History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 10

Author: Sutton, R., & Co., Wapakoneta, Ohio, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Wapakoneta, Ohio : R. Sutton
Number of Pages: 878

USA > Ohio > Mercer County > History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 10
USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 10

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HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

Graded Ways.

As already indicated, another class of works are found, called "Graded Ways" or " Avenues" accompanying the inclosures to some number. Their purpose does not clearly appear.

They sometimes ascend from one terrace to another, and again from the river banks to the terrace. Que occurs at Marietta, one at Piqua, and another at Richmondale; but the most remarkable is that near Piketon, Pike County, Ohio. It consists of a graded ascent from the second to the third terrace, the level of the latter being seventeen feet above that of the former. The avenue is 1080 feet long, 215 feet wide at the lower, and 203 feet at the upper extremity. The earth is thrown outward on either hand into embankments varying from five to eleven feet in height. At the lower extremity the walls upon the interior are twenty-two feet in perpendicular height. On the third terrace the east- ern line of embankment extends 2580 feet. and terminates near a group of mounds, one of which is thirty feet high. Fifteen hundred feet from the grade another wall starts off from the main line at right angles to a distance of 212 feet, when it assumes a parallel course to the principal line and continues for 420 feet, when it curves inwardly 240 feet, and terminates near a group of mounds. The whole class of sacred works were probably the council houses and amusement grounds, as well as the places of sacred and devotional exercises. The altars are still found to attest their use for the observance of religious rites.

Mounds.

The temple mounds are regularly formed, generally truncated, and having spiral pathways to the summit. In form they are round, square, oblong, or oval, generally high, although some occur not exceeding a few feet in altitude, while embracing several acres in area. It is proba- ble that temples of wood occupied the summits, although no evidences of such structures remain.

The sacrificial mounds bear several distinguishing features, being constructed by alternate, uniform layers of gravel, earth, and sand. These were surmounted by symmetrical altars of burnt clay or stone, containing relies and deposits which exhibit traces of the action of fire. While the altars are generally of burnt clay, yet a few of stone occur, varying greatly in size, ranging from five to eight feet in width with a height of twenty feet, while in form they were generally round or square. Upon the altars have been found calcined human bones, carvings in stone, ornaments in mica, instruments of copper, tubes, and beads of pearl and shell, spear heads of flint, and various articles of pottery.

Sepulchral mounds are numerous, and usually take the form of the cone, although various other forms are discovered. . Rising in altitude from fifteen to twenty-five feet, they invariably inclose a human skele- ton, often quite a number, which are found near the ground surface, although the depth varies to some extent. These remains are generally of the Indian type, and had been enveloped in bark or heavy matting, and placed upon slabs or other material forming the bottom of the tomb. The covering was sometimes a vault of timber or flagstones, the latter often appearing in careless heaps. With the skeletons have been found personal ornaments, including bracelets, perforated plates of copper, and beads of bone, ivory, shell, and metal. While stone imple- ments are quite common, but few weapons are found. Vases of copper have been discovered, although rare in these remains.

Symbolical mounds consist of bass-reliefs formed on the surface of the ground in representation of beasts, birds, reptiles, men, and numerous implements and ornaments. Such works generally occur in groups or ranges.

Anomalous mounds embrace all those which do not admit of classifi- cation, some having features common to all classes, while others have no features of resemblance. In some an altar and sepulebre have been found on the same level, which does not occur with any of the regular classes. Under this class is also placet those structures which were probably used as signal stations. These occupy elevated positions, and have been variously designated as "observatories," "alarm posts,""sig- hal stations," "watch towers," and "out-looks."

In addition to all these classes rude heaps of stone are sometimes found, but as they bear no resemblance to the structures of the mound

builders they have been attributed to a later race, and are undoubtedly the work of the Indians.

The implements and ornaments found in connection with the earth- works or structures are usually of minerals, clay, bones, fossils, and shells.

Spear heads, including lance heads and fishing and hunting spears of various shapes and sizes, are usually of flint, although sometimes of horn- stone. Their names indicate their use.

Runners, knives, axes, hammers, chisels, and pestles are found of ex- quisite workmanship and superior finish, while kettles, jugs, cups, vases, and urus have been unearthed in such forms and of such delicate finish as to indicate something of perfection in the art of pottery. Fine ciay was chiefly used in this art, although some of the coarser specimens exhibit an admixture of pulverized quartz, and again of colored mica, which gave a ruddy and somewhat brilliant appearance. These articles were generally ornamented by curved lines or images of birds, beasts, . and the human form. The greatest skill was displayed in portraiture upon the stone pipes, some of which, weighing from three to six pounds, exhibit elaborate delineations of various beasts and birds, while a few occur bearing the representation of the human head.

The following engravings represent some of the most interesting im- plements found in this locality.

Fig. 4 is the ent of a stone found in an Indian grave, and was proba- bly buried with the body of its owner.

Fig. 5 represents a red stone pipe, the general appearance of which is excellent and even graceful, being formed of the red pipe stone so highly prized by the Indians. It is beautifully polished, and the whole work- manship displays great skill.

Fig. 6 represents a pipe of the same variety of stone as of Fig. 5, and exhibits the same excellence of workmanship. On one side it bears the rude sketch of a fish.

Fig. 7 represents a combined tomahawk and pipe, but this is probably a French production as it is of steel, and the bowl shows evidence of being turned by a lathe.

Figs. 8 and 9 represent different forms of a stone ornament known as a pendant or gorgon, which was probably suspended from the breast or the terminal lobe of the ear. Dr. Abbott says of this ornament: "At

any rate, it was designed for ornament, and not for any other purpose, as has been suggested, such as a fishing-line weight or sinker." The holes in these pendants and other Indian implements have always poz- zled archæologists. One of the authors of the " Ohio Centennial Report on Archeology" says: "I think we must give up the theory that the various forms of polished slate, perforated at right angles to the face, were used as sizers and twisters of twine or strips of skin. They are all bored with a taper, which leaves a sharp edge either at one end or in the middle of the piece. Those that are more or less worn present the appearance of having been suspended. Thread twisters and sizers were probably made of wood and bone, like the Iroquois shuttles figured by Mr. Schoolcraft. Some of their perforated stone implements comewint resemble ours in general forin. Most of the striped slate relies i am inclined to place among the ornaments, badges, and armor of ancient tribes. Some of them would answer all these purposes. The tapering holes are good contrivances for fastening by thongs of rawhide to a . belt, string, or piece of wood. Supposing the head or knot of the thong was let into the bore hole, these plates might be firmly bound to each other, or to the body of the wearer, and the holes not much worn by the process."

Fig. 10 represents a specimen of fine-grained green slate striped with

JHISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OIIIO. 1

dark bands. It would be difficult to tell the use of this instrument. It is too large for a bead, and can scarcely be considered a badge of authority. Being flattened on one side suggests the possibility of its being used as a whistle. It is classed under the general head of tubes.

Fig. 11 is a representative stone axe, found in nearly every locality in the State. "They are not abundant in the mounds, but are found in large numbers in the valleys. They are fashioned with great skill, of rare and beautiful material, the predominant series being granite. They are found with and without grooves for the adjustment of handles. Those designed to bo.wielded by both hands have an average weight of ten pounds, although they vary from one to sixteen pounds. The smaller. varieties, called hatchets, were used in war as well as for domestic uses. These weigh from one to two pounds, are destitute of grooves, and are of all sizes from two to twelve inches. They also vary greatly in design, some having holes for the reception of handles. They are all, for the most part, polished, and some have been ground and polished with elaborate care."

Fig. 12 is a beautiful specimen, which may be classed under the head of banner stones. In outline, finish, and perforation it is faultless. The hole passing through the centre is a very noticeable feature, and meas- ures less than nine-sixteenths of an inch in diameter. It is circular, of

uniform dimensions from end to end, and faintly exhibits those rings which characterize holes drilled with a hollow instrument.

Fig. 14 represents a second example of this perforated ornament or banner stone. It is shorter and thicker than Fig. 12, but is well made and drilled with the same smoothness and beauty.

Fig. 13 is a partial representation of a very interesting form of banner stone. The portion above the perforation is imaginary, and if the upper portion was made to resemble the lower it would probably be correct, as Dr. Abbott believes the parts to be alike. .

" This form of badge, being the most elegant and expensive, was pro- bably used to indicate the highest rank of office. The single cresceut probably signified a rank next below the double."

Fig. 15 is a curiously wrought imitation of a bird. The knot-like pro- tuberances, representing eyes, stand out from the head one-eighth of an inch. The bottom of the specimen is flat, and contains three holes ex- tending upward about half way through the body. Its use is not deter- mined. In connection with these many others have been found in this part of the State, but being of the commoner character found almost everywhere, a description would be useless in this connection. Such are arrowheads, rimmers, and various minor instruments of flint, and pes- tles, and mortars of various kinds of stone, variously fashioned in finish, and representing differing degrees of skill.

In sculpture the highest grade of art was reached, for a leading char- seteristic of this class of work is the truthfulness displayed in all the outlines. These are of great value, as their various characters go far to establish an extensive communication over a vast extent of country. It is established that while this people used the skins of animals for clothing to some extent, yet the principal article used was a cloth, coarse but of uniform thread, and woven of a warp and woof. The fragments of ro- mains found show it to have been manufactured of material resembling hemp, in which the spinning was regular, as shown by some charred folds taken from mounds near Middletown, Ohio.

Touching the condition of this people, it is pretty well ascertainea they were tillers of the soil, and the centre of their population, as shown by remains, invariably sought the fertile flats or valleys, as natural to an agricultural people.

That they lived under an arbitrary and despotie government is attested

by the magnitude of the works, which could only be constructed by a people whose condition was that of vassalage. Their religion was super- stition, and it is maintained by some that they were idolaters, although the evidence is yet wanting to establish this claim. That they were superstitious is shown by the altars and offerings which belonged to their religious rites and ceremonies. Their fortifications and signal stations prove their military knowledge and character, although it is presumable these were all for purposes of defence against enemies from without. It must have been such an enemy, rushing from the north, that expelled them from the region north of the Ohio River. That expulsion inust have been sudden and calamitous, as they deserted their works and mines, leaving their implements behind in their haste before the fury of the invader. Fleeing to the south, we find them improving in the arts, ay shown by the superior character of their southern works, until, finally, they emigrate to Mexico, when, whether they became the original Nahoas or Toltees, it is at least evident that a gradual improvement and advance- ment was attained, which rose to the height and development of the superior architecture of Mexico at the advent of the whites. Here it is a less difficult matter to trace their history, as their records consist not in dumb works alone, but also in a hieroglyphie, and finally in a written language.

OSTEOLOGY.

Having referred to the high antiquity of man, man away back in the ages of savagery, prior to the era of the mound builders, it appears fit- ting to refer to a few facts touching that antiquity and the development which has obtained. Prior to the study of the ancient implements of stone and the various human remains, the people, according to Dr. Buch- ner, " had so little notion of the nature and signification of the stone axes and weapons of carlier and later times, that they were regarded with superstitious fear and hope, and as productions of lightning and thunder. Hence for a long time they were called thunderbolts even by the learned. * * * As late as the year 1734, when Mahndel explained in the Academy of Paris that these stones were human implements, he was laughed at, because he had not proved that they could not have been formed in the clouds." It is needless to enumerate the discoveries on which the theory of man's antiquity is based. It is sufficient to say they were made all over the face of Europe, and to Aime Boue, a French geologist, belongs the honor of having first proclaimed the theory. Dr. Schmerling then became the founder of the new science of Osteology, while M. Boucher de Perthes became its great apostle. Still it was reserved for Sir Charles Lyell and Sir John Lubbock to give popularity to the new theory as advanced by the founders and expounded by the apostles. In this connection it may be apropos to observe that it was at the meeting of the British Association, in 1855, that Sir Charles Lyelt gave his endorsement to this theory of high antiquity for man. Having first opposed it, he now became enthusiastic in his investigations, and published as the result of his researches, ". Geological Evidences of the Antiquity of Man," in 1863. Without entering into a description, we will call attention to the far-famed Neanderthal skull, which was taken from a cave in the valley of Dussel, near Düsseldorf. As the bones were not regarded of any interest at the time of their discovery, only the larger ones were preserved. Prof. Huxley declares, "they indicate a very high antiquity," and Dr. Buchner, that "the loam deposit, which partly fills the cave of the Neanderthal and the clefts and fissures of its limestone mountains, and in which both the Neanderthal bones and the fossil bones and teeth of animals were imbedded, is exactly the same that, in the caverns of the Neanderthal, covers the whole limestone mountain with a deposit from ten to twelve feet in thickness, and the diluvian origin of which is unmistakable." Dr. Fullrott says, " The position and general arrangement of the locality in which they were found, place it, in my judgment, beyond doubt that the bones belong to the diluvium, and therefore to primitive times." After a very minute description of the cranium, Prof. Husley observes, "in reply to the suggestion that the skull is that of an idiot, it may be urged that the onus probandi lies with those who adopt the hypothesis. Eliocy is com. patible with very various forms and capacities of the cranium, but I know of none which present the least resemblance to the Neanderthal skull." .Hle further refers to it as the most ape-like of all the human

HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

skull+ he has ever seen, while Dr. Buchner declares the face must have presented a frightfully bestial and savage or ape-like expression. Prof. & haatfhausen and Mr. Busk declare, " This skull is the most brutal of all known human skulls, resembling those of the apes not only in the pro- digious development of the superciliary prominences and the forward extension of the orbits, but still more in the depressed form of the brain- case, in the straightness of the squamosal suture, and in the complete retreat of the occiput forward and upward from the superior occipital ridges." Both Prof. Schaffhausen and Dr. Buchner regarded it as a race type, while Prof. Huxley claimed " that it truly forms only the ex- treme number of a series leading by slow degrees to the highest and best developed forms of human skulls."

The fossil skull of the Engis Cave was deposited at a depth of five feet under an osseous breccia containing a tusk of the rhinoceros, the teeth of a horse, remains of many other animals, some of which are now extinct, and rude stone and flint instruments. The breccia was over three feet wide, and rose about five feet above the floor of the cavern. Speaking of this skull, Prof. Huxley observes, "there is no mark of degradation about any part of the structure. It is, in fact, a fair average human skull, which might have belonged to a philosopher, or might have contained the thoughtless brains of a savage." Mr. Busk observed, "although the forehead was somewhat narrow, it might nevertheless be matched by the skulls of individuals of European race ;" while Dr. Schaffhausen declared, " I hold it to be demonstrated that this cranium has belonged to a person of limited intellectual faculties, and we con- elude thence that it belonged to a man of a low degree of civilization." Sir Charles Lyell held, " From the narrowness of the frontal portion it belonged to an individual of small intellectual development;" and Buch- ner declares, " In its length and narrowness, the slight elevation of its forehead, the form of the widely separated orbits, and the wide developed supraorbital arches, it resembles, especially when viewed from above, the celebrated Neanderthal skull, but in general is far superior to this In its structure." Carl Vogt "regards it, with reference to the proportion of length to breadth, as one of the most ill-formed, animal-like, and simian of skulls."

We think it highly probable that if viewed simply as an ancient for- mation and low type, but little resemblance need be discovered either to the cranium of the philosopher or to that of the ape. The difference of opinion rests upou differing comparisons with existing forms, while all of these, through a long period of development, are radically distinct. As a race type, it was a low form in which bestiality predominated, for intelligence had not yet made any particular strides in development. It was one type of physical man before the development accompanying mental growth.

The cranium found in bone breccia at Gibraltar, according to Prof. Denton, "resembles in all essential particulars, including its great thick- ness, the far-famed Neanderthal skull. Its discovery adds immensely to the scientific value of the Neanderthal specimen, if only as showing that the latter does not represent, as many have hitherto supposed. a mere individual peculiarity, but that it may have been characteristic of a race extending from the Rhine to the Pillars of Hercules." Prof. Schaaffhausen observes, " It is worthy of notice that a similar although smaller projection of the superciliary arches has generally been found in the skulls of savage races," so that different specimens "indicate a very distant period, when man stood on a very low grade of development."

The Borreby skulls of the stone age of Denmark, according to Prof. Husley, resemble the Neanderthal specimen, while the Arno skull is by Carl Vogt considered of the same antiquity as the Neanderthal and Engis types. These evidences all attest the geological theory of a prim- itive man with a powerful organization, well adapted to the conditions by which he was surrounded. He needed that organization, for his bones All of powerful conflicts, while the effacement of sutures tells of the great age he must have attained. He was bestial, as he must needs be to combat the animals against which he must contend for food and life. Look at the Neanderthal specimen with its broken arm, telling perhaps of an encounter with the cave bear which was ontlived to see that arm dwindlle away to uselessness. Again he is attacked by some savage beast or equally savage fellow man, and in the struggle he receives a blow over the right eye, so powerful as to carry away a portion of the boue. It 6

was a fearful fracture, but he outlives it and sees the wound healed, showing a strength, bardihood, and love of life which fitted him to war for existence throughout that long and savage period. Away down the seale of life, he was also low in the seale of intellect, and it required the combating circumstances and exigencies of a long and savage period to develop the power of intelligence. The colossal herbivora were h:vm- less, but he must shrink away and find a hiding-place, or prepare for conflict when the fierce carnivora were enraged by hunger. It was then he found a retreat among the tree-tops or sought safety in the fastnesses of the rocks. But he slowly learned his own strength and the use of a club, when he began asserting his supremacy over some of the minor animals of ferocity, until the necessities of climate taught him the use of clothing, to be obtained only from the animals about him. Fear made him cautious, hunger made him active, cold made him inventive, and then the mental forces developed a feeble power which strengthened with his necessities until, by force of superior intellect, he became the lord of nature and began to add to the comfort, convenience, and sweet- ness of life. The development was tardy, prompted for ages by neces- sity alone. Just as he discovered the use of the club as a defence against savage beasts, he discovered the use of clothing as a protection against the cold, which settled in severity upon the earth. Even clothing did not suffice for the long glacial day, and he at lengthi found the use of fire or he must have succumbed to the cold. This period also rendered necessary different kinds of food, for the climate was no longer favorable to the luxuriant flora of his early existence, and he must resort to the fauna not only for skins for clothing, but also flesh for food. Each sin- gle step was a great advance, and only resulted as necessity prompted until by extraneous forces the intellect was aroused and began asserting its equality with the blind forces about it, until by strengthening stages it recognized its powers and capacities, and bounded from equality to supremacy. The struggle lost its doubtful character, and he had next to look about him for safety from his fellows. He had warred success- fully with the elements and wild beasts, and now the battle opened with his own race and type. With him " might was right," and the strong recognized no rights to which the weak were entitled. Dangers of this kind induced the weak to unite for common defence against the strong, and so communities or bands or tribes, bound together for mutual pro- tection, laid the foundation of society. Society founded agriculture, agriculture founded property, and property founded rights, and rights protected and developed the race. Society, with its long train of devel- opments in arts, kept advancing with the years until to the arts was added science, which during the historie period has added such lustre to the human race.

It was and is a question of intellectual development, for if the human skulls of different periods be placed in a row parallel to the instruments, implements, and weapons of different ages, the same parallelism will appear between the development of those skulls and the improvement of those productions. The dug-out for a home, a tom-tom for a musical instrument, a crooked stick for a plow, and a club or flint-head spear for a weapon, are as truly on a level with the Neanderthal brain, as the dwelling, the piano. the sulky-plow, and the needle-gun rise to the level of the brain of to-day. No matter how low the type, he has advanced, and by steady, yet sometimes retarded improvement, given evidence of a progressiveness throughout the whole period of his exist- ence. Old as he is, he recognizes no limits to progress, and knows no limit to his existence.

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History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 10

Author: Sutton, R., & Co., Wapakoneta, Ohio, pub Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Wapakoneta, Ohio : R. Sutton Number of Pages: 878

Author: Sutton, R., & Co., Wapakoneta, Ohio, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Wapakoneta, Ohio : R. Sutton
Number of Pages: 878