Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1879-08-23
HIDDEN IN THE FOREST.
Two iAncicnt Forts in the Michigan
Pine Woods.

II
Pine Woods.
The Farewell Register, of August 10th
contains an interesting account of the
present condition of the ancient forts on
the Rifle River, twelve miles east of
West Branch, Michigan, from which the
following extracts are taken:
There are two of these forts, and an
examination of the upper one, which sit
uated on high bank near the river and
about twenty-five feet above the water,
showed the inclOsure to be regular in
form; round or rather OblOng, the long
est distance being,nOrth and south.
The works consist of ditch and en-
bankment, which was found to be about
$40 feet in circumference, and about five
feet from the bottom of the trench to
the top of the embankment, which ap-
pears to have been greatly reduced in
height by exposure to the elements. In
side the embankment the ground is very
level, save where trees grew, and there
have been some large ones.
There are four entries to this enclOs-
ure, one facing each of the cardinal
points of the compass. These entrances
or gateways are about wide enough to
admit the passage of wagon. Instead
of the trench being completed around
the entrance, and bridging the same
1t terminates on each side of the pass
ageWay, where a narrow strip of ground
appears not to have been disturbed.
These openings were undoubtedly pro-
tected by gates. On the embankment
was rampant of logs with palisade.
There can scarce be any doubt of this,
for the remains of charred wood are
found in different parts of the embahk-
ment. On the right hand side of each
passage-way leading out, the embank-
ment is higher than i'm other places.
About eight years ago the pine timber
here was cut off. By counting the rings
or yearly growth on a pine stump which
stood on the embankment, it was found
to contain 264, which, together with the
eight years since the tree was cut. makes
this work at least 272 years Old-lOng
before the days of the Jesuit mission
aries, or the first whites that history re-
cords, which was i'm the year 1641@23S
years ago. Thus it will be seen that the
date Of this work is anterior to the first
permanent English settlement upon the
American continent. and about the days
of Queen Elizabeth of England.
The timber that now stands within the
surroundings, has grown since the erec-
| tiOn Of this fOrtificatiOn; for the trees
found within this inclOSure and those
surrounding appear to be of about the
same general size and age. Within about
sixty rods, overlooking this work, are
situated hills that rise, perhaps, 100 feet
above the surroundings, showing that
the builders of the defense did not expect
artillery to be used against it.
The other fort, which is the larger OF
the two, is situated three miles further
down the river, and ismuch more impOs.
ing and impressive in appearance. Like
the other. this is situated near the river
on slight eminence, and contains the
same general characteristics four en-.
frances at right angles north, sOnth
| east and west. Here the embankmenI
in some places is ten feet high. The cir
culnference of this work is over six hun.
dred feet. As i'm the other case, large
trees grew on the embankment, and
within the inclOsure there was one above
four feet in diameter. In the center Of
the western gateway stands large hem
Hook tree, and the surroundings are Gov
cred with thick, heavy growth of live
timber. One tree which had been cut
down near the edge of the enclosure was
over four feet i'm diameter, and by count
ing the successive rings or circles o
wood, was found to be about 800 year.
old. -