Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio. Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the county and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy families and individuals, Part 5

Author:
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642

USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio. Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the county and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy families and individuals > Part 5

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

sity and the chief avenue of trade between abound, the facilities for transportation to all the lakes on the north and the gulf on the sections of the country, both by water and rail, south. The route via the Ohio canal and the extent of the natural water-power which Muskingum river is the most practical as well exists all along the river, all combine to render as the cheapest one yet suggested, and would this, at no distant day, one of the most popu- undoubtedly be selected. With seven lines of lous and wealthy sections of our entire coun- railroads cutting the county in all directions- try, either east or west. The business citizens two of them trunk lines-the shipping facilities of the county are realizing this more and more, of the county are unsurpassed. daily, and the consequence is increased activity

From the foregoing brief review of Musk- in all departments of trade and in all the indus- ingum county and her resources, it must be trial occupations pursued. A denser rural acknowledged that few sections of territory of population will here be gathered, in a very few like extent command, in a higher degree than years, than will be found in any other county is here found, all those elements of wealth of Ohio. The county is, as it were, just opened which constitute a prosperous and rich com- to the hand of industry, and the demand of the munity. The agricultural capacity of the land, times for coal, iron and her other minerals, the mixed husbandry that exists, the easy must necessarily gather hither the energy and drainage and consequent health that prevails, enterprise that will aid in developing these the inexhaustible mineral resources that resources to the fullest extent.

Chapter Il.

THE MOUND BUILDERS AND THE INDIANS.

O BSCURE and mysterious, the pre-historic ceeded that number at the date of the first per- race known as Mound-Builders undoubt- manent white settlement a little more than one cdly antedated the various Indian tribes hundred years ago.

who anciently occupied and claimed title to the Only such monuments or remains can be at- soil that now constitutes the state of Ohio, and tributed tothe Mound-Builders as were regarded it seems probable that many centuries inter- by the Indian tribes as antiquities or as the re- vened between the time of the advent of the mains and relics of an extinct race. These Mound . Builders and that of the Indian tribes consisted of mounds, effigies and inclosures. or nations. By some it has been thought not Mounds are subdivided into sepulchral, sac- improbable that an effeminate, indolent and de- rificial, temple (or truncated) mounds and moralized remnant of the former race deteri- mounds of observation and memorial or monu- orated into the latterand formed the nucleus of mental mounds. Effigies are sometimes called some of the degenerate tribes of savages that animal mounds and emblematic mounds, fre- during subsequent centuries roamed here at quently symbolical mounds. Inclosures are of will, ultimately passing into hopeless savagery. several kinds, one class being known as military

The extent, variety and labyrinthian intri- or defensive works, another as parallel embank- cacies of the Mound-Builders' works still found ments or covered ways, another as sacred in- in many sections of Ohio indicate the plausibil- closures. Under the general title of inclosures ity of the view that the state includes what was are also walls of circumvallation, or ramparts for many successive centuries a favorite locality constructed for military purposes, while others with this race, who dwelt here for ages, erected were doubtless wallssurrounding the residences their works and made long chapters of a history of those high in authority. Perhaps others that may never be written. The works that still were erected for the performance within them exist in a tolerably perfect condition within the of national games andamusements. Somemay boundaries of the state are approximately es- have served a purpose in the performance of timated at 10,000, but they doubtless far ex- religious rites and ceremonies and facilitated

HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

indulgence in superstitious practices. Many of

Temple mounds are less numerous and gen- these works were constructed of earth, a few of erally larger than the preceding classes, and in stone, and fewer still of earth and stone com form are oftenest circular or oval; but what- bined.

ever their form, circular, oval, round, square,

Sepulchral mounds are more numerous than oblong, or octangular, they are invariably trun- any other kinds, and are generally conical in cated, presenting the appearance of never hav- form. They are of all sizes, ranging in altitude ing been finished. They are frequently sur- from only a few feet to seventy, and always rounded by embankments, and many of them contain skeletons or parts of skeletons or pre- have spiral pathways, steps or inclined planes sent other plausible indications of having been leading to their summits. They are usually of built or used for purposes of sepulture, and were large base and small height. The supposition unmistakably memorial mounds reared over the of scientists is that the summits of these dead. Ithasbeen claimed by somearchæologists mounds were crowned with wooden structures that the size of these mounds bears a certain that served the purposes of temples, all traces relation to the importance, when living, of the of which have, of course, disappeared. They persons over whom they were erected. The were used also, to a limited extent, as burial mound near Miamisburg, on the bank of the places, as well as for purposes of religious Great Miami river, is symmetrical in form and ceremony. Mounds of observation are gener- sixty eight feet high, and if this theory is correct ally situated upon eminences and have been must mark the burial place of a great chief or variously designated "observatories," "alarm ruler of the people. Professor Marsh of the posts," "watch-towers," "signal stations," or Sheffield scientific school, connected with Yale "look-outs," being believed to have served the college, some years ago opened a mound in purposes indicated by these titles. Some Licking county which contained seventeen writers have asserted that they occur in chains skeletons in whole or in part. But the mostre- or regular systems, and that "many of them markable of all mounds within the state was still bear traces of the beacon fires that were one in Hardin county, in which were found once burning upon them." One of this descrip- about 300 human skeletons; but it is maintained tion is situated two miles west of Newark, in by some that the leading features of the burials Licking county, and though somewhat muti- in this mound were indicative of an Indian lated, has a present height of about twenty-five rather than a Mound-Builderorigin. Sacrificial feet. Mounds of observation are compara- mounds are usually stratified, the strata being tively numerous in some parts of the State, and convex layers of clay and loam alternating lines of them have been traced through the above a layer of fine sand. They generally Great and Little Miami valleys and along the contain ashes, charcoal, igneous stones, calcined Sciota valley from Delaware county to Ports- animal bones, beads, stone implements, pottery mouth. Memorial or monumental mounds andspecimens of rudesculpture. Thesemounds belong to the class of tumuli that were erected are frequently found within inclosures which to perpetuate some important event or in honor are supposed to have been in some way con- of some distinguished character. They are nected with the performance of religious rites mostly built of earth, but some of the stone and ceremonies, and in such mounds an altar mounds found in various sections of Ohio of burnt clay or of stone is usually found. These probably belong to this not numerous class. altars, which sometimes rest on the surface of It has often caused surprise that mounds which the original earth, at the center of the mound, have been thoroughly explored have yielded are symmetrically shaped and are among the no human skeletons. The reason may, in some chief distinguishing characteristics of sacri- cases, be that they belong to this class, which ficial mounds. Upon them, sacrifices ofanimals, were erected to perpetuate events, and not for perhaps of human beings, were offered up in the purposes of sepulture. Effigies or animal flames employed in that cruel, superstitious mounds are simply raised figures of gigantic pro- performance. The presence of skeletons in portions, representing men, beasts, birds, or rep- some of these mounds would seem to indicate tiles, and in some instances inanimate objects. their sepulchral as well as sacrificial character. Their altitude is usually from one to six feet In common with sepulchral mounds, these con- above the natural surface of the ground. tain implements of warfare, mica from the Schoolcraft calls this class of ancient works Alleghanies, shells from the Gulf of Mexico, emblematic mounds, and expresses the belief obsidian, and in some instances porphyry, that they were "totems" or "heraldic symbols." from Mexico, as well as useful and ornamental Prof. Wilson and other writers of distinc- silver and copper articles, tion call them symbolical mounds, and hold

HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY. 1251533

the opinion that they were erected as objects idea of the serpent and the egg. Defensive of worship, or for altars upon which sacrifices inclosures are of irregular form, are always on were offered, or that they served some other high ground and in naturally strong positions, purposes connected with the religious worship frequently on the summit of hills and steep of their idolatrous and superstitious construc- bluffs, and are often strengthened by exterior tors. Of the three most notable examples of ditches. To this class of inclosures belongs effigies in Ohio, two are situated in Licking one of stone walls situated on the top of a high county. One of these, near the center of an hill, five miles north of Somerset, in Perry ancient earthwork commonly called the Old county, which embraces about twenty acres, its Fort, an enclosure of high banks about a mile general form approaching a triangle with two from Newark, containing an area of about long sides. Its natural position is one of great thirty acres, is called Eagle mound, from its strength and is quite defensible. Another oc- supposed resemblance to an eagle on the wing. cupies a very high hill near Bourneville, Ross Its length is approximately 200 feet and it county. Still another is situated on the sum- measures about the same distance from tip to mit of a hill, a mile east of the Alligator mound, tip of wings. Excavations into the middle of in Lieking county. The most notable of this this effigy brought to light an altar which gave class of works, however, is " Fort Ancient," in indications of the action of fire upon the stones Warren county, which is situated on a plain and earth composing it, while the presence 230 feet above the level of the Little Miami of charcoal and ashes strongly suggested river. The embankments measure nearly four sacrificial offerings. The other, called Alli- miles in length, varying in height, according to gator mound, is situated upon the summit the natural strength of the point to be pro- of a hill about six miles west of Newark. tected, from ten to twenty feet, and inclose The shape and form of this reptilian mon- several hundred acres. These inclosures, and ster are distinctly presented. Its greatest all similar ones having the same general fea- length is 200 feet; the greatest breadth of tures and characteristics, are indisputably of a the body is 20 feet, and the distance from military character. Low parallel walls of

the fore legs to the hind legs is 50 feet, earth, called "covered ways," are frequently while the legs are each 25 feet long. found contiguous to inclosures, sometimes con- The head, foreshoulders and back have an necting. them by extending from one to an- elevation varying from three to six feet, other. One of their purposes, at least, seemed but that of the remainder of the body av- to be the protection of those passing to and erages considerably less. The head, limbs fro within them. Sacred inclosures are mainly and tail gradually taper off to their termina- distinguished from military inclosures by the tion. Prof. Wilson expresses the belief that regularity of their form and their more frequent it symbolizes some object of special awe occurrence. They are of all shapes and forms, and veneration, and it appears quite probable and when they are provided with moats or that this effigy was an object of worship. Per- ditches such were invariably within, not out- haps the most extensive and remarkable effigy side, the embankment. Sometimes they are mound in Ohio is situated near Brush creek, situated within military inclosures. Frequently in Adams county. It is serpentine in form there is in their central portions a mound or and more than 1,000 feet long, the body form- elevation supposed to have served the purpose ing graceful curves and the tail terminating in of an altar. Within these sacred inclosures triple coils. The embankment, which consti- were doubtless celebrated religious festivals, tutes the main body of the serpent, is about and upon their high central places or altars five feet in height and thirty feet in width, and were undoubtedly performed by priestly hands diminishes in size toward both the head and the rites and ceremonies demanded by the tail. "The neck of the figure," says the Amer- sacrificial and idolatrous religion of the mound- ican Cyclopædia, "is stretched out, and slightly Builders.

curved, and the mouth is opened wide, as if in "The very extensive and labyrinthian works the act of swallowing or ejecting an oval figure near Newark," says Smucker, "which covers all which rests partly within the distended jaws." area of little less than two miles square, and This oval figure is formed by an embankment probably comprise ten miles or more of em- four feet high, and is perfectly regular in out- bankments, ranging from two feet to thirty line, its transverse and conjugate diameters be- feet in height, are generally believed to be ing 103 and 39 feet, respectively. The com- sacred inclosures, particularly that interesting bined figure has been regarded by some as portion of them known as the 'Old Fort,' now a representation of the oriental cosmological called the Fair Grounds. Some archaeologists,

HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

however, maintain that many works called pages without loss to the interest or value of sacred inclosures were erected for and used as this portion of the history of Muskingum places of amusements, where our predecessors county. of pre-historic times practiced their national

Naturally, we indulge in speculation as to games, and celebrated their great national the antiquity of such ancient works as have events; where they held their national festivals been described or referred to. Probably none and indulged in their national jubilees, as well of them have been constructed since the dis- as performed the ceremonials of their religion. covery of America by Columbus.

And it may be that those (and there are many

Smucker states that a friend of his, about such) within which nocentral elevation or altar seventy-five years ago, cut down a tree upon occurs, were erected for the purposes last the bank of one of the great inclosures men- named, and not exclusively (if at all) for pur- tioned, at a point where said bank was twenty poses connected with their religion, and are feet high, whose concentric circles numbered therefore erroneously called sacred inclosures. 550, thus proving conclusively that said inclos- Other ancient peoples, if indeed not all the na- ure was constructed at some time prior to the tions of antiquity, have had their national year 1245. It is thought not improbable that games, amusements, festivals, and jubilees, and at least 1000 years have elapsed since the why not the Mound-Builders, too? Notably in Mound-Builders ceased to occupy the country this regard, the ancient Greeks may be named, between the Ohio river and Lake Erie. Authori- with whom, during the period known as the ties differ as to many things relating to our "lyrical age of Greece," the Olympic, the Pyth- mysterious predecessors; but a few facts seem ian, the Nemean, and the Isthmian games to be fully established by their works which became national festivals. And without doubt still remain. They were without iron or other the Mound-Builders, too, had their national suitable metal instruments with which to per- games, amusements, festivals, and jubilees, and pare their feats of engineering skill, so elabo- congregated within their inclosures to practice, rate and at the same time so gigantic, and celebrate, and enjoy them."

hence it must appear that they were a numer-

The growth of large trees upon these works, ous people. "The number and magnitude of the material of their composition, in some in- their works and their extensive range and uni- stances different from the soil in the vicinity, formity," says the American Cyclopedia, "prove and the ignorance of the Indians concerning that the Mound-Builders were essentially them, all prove their construction in a far-away homogeneous in customs habits, religion and time. It is asserted that a solicitude was shown government. The general features common by the Indians that the mounds should not be to all their remains identify them as appertain- effaced or marred, but whether this was the re- ing to a single grand system owing its origin sult of veneration or superstition, or both, is to men moving in the same direction, acting unknown. Reference has been made to won- under common impulses and influenced by sim- derful mounds and earth-cemeteries in the ad- ilar causes." It could scarcely be otherwise joining counties of Perry and Licking, and it than that they were the subjects of a single, cannot be doubted that the mysterious people strong government, because under any other who constructed them inhabited the territory the performance of such an immense amount now included in Muskingum county as well, of probably enforced labor could not have yet here they left no such conspicuous examples been secured. Very likely some sort of vassal- of their skill and their civilization. On the age or servitude prevailed. The building of Neff farm, in Wayne township, a mound circle their defensive works in naturally strong posi- was formerly visible, and between the Muskin- tions evidences the military skill of the Mound- gum river and Moxahala creek, at the mouth of Builders, and the construction of their many the latter, was a covered way that was probably other works in the forms of various geometrical once employed by some one as a secret passage figures show that they were not devoid of a between the two streams. It is a curious fact practical knowledge of mathematics. They that the Moxahala flows "up stream" into the were somewhat skilled, too, in working metals Muskingum instead of flowing down into the and in making horn and bone ornaments, as is latter stream. Archæological discoveries al- suggested by the small articles of use and or- leged to have been made in Brush Creek nament found in their works; but they proba- township about twelve years ago, and which bly made few, if any, large metal implements caused much comment at the time, do not ap- of utility serving the purpose of the ax, hoe or pear to bear the stamp of genuineness, and it is mattock. They were evidently so numerous believed that they may be passed by in these and so much civilized that they could not have

HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

subsisted by hunting, and would not have wished the globe, thousands of years ago. We know to, hence it is plain that they must have culti- that the Northmen reached it from Greenland vated the soil. They were not barbarians. in 999, A. D., and so might Africans, Pheni- They were evidently a superstitious people, cians and Europeans have done, long before cherishing faith in some religious system. The that period; and Asiatics might have coasted sacrificial character of their religion is fully along the Pacific until they reached Behring's established. The late Doctor Foster main- Straits, or arrived at that point by an overland tained that they were worshipers of the ele- journey, and there crossed over to our north- ments-that they worshiped the sun, moon and west coast, a distance of only thirty-six miles, stars-and that they offered up human victims and so interspersed with islands that the navi- as an acceptable sacrifice to their Gods. Pris- gator would never be out of sight of land, if oners of war have been thus disposed of by the atmosphere was clear, while crossing the nations who have attained to as high a grade straits. And moreover all difficulties in effect- of civilization as that reached by the Mound- ing the passage of Behring strait vanish at Builders, and in the case of this people charred once in the light of the fact that it is frozen and calcined bones cover the altars they erected. over every winter. And Europeans, Egyptians Many high authorities unhesitatingly assert and Asiatics might have voyaged across the that there is convincing proof that they were Atlantic by way of the Western Islands, Ice- fire-worshipers. "And now," to quote from land and Greenland, or as the Welsh expedi- Smucker, "a word as to what is not known. We tion of Madoc did, in 1170, A. D., or as Col- do not know where they came from, when and umbus did in 1492, A. D .; or as might have how they came, when and how they disappeared been done by an earlier, bolder navigator, by -whether they were extinguished by war, pes- way of the mid-ocean island, Atlantis, of tilence, or famine, or ultimately degenerated which we read, though always doubtingly, in into barbarians, or whether they slowly moved Plato, and which the weight of authority, pro- to the Southwest, and finally came within the nounces fabulous." Of necessity, further re- domain of history as Aztecs, or some more an- marks in reference to other questions of eth- cient people, once of pre-historic times, in nology, history and archaeology connected with Mexico or Central America! The question of the mysteriously interesting Mound-Builders origin has exercised the public mind' more, are omitted in this connection.

probably, than any other one pertaining to the race of Mound-Builders, and still it remains

Nothing reliable or authentic is known of the unsettled. The preponderance of testimony various Indian tribes that occupied the territory probably makes them Mongolians, although that now constitutes the State of Ohio from Morton, an authority in matters pertaining to the time of the disappearance of the Mound- craniology, holds differently, as doothers. They Builders until the closing years of the first half probably held an intermediate position, con- of the eighteenth century. It is true, however, sidered physically, intellectually and morally, that there are traditions running back to the between the Caucassians and the most civilized year 1656 relating to the destruction by the portion of Mongolians above them, and the Iroquois of the once powerful Eries, who in- uncivilized inhabitants of the interior of the habited the southern shore of Lake Erie, ex- Malay peninsula below them. The fact, how cept a small remnant, which ultimately was ab- ever, remains that archaeologists differ widely sorbed by the Senecas. But comparatively on this point, some maintaining that they were of little is known, with the certainty of authentic

- Hindoo origin; some that they were of Hebrew, history, of the Indians of Ohio until after Col. Jew-Tartar, or Persian origin; still others be. Bouquet's expedition to their towns on the Tus- lieve that our original Mound-Builders were carawas and Muskingum rivers, in 1764. The either Celtics, Egyptians, or Tartars: while principal tribes were the Wyandots (called still others ( Morton included), maintain that Hurons by the French ), the Delawares and the the Toltecs, an original race, were probably Shawnees (both of the Algonquin group), the their progenitors, thus in fact making the Miamis (also called Twigtwees), the Mingocs Mound-Builders the descendants of an abori- (anoffshoot from the Iroquois or a fragment of ginal race, or the continuation of one, and were the Six Nations), and the Ottawas and Chippe- thereforc 'natives and to the manner born,' was. The Wyandots occupied the valleys and and differing from all others. But this opinion plains bordering the Sandusky river, and some derives no strength from a belief that there other points; the Delawares occupied the val- existed any insurmountable difficulties in reach- leys of the Tuscarawas and Muskingum rivers, ing this continent from the other quarters of and a few other places between the Ohio river

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Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio. Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the county and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy families and individuals, Part 5

Author: Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 642

Author:
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642