Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-07-16
THE NAMELESS DEAD.
VESTIGES OE 4 LONG.FORGOTTEN
RACE.
The Mounds Of Wisconsin.

been identified with its history vet
there are but few, comparatively, who
know aught Of them beyond the fact of
their existence.-But lit more was
known to the writer unit recently
when, passing several months in their
vicinity, interest was aroused to learn
something more of the great problem
that must remain forever unsolved
Some of the facts and theories were
CLEANED from history, but much was
clothed directly from the dwellers
amid the mounds, farmers and me-
chanics. who, with no preconceived
theories to sustain, are without induce
ment to color the truth in order to
reconcile facts and fancies.
The names of Aztalan was conferred
by Judge Hyer one Of the early settler,
of 1886, who referred the origin of the
mounds to race Of people co-existent
with, and similar to the ancient Aztecs
Of Mexico.
The, village lies in the midst, and
many dwellings stand directly upon
these mounds, which are, in some re-
spects, the most remarkable Of the
ancient earth-works: most remarkable
that they bear more closely than others
resemblance to forti6cation. These
are situated about half a-mile from the
village, through which the mounds
commence In the heart Of the town,
extending nearl y a mile Oh both sides
of the road leading to Lake Mills. Ad-
verse circumstances preventing us from
making a personal examination ofthese
wonders, we interviewed in approved
style an individul who, with hoe in
hand, was diligently cultisating patch
of onions growing on one of the mounds
which, be assured us, yielded fan
heavier crops than the surrounding
soil. Leaning upon the fence to which
we had drawn in close proximity, be
made intelligent and decisive answer
to our questions, poured out in rapic
succession, while we watched anxiously
the threatening deluge from the heav
ems.
While cleaning much from thi'
! source, we are still indebted to w. b
Smiths History of Wisconsin for +;
minute description of the mounds
The north and south walls about or
the Crawfsh River, and extend abu
500 yards from the west wall, which is
of the same length These walls hav.
certain projections, apparently buttress
es, at intervals of 80 feet. Near tn,
western wall, within the inclosure il
an oblong mound, 4 feet in elevation
which were found, some years since
pieces of sort of mating, and severa
rope strands of grass or other fbrou
substance, texture resembling cloth
human bones, pieces Of pottery Of vari
Gus kinds, together with fragments 0
brick or burnt clay mixed with gras
or straw all Of which articles seemed
charred by fire. Within the enclosure
on the south angle, is large mound
nearly square, from Is to 20 feet II
height, flat on the surface, with con.
Meeting ridge, Of from 2 to 5 feet ii
height, to another square mound at the
southwest angle.--Such is the descrip
ton given of the mounds Of 1856.
These walls and their buttresses are
now about 4 feet above the surround
ing country. The whole inclosure
except where the land is under cultiva
ton, is covered with a scattering growth
of shrub oak and other shrubbery
but the works, with their peculia
formation, are distinctly traceable. =
| Above some Of the mounds forest-tress
are growing, which from their size
indicate great age. In the circular
mounds were found bones and pottery
Mr. Smith and Judge Hyer botf
inclined to the opinion that they are
the remains Of ancient Notifications
while Stephen Taylor believes them to
be tumuli for the dead That the sol
differs in every respect from the sol
surrounding them, and it is improbable
the builders should have assumed such
gigantic labor only to erect means
of defense. On the other hand, but
few skeletons are found, while hatch
cts and pottery are scattered through
out. But this fact lends no support
to the former theory, as it is q wei
known fact that primitive races in.
hume various utensils with their dead
The mounds on the track of !he
military road leading from Fort Win
nebago to Prairie du CHEN are from
4 to 5 feet in height, and assume the
forms of various animals, the fox, deer
elk, bear; and also efiigies Of birds
the eagle, &c.;-while others bear thu
form of the cross, and all are compos
ed Of soil differing in quality from tha
about them, ani must have beer
brought a long distance, or had spec
ial preparation. A gentleman who's
farm includes several mounds, describe
walled room discovered in one of then
built up Of brick clay, containing oxid
Of iron while the native soil is in