History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 66

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1044

USA > Wisconsin > Grant County > History of Grant County, Wisconsin > Part 66

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

The Wisconsin enters the gorge already spoken of as the Dells not far above the southern boundary line of Juneau and Adams Counties. This famous passage of about seven and one- half miles, has been often described. At its foot, between the counties of Sauk and Columbia,

440

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

the Wisconsin enters upon the last section of its course, and also upon the most remarkable bend in its whole length. Through the Dells its general course is southward, but it now turns almost due east, in which direction it continues, with one or two subordinate turns southward, for about seventeen miles, through low sand banks as far as Portage. Here it bends abruptly south again, and, reaching its most eastern point not far below, soon swerves around into the final south westward stretch to the Mississippi. The cause of this long detour to the east is suffi- ciently evident. As the river leaves the Dells, it finds lying directly athwart its course two bold quartzite ranges, extending east and west through Sauk County for upward of twenty miles. and, crossing into Columbia, finally unite about eight miles east of the county line in a sharp and bold eastwardly projecting point, rising four hundred feet above the river bottom. Above Portage, where the Wisconsin forms the southern boundary line of the town of Lewiston, the ground immediately north is lower than the water in the river ; the heads of Neenah Creek, a tributary of the Fox, rising a short distance from its banks. In times of high water the Wis- consin overflows into these streamns, and thus contributes to a totally different river. At Port- age, the Fox, after flowing south of west for twenty miles, approaches the Wisconsin, coming from the opposite direction. Where the two streams are nearest they are less than two miles apart, and are separated by a low, sandy plain, the water in the Fox being five feet below that in the Wisconsin at ordinary stages. The greater part of this low ground is overflowed by the latter stream in times of high water, and to this is chiefly due the spring rise in Fox River.

After doubling the eastern end of the quartzite ranges, as already said, the Wisconsin turns again to the West, being forced to this by infringing on the north side of a high belt of limestone country, which, after trending southward across the eastern part of Columbia County, veers gradually to a westwardly direction, lying to the south of the river along the rest of its course. Soon after striking this limestone region, the river valley assumes an altogether new character, which it retains to its mouth, having now a nearly level, for the most part treeless bottom, from three to six miles in width, ten to thirty feet in height, usually more on one side than the other, and bounded on both sides by bold and often precipitous bluffs one hundred to three hundred and fifty feet in height, of sandstone capped with limestone. Immediately along the water's edge is usually a narrow timbered strip, rising two to four feet feet above the river, which is overflowed at high water. The line of bluffs along the north side of the valley is the northern edge of this high limestone belt just mentioned, which reaches its greatest elevation ten to fifteen miles south of this edge. In front of the main bluff face, especially in its eastern extension, are frequently to be seen bold and high isolated outlines of the limestone country. On the north bank the bluffs are at first the edges of similar large, outlying masses, but farther down they become more continuous, the river crossing over the northwestward trending-out cross-line of the Lower Magnesian Limestone.

In this last section of its course, the Wisconsin is much obstructed by bars of shifting sand, derived originally from the erosion of the great sandstone formation which underlies the whole region, and to whose existence the unusual amount of obstruction of this kind in the river is due. The altitude of the water surface of the Wisconsin at Lac Vieux Desert above Lake Michigan is 911 feet; at Warsau, above dam, 623 feet; at Knowlton (high), 538 feet, (low) 523 feet; at Stevens' Point, 485 feet ; at Conant's Rapids, 468 feet ; at Grand Rapids, railroad bridge, 420 feet ; at Kilbourn City, railroad bridge, 233 feet; at Portage, 211 feet; at Merri- mack, 182 feet; at Sank City, 165 feet ; at Spring Green bridge, 134 feet; at Muscoda, 115 feet ; at the mouth of the stream, 34 feet. The average velocity of the river below Portage is remarkably uniform, and is just about two miles an hour. The daily discharges of the river at Portage, in times of extremely low water is about two hundred and fifty-nine million cubic feet. The average fall of the water surface of the river below Portage is one and one-half feet per mile. This rapid fall, were it not for the great amount of sand in the river bed, would make the stream a series of pools and rock rapids.

Platte River .- The Platte finds its source in the northern part of Clifton Township, and flows thence in a general southerly course until it empties into the Mississippi in the extreme

441

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

southeast corner of Potosi Township. This river is often inclosed during its course by hills gently sloping on one side, and quite precipitous on the other. This feature is more especially noticeable near its mouth. Its volume is much increased during the latter portion of its course by the waters of the Little Platte, which stream, rising in the southern part of Clifton Township but a few miles from the source of its elder brother, passes down in a southwestwardly course through Lima, Platteville, Harrison and Paris Townships, effecting a junction with the Platte in Section 17 of the latter township.

The Blue River .- This stream is the principal tributary of the Wisconsin in the county, and finds its source in the western central portion of Iowa County, and flows in a general north- westerly course, until it empties into the Wisconsin in the northeastern portion of Waterstown Township. It is increased in volume in Section 29 of Muscoda Township, by the addition at this point of Fennimore, its principal branch. This river heads in the center of Fennimore Township, and flows a northeasterly course, until its junction as given above.

Green River .- This river heads about a mile from the source of the Fennimore in Fenni- more Township, and flows a northwestwardly course until its junction with the Wisconsin in Section 22 of Woodman Township.

Grant River .- The Grant heads in the lower part of Fennimore Township, and flows in a southwesterly course down through Lancaster Township, and thence in a general southerly course through Beetown, passing from which it makes a curve to the west, and, passing through Waterloo Township, empties into the Mississippi in the southern part of Potosi.

TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES.

The greater portion of Grant County consists of high, rolling prairie, interspersed in the neighborhood of the streams with timber. This feature is the prevailing characteristic of the central and eastern part of the county. Along the Wisconsin, near its confluence with the Mississippi, and extending with a few breaks, almost the entire length of that portion of the latter river which forms the western boundary of the county, are high precipitous bluffs, adding much to the picturesqueness of the scenery. As we progress southward, this feature extends further inward, forming successions of deep ravines and precipitous ridges, that join to make a country at once varied and wildly beautiful. No better description of this section can be given than is found in an early article on the mines. Speaking of the bluffs, which for ages have stood as silent and motionless sentinels guarding the broad river which flows so majestically at their feet, the writer says :

"These bluffs rise from two to two hundred and fifty feet in heighth, sometimes standing out in all the boldness of a broken sea-cliff; and again, retiring to a considerable distance from the margin of the river, the ascent is more easy, grass covered, and studded with trees and shrubbery. Sometimes the whole bluff is made up of a regular succession of steps and benches ; at others, one broad leaf of table-land spreads out at various distances from the base, forming the only interruption in an otherwise perpendicular elevation. The strongest point of relief, and the one which often forms a piece of highly imposing scenery, are the deep ruptures, or shattered openings, by which the line of bluff is frequently parted or rent asunder.

"As we leave the river in a right line, either east or west, our course is rapidly intercepted by deep channels plowed through the rock. We leave our direct line to follow one of these gaps to its origin or commencement. Perhaps a brook of diminutive size is rippling its way among huge blocks of detached rock, that have been dislodged, by the action of frost and rains, from the jutting sides and sharp points above. As we progress, one after another of the spark- ling springs are passed, of which the brook we are tracing is formed ; the hills upon either side have been lessened in heighth and increased in slope, and vegetation has supplied the place of rocky barrenness. The ravine up which we are passing (for it is now nothing more), is made the receptacle of a fast succession of smaller ones, both constantly decreasing in size and inden- tation, until they are completely lost in the level of the ridge beyond.

442

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

" Resuming our right line, the ravines gradually become less and less in depth, the ridges- spread out wider and wider, and we begin to fancy that the general level of the country is gained, when suddenly the ground again becomes broken, the hills, torn and distorted, appear heaped upon each other, the gush and gurgle of a rivulet is heard below, rocks are threateningly poised upon the peaks, others having been displaced and hurled into the narrow valley more than a hundred feet below. We are past this barrier, and after crossing some harsh points, hewn. to a variety of patterns, as many ravines (perhaps in as many different directions), carelessly and awkwardly excavated, roughness rapidly gives place to a uniformity, the depressions become broad and shallow, and the whole surface wears the appearance of high agricultural suscepti- bility. We have now reached the predominant characteristic of the mining district-a rolling country. With just sufficient descent to carry off the surface waters handsomely, every square foot arable, yes, highly productive, we are at the same time surprised, as we pass along, at the unending variety and picturesque softness it comprises. Indeed some parts appear more like well-executed etching in a picture than any result of the ordinary workings of nature. We have- traveled for miles, perhaps, over this description of surface, when we find ourselves upon the main 'divide,' or summit, between two considerable water-courses. We will once more leave our right line for the purpose of obtaining a more accurate knowledge of these 'divides,' which are easily definable from the almost exact level they preserve. We will not turn to the southwest, for it would only be to take a survey of increasing irregularity, growing more wild and confused as we advanced, until soon we would find ourselves upon one of those topping, cragged points of the Mississippi bluffs which overlooks for miles the peaceful meanderings of the river below.

"But we will turn toward the northeast; and as we go along, a larger and still larger stretch of country, rich in soil and scenery, opens before us. Upon either side, and at short distances only, we cast our eye down some long line of gentle depression, with other and smaller ones all the while opening into it, the rises between which appear actually to interlock. The encroachments these main depressions make upon our road, renders it quite serpentine, often forming heavy, and sometimes even right angles to the general direction of the ridge. As we advance still farther, the scope of undulating country becomes more and more extended, until the 'divide,' which we have followed, is imperceptibly lost in another and generally more important one, running perhaps in a counter direction to it."

THE MOUND-BUILDERS.

Fitly might this ancient race, relics of whom are seen on every hand, be characterized as the wonder-puzzle of scientists. That they were once here, occupying the land which now teems with wealthy, bustling cities and their ever-restless myriads of toilers, is certain. Here is beheld their imprint ; yet to-day investigators are as far as ever from deciding the question as to when and how these pre-historic, traditional people came or how they went. Like the will-o'-the-wisp, ever before and ever eluding, the subject still continues one over which the cloud of mystery hangs, unpenetrated by any of those rays of the sun of intelligence by which so much that has been " seen darkly " is now as clear as the noonday.

That these monuments are the work of a race anterior to the one inhabiting this country at the time of its discovery, and reaching back probably in its existence to the earlier periods of the world's history, is the single established fact to which the antiquarian can make good his claims. Beyond this all is a blank.

Of the mounds themselves, silent monuments of this wonderful race which "being dead yet speaketh " through their works, we are, fortunately, not without such specimens scattered with a prodigal hand over the United States as precludes all chances of a crop of doubting Thomases.

The mounds themselves are of three classes, and include the earthwork or fortification, the circular and oblong tumuli, and the "animal " mound. This latter class is by far the most interesting and includes in the category representations of the human form, birds, bears, foxes,

443

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

elephants, deer, lizards-in fact, almost everything pertaining to the animal or feathered king- dom. This class of mounds abounds throughout Wisconsin, although numerous instances of the circular tumuli are to be found in the southwestern portion of the State, and especially in Grant County. The National History Review (London) thus refers to this peculiar evidence of the pre-historic races : " Not the least remarkable of the American antiquities are the animal mounds, which are principally, though not exclusively, found in Wisconsin. In this district, thousands of examples occur of gigantic basso-relievos of men, beasts, birds and rep- tiles wrought with a persevering labor on the surface of the soil, while inclosures and works of defense are almost entirely wanting, the ancient city of Aztalan being, as supposed, the only example of the latter class." But very few of the animal mounds have been found elsewhere than in Wisconsin.

It is but at a comparatively recent date that thorough and exhaustive explorations of these reminders of a lost race has been instituted. The mounds in this State vary considerably in height, being from three to fifteen feet above the general level, and the latter height is confined entirely to the conical mounds, those representing animals being much lower, and in all instances recumbent. The figures are, in a majority of cases, placed with their backs to the rising ground, and their feet pointing down-hill. In 1842, Silliman's Journal contained an interesting account of the explorations made by Mr. Stephen Taylor among these mounds, and mentioned among others the figure of a quadruped thought to be a wildcat, being one of a group of three closely resembling each other at that time, lying in the western part of the village of Muscoda, in this county, which measured in length from the front part of the head to the end of the tail 264 feet. One of the other figures, supposed to represent the turtle, measured from the tip of its nose to its posterior extremity 76 feet. At this point it is 18 feet in width, and over the projections representing claws it is 37 feet. The greatest elevation, near the junction of the neck, was 30 inches, and at the narrow end 15 inches, while the head, neck and claws were only 9 inches. The whole figure had retained its original shape in great perfection, owing to the coat of sward which covered it. The bearings of this figure were east and west, the head being pointed toward the eastward.

No better description of the present mounds in Grant County has been given than the following by Mr. Moses Strong, Assistant State Geologist, describing his visit to the different mounds which form almost a continuous procession along the Wisconsin and down the eastern shores of the Mississippi in Grant County. Mr. Strong says :

"During the course of my geological examination of the lead region of Wisconsin, in the summer and fall of 1874, my attention was directed to the numerous and remarkable tumuli which are found in the valleys of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers, and on the adjacent bluffs.

"The entire number of mounds of which this article treats may be classified in three kinds, according to their form.

"1. The Round Mounds .- They are perfectly round or circular at the base, and are dome-shaped or conical, according to their height, which varies from three to fifteen feet. By far the larger number, probably as many as four-fifths, are less than five feet high, and are spherical segments, with an average diameter at the base of about twenty-five feet. The conical mounds usually exceed this diameter and height, and are always rounded off at the apex ; whether this was by design, or is a modification due to the lapse of time, it is difficult now to decide. Some of the largest attained a diameter of fifty feet and a height of fifteen feet. Again, many of the round mounds were so low as almost to escape observation, and sloped so gradually into the ground on which they were thrown up, that the true diameter could not be exactly as- certained. No traces were seen of ridges or trenches surrounding any of the round mounds, such as are described in other localities, as at Hutsonville, Ill .; nor were there any terraces on their sides, or any appearance of a platform on their summits. All the circular mounds were perfectly plain and simple in their structure.

"2. Oblong Mounds .- These tumuli are invariably straight, and of various lengths, from fifty to 300 feet. They are seldom more than four feet in height, and will average about

444

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

two and one-half feet high and fifteen in width. They always slope gradually at the ends to the ground. Sometimes these mounds are found in a long, straight line, and, at others, in parallel rows, but a systematic arrangement is always apparent. Excepting in their length, there is less variation from a uniform standard seen in the oblong mounds than in any other kind.

" 3. Effigy Mounds, or those having Animal Forms .- These are the most singular and interesting of all, perhaps, for the reason that it is most difficult to find any theory which ration- ally accounts for their existence. They are found of all dimensions, as regards length, being from fifty to 200 feet long, and are usually a little higher and wider than the long mounds. Their average height is about four feet, and their width twenty-five.

"They usually represent animals lying upon one side, with the head up and legs apart, as if in motion. Representations of the human form were not observed, although such exist north of the Wisconsin River. Three instances of the representation of birds were observed, and one of an animal like a lizard.

" That these mounds were intended to represent animals can be seen at a glance, but what particular genus of animal is seldom so evident. In general, all that is plainly seen are the head, neck, body and legs of an animal. Sometimes there are added to them ears, horns or a tail, the two latter being quite infrequent.

"Localities of the Mounds .- The following descriptions of the several localities where mounds were seen, with a few explanatory remarks, will convey an idea of the former works of the Mound-Builders, and the sites selected by them for their tumuli :

"1. Southeast quarter of northeast quarter of Section 36, Town 4, Range 2 east-five straight mounds, each about fifty feet long, situated in a direct line coinciding with the axis of a low ridge, on which they are built. This ridge is the terminus of a long divide between two branches of the Pecatonica River. The mounds are about 200 feet from the eastern branch, and about thirty feet above it. As a dwelling-site it would have been very convenient.

" 2. Southwest quarter of Section 25, and northeast quarter of Section 24, Town 4, Range 2 east. Proceeding in a northwesterly direction from the preceding locality, and follow- ing the crest of the same dividing ridge, numerous long mounds are seen lying parallel to the axis of the ridge. This land is now under cultivation, and the mounds are nearly obliterated.

"3. Northwest quarter of Section 22, Town 7, Range 4 west. On the summit of a. bluff at the junction of the Green and Wisconsin Rivers, a straight mound was observed. It is 200 feet long, two feet high and six feet wide. From this point a beautiful view of the valley is obtained. No other mounds of any kind were found near it.

" 4. 'Northwest quarter of Section 25, Town 7, Range 5 west. At the mouth of Dry Hollow, and near the bank of a bayou of the Wisconsin River, are a number of mounds, both long and round, scattered about without any apparent order of arrangement.

"5. Southwest quarter of Section 26, Town 7, Range 5 west, proceeding down the valley of the Wisconsin to a deserted farm known as the 'Schlundt place,' several long mounds were seen on the road, lying parallel to the foot of the bluff, and a few yards from it. At the Schlundt house, one long and three round mounds were seen, one of which is quite conspicuous for its size.

"It has the form of the frustum of a cone; the diameter of the base is forty feet, the diameter of the upper surface twenty-eight feet, and the height four feet. In the center of this mound, a cottonwood tree, seventeen inches in diameter is growing. The appearance of the mound indicates that it has been cut or worn down several feet, to make its upper surface level ; and that the tree was subsequently planted, perhaps for shade. The mound is constructed of sandy clay, which, however, contains much less sand than the adjacent ground. The material of which the mound is constructed may have been brought from the bluff, which is not far dis- tant. About one hundred feet south of this large mound, is a small circular mound, fifteen feet in diameter, and three feet high. Thirty feet east of the small mound is a straight one, seventy- seven feet long. Following the road for about a quarter of a mile west of the 'Schlundt place,' a mound was discovered. It is situated immediately on the bank of the Wisconsin River, and

445

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

about fifty feet from the foot of the bluff. This mound is the only one of its kind seen. It is, perhaps, intended to represent a bird with its wings and tail spread, as shown by the circular expansion at the rear end. If this is its design, it is not nearly so well proportioned as the other bird mounds which were seen, none of which, had their tails spread.

" 6. Northeast quarter of Section 2, Town 6, Range 5 west, making a short detour from the valley of the Wisconsin, up the valley of a small stream on which the village of Millville is situated, we find a singular mound. It is situated in a meadow owned by Mr. Kidd, the miller, and about three hundred feet south of his house. The mound lies on the level ground, with its limbs fronting to the creek, which is distant but a few yards. The meadow has been under culti- vation for a number of years, so that the mound is much reduced in height, although it can still be distinctly traced. The remains of several others were observed, but they are so obliterated by cultivation that their forms can no longer be identified. As it lies upon the ground. the effigy is not particularly suggestive of any known living animal. The fore limbs are the longest, and each longer than the body, while the neck has been omitted in the construction of the animal. Altogether it is one of the most singular effigies seen, and the only one of its kind.

"7. Center of Section 15, Town 7, Range 5 west. This locality was formerly known as Warner's Steam Mill, and is situated on the bank of the Wisconsin River. Here is a strip of bottom land, half a mile wide, lying between the bluffs and the river, on which a large number of small circular and conical mounds were found scattered about without any apparent law of distribution. No straight or effigy mounds were seen.

" 8. Quarter posts, Sections 5 and 8, Town 6, Range 5 west. On the new road from Millville to Bridgeport three straight mounds were found, from one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet long. The mounds lie at the foot of the bluff and parallel to it, about fifteen feet above high-water mark, with a bayou of the Wisconsin in front of them and but a few yards distant. Nothing particular was noticed in their mode of distribution.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 66

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1044

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1044