# Miscellaneous Papers Relating to Anthropology/Earth-Works Near Jones' Station, In Butler County, Ohio

EARTH-WORKS NEAR JONES' STATION, IN BUTLER COUNTY, OHIO.
By J. P. MacLean, of Hamilton, Ohio.
While I was engaged in examining the earth-works of Butler County, Ohio, I was informed by Mr. John W. Erwin that an ancient work was near Jones' Station. On repairing thither I was unable to find either the work or any one who had ever heard of it. I next attempted to find the papers of Mr. James McBride, but no one knew what had become of them. The record of the sale of McBride's effects gave no account of them.
During the month of December, 1879, 1 received a note from Mr. W. S. Yaux, of Philadelphia, stating that he owned both the cabinet and the archaeological papers of the late James McBride. I immediately applied for that portion of the papers relating to the earth-works near ​Jones' Station. These papers were placed in my possession January 26, 1880. On the 27th of the month, in company with Mr. John W. Erwin, I started to locate the works. Although it had been nearly thirty-eight years since Mr. Erwin visited the spot and assisted in the survey, and made the original delineation, he recognized the spot and the plan of the works as preserved in the papers of James McBride.
These works were located on the southeastern slope of one of the highest hills in the vicinity. The hill is a detached one and surrounded entirely by one of the richest valleys in the State. Between it and the uplands toward the north was originally a swamp. This swamp was drained at the expense of and under the direction of the State. Through it passes the Miami Canal. The hill is composed of a yellowish clay, having been formed during that period known as the glacial or drift Its summit is about 225 feet higher than, the city of Hamilton.
The works are now entirely obliterated. There is not the slightest evidence that they ever existed. We searched in vain. They occurred in both Fairfield and Union Townships, on section 15 of the former and 9 of the latter. The township line passing through the works, if extended southward, would terminate at the foot of Broadway, in Cincinnati. The work marked A is wholly in Fairfield Township, while the township line passes through the center of the smallest circle, marked B. The same line passes on a fraction of the wall of the largest circle, C. On the summit of the hill, Fairfield Township, section 15, is a mound composed of yellow clay, about 5 feet high, from the top of which a commanding view of the surrounding country may be obtained. It probably belongs to that class of mounds known as signal stations. It would be impossible to tell the original height of this tumulus. The plow for fifty-two successive years has accomplished all this destruction.
James McBride came to this county in the year 1808; and, as he early took an interest in antiquities, it is probable he saw these works before the forest trees had been cut away. He and John W. Erwin surveyed the works May 7, 1842. The following is a verbatim copy of Mr. McBride's description:
"Saturday May 7, 1842.—Went, in company with John W. Erwin, civil engineer, and James McBride, jr., to an ancient work in Butler County, Ohio, six miles southeast from the town of Hamilton, on the lands of James Beaty. The work is situated principally on section No. 9, town 3, range 2, M. E., about 30 poles south of the N. W. corner of the section. On measuring the main part of the work it was found to be a true circle 3 ch. 5 links in diameter. The ground was cleared some 14 or 15 years ago, and has been cultivated since that time, consequently the height of the embankment has been much reduced. Previous to cultivation the embankment was fully three feet high above the natural surface of the ground. Inside of the embankment was a ditch two feet deep, making a perpendicular height of about 5 feet from the bottom of the ditch to the top of the bank.
​"Three chains east of this work is another circular work 1 ch. 30 links in diameter, and from this in a direction S. 15° W. three chains distant is another circular work of the same dimensions, viz, 1 ch. 30 links diameter, and also the same distance, viz, 3 ch. 00 links from the center or main work.
"At the distance of one chain N. W. from the center or main work is another small circular work two poles in diameter, and adjoining and touching this is still another enclosure, of an oval form, from 2 ch. 30 links by 1 ch. 70 links in diameter, extending in a N. W. direction.
"The embankment of the smaller works before reduced by cultivation was upwards of two feet high above the natural surface, with ditches on the inside eighteen inches deep.
"On the S. E. of the main work is an opening in the embankment ​communicating with the smaller works to the S. E. Probably communications might have existed throughout from one work to the other, though they cannot now be distinctly traced.
"The embankments of these works are of a bright yellow clay, different from that which appears on the surface of the surrounding ground, hence the form of the works can be distinctly seen and traced as far as the eye can see them."