The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-07-03
ms GREAT AMERICAN MOUND,

neat earth pyramid which looms up in
the very heart OF the town, and at once
excites the wonder and curiosity oil the
stranger. At It's base 1t covers over an
area OF exactly one acre by careful meas.
urement aud rises to perpendicular
height far above the surrounding-tEees or
buildings. At irregular intervals, from
base to summit, are planted trees OF some
seventeen different forest varieties, some
OF which are old, gnarled and knotted, and
few going to decay after having with
stood the storms OF seasons extending
back, II Is believed, through countless
ages. Some years ago farmer owner, in
clearing the surface OF the top OF the
mound, which has diameter OF about 40
feet, had monster 'oak cut down which
was pronounced by experts to be 675 years
old at least, as indicated in the timber
rings clearly marked in the wood. This
was in 1882, so il still standing, as scores
OF others are, this tree would now be over
700 years old, and how much older even
the m ost knowing ones are unable to say.
In the year named the owner sunk a
shaft from top to bottom in the mound
centre, and interior. Wonders were re-
yealed which have ever since been the
subject OF conjectural discussion, Near
the top, about twenty feet down, was
found mass Of stone, and investigation
developed chamber about twelve feet in
diameter and the same in heighth, filled
in with peculiar kind OF stone, the like
OF which Is nowhere to be found in the To-
cality. Removing these stones the work
men came upon a human skeleton, stand
lug upright in the centre Of the rocky
mass, which was gotten out entire. It was
found to be the skeleton OF q female about
four feet ten inches in heighth, On the
bottom OF the shaft, in another chamber,
was found onther skeleton Of great pro-
portions. This one was no less than
seven feet four inches in heighth
and so large was the jaw bone, that
one OF those employed in excayatlng,
Mr.. Peter B. Catlett, citizen OF the
town who 10 still living, and
who then weighed over $50 pounds, could
easily place 1t entirely around and over bis
laws, and still have room enough to
have stuffed In small ball OF cotton in
the cavity. 1nnumerable other articles
were found, prominent among them be-
ling an engraved stone, covered with
clearly wrought lines OF Hierogiyphios,
resembling ancient printing, the charac-
ters bearing a resemblance to Chinese let
tiers. This stone was sent, 1t Is said. to
every known Nation on the globe, but
has never yet been Interpreted, and re-
mains as a mystery" never, perhaps, to
be solved.
The mound at present owned by G.
s. McFadden, an enterprising citizen; the
whole.souled proprietor OF the Mound
City Hotel, line hostelrie located near
the Mound. Having no special use for 1t,
he simply keeps 1t enclosed, and grants
permission to all visitors to examine the
wonderful mysteries Of nature,
l might readily write column or two oil
interesting historic facts connected with 1t,
but ! must not intrude upon your space.
| II ought to be owned by the State Of West
Virginia, or II not, some enterprising man
should purchase it. Ut can be bought
cheap l am informed, ornament and
beautiiy the surroundings erect buildings
around and on the top Of it, establish q
smuseum," which could soon be filled to
repletion,) and make It Q resort ior TIE
curious or for pleasure.seekers. With the
beautiful surroundings, fine river, trips
splendid fishing, good hunting and mark
ed healthiulness OF the place, Mopndsyillt
might easily be made iayohte Summer
resort,
nUsSRSs ATTRACTIONS.
The community OF MoundsvIlle ari
seemingly peculiarly old fashioned con.
] Rregation OF mortals. Although Il Is thu
county seat Of Marshall county, one OF thl
most thriving counties In West Virginia
Il has never gotten beyond q fine Cour
j HOUSE and q substantial hotel In It's de
. yelopments. There "a room enough for |
city OF a quarter million Of people, and al
the natural attractions and undeyeloped re
. sss,sooa ahont II To make A great CITY. I'm