History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 2

Author: Hill, George William, b. 1823; Williams Bros
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: [Cleveland] Williams
Number of Pages: 896

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The writer of this article has many rare and curious specimens of the war-like implements of the Stone age, which evince high architectural skill in their preparation. We know not, at this time, how such weapons were nian- ufactured. The extreme hardness of the flint and gran- ite out of which they are made, and the evident absence of all knowledge of iron and steel, will suggest to the archaeologist the amount of skill and patience exercised by the race by whom they were prepared. It seems to be generally conceded that large numbers of arrow-heads, spear-heads, stone axes, and the like, were manufactured in the vicinity of the flint ridge, in Licking county, Ohio, and from thence scattered all over the State in the chase and in warlike incursions. This inference gains strength from the quantity of spalls and broken arrow-heads found in that region, as well as from the admitted identity of the material. We have certain proofs that the Indian tribes found on this continent by the early settlers and missionaries, had a knowledge of the manufacture of such implements, and may have prepared them for the chase and for war. They seem to have readily adopted them for hunting purposes, using them as arrows, with elastic bows and raw-hide thongs, in their incursions against each other.

The Ohio Indians undoubtedly manufactured stone axes, stone knives and arrow-heads of flint, before the French and English introduced fire-arms, and perhaps long since.

The remarkable resemblance between the stone axes, spear heads, arrow points, stone wedges, stone images and the like, fourd on this continent, and those found! in Europe and Asia, would suggest a like origin and age. Mr. Evans, an able English archaeologist. enters into a

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

full discussion of the implement manufactured during the Stone age in England, Ireland, and Scotland, from the hard and unmanageable rock known as flint. In his work the important suggestion is thrown out that they were not used for the purposes of warfare alone, huit for purposes of husbandry, the chase, domestic use, and personal ornament; and that they worked up the materials found in these plains and valleys, consisting of flint and granite. He cites the fact that the Celts man- nfactured, from flint, implements for felling trees, hewing canoes, hoes, harrows, scrapers for preparing skins, arrow points for shooting birds and other small game, knives, gouges, saws, pounding-stones, chisels, hammer-axes, picks, and instruments for grinding stones and dressing their flint arrows. He also says that rings, amulets, spindle-whorls, pestles, needles of bone, drilled by flint, were found in caves.

A large number of the implements mentioned seem to be of little use further than ornament, because of their fragile structure. They are, he says, exquisitely polished and ground, and evince a wonderful degree of useless toil, if they were designed for warfare. Neither could they have been available for hard work, such as cutting down trees or working timber, for they do not exhibit any sign of fracture or even of scratching, which would not be the case if they had been used for cutting, as tools or weapons. He further declares that many of these implements are made of Asiatic stones of beautiful colors and capable of taking high polish. To students in archeology, this suggestion will furnish a strong argu- ment in favor of the eastern origin of the Stone age, for it is improbable that the human race appeared simulta- neously on the eastern and western continents. That the course of the nations of that era was from India into Asia, Europe and North and South America, is as well settled as any hypothetical problem can be. This is again suggestive of the origin of the primitive races of this continent. That there must have been some con- nection between Asia and North America admits of scarcely a doubt.

STONE IMPLEMENTS.

Several classes of implements are found, in great numbers, within this county. They seem to have been scattered broadcast over the hills and valleys. One class consists of highly polished stone pestles, stone axes, weighing front six or eight ounces to five or six pounds- stone flesbers, stone implements pick-shaped, with a .

neatly drilled hole in the middle, stone beads, and flat, variagated stones, from one to two inches wide, six or seven long, and half an inch thick, with rounded ends, highly polished, and generally with a neatly drilled hole in the center, have been found in and about these ancient works.

Another class of more recent date, consists of thou- sands of flint arrow-heads from a half to seven inches in length. These were unquestionably made by the mod- ern tribes that overspread northern Ohio, and most of the material was procured from the ridges in Licking county. One such nest was plowed up in Sullivan town- ship, three years since, by Mr. S. W. Riggs, containing

two hundred and one pear-shaped arrow-heads, neatly finished and of an unsual style, having no notch for fastening them to the shaft, and had the appearance of being intended for cutting.

It is claimed that the polished stone implements were used by an earlier race than the Eries. It will be diffi- cult to substantiate that assertion. It is not certain that the Eries ever saw European arms, and they undoubted- ly never used them. It is equally certain they occupied an advanced position in the art of self defence, and like the civilized races, began to gather into fortified towns. It is reasonable, then, to suppose they were equally skil !- ed in preparing arms for the defence of their country. The stone axe would be easy of construction. The flesher would follow in the preparation of their clothing. which consisted of dressed skins. The polished stones were doubtless used for ornamental purposes, as were the beads and other stone badges.

In a treaty at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, held June 26, 1644, Canassatego, a distinguished Iroquois chief, said;

"Indeed, we have some small differences with the English, and dur- ing these, some of their young men would, by way of reproach, he telling us, that we should have perished, if they had not come into the country, and furnished us with strowds (shawls) and hatchets and guns, and other things necessary for the support of life ; but we always gave them to understand, that they were mistaken, that we lived before they came amongst us, and as well, or better, if we may believe what our forefathers have told us. We then had room enough. and plenty of deer, which were nasily caught; and though we had not 'knives, batch- ets, or guns, such as we have now, yet we had knives of stone, and hatchets of stone, and bows and arrows. and these served our uses as well then, as the English ones do now." *

There can be no doubt as to the fact that the fro- quois, Eries, Delawares, and other tribes, continued to manufacture stone axes, fleshers, hammers, war-clubs, headed with stone, and arrow-heads, until, and even after, English arms were introduced. The Creeks and Black- feet, of Red river, Canada, still continue to manufacture very beautiful stone axes and fleshers.

If these works wcre constructed by a more ancient race, the growth of forests proves nothing, unless it may be, that all the timber of these valleys was destroyed by the Mound Builders; for the trees found in and upon these fortifications, were of the same size and character as those of the surrounding forest. Two hundred and seventy-five or three hundred years would be a sufficient length of time for the growth of the trees found in and upon these works. These fortified places, and pol- ished implements, may have been constructed by the Erirs, then, to protect their people from sudden invasion by the Iroquois, while cultivating the soil; for that nation must have been too numerous to depend alone upon the chase.

If done by an earlier race, the swarnis of red mien, of Tartar descent, who passed Behring's Straits, and poured down the shores of our northern chain of lakes, may have compelled their erection, as a means of de- fence, until their occupants were driven south, or exter- minated, by the wild, nomadic tribes, who overran and, subsequently, occupied, all northern Ohio.

It has been urged that the red races did not possess

* See Colden's "Five Nations," second part, page 155.

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

tools or implements to erect sich stockades. It is true we are unable to designate the manner of their construc- tion. That proves nothing. An examination of the most extended railroad track and embankment in Obio, might not lead to the discovery of a single plow, shovel,

mattock, cart, horse, or wheelbarrow. Sull the fact would exist, that all these were employed in the con- struction of our railways. If the aborigines used wood- en, flint, or stone shovels, bark buckets, or copper tools, in erecting their stockade, they probably carried them away. The races that lived and flourished, and con- tended for their soil and homes, had passed away years before the Caucasian discovered the western world. Their deeds of heroism disappeared with them, and no Homer, Virgil, or native bard, sung or related their achievments.

They were followed by the fierce and untamed red men, who still linger in the far west. They, too, are passing away. The light canoe of the Wyandot, the Mohegan, and the Delaware, are no more seen upon our waters .. They are remembered only by the most aged of the white race. Armstrong, and Pipe, Lyons, and Johnnycake, have long since gone to the great hunting- ground, and their descendants have found homes on the headwaters of the distant Missouri.

As we have seen in the history of the Mound Builders strong indications of Asiatic civilization, so in the strik- ing resemblance of the stone implements found in the East and West, we discover other links of the great chain that connected the races of America, Europe and Asia, as well as another evidence that man progressed westward as the populations of the earth pushed him for- ward in pursuit of a new home and enterprises. How long the people of the "Stoneage," may have inhabited this continent, will doubtless ever remain an unsolved pro- blem. To continue such an inquiry would be like the toil of dropping buckets in empty wells, and growing old in drawing nothing up; for the aboriginal races, found here by our fathers knew nothing of their ancestors worth preservation. We know that such a people exist- ed along the streams, and upon the uplands of this county, because stone images, implements of warfare, battle-axes, arrow-heads, and the like, are ret found in our fields and in the forests. The presence of these rude images is conclusive that the primitive races inhabiting this region venerated objects of idolatry. A year or two since, an image, cut front granite, representing a sort of ape, was plowed up on Honey creek in this county, by a farmer! Query :- Did the people of the "Stone age," venerate the ape like those surrounding the sacred groves of Benares? Did they pay devotions to idols, or is this simply a rude representation of a household pet? We have no evidence that the Indian tribes of Ohio were ever idolaters. Their history shows that they had very correct conceptions of a Supreme Being, or Great Spirit, from whom they derived life, happiness and prosperity. Idolatry came from the cast. In the carly ages, in the East, almost every object in nature was invested with divine power, and was inovked by the ignorant devotee. Were these images brought to this continent as house-

hold gods by the Mound Builders or their successors? It seems useless to speculate upon the subject. No ray of history has, as yet, penetrated the gloom of that era, and we will have to content ourselves with believing that such a people once roamed over the hills and through the valleys and along the streams of this county.

CHAPTER II.

ASHLAND COUNTY EARTHWORKS.

A Description of the Forts. - Tyler's Fort .-- Ramsey's Fort .-- Met- calf's Fort .- Winbigler's Fort .-- The Glen Fort .- Grumble's Fort. -- Sprott's Hill .-- Bryte's Fort .- Stoner's Fort .-- Shambaugh's Fort. -The Parr Fort .- Darling's Fort .- The Origin of the Works.

TYLER'S FORT.

On section twenty-four. now in Wayne county, a short distance below the junction, upon the heights northeast of Tylertown, and east of the stream, is an ancient in- trenchment. It overlooks the valley, which here is about one and a half miles wide, and gives an extended view, up and down the Mohican. The work is situated on an elevated spur of the ridge, on the lands of Benjamin Tyler; is circular in forin, and contains about three acres. When Mr. Tyler located in IS14, he found the work des- titute of grown timber. The ridge, in and about the in- trenchinent, had the appearance of having been often burned over. He found the embankment about four feet high, and about ten feet in diameter, at the base, and completely covered with hazel-brush, about as high as his head. He states, that he stood in the center of the work, and could overlook the Mohican valley for many miles. The work is now covered by a growth of thrifty young white oak, ranging from fifty to seventy feet in height, and ten to fifteen inches in diameter Unlike most of the earthworks of this county, there was no spring in its immediate vicinity. From the center of the work, a grand view of the Mohican valley, for many miles dotted with fertile farms, may be had. The work was evidently one of defence, and was calculated to re. pel a large force, as access to it, from every side, was up a declivity.

RAMSEY'S FORT.

Ascending the Muddy fork, about fifteen miles, we find another intrenchment upon the lands of John Rant- sey, on the southwest quarter of section twenty-eight, in Jackson township. The valley of the stream, the entire distance, is very fertile and was once a favorite resort of the Delawares. This work is situated on the western side of an elevated ridge, overlooking the valley. The castern line of the entrenchment reaches the summit facing the valley. The work is quadrangular, and esti- mated to contain a fraction over two acres. When first discovered. the erabankment was about three fest in height, and from: eight to ten in diameter at the bise. The timber within the fort was equal in size to that of the forest around it, and was of the same character. The

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

area of the fort has been cultivated about twenty-five yus, ind the embankment is nearly obliterated by the Flow. While plowing within the fort, a highly polished stone, five inches long, two inches at the base, and one and one-half inches at the point, encircled in the middle In a groove, was found. The implement is known as the stone hammer. The ravines in the vicinity contained water sufficient to supply the wants of the fort if be- leagured by an enemy.

Two mounds were found in the north part of Perry township, about one mile from the fort. They were about thirty feet apart, and occupied level ground near a brook. The larger one was about five feet high, and twenty-five feet in diameter, at the base. The smaller one was probably twelve feet in diameter, at the base, and three and a half feet high. William Hamilton extirpated the larger one in digging a cellar; and about four feet below the natural surface found a triangular wooden post, and three human skeletons, one of unusual size, embedded in sand. On exposure the smaller ones dissolved. He also found a highly polished stone, six inches long, one and a half inches wide, and half an inch in thickness, rounded at the ends. It was converted into a whetstone hy a German of the vicinity.

METCALF'S FORT.

By returning to the Jerome fork, and ascending that stream about one and a half miles, we approach a fort on the lands of the late William Metcalf, south of the stream, on an elevated plateau, facing the valley on section twenty-one. It was circular in form and contained about three acres. It was near a spring. When first discov- ered in the forest, in IS12, the embankments were about four feet in height, and the base about ten feet in dian- erer. Large trees grew in and upon the work. It com- manded an extensive view. The fort at Tyler's, some four miles down the stream, could be easily seen by the naked eye. By the means of assault probably used by the race that then inhabited these valleys, it would have been difficult to capture it.

WINBIGLER'S FORT.

On an elevated point, two and a half miles north, and across the Jerome fork, was another fort on the lands of Henry Winbigler, on the northeast quarter of section nine. It contained about four acres of land, was circu- lar in form, and was much more defensive than Met- calf's, because the ground around it was steep and more difficult of ascent. The embankments were also some- what higher than the former work, and ten feet thick at the base. When first discovered it was covered with large timber -- a sort of ridge cak, of slow growth, and must have been abandoned for a long series of years. It had a gate-way looking to the north and one to the south, and was near an excellent spring. From this fort a good view of Metcalf's was had. By the use of torches or other signals, the Tyler fort could have been alarmed at the same time. Nearly due west of this fort, on section thirteen, in Vermillion township, is a large mound which was used as a burial site by the Mohegans and Delatvares; but was, doubtless, erected as a signal point

by the same race that constructed the forts. West of it, about four miles, on section fourteen, and near the town of Hayesville, is another large mound, at the head of the valley reaching the Mohican. It was also most likely used as a signal point.

THE CLENN FORT.

About one and a half miles nearly east of the Winbig- ler fort, on an elevated plateau, is found, near the center of section eleven, a square fort, the north side being two hundred and thirty-six feet long, the east side one hundred and ninety-five, the south two hundred and six, and the west one hundred and thirty-nine feet. The north side is thirty-six feet greater than the south, and the east fifty-six feet greater than the west side, so that the square is rather oblong. There is a gate-way at the northwest corner, fifteen feet wide, with a guard or em- bankment extending out about thirty-five feet, which ter- minates in a small mound, probably the post of a senti- nel. A wing about ninety feet long extends from the northeast corner, and one one hundred and fifty feet long, from the southeast corner. There is a mound a few rods southwest of the center of the work, thirty-one feet in diameter and about three and a half feet in height. This work overlooks the Tyler, Metcalf, and Winbigler forts, and gives a good view of the valley for many miles. A number of stone and flint instruments have been found in the vicinity of this work. Mr. J. N. Glenn, jr., has made, also, a curious collection of fragments of an- cient pottery found in the vicinity of the fort, resembling those relics excavated from the mounds of central Ohio. In plowing he has also found many ingeniously con- structed pot holes, sufficiently large to contain eight or ten gallons of water, neatly paved with small bowlders, much burned and roasted. This may have been the work of modern tribes, but the earthworks evidently be- longed to another race.

GAMBLE'S FORT.

Continuing up the Jerome fork, which rises in the summit, in the north center of the county, is found a beautiful valley, from three to six miles wide, through which that stream meanders, fed by numerous smaller ones, on either side. As we approach Ashland, an ele- vated point of land, on the north of the town, on sec- tion eight, southwest quarter, is seen overlooking the whole surrounding country, for a distance of from four to seven miles. This work is above the town, and there is a gradual descent from it in all directions. It is a strong military position. The practical eye of the engi- neers of the ancient race that once swarmed in these val- leys, selected it as a defensible position of value. A cir- cular embankment, two thousand one hundred and forty-five feet in length, containing an area of eight and one-fourth acres, surrounded the brow of the hill. When the late Henry Gamble entered upon this land, in 1815, the fort was covered by large trees, such as were found in the forests of the neighborhood. The embankments Were very nearly four feet high, in the center, and ten or eleven feet wide at the base. The work must have re- quired a considerable body of men a long time to con-

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struct it. It had a gate-way at the southwest side, facing a deep ravine ; and near the gate, a very excel- lent spring. In taking the dimensions of the fort, I was assisted by Colonel George W. Urie, and Major Richard P. Fulkerson, who examined the work nearly fifty years ago, when much of the large timber was standing. The New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio railway passes down the ravine jast south of the fort, and the spring now sup- plies the water-tank, The embankments have been plowed over for nearly fifty years, and exhibit but slight traces of their outlines.

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In looking down the valley some two miles, a large mound can be seen, which has recently been opened and found to contain human bones, charcoal and woody fibre, clearly evincing the presence of fire. The mound is situated on the northeast part of section nine, and is composed of sand and drift. The excavation from which it was taken, about one hundred yards away, can be plainly seen. On section three, in a northeast direc- tion from the above mound, about a quarter of a mile distant, near a fine spring, stood another small mound, which contained human bones, a few arrow heads and one or two stone axes and fleshers. These were turned up by the plow. The site of the mound is now oblit- erated. Other small mounds have been found in Mont- gomery township, the contents being similar to the ones described. Four miles northeast of the Gamble fort, on section twenty-eight, in Orange township, is found the Norris mound, near the village of Orange. It has been examined and found to contain human bones, large quantities of red and yellow ochre, charcoal, a few shells and a pure copper needle seven inches long, with a well-tempered point. If the forest were removed this mound could be plainly seen from the fort. It was evi- dently a burial site. The presence of charcoal, and the oily condition of the hard-pan, ochre and sand, would suggest that vast quantities of animal oil had been used in its sacrificial ceremonies. It may have been a signal point also. Large trees grew around and upon this round, its height being about five feet and diameter thirty. It was evidently the work of a race that pre- ceded the red man. This locality must have been the lome of a people in advance of the Indian. Many curious relics have been found within a short distance of the mound.

'About thirty five years since, while engaged in cutting , a bluff, on the bank of the creek, east of the residence of the late Patrick Murray, for the purpose of improv- ing the trail-road alluded to, a number of human skele- tons were unearthed, among which was one supposed to have been over seven (?) feet high, when erect. The bones were in a good state of preservation. This giant must have loomed up among his aboriginal kinsmen like a Colossus, as he headed their war-files along the forest paths, on the margin of the streams of this 1 county. If he wielded authority in proportion to his immense physical dimensions, he must have more than rivalled Pipe, Logan or Tecumseh. Colonel Oldshue, : who discovered the remains, found no difficulty in pass. ing the under-jaw over his face ! The cranium and -

other bones showed, that this relic of another age must have been a man of unusual size and power.

In the year 1850, George Barrick, in digging a well for Isaac Stuil, near his residence, half a mile south of the village of Orange, after having dug down about five feet below the surface, came upon an earthen vessel that would hold, perhaps, about two gallons. Before discor- ering this singular relic, he unfortunately stepped upon, and broke it. It was found mouth up, and resembled, in many respects, a two-gallon crock. The rim around the top was artistic, and intended to aid in lifting the vessel. It was formed of a bluish earth, and seemed to have been subjected to the influence of heat. It was ornamented, all over the exterior surface, by finely pul- verized white flint, somewhat resembling rice grains, which adhered firmly to it. A short time afterwards, in plowing in a field, northwest of his house, Mr. Stull turned up a fragment of the same kind of vessel, as large as his hand.

In the fall of 1872, Harvey Roberts, residing a short distance west of the Stull farm, on an elevation, just north of the creek, while engaged in excavating for the foundation of a small building, came upon two human skeletons, some three feet beneath the surface, in a sit- ting posture, in a good state of preservation. These remains were undoubtedly those of Wyanders, who had died during their annual residence and hunting excur- sions along the Mohican, over sixty years ago. An- other old Indian cemetery was found. on the premises of Jacob Young, about half a mile southeast of Mr. Roberts, and many of the graves, being very shallow, were exposed, in his garden, and on the bank of the creek. The most of those on the lands of Mr. Young, we believe, were buried in a horizontal position. We do not, as yet, find the precise reason for this difference. It may be, that the parties found by Mr. Roberts may have been chiefs, or members of another tribe.

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History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 2

Author: Hill, George William, b. 1823; Williams Bros Publication date: 1880 Publisher: [Cleveland] Williams Number of Pages: 896

Author: Hill, George William, b. 1823; Williams Bros
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: [Cleveland] Williams
Number of Pages: 896