Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1900-11-01

tOFlc parks.
Prof. Putnam Immediately began
york to put the mound and the new
park containing it in suitable
condition as a public pleasure ground.
The convolutions of the Serpent were
outlined by gravel paths, so that they
might be followed from end to end
without injury to the monument itself.
In the southwest corner Of the park a
pleasant picnic ground was arranged,
with a spring of water protected by a
substantial stone spring house. A well
built road leads diagonally across the
park, and the whole was put under the
care of a competent keeper. The
present transfer to the Ohio Archaeo-
logical and Historical society is in ac-
cordanCe, of course, with the principle
that wherever possible historical sites
are more appropriately cared for by
local society. When the Peabody
museum took over the property there
was no such society available. 1t
came forward in an emergency, in the
interest of archaeological science i'll
this country. Its work having been
done, it retires in favor of the local
society which is now ready to take up
the task where it is laid down. The
society, indeed, has for several years
had the actual care of the park, and
the present legal transfer is simply in
Confederation of the custodianship.
Prof Putnam's explorations iii the
vicinity of the Serpent Mound resulted
in an extraordinary number of finds,
going back from the latest Indian in
habitants to a very remote past. A
most interesting account of his work
in this direction may be found in an
article which he contributed to the
Century Magazine some years ago, as
well as in the reports of the Peabody
museum. The site of the serpent well
agrees in its striking picturesqueness
with the romantic ideas of the Ameri-
can Indian which have come down to
us with many an early novel and tale
of exploration and adventure in the
great west. Adams county is one OF
the most beautiful in the state. 1t re-
minds the visitor more of New Eng
land in it's Irregularities of hill and
dale than of the more level and sweep
ing country west of it. Serpent hill,
as one looks up toward it from the cul-
| tiVated meadows on the hlther side Oh
| Brush creek, rises steep and woody 20
a height of nearly a hundred feet. 1t
| is cresCent-shaped, following the bend
Of the river below 1t, and the bold turn
! to the northwest is crowned by sheer
| cliff of bare rock which slopes to
point like the nose of some monstrOus
animal. On the back of this rocky
| spur is the serpent itself, opening its
huge jaws as if to swallow the great
| hollow oval or egg before it. The body
winds in broad graceful curves down
| 20 the Coiled tail at the end. There
| have been few observers who have not
| been impressed with the remarkable
| grandeur of the mound and the rude
| but strong art which stretched IT along
| the level of this striking promontory
| to be monument Of prehistoric man
on this continent, as may now be
hoped, for all ages to come, me state
| of Ohio may we'll be proud that 1t pos
sosses it and gratefui TO the dlSlhleI-
csted efforts OF the scientists VINO were
| the means OF preserving 1t.
1t seems to be generaIIy agreed by
archaeoIoglsts that the noun" was
| erected Tor ceremonial ana Symphonic
| purposes, ana was not connected Win
the idea OF sepulture. IN the center OF
the egg-shaped oval is heap OF
| stones showing the erect OF llI'' Inns
| altar li1 Such IL Isl was once niue"
| larger than now having peen broken
up some sixty years ago IN some
search for buried treasure Inc oval
IS 100 feet long by 81 lect VICE anu
about four feet hlsh' FROM the emo
| OF the oval to the UP OF the tan Is
| distance OF 49o feet IN an ar me, put
l34S feet II measured from the enu OF
| the oval to the neck or the serpent ana
! then along all the conventions OF the
body. From the tip of the upper Jaw
| to the end of the tail the serpent itself
measures 1854 feet. The average
Of ~ &c oh