The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-09-03
TIE PAsCAGoHLAS.
Indian Mounds and .sSTysEerfo ms
Music

Indian Mounds and .'NykGerfo N
Music"
The following was written by a lad,
then living in Mobile and published in
Mobile paper in September 1852.
+ We lately stood ON the lone mound re
naming upon the premises of Mrs. vii
lis, on the email and beautiful bay which
makes in from Pascagoulas river on the
east, just above the mouth, and certainly
a more lovely and romantic spot could
not have been selected by the Pascagou-
las forthe burial Of their chieftains.
There were originally three of these
mounds, standing near each other, but
the two smaller ones were leveled many
years ago by the father Of the present
owner, and in them were found many in
dian relics as pieces of pottery, small i'm
| ages, clay beads Of different colors, &c,
and a skull in each. The largest mound,
about ten or twelve feet high and sixty
TO seventy feet around, yet stands a lone
monument TO that interesting and ill-fated
tribe around whom tradition weaves so
pleasant a romance. Buried beneath
the waters of their beloved river rather
than be forced away, their sweet and
plalntlve song, soft as an Eolian harp,
may yet be heard GA still summer eve
nings, and their spirits doubtless hover
around these monumental mounds where
lie their once mighty chieftains.
The famed mysterious music" al
though not calling forth as much inter-
est as before the war is still as frequently
heard as ever, and for five successive
nights this summer was listened TO with
delight from the end Of the long wharf
on the coast. 1t has never been heard
above the railroad bridge on the river
the phenomenon is still wrapped in doubt
and uncertainty. The most plausible con-
lecture in explanation is that it is occa-
stoned by some species of shell-fsh or
other marine animal But what fish or
animal and why are they never caught ?
always ask the opponents of this theory,
and our old citizens will never consent to |
such matter-of-fact explanation.
For ten or fifteen nights in succession
was the music heard many years ago at
Mr.. Grants wharf.-the father of Mrs. |
she told US that a negro was
there with gig who when the |
sound was heard would thrust and feel all |
around. The noise would instantly cease |
when the water was disturbed, but would |
issue from the same spot !
when he ceased. The American Cyclope- |
1Ia states that somewhat similar phe- |
is mentioned as occurring in Ger
tain situations on the coast of Ceylon.
A PLEA
On the pleasant estate of Capt j. |
Grant at East Pascagoula Miss, there |
once were two ancient Indian Mounds, |
one OF which was subjected to exploration
and examination of lis sole occupant
The other mound in 1852, yet reared its
one breast to the forest breeze; may this
antique ''labor of love" ever remain in
tact.
IT'S said, that over their deceased
;hieftains those mounds are raised by the
Inaided labor of the females-each bear
Eg III apron or TUNE, portion of the
or adjacent soil, till the re-
Iuired elevation is completed; all who are
lot incapacitated either by extreme age,
or infancy unite in the hal
owed toll this touching consideration
induces the following plea for those, who
have no painteps!"
70 MRS. Z. GRANT OF f. PAsCAGOULA,
MISS.
Oh spare the Indian Chieftain's rest.
Beneath the forest tree,
Nor dcsecrate the mounds lone bresst,
Where sleeps the brave-the free.
The sentent spirit hOvers DER,
Tho monumental mound.
And midst those oaks 50 tall-so boar
Breathes forth the plantive sound. {
Appealing to the heart it pleads,
"Ah spare the ~ Ork OF love y
Memento of the brave mans deeds
Meet altar of the grove.
Here natures simple children poured,
The pure Iibati0n DER,
Here the Great Spirit they adored
Through centuries of yore. I
Let not the footsteps light and rude,
Press cOnsecrated ground, s
But in this hallowed solitude,
Adore in awe profound
Then spare the Indians ancient rest
Beneath his natal tree, /
Where first his infant form was pfeSt
Upon kingly fathers breast :
A mothers fond rs theeI' 1
&. II