Mound-Builders | Page 2

owing to the uneven course of the river,
there are only enclosed one hundred acres. The wall has numerous
openings, which, however, are well protected by inner walls, or
mounds. These openings could be occupied by warriors while the
interior would not be exposed to the enemy. Within the enclosure are
disposed twenty-four reservoirs, which could be dexterously connected
with springs, so that in time of siege, they would be comparatively
independent. The strength of this fortress does not depend on the walls
alone, which range in height from five to twenty feet, but upon its
isolated position and steep sides. Near the fortification are two large
mounds from which run two parallel walls for 1,350 feet, and then
unite, enclosing another mound. We cannot tell what part these outer
walls and mounds played in the defence of this fortification. But we
know that all give evidence of an immense garrison occupied by an
ancient and somewhat civilized race, whose numerous enemies,
doubtless, forced such strong defence. In point of inaccessibility,
engineering skill, and strength, this famous enclosure will compare not
unfavorably with Edinburgh Castle, the stronghold of Quebec, or the
impregnable Gibraltar.
Another stronghold of considerable importance may be seen at Fort
Hill, in Highland county, on an elevation of 500 feet, and enclosing an
area of forty acres. There is another near Piqua, on a hill 160 feet high;
and another near the city of Dayton, on a hill 160 feet high, where a
mound is enclosed, which like the ancient watch-towers of Scripture,
can command a view of the whole surrounding country. Near Carlisle
lies the site of another remarkable military enclosure, which overlooks
the fertile valley, between the Twin and Miami Rivers. Two deep
ravines fortify the north and south sides, while an almost perpendicular
bluff fortifies the east. The wall which is partly of earth and partly of
stone is 3,676 feet in length, and encloses a beautiful area of fifteen
acres.
The settlers state that in early times there were two stone mounds and
one stone circle, which contained such excellent building stone, that

they removed them for building purposes. They had to cut a way and
grade it, to remove the stones, which those rude architects of early
prehistoric times found no difficulty in taking from a distant quarry to
that high elevation. We must therefore agree that their knowledge of
the mechanical powers was far superior to anything the Indian race has
shown.
About the largest fortification in Ohio may be seen at Bournville. It
encloses a magnificent area of fertility, on an elevation of 400 feet. The
sides are remarkably steep, and are washed by small creeks, that empty
into Paint Creek hard by. Within the fortification are several
depressions, where water remains most of the year. The area, of itself,
would be a beautiful farm, as it consists of 140 acres. The wall, which
was about 2-1/4 miles in length, is very much in ruins, being chiefly
built of stone. Some years ago the whole place was covered by the trees,
and on the dilapidated stone wall, may still be seen immense trees,
whose growth among the stones helped to displace them. The decayed
wood beneath some of these trees indicates that successions of forests
have flourished since these forts were abandoned by those who made
them.
GRADED WAYS.--It is well known that, in most of these valleys;
there are several terraces, from the river bottom or flats, up to the high
lands in the distance. Near a place called Piketown there is a beautiful
graded avenue. The third terrace is seventeen feet above the second and
the second about fourteen feet from the river flat. These terraces form,
when graded, this avenue, which has walls on either side in height
twenty-two feet. These walls run for 1,010 feet to the third terrace,
where they continue to run for 2,580 feet, terminating in a group of
mounds one of which is thirty feet high. Some distance from these
walls another wall runs 212 feet at right angles, and then turns parallel
for 420 feet, when it curves inwardly for 240 feet.
MOUNDS.--I stated at the outset that the mounds in Ohio were very
numerous. They are of various sizes, ranging from those which are only
a few feet in height and a few yards at their base, to those which are
about 90 feet in height, and covering some acres at their base. These

mounds are mostly composed of earth, the material often differing
greatly from the surrounding soil. When we consider the multitudes of
these mounds, and the immense transportation of earth and stones
required in their structure, it needs no stretch of imagination to
conclude that the Mound-builders were a mighty race. Most of these
mounds are located near large