Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1854-03-16
For the Times,
A Trip to Saline.

On Friday last at noon l left my post in
charge Of Mrs. s., and in company with
Mr.. w. II. S. started for the beautiful land
of Saline. Nothing worthy of note &C.
Cured until our arrival at that prince of far
mers, Esquire Thomson, where my young
friend was so attracted with the kindness
and hospitality of the family, that he tarried,
leaving me 10 pursue my journey alone.--
Dusk found me at the residence Of Mr..
Thos, c. Duggins, where IN old Virginiu
reception made me welcome for the night.
An hour or two's ride next morning, and /
was at the comfortable mansion of Mr.. p.
Irvine, one of the noble patrons Of our
change Of horse, Mr.. l. and myself were of
for the 'mounds and pinnacles." Passing
over about six miles of most beautiful I'M
dulating prairie, said 10 be Saline's best, we
were in the midst of the mounds, most of
which are OH the farm of Mr.. Robinson
We were more than anxious TO revel among
these relics of the past. We began to dig
in one of the most prominent, which was in
one of the public roads. Here were found
in profusion, fragments Of broken vessels,
which seemed TO be composed of COM
pound Of earth and muscle shells, having
been either hardened in the sun, or slightly
so in the fire, for most Of them could be bro
ken between the fingers. They were well
proportional, with variety of marks,
curves or figures on the outer side. The
pieces from the top Of the vessels were
rounded off, Tapped over, or indented, show
ing rather superior workmanship. They
were from one-eighth to half on inch thick
Several pieces found had ears to them SINH
lar to those on our pots and ovens. From
the proportion of the pieces, the vessels
were Of various sizes, and must have held
from two 10 eight or ten gallons. Digging
down some depth into the mound, we found
beds of ashes mixed with fire Goals. In
another mound close by, within Mr.. R. s
field, we found human bones, those of ami
mails of various kinds, fishes, shells, ar
rows, wedges, etc., in very remarkable
state of preservation. In the same region
in one oil the mounds, year or two ago,
were found human skeleton entire, and a
pipe-bowl and stem complete in one piece,
carved out of marble, and of exquisite work.
manship. Here, also, are to be seen mill
stones about foot in diameter, which were
evidently used for grinding by hand.
Leaving this interesting region of relics,
we proceeded about mile, and came to an
Indian fertilization on one of the most eleva-
ted pieces of ground in that part Of the
county. 1t included piece of table land Of
about four acres. Encircling the brow Of
this plateau are two bitches, which must
have been at least ten feet deep, with the
usual passes or gateways. Both in the
bitches and on the ridges formed by them
are trees from two 10 :hree feet in diameter
About half mile from the fertilization
towards the river, are the renowned "pin-
nacles," smooth and covered with grass
One called the potato hill, is well proper
toned and beautiful. The prominent cu-
riosity here, is the devils Backbone, =
which is rather curved ridge, somewhat
resembling the shape Of the human spine
extending out for some two hundred yards
and ending rather abruptly. 1t is elevated
at least two hundred feet above the flat al
the base, and the ridge in several places is
not more than one or two feet across. The
ascent from the flat on the west is very
steep. The view from the backbone is
magnificent.
But not wishing to remain longer in the
dominions of "His Satanic Majesty" we
FASTENED back, taking in our route the "eb-
bling and flowing spring." which unfortu.
nately for our curiosity, was in quiescent
state. 1t is fact, however, that occasion.
ally it does ebb and flow, and in its flowings
sends forth water enough to turn large
overshot wheel; and this bursting forth Of
the waters is without any influence of rains.
The spring has n circular mouth or OPEN
ing about twelve feet in diameter, and is
very deep.
The day being far spent, we returned to
Mr.. lrvine'S, determined 10 visit this Sec
ton again. Some of the specimens l re-
tanned, and may seen at the Seminary.
GEO. S. SAVAGE.
Glasgow, March 7, 1854.
From the Lexington Express.
Letter from Hon. John G. Miller.