha's wooing ! Thus it was he won the daughter Of the ancient arrow-maker In the land of the Dacotahs!

" From the wigwam he departed, Leading with him Laughing Water ; Hand in hand they went together, Through the woodland and the meadow ;

HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY.

Left the old man standing lonely In the doorway of his wigwam, Heard the Falls of Minnehaha, Calling to them from the distance, Crying to them from afar off, ' Fare thee well, O Minnehaha !'

" And the ancient arrow-maker Turned again unto his labor, Sat down by his sunny doorway, Murmuring to himself, and saying,

' Thus it is our daughters leave us, Those we love, and those who love us ; Just when they have learned to help us, When we are old and lean upon them, Comes a youth with flaunting feathers, With his flute of reeds, a stranger Wanders piping through the village, Beckons to the fairest maiden, And she follows where he leads her, Leaving all things for the stranger !'"

The tribes with which Noble County has to deal in history are those of the Miamis and Pottawatomies. As far back as the records extend-to the time when the French missionaries and explorers were extending their chain of missions and settlements along the great lakes and downward toward the Mississippi-these tribes occupied much or all of Northern Indiana. Here they were found by the French, and here they were found by early traders and captive white men. While perhaps these tribes were not so actively engaged in the border wars in Eastern Ohio as those living in that vicinity, yet many warriors, thirsting for war and ambitious of distinction, made incursions toward the East, and joined the hostile bands that were laying waste the frontier settlements. This state of affairs continued until the war of 1812, at which time the Indians here were badly defeated, and at the point of the bayonet were compelled to lay down the weapons of war, and sue for peace in the most abject manner. Their lands were ceded to the victorious whites, and they were con- fined to their reservations and to peace. A trading station had been early established at Fort Wayne, and this became a central point, where the Indians obtained their supplies and disposed of their furs, etc. In 1810, Tecumseh, one of the bravest, ablest and craftiest savages that ever lived, whose tribe had been given a tract of land by the Indians living on the Wabash, began visiting all the Western tribes with the secret purpose of inciting them to a concerted attack on all the frontier settlements. At the same time, when approached on the subject, he repeatedly avowed his friendship for the whites, and professed his desire for peace. But Gen. Harrison, then Governor of Indiana Territory, had no faith in the wily chieftain's professions, and continued his careful policy of handling the Indian question. Meantime, Tecumseh traveled among the various tribes, and by his craft and eloquence kindled them to the heat of war.

HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY.

At last, unknown to Tecumseh, and in direct opposition to his intentions, his brother, the prophet, attacked Gen. Harrison on the 7th of November, 1810, and was badly defeated at the battle of Tippecanoe. This immature movement on the part of the Indians was bitterly lamented by Tecumseh, who became terribly exasperated at his brother for the rash act, and threatened to kill him for thus foiling his schemes. But the Indian power was hopelessly broken, and the Miamis and Pottawatomies, who had taken an active part at Tippecanoe, buried the hatchet, and immured themselves within their assigned reservations. The writer has been unable to ascertain when the old reservation, which included a portion of Sparta and Washington Township, was assigned the above tribes ; but it was probably soon after the war of 1812, and prior to 1821. By the terms of agreement between the Indians and the Government, a large, square brick-house was erected at Indian Village on the reservation, to be used as the residence of the chief, Wawaassa, or "Flat Belly," as he was more generally known. This building, after being used several years as a combined council- house and residence, was blown down by a great wind, and was not afterward rebuilt. The early settlers utilized the brick in their chimneys, etc. The tribes mentioned occupied the reservation until the year 1839, when they were transferred to the Wabash, and afterward no Indians visited the county save occasional stragglers. The lands of the reservation were not thrown into market until the autumn of 1842, at which time many squatters were living thereon, some of them having made extensive improvements with the view of purchasing the land when it became marketable. Knowing that great hardships would be wrought the squatters unless something was done to protect. them, the State Legislature made provision, that if their farms were entered by other parties, the improvements that had been made must be paid for by those who entered the land. This measure had in general the effect of deterring speculators and sharpers from their usual nefarious practices, though, in several instances where improvements made were insignificant, the squatter was obliged to leave his farm. The land of the reservation belonged to the State, and Logansport was the point where the entry had to be made.

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Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 52

Author: F.A. Battey & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : Battey & Co. Number of Pages: 976

Author: F.A. Battey & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 976