Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-09-08
Mist&lIanp.
The Mounds of the West.

The Wisconsin State Journal Of the 4th inst
gives the following description of the Mounds
in South Western Wisconsin - H'
Most conspicuous among objects Of especial
interest in the lead region, are the mounds -
With single exception, their height is nearly
uniform, about six hundred feet above the level
of the Mississippi River. This exception is
the Blue Mound, more particular description
Of which, with description Of the surrounding
scenery will be given. The Platte and Sin
silawa Mounds are, next TO the Blue, the most
prominent and striking Of any others in the
state. Their origin was not due to any up
heaval of the underlying strata. Originally
centres Of elevation, or the highest lands, their
present isolation is due to the denuding agen-
cies of atmosphere and water, which have brok-
en- up and transported TO lower levels the inter-
veniDg and at one time continuous strata, Of a
vertical average thickness of several hundred
feet. They are made up of well defined lay
ers, identical in external appearance, chemical
composition, order of superposition, and fossil
contents at corresponding levels, although at
present SO widely separated and apparently
isolated. In these particulars they correspond
with the adjacent mounds and highlands of Hi
nos and Iowa. Their upper layers are mere
outliers-landmarks of earth's olden boundary,
which from their position and perhaps greater
hardness Of texture, have withstood the erro-
sion of time and tempests while surrounding
rocks have crumbled into dust.
Towering high over the adjacent prairies
and openings, they are visible in clear atmos-
phere at great distances. We may travel all
day in sight Of them and towards them, with
out making any sensible change in their ap-
pearance; and when at last we approach them,
SO easy has been the ascent, that one feels dis
appointed to find them only crumbling ledges,
densely covered with vegetation-a feeling,
however, that gives way the moment we as
cend to the top. There is so much to deepen
the impressions of fancy in travelling through
such region, that too much Of a surprise is
expected looking up their ragged walls. .
uO DluO uAOuuuS iTOtl TIE OLu6IS III
nothing save much greater height, and being
capped with an immense layer of flint, or horn
stone. Rising a thousand feet above the Wis
consin, they overlook all other points, and from
the western and highest mound afford view
which dwelers in the plains might travel far
and be well paid to witness. Standing here
in clear day, and looking south and westward,
the three Platte Mounds stand out in relief
from an apparently level plain, and although
over thirty miles distant, are close neig6bors
in the landscape. Far beyond, and close down
upon the horizon, are Sinsnawa, Pixies Peak
and the highlands back of Galena, SheraId's
Mound, and the highlands in Iowa and bold
bluffs and points marking the course of the
Mississippi are visible tending far to the north
ward. On the north long stretches of the val
ley of the Wisconsin, the highlands Of the pine
and Kickapoo, and the bold bluffs of the Bara-
boo, como into view and on the east and