Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-08
SECRETS OF MOUNDS.
A Very Interesting Chat With a Well
Posted EthnOlogist.
DIFFERENCES IN ALL GROUPS.
A Critical Investigation of the CObble
Mounds Necessary to
LEARN ANYTHING OF THEIR AGE.
Modern Silver Plates That Have Been Found in Sumt
Such Mounds.


Gerard Fowke, a noted ethnologist, for
merly of the Smithsonian Institution, and
a member of the Ohio Historical and
Archaeological Society, is at present in the
city, visiting friends. He is on his way to
Washington, to consult scientific author
tiles on matters in which he is interested.
He has intimate knowledge of mound re-
mains, prehistoric relics, etc., throughout
the country, and furnishes some very inter-
esting information concerning them.
There is at present gentleman stopping
in this city who has quite a reputation in
certain scientific circles. His demeanor is
so quiet and unassuming, however, that his
presence would have been passed by totally
unnoticed if representative of The DIS
PATCH had not by accident received
an introduction, and the name recalled
some OF his notable achievements
in the line of work which he has been fol-
lowing for many years. Gerard Fowke is
better known in the East and West than in
this vicinity, yet there are many who are
sufficiently acquainted with him to
hear with interest of his presence
in our midst. Several years ago
he made an investIgation-archeol
speaking-of the Monongahela valley and
was much impressed by what he saw in
various places. His interesting opinions
concerning these, as well as other notable
remains, are best told in his own language:
NONE OF THEM ALIKE,
81 opened number of mounds up the
river, and found, as is usually the case, that
every separate group of mounds differ more
or less in character from those of any other
locality. For this reason it is advisable to
open every mound, whether large or small,
carefully, as there is no telling what may be
contained in them. The 'cobble mounds up
the valley may or may not be ancient A
conclusion can only be reached by thor
ough investigation. Among the earth mounds
observed number of peculiar things. In
one situated on the hill above MonoDgahela
City I found well-preserved skull about
two feet below the surface, filled to reple-
ton with snail shells. In several other
skeletons we're unearthed which were ar
ranged different from any that have come
under my observation before.
Regarding the age of these mounds, it is
somewhat difficult to say anything positive.
Many are certainly of great antiquity, while
others again are known to be of quite mod
ern construction. Some years since while
in Mississippi engaged in this work 1
found a silver plate at nearly the
bottom of a mound which bore the
arms of CASTLE and Leon. This
mound was on the TaIlahatchee river at a
point close to where De Soto, the Spanish
explorer is said to have spent an entire win
ter season. This would go far to prove that
the earth work referred to has been erected
there since. Then there are mou nds which
show undoubted evidence Of having been
added too at various times. 1 have opened
a number showing five different layers of
earth. indicating as many different epochs
reconstruction.
GREAT CARE NECESSARY.
I'm every case they should be opened
with the most particular care, if scientific
results are desired. Under no circumstances
should tunnel be bored horizontally to the
center OF the mound. If but one shaft is
made, it should be from the top downward;
but, better still, take the entire work to
pieces in sections, then nothing will DE lost,
and if a record is to be kept of any remains
found therein, exact location can be noted.
This system should be pursued in everv case,
as no mound is small enough to
be slighted, Some of the most valuable
relics have been discovered in earthworks
so small as to almost escape the observation
of the ordinary Investigator. In small
mounds in Ross county I found remains of
wooden houses, partially charred by fire, as
if they had been set fire to and then
the earth thrown over them. Ohio is
great country for mound remains
and Ross county seems to have been the
location of the densest population of the
people who constructed them. Many years
i no- -
aologIsts, estimated the number of mound
remains in Ross at about 500. have been
in that country very often in recent years
and think 1000 would be nearer the mark
The entire country in that locality is COW
cred with earthworks, stone graves and relics
of all kinds.
NOT ENOUGH KNOWN OF THEM.
''It is great pity that so many remains
of interest are destroyed by persons who
have not the slightest knowledge of their
character. 1 must confess that 1 did the
same thing yeals ago, when quite young;
but the knowledge gained then has been of
great value to me since in my researches.
Then there is another class who go about the
country rif1ing the mounds and other remains
for no other purpose than to dispose of their
finds to relic dealers in the East and else
where. This is a great wrong, but there
seems to be no way OF overcoming the diff
Guilty other than to put the work into the
experienced hands of men who will conduct
it scientifically, and place finds of value in
places where they will be of some value to
those interested"
Mr.. Fowke is a native of MaysvilIe, KY,
but during childhood has lived at various
towns in seven different States. He was a
student of the United States University, but
left it to accept position in the Smithson-
ian Institution. He has been in nearly
every State of the Union since
his connection with that institution,
and has discovered many peculiar
and valuable remains and written a num-
Der of books and pamphlets on the subject
and its various phrases. AT the present
time the Bureau of Ethnology have large
work of his in preparation which will in
clude several hundred illustrations. He
will remain in this city until tonight,
possibly longer.