Des Arc citizen., 1859-06-08
From the Arkansas True Democrat. CURIOSITIES IN MONROE COUNTY
 ARKANSAS

It is evident that that this western coun try was inhabited by race of people long before the Indians came, ot whom they knew nothing whatever. The history oi this people is wrapped in oblivion, and we will probably never know more of them than we do now-and that IS nothing. That they lived, and moved, and had tbelr being, oil this earth ot ours-that they roamed oyer these forests, and that then l light canoes once glided over these bright waters-is almost a certainty; but who they were, whence they came, what were their habits and occupations, and how they became extinct, Is dark. impenetrable mystery. But they have left nionuments of their labors, to tell that they once ex- isted, "more durable than brass"
 On Indian and Maddox Bays are nu- merous traces of their former abodes. These Bays" as they are called, are kind of arms from White river, extend ing considerable distance out into the country. Indian Bay is about as wide as White rver, and is navigable for steam- boats for ten or twelve miles from that stream. Maddox Bay, which Is about thirty miles, by the course of the river, above the mouth ol Indian Bay, is naviga- 1 ble for fifteen or sixteen miles. These :. bays" are sometimes thought to be old channels of the river; but this is an un- certain conjecture.
 About four miles above the mouth of Indian Bay, are q number ot mounds, which were evidently built by this myste- rious people. One of them is particularly remarkable. Ilstands immediately onthe bank of tue Bay, and much of il has crumbled away and fallen into the water. It originally covered an area of about two hundred and fifty yards in circumference, and was thrown up about seventy feel above the level ol the surrounding country. From the base of this mound to the sum- 1 init, there is stratum of ashes, inlertnn- l gled with bones, occurring at intervals ot every few feet Not only are there bones of wild animals and large fishes, but hu- man bones are also found here. A hu- man skull was shown me, which was taken out of this mound, d shorttime since. The skull Is remarkable for its thickness. i Al tlS UOueS Setll tU Dt Ol all ullCOiIi- lnonly large size. In these mounds. and on the surface of the ground near them are found numerous broken pieces ol earlhen-ware, of a rough kind. They are mostly plain, but some of them have been ornamenled. The same and similar relics are found al Maddox Bay.
 At Lawrenceville. on this Bay, there are several mounds of the same descrip- ton. There is one large mound at this place, surrounded with something like a ditch; and it appears 10 have been once the site of fort. IL IS singular that none l of the earthen-ware is found unbroken An awkward shaped kind of jug was picked up on mound, at Lawrenceville which seemed to be entire; but this is the only unbrollen specimen which has beer found, so far as is now known. A queel looking image of mans bust, made o clay, was found at Lawrencevile.
 Large trees are growing on these an cient mounds, which show their grea antiquity. The Indians who were here many years ago, had no knowledge of the builders of these works; nor are there any traditions respecting them. W. M.