USA > Ohio > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Ohio : containing a history of the county, its townships, towns portraits of early settlers and prominent men, biographies, history of the Northwest Territory, history of Ohio, statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc > Part 18
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ANCIENT WORKS.
Ohio has furnished a prolific field for antiquarians and those interested in scientific explorations, either for their own amusement and knowledge, or for the records of " facts and formations."
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HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
It is well known that the " Mound Builders " had a wide swcep through this continent, but absolute facts regarding their era have been most difficult to obtain. Numerous theories and suppositions have been advanced, yet they are emphatic evidences that they have traced the origin and time of this primeval race.
However, they have left their works behind them, and 'no exercise of faith is necessary to have confidence in that part of the story. That these works are of human origin is self-evident. Temples and military works have been found which required a considerable degree of scientific skill on the part of those early architects and builders.
Evidently the Indians had no knowledge of these works of predecessors, which differed in all respects from those of the red men. An ancient cemetery has been found, covering an area of four acres, which had evidently been laid out into lots, from north to south. Nearly 3,000 graves have been discovered, containing bones which at some time must have constituted the framework of veritable giants, while others are of no unusual size. In 1815, a jaw-bone was exhumed, containing an artificial tooth of silver.
Mounds and fortifications are plentiful in Athens County, some of them being of solid stone. One, differing in the quality of stone from the others, is supposed to be a dam across the Hocking. Over a thousand pieces of stone were used in its construction. Copper rings, bracelets and ornaments are numerous. It is also evident that these people possessed the knowledge of hardening copper and giving it an edge equal to our steel of to-day.
In the branch formed by a branch of the Licking River and Raccoon Creek, in Licking County, ancient works extend over an area of several miles. Again, three miles northwest of this locality, near the road between Newark and Gran- ville, another field of these relics may be found. On the summit of a high hill is a fortification, formed to represent an alligator. The head and neck includes 32 feet ; the length of the body is 73 feet ; the tail was 105 feet; from the termini of the fore feet, over the shoulders, the width is 100 feet ; from the termini of the hind feet, over the hips, is 92 feet ; its highest point is 7 feet. It is composed of clay, which must have been conveyed hither, as it is not similar to the clay found in the vicinity.
Near Miamisburg, Montgomery County, are other specimens. Near the village is a mound, equaled in size by very few of these antiquities. It meas- ures 800 feet around the base, and rises to a height of sixty-seven feet. Others are found in Miami County, while at Circleville, Pickaway County, no traces remain.
Two forts have been discovered, one forming an exact square, and the other describing a circle. The square is flanked by two walls, on all sides, these being divided by a deep ditch. The circle has one wall and no ditch. This is sixty-nine rods in diameter, its walls being twenty feet high. The square fort measures fifty-five rods across, with walls twelve feet high. Twelve gateways lead into the square fort, while the circle has but one, which led to the other, at
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the point where the walls of the two came together. Before each of these entrances were mounds of earth, from four to five feet high and nearly forty feet in diameter. Evidently these were designed for defenses for the openings, in cases of emergency.
A short distance from Piketon, the turnpike runs, for several hundred feet, between two parallel artificial walls of earth, fifteen feet high, and six rods apart. In Scioto County, on both sides of the Ohio, are extensive ancient works.
" Fort Ancient " is near Lebanon in Warren County. Its direct measure- ment is a mile, but in tracing its angles, retreating and salient, its length would be nearly six miles. Its site is a level plain, 240 feet above the level of the river. The interior wall varies in height to conform with the nature of the ground without-ranging from 8 to 10 feet. On the plain it reaches 100 feet. This fort has 58 gateways, through one of which the State road runs, passing between two mounds 12 feet high. Northeast from these mounds, situated on the plain, are two roads, about a rod wide each, made upon an elevation about three feet high. They run parallel to each other about a quarter of a mile, when they each form a semicircle around a mound, joining in the circle. It is probable this was at some time a military defense, or, on the contrary, it may have been a general rendezvous for games and high holiday festivities.
Near Marietta, are the celebrated Muskingum River works, being a half- mile from its juncture with the Ohio. They consist of mounds and walls of earth in circular and square forms, also tracing direct lines.
The largest square fort covers an area of 40 acres, and is inclosed by a wall of earth, 6 to 10 feet in height, and from 25 to 30 feet at its base. On each side are three gateways. The center gateways exceed the others in size, more especially on the side toward the Muskingum. From this outlet runs a covered means of egress, between two parallel walls of earth, 231 feet distant from each other, measuring from the centers. The walls in the interior are 21 feet high at the most elevated points, measuring 42 feet at the base, grading on the exte- rior to about five feet in heigth. This passage-way is 360 feet in length, lead- ing to the low grounds, which, at the period of its construction, probably reached the river.
At the northwest corner, within the inclosure, is a plateau 188 feet long, 132 feet broad and 9 feet high. Its sides are perpendicular and its surface level. At the center of each side is a graded pathway leading to the top, six feet wide. Another elevated square is near the south wall, 150x120 feet square, and 8 feet high, similar to the other, with the exception of the graded walk. Outside and next the wall to ascend to the top, it has central hollow ways, 10 feet wide, leading 20 feet toward the center, then arising with a gradual slope to the top. A third elevated square is situated at the southeast corner, 108x54 feet square, with ascents at the ends. This is neither as high or as perfect as the others.
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Another ancient work is found to the southeast, covering an area of 20 acres with a gateway in the center of each side, and others at the corners-each of these having the mound defense.
On the outside of the smaller fort, a mound resembling a sugar loaf was formed in the shape of a circle 115 feet in diameter, its height being 30 feet. A ditch surrounds it, 15 feet wide and 4 feet deep. These earthworks have contributed greatly to the satisfactory results of scientific researches. Their builders were evidently composed of large bands that have succumbed to the advance of enlightened humanity. The relics found consists of ornaments, utensils and implements of war. The bones left in the numerous graves convey an idea of a stalwart, vigorous people, and the conquests which swept them away from the face of the country must have been fierce and cruel.
Other mounds and fortifications are found in different parts of the State, of which our limited space will not permit a description.
Many sculptured rocks are found, and others with plainly discernible tracery in emblematical designs upon their surface. The rock on which the inscriptions occur is the grindstone grit of the Ohio exports-a stratum found in Northern Ohio, Arrow-points of flint or chert have been frequently found. From all investigations, it is evident that an extensive flint bed existed in Lick- ing County, near Newark. The old pits can now be recognized. They extended over a hundred acres. They are partially filled with water, and sur- rounded by piles of broken and rejected fragments. The flint is a grayish- white, with cavities of a brilliant quartz crystal. Evidently these stones were chipped into shape and the material sorted on the ground. Only clear, homo- genous pieces can be wrought into arrow-heads and spear-points. Flint chips extend over many acres of ground in this vicinity. Flint beds are also found in Stark and Tuscarawas Counties. In color it varies, being red, white, black and mottled. The black is found in Coshocton County.
SOME GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS.
Ohio, as a State, is renowned as an agricultural section. Its variety, quality and quantity of productions cannot be surpassed by any State in the Union. Its commercial importance ranks proudly in the galaxy of opulent and industrious States composing this Union. Her natural resources are prolific, and all improve- ments which could be instituted by the ingenuity of mankind have been added.
From a quarter to a third of its area is hilly and broken. About the head- waters of the Muskingum and Scioto, and between the Scioto and the two Miami Rivers, are wide prairies ; some of them are elevated and dry, with fertile soil, although they are frequently termed "barrens." In other parts, they are low and marshy, producing coarse, rank grass, which grows to a height of five feet in some places.
The State is most fortunate in timber wealth, having large quantities of black walnut, oak of different varieties, maple, hickory, birch, several kinds of
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beech, poplar, sycamore, papaw, several kinds of ash, cherry, whitewood and buckeye.
The summers are usually warm, and the winters are mild, considering the latitude of the State. Near Lake Erie, the winters are severe, corresponding with sections in a line with that locality. Snow falls in sufficient quantities in the northern part to afford several weeks of fine sleighing. In the southern portion, the snowstorms are not frequent, and the fall rarely remains long on the ground.
The climate is generally healthy, with the exception of small tracts lying near the marshes and stagnant waters.
The Ohio River washes the southern border of the State, and is navigable for steamboats of a large size, the entire length of its course. From Pitts- burgh to its mouth, measuring it meanderings, it is 908 miles long. Its current is gentle, having no falls except at Louisville, Ky., where the descent is twenty- two and a half feet in two miles. A canal obviates this obstruction.
The Muskingum is the largest river that flows entirely within the State. It is formed by the junction of the Tuscarawas and Walhonding Rivers, and enters the Ohio at Marietta One hundred miles of its length is navigable.
The Scioto is the second river in magnitude, is about 200 miles long, and flows into the Ohio at Portsmouth. It affords navigation 130 miles of its length. The Great Miami is a rapid river, in the western part of the State, and is 100 miles long. The Little Miami is seventy miles in length, and enters the Ohio seven miles from Cincinnati.
The Maumee rises in Indiana, flows through the northwestern part of the State, and enters Lake Erie at Maumee Bay. It affords navigation as far as Perrysburg, eighteen miles from the lake, and above the rapids, it is again nav- igable.
The Sandusky rises in the northern part of the State, is eighty miles long, and flows into Lake Erie, via Sandusky Bay.
Lake Erie washes 150 miles of the northern boundary. The State has sev- eral fine harbors, the Maumee and Sandusky Bays being the largest.
We have, in tracing the record of the earlier counties, given the educational inter- ests as exemplified by different institutions. We have also given the canal system of the State, in previous pages. The Governor is elected every two years, by the people. The Senators are chosen biennially, and are apportioned according to the male population over twenty-one years of age. The Judges of the Supreme and other courts are elected by the joint ballot of the Legislature, for the term of seven years.
During the early settlement of Ohio, perfect social equality existed among the settlers. The line of demarkation that was drawn was a separation of the good from the bad. Log-rollings and cabin-raisings were mutual affairs. Their sport usually consisted of shooting, rowing and hunting. Hunting shirts and buckskin pants were in the fashion, while the women dressed in coarse material,
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woven by their own hands. A common American cotton check was con- sidered a magnificent addition to one's toilet. In those times, however, the material was $1 per yard, instead of the shilling of to-day. But five yards was then a large "pattern," instead of the twenty-five of 1880. In cooking utensils, the pot, pan and frying-pan constituted an elegant outfit. A few plain dishes were added for table use. Stools and benches were the rule, although a few wealthy families indulged in splint-bottom chairs. The cabin floors were rough, and in many cases the green sward formed the carpet. Goods were very expensive, and flour was considered a great luxury. Goods were brought by horses and mules from Detroit, or by wagon from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, and then down the Ohio. Coarse calicoes were $1 per yard ; tea $2 to $3 per pound; coffee 75 cents ; whisky, from $1 to $2 per gallon, and salt, $5 to $6 per barrel. In those towns where Indian trade constituted a desirable interest, a bottle was set at each end of the counter-a gratuitous offering to their red friends.
OUTLINE GEOLOGY OF OHIO.
Should we group the rocks of Ohio, according to their lithological characters, we should give five distinct divisions. They are marked by difference in appear- ance, hardness, color and composition :
1-Limestone.
2-Black shale.
3-Fine-grained sandstone.
4-Conglomerate.
5-Coal series.
They are all stratified and sedimentary. They are nearly horizontal. The lowest one visible, in a physical as well as a geological sense, is "blue lime- stone."
The bed of the Ohio River near Cincinnati is 133 feet below the level of Lake Erie. The strata incline in all directions from the southwestern angle of the State. In Scioto County may be seen the outcropping edges of all these rocks. They sink at this point in the direction south 80}° east ; easterly at the rate of 374 feet per mile. The cliff limestone, the upper stratum of the lime- stone deposit, is 600 feet above the river at Cincinnati ; at West Union, in Adams County, it is only 350 feet above the same level.
The finely grained sandstone found on the summit of the hills east of Brush Creek and west of the Scioto sinks to the base of the hills, and appears beneath the conglomerate, near the Little Scioto. Although the rock formations are the same in all parts of the State, in the same order, their thickness, mass and dip, are quite different.
Chillicothe, Reynoldsburg, Mansfield, Newburg, Waverly and Rockville, are situated near the western border of the " fine-grained limestone." Its outcrop forms a continuous and crooked line from the Ohio River to Lake Erie. In the southwest portion of the State is the "blue limestone," occupying a circular
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HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
space from West Union via Dayton, to the State line. The conglomerate is to the east of the given towns, bending around from Cuyahoga Falls to Burton, in Geauga County, and then eastward into Pennsylvania. Near this outcrop are the coal-bearing rocks which occupy the east and southeastern portions of Ohio. From Rockville to Chillicothe, the course is north, about 10° east, and nearly corresponds with the line of outcrop of the fine-grained sandstone for an equal distance. The dip at Rockville, given by Charles Whittlesey, is 80}°, almost at a right angle, and at the rate of 37 feet per mile.
At Chillicothe, the other end of the line, the general dip is south 70° east, 30 feet to the mile, the line curving eastward and the dip line to the southward. This is the universal law.
The northern boundary of the great coal fields passes through Meadville, in Pennsylvania, and turning south arrives at Portage Summit, on the summit of the Alleghanies, 2,500 feet above the ocean level. It then plunges rapidly to the westward. From the Alleghanies to the southwest, through Pennsylvania, Virginia and Tennessee, sweeps this great coal basin.
Much of the county of Medina is conglomerate upon the surface, but the streams, especially the South Branch of the Rocky River, set through this sur- face stratum, and reach the fine-grained sandstone. This is the case with Rocky, Chagrin, Cuyahoga and Grand Rivers-also Conneaut and Ashtabula Creeks. This sandstone and the shale extend up the narrow valleys of these streams and their tributaries. Between these strata is a mass of coarse-grained sandstone, without pebbles, which furnishes the grindstones for which Ohio is noted. In Lorain County, the coarse sandstone grit nearly displaces the fine- grained sandstone and red shale, thickening at Elyria to the black shale. South of this point, the grindstone grit, red shale and ash-colored shale vary in thick- ness. The town of Chillicothe, the village of Newburg, and a point in the west line of Crawford County, are all situated on the "black shale."
Dr. Locke gives the dip, at Montgomery and Miami Counties, at north 14°, east, six feet to the mile ; at Columbus, Whitelesey gives it, 81º 52' east, 22,73% feet to the mile. The fine-grained sandstone at Newburg is not over eighty feet in thickness ; at Jacktown and Reynoldsburg, 500; at Waverly 250 to 300 feet, and at Brush Creek, Adams County, 343 feet. The black shale is 251 feet thick at Brush Creek ; at Alum Creek, 250 to 300 feet thick ; in Craw- ford County, about 250 feet thick. The conglomerate in Jackson County is 200 feet thick ; at Cuyahoga Falls, 100 to 120 feet ; at Burton, Geauga County, 300 feet. The great limestone formation is divided into several numbers. At Cincinnati, at the bed of the river, there is :
1-A blue limestone and slaty marlite.
2-Dun-colored marl and layers of lime rock.
3-Blue marl and layers of blue limestone.
4-Marl and bands of limestone, with immense numbers of shells at the surface.
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HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
In Adams County, the detailed section is thus :
1-Blue limestone and marl.
2-Blue marl.
3-Flinty limestone.
4-Blue marl. .
5-Cliff limestone.
The coal-fields of Ohio are composed of alternate beds of coarse-grained sandstone, clay shales, layers of ironstone, thin beds of limestone and numer- ous strata of coal. The coal region abounds in iron. From Jacktown to Con- cord, in Muskingum County, there are eight beds of coal, and seven strata of limestone. The distance between these two points is forty-two miles. From Freedom, in Portage County, to Poland, in' Trumbull County, a distance of thirty-five miles, there are five distinct strata. Among them are distributed thin beds of limestone, and many beds of iron ore. The greater mass of coal and iron measures is composed of sandstone and shale. The beds of sandstone are from ten to twenty or eighty feet thick. Of shale, five to fifty feet thick. The strata of coal and iron are comparatively thin. A stratum of coal three feet thick can be worked to advantage. One four feet thick is called a good mine, few of them averaging five. Coal strata are found from six to ten and eleven feet. There are four beds of coal, and three of limestone, in Lawrence and Scioto Counties. There are also eight beds of ore, and new ones are con- stantly being discovered. The ore is from four to twelve inches thick, occasion- ally being two feet. The calcareous ore rests upon the second bed of limestone, from the bottom, and is very rich.
The most prominent fossils are trees, plants and stems of the coal-bearing rocks, shells and corals and crustaceæ of the limestone, and the timber, leaves and dirt-beds of the " drift "-the earthy covering of the rocks, which varies from nothing to 200 feet. Bowlders, or " lost rocks," are strewn over the State. They are evidently transported from some remote section, being fragments of primitive rock, granite, gneiss and hornblende rock, which do not exist in Ohio, nor within 400 miles of the State, in any direction. In the Lake Supe- rior region we find similar specimens.
The superficial deposits of Ohio are arranged into four geological formations :
1-The ancient drift, resting upon the rocks of the State.
2-The Lake Erie marl and sand deposits.
3-The drift occupying the valleys of large streams, such as the Great Miami, the Ohio and Scioto.
4-The bowlders.
The ancient drift of Ohio is meager in shell deposits. It is not, therefore, decided whether it be of salt-water origin or fresh water.
It has, at the bottom, blue clay, with gravel-stones of primitive or sedimen- tary rocks, containing carbonate of lime. The yellow clay is found second. Above that, sand and gravel, less stratified, containing more pebbles of the
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sedimentary rocks, such as limestone and stone, iron ore, coal and shale. The lower layer contains logs, trees, leaves, sticks and vines.
The Lake Erie section, or "Lake Erie deposits," may be classed in the following order :
1-From the lake level upward, fine, blue, marly sand-forty-five to sixty feet.
2-Coarse, gray, water-washed sand-ten to twenty feet.
3-Coarse sand and gravel, not well stratified, to surface-twenty to fifty feet.
Stratum first dissolves in water. It contains carbonate of lime, magnesia, iron, alumina, silex, sulphur, and some decomposed leaves, plants and sticks. Some pebbles are found. In contact with the water, quicksand is formed.
The Hickory Plains, at the forks of the Great Miami and White Water, and also between Kilgore's Mill and New Richmond, are the results of heavy dilu- vial currents.
In presenting these formations of the State, we have quoted from the experi- ence and conclusions of Charles Whittlesey, eminent as a geologist, ard who was a member of the Ohio Geological Corps.
OHIO'S RANK DURING THE WAR.
The patriotism of this State has been stanch, unswerving and bold, ever since a first settlement laid its corner-stone in the great Western wilder- ness. Its decisive measures, its earnest action, its noble constancy, have earned the laurels that designate it "a watchword for the nation." In the year 1860, Ohio had a population of 2,343,739. Its contribution of soldiers to the great conflict that was soon to surge over the land in scarlet terror, was apportioned 310,000 men. In less than twenty-four hours after the President's proclama- tion and call for troops, the Senate had matured and carried a bill through, appropriating $1,000,000 for the purpose of placing the State on a war footing. The influences of party sentiments were forgotten, and united, the State unfurled the flag of patriotism. Before the bombardment of old Fort Sumter has fairly ceased its echoes, twenty companies were offered the Governor for immediate service. When the surrender was verified, the excitement was tumultuous. Militia officers telegraphed their willingness to receive prompt orders, all over the State. The President of Kenyon College-President Andrews-tendered his services by enlisting in the ranks. Indeed, three months before the outbreak of the war, he had expressed his readiness to the Governor to engage in service should there be occasion. He was the first citi- zen to make this offer.
The Cleveland Grays, the Rover Guards, the State Fencibles, the Dayton Light Guards, the Governor's Guards, the Columbus Videttes and the Guthrie Grays-the best drilled and celebrated militia in the State-telegraphed to Columbus for orders. Chillicothe, Portsmouth and Circleville offered money and troops .. Canton, Xenia, Lebanon, Lancaster, Springfield, Cincinnati,
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HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
Dayton, Cleveland, Toledo and other towns urged their assistance upon the State. Columbus began to look like a great army field. The troops were stationed wherever they could find quarters, and food in sufficient quantities was hard to procure. The Governor soon established a camp at Miamiville, convenient to Cincinnati. He intended to appoint Irvin McDowell, of the staff of Lieut. Gen. Scott, to the leading command, but the friends of Capt. McClellan became enthusiastic and appealed to the Governor, who decided to investigate his case. Being satisfied, he desired Capt. McClellan to come up to Columbus. But that officer was busy and sent Capt. Pope, of the regular army, in his stead. This gentleman did not suit Gov. Dennison. The friends of McClellan again set forth the high qualities of this officer, and Gov. Dennison sent an earnest request for an interview, which was granted, and resulted in the appointment of the officer as Major General of the Ohio militia. Directly thereafter, he received an invitation to take command of the Pennsylvania troops, but Ohio could not spare so valuable a leader.
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