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14 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY CHAPTER II. Traces of a Pre-Historic Race.— An Unknown People.— The Mound Builders.—Theories Concerning Them.— Character of Their Mounds.— Discoveries in Erie County of Evidences of Their Former Presence There. IT seems to be a fact, and a fact founded upon theory, surmise, inference and probability, that the whole region of country now embraced within the limits of the State of Ohio, was the home of a large race of people possessing traits and a degree of intelligence far beyond those possessed by the average American Indian of the seventeenth, eighteenth or nineteenth centuries, of all of whom we have positive knowledge. Of this peculiar people there exists no written history, nor have we any traditionary knowledge of them or other evidence than the works and relics that they left behind them like "footprints in the sands of time." This people, the historians of the last two centuries have been pleased to term as Mound Builders. The time of their occupation of the country has never been determined. The earliest traditionary Indian history carries the reader back to the occupation of this whole lake and river country by two nations of people who were said to have come from the country west of the Mississippi River, those settling in the country bordering upon the lakes being known as the Mengwe, while the others occupied the territory upon the larger rivers of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and the country south and who were known as the Lenni Lenapes or "original people." These two peoples had a tradition extending back to the early part of the thirteenth century, but from them there came no knowledge of an earlier nation than their own. The name Mound Builders seems to have been accepted aS the only one to properly designate the peculiar race who certainly did, in Some by-gone age, occupy the territory of Ohio. The case presents two features : That which is known and that which is not known concerning them, and the latter is largely in preponderance. "Europeans, Egyptians and Asiatics might have voyaged across the Atlantic by PRE-HISTORIC EVIDENCES - 15 way of the Western Islands, Iceland and Greenland, or as the Welsh expedition of Madoc dd in 1170 A. D., or as Christopher Columbus did in 1492, or as might have been done by an earlier, bolder navigator by way of the mid-ocean island Atlantis, of which we read (though always doubtingly) in Plato, and which the right of authority pronounces fabulous." But " we do not know where they came from, when and how they disappeared, whether they were extinguished by war, pestilence, or famine, or ultimately degenerated into barbarians, or whether they slowly moved to the southwest and finally came within the domain of history as Aztecs, or some more ancient people, once of prehistoric times in Mexico or Central America." We leave then the speculations of theorists for the more practical knowledge of the Mound Builders, as shown by their works which have been examined and explored in this state. These consisted of mounds, effigies and inclosures, and from the first, which, predominating, gave the name of "Mound Builders " to this people. Those who have given this Subject the most study and examination have classified the mounds into Sepulchral, sacrificial, temple (or truncated) mounds, also mound.; of observation and memorial or monumental mounds. Effigies are also called animal mounds ; Sometimes, too, they are named emblematic or symbolic mounds. " Inclosures are of several kinds, one class being known as military or defensive works, another as parallel embankments or covered ways, and the third as Sacred inclosures." But it is not well to pursue this theoretical subject further for the purposes of this chapter. None of these higher grades of mounds have been discovered in this locality, although they have been known elsewhere in Ohio. Still there have been found in Erie county evidences of the presence here of this lost and unknown people. Many of what has been believed to be the remains of mounds in various localities hereabouts have been explored and implements of warfare and for domestic use among the Mound Builders have been taken from them, A few interested persons, residents of Sandusky and elsewhere in the county, have given these matters some attention. Therefore, by request, we present to the readers of this work the results of examinations made by Charles N. Freeman, of the city of Sandusky, written and contributed expressly for this chapter : Contrary to the generally accepted opinion, Erie county bears abundant evidence of occupancy by a race of people ante-dating the present race of Indians, or their generally accepted ancestors. Although there are no large mounds, or those of peculiar shape, such as are found in the central and southern parts of the State, yet a close examination of the knolls along the banks of the rivers and creeks tributary to Sandusky Bay and Lake Erie reveals the fact that mounds did exist here in large number. The action of time, and 16 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. more especially cultivation, the greatest foe to the preservation of such remains, have in many instances. almost obliterated all trace of them, but the fact that they are still traceable is stronger proof of their existence. On the highest points and some distance back from the creek banks, in fields of light, sandy soil and clay sub-soil, are found circular deposits‘of extremely black earth, varying in depth from one to three feet, in which are found skeletons of a " race "—not Indians. The skull iS well developed, being full in the forehead, broad, with good height above the ears, and in all respects different from the Indians. The skeletons of adults are above the average size and Some of them gigantic. The writer, together with Dr. Charles Stroud and Mr. T. L. Williams, have dug up a number in different localities, and always, with one exception, with the same results. The graves were dug through the soil of varying depth to the clay sub-soil, on which was spread a deposit of ashes and charcoal from four to eight inches thick. The skeletons are found lying side by side, facing the west, the arms closely pinioned to the sides, and surrounded by innumerable bones of birds and small animals, black with age, but evidently not burnt. The exception referred to was an excavation made by the writer on the farm of Henry Geasen, formerly part of the Upp property, situated on the east bank of Pipe Creek. Here, in a mound of about one-half acre in extent, were discovered a large number of skeletons buried face downward in parallel trenches running north and south. Twenty-three were removed and examined, and a large number were left untouched. No relics of importance were found, but there were large quantities of broken tomahawks, pipes and pottery, the latter from the shallowness of burial, evidently destroyed by action of frost. On this mound have been found stone arrow and spear points, relics of the stone age; also Stone pipes, fleshers, tomahawks, curiously Shaped totems, and pottery of various and in some instances of quite elaborate design. In the collection of Mr. Williams is an arrow point, found in Oakland Cemetery, at a depth of eight feet. Nearly all the finds are made on the east side of the creeks. On Plum Brook, beginning at a point near where it empties into the marsh, is a line of mounds, or rather their remains, extending in almost a straight line to Bogart's Corners, crossing the creek in one instance, but always on the highest elevations. On one of them is a large ring, fifty feet in diameter, four feet wide, and being of black earth is plainly discernible on the yellow sandy soil. In this ring have been found several fine specimens, highly polished. The arrow and spear points differ in shape and material on the different creeks, those found on Plum Brook being leaf-Shaped, chert, and deeply notched black flint ; also the Icelandic or double notched arrow points, which are very rare and are found in no other place in this vicinity. On Goose Creek, so called, the arrow points are of chert, crude and imperfect, very few good specimens being found. Even the tomahawks and fleshers are of the PRE-HISTORIC EVIDENCES - 17 crudest make, and bear evidence of great age. Pipe Creek furnishes the most of the willow-leaf variety, double pointed arrows and drills. The specimens found here are of excellent workmanship. Mill's Creek furnishes a greater variety, but here, even, a special shape, that of the triangular or war arrow, predominates. These facts seem to denote tribal distinctions. On the north bank of Mill's Creek, just South of the Lake Shore track, was a large burial mound, which was partly removed when the fill was made at that place. On this mound grew an immense oak tree, of great age, whose roots had penetrated to the center and there entwined themselves around the bones laid to rest, drawing sustenance from those whose graves it sheltered. When this tree was removed a number of relics were found, besides the skeletons referred to. To the east of this mound is a level spot of about three acres, evidently the site of a village. The rise from the creek is gradual, and the elevation commands a view of the creek to its mouth as well as the surrounding country. Its natural position made it easy of defense, and occupied by, any considerable force would seem almost impregnable. It was less than one-half mile from the shore of one of the most beautiful sheets of still water to be found along the lake shore, whose depths Swarmed with fish of countless variety, and whose surface was covered with wild fowl—the bay and adjoining marshes being feeding grounds during the migratory seasons—and backed by a trackless forest, filled to repletion with the game that supplied the material for their clothing and a large proportion of their food. Supplies of nuts and acorns were easily obtained, and the marsheS were thickets of wild rice, which for them then, as for the tribes of the Northwest now, no doubt formed part of their food supply. No stretch of the imagination is necessary to appreciate the motives and sentiments that influenced those who chose this spot for a dwelling place. The ground bears evidence of having been the scene of a fierce conflict. Scattered about all over this field are broken tomahawks of all shapes and size, and the small triangular or war arrows are found in great abundance. The Soil is full of specimens of great variety. There is a bed of burned pottery material here, covering about thirty feet square, evidently the seat of the pottery manufacture for this whole section. It is composed of clay and ground white quartz, mixed in proportions of about one to twenty, evidently to make it harder. Many stone hammers are found, of granite and greenstone, fashioned to fit the hand perfectly. There are no large fragments of flint found, but an abundance of fine chips, the refuse of the arrow-makers. Almost every stone in the whole field bears evidence of having been used for some purpose. Taken together, these results prove conclusively that this is the site of the prolonged habitation. The land adjoining, at this writing planted in vineyards, yields with every turn of the plow relics of every description and grade of workmanship. I have in my collection two beveled-edge .arrow points, found here, which for design and Symmetry equal any thing that 18 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. can be fashioned :from stone. The angles are exactly forty-five degrees, which would cause the arrow to revolve as soon as it left the hand of the archer, insuring more accurate aim and causing an ugly wound. At a point on Sandusky. Bay known as Martin's Cave are several mounds of small pieces of stone. They have been repeatedly investigated, but nothing of importance found in them. There are also several earth mounds in that vicinity which as yet remain untouched. Tradition, the ally of the historian, has made mention of a fort in this vicinity which has finally been located about one mile south of Venice. Repeated plowing and the washings of many years have effaced all semblance as regards embankments, but by the discoloration of the soil the outline is plainly defined, and within its prescribed limits, at various times, have been found stone pipes,. and a number of those curious combination bird and animal shape totems. They have often the body, legs and ears of an animal, and a bill like a duck.. Through the feet are drilled small holes, for what purpose is a mystery. Numerous other relics have been found differing from any known to be in any of the large collections of the State. The same general condition of things is found on the banks of the Huron and Vermillion Rivers, and in fact throughout the whole county; but that part of it nearest to and within easy reaching distance of Sandusky City has been the most thoroughly examined, and from it in particular the facts have been noted, and the deductions drawn which appear in this article. To whatever race made and used these tools and weapons must be given the credit for ingenuity, skill and persistent effort. With stone hammers they fashioned their tomahawks and fleshers, and sharpened and polished them on stones of Berea grit, by rubbing them in a circle until the desired effect was obtained. With the bow and flint-drill were made the holes in the totems and pipes they bearing the marks of the sharp edges of the drills to this day. The pipes were first fashioned as regards shape and style, and then drilled. I have two in my collection finished, with the exception of boring, which in each is begun at the stem and bowl. They sawed by means of sand and water on the same principle of to-day, until the required depth was reached, and broke the remainder. Time to them was an unknown quantity;.but that admitted, the results they obtained were wonderful. The material for their fleshers, hammers and tomahawks were obtained from the beds of the creeks. Mill's Creek, especially, at some points being full of small boulders of the same material as the relics found. The chert came from the limestone beds, and the flint from a distance ; the flat totems from stones picked up on the lake shore, and other tools and weapons from stones whose natural adaptation attracted their notice. Beginning with the crudest relics found by comparison it is an easy matter to trace the progress made not by long strides, but little by little, adding detail to detail, until perfection in the material used was obtained. Adaptation to circumstances is a natural law governing the human race. INDIAN OCCUPATION - 19 There is also an inherent force urging mankind to greater effort, but then even, the diversity of their product, the skill developed, and the patience shown are marvelous, and to the student an endless source of admiration. A large number of specimens from Erie county have been donated to the Fremont and Firelands Associations, aside from those to the collections of Dr. Stroud, Mr. Williams and my own, which together number more than three thousand, nearly all of which have been collected personally, by careful and persistent search. They embrace spear and arrow points; of the latter nine varieties being found, pipes of pottery and stone, carved and plain, tomahawks, fleshers, hammers, mortars and pestles, totems of different design and material, drills, bone awls, wampum, beads of pottery, flint knives, polishing-stones, round hammered stones, used as a bolas, bears claws, with holes drilled through them, evidently parts of amulets and necklaces, worn by the braves as proof of their prowess, and a large number of unique specimens which the writer has never seen classified or described. To the student and collector Erie county is a splendid field for observation and exploration, yielding rich rewards for rightly directed, systematic research. As yet no concerted action in this direction has been taken, or sufficient interest awakened to form a society for that purpose. Erie county should not be behind in so important a matter, and it is hoped such an organization will soon be effected, and many discoveries made that will throw light upon this subject, and many specimens added to a large nucleus, ready to be donated to so worthy an object. |