The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-10-02
PREHISTORIC FORTS.
Description Of Two Ancient STRUCTURES in
the Woods OF N frf igHn.


The Farewell Mich Register of Au-
gust 16 contains the following descrip-
ton of the remains of two ancient forts
on Rine River, in that State: "There
are two or three forts, and an examina-
ton of the upper one, which is situated
on high bank near the river, and about
twenty-five feet above the water, showed
the Enclosure to be regular in form,
round, or rather oblong, the longest uls-
tance being north and south. The works
consist of ditch and earth embank-
ment, which are found to be about five
hundred and twenty feet in circumfer-
ence, and about five feet from the bot
tom of the trench to the top of the en-
bankment, which appears tc have been
greatly reduced in height by exposure to
the elements. Inside the embankment
the ground is very level, save where
trees grow, and there have been some
large ones.
There are four entrances to the in
closure-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, it
terminates on each side of the passage
way, where a narrow strip of ground ap-
pears not to have been disturbed. These
openings were undoubtedly protected by
gates. On top of the embankment was
rampant of logs with palisade. There
can scarce be any doubt Of this, as the
remains of charred wood are found in
different parts of the embankment. On
the right hand side of each passageway
leading out of the embankment it is
higher than in other places.
about eight years ago the pine tim
ber here was cut off. By counting the
rings or yearly growth on pine stump
which stood ON the embankment, it was
! found to contain two hundred and sixty-
four, which, together with the eight
| years since the tree was cut, makes this
| work at least two hundred and seventy
two years old-long before the days of
the Jesuit missionaries, or the first whites
that history records, which was in the
year 164l-two hundred and thirty
eight 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 stands within the
surroundings has grown since the erec-
ton of this fortification; for the trees
found within the inclosure and those
surrounding appear to be about the same
general size and age. Within about sixty
rods overlooking the work, are situated
hills that rise perhaps one hundred feet
above the surroundings, showing that
the builders of the defense did not ex.
pect artillery to be used against it.
The other fort, which is the largest
of the two, is situated three miles fur.
ther down the river, and is much more
imposing and impressive in appearance
Like the other, this is situated near the
river on slight eminence, and contain.
the same general characteristics foul
entrances at right angles north, south
east and west. Here the embankment il
some places is ten feet high. The cir
cumference of this work is over six hun
dred feet. AS in the other case, large
trees grow ON the embankment, anC
within the inclosure there was one above
four feet in diameter. In the center O
the western gateway stands large hem
lock 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 inclosure wa
over four feet in diameter, and by count
ing the successive rings or circles o.
wood, was found to be about three hun
} dred and ninety years old"