The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1900-12-25
be%es; Al 81 :sccouns of the &C

1
trast whie5Yit offers to the enliglt,
ened wisdop3 of the pioneers, who, act,
ing under he direction Of the famous
Rufus Putnam, had utilized the two
emDankments to form anavenue which
they named in the classical fashion of
the day, the Via Sacra.
Visiting Adams County again in
1885 he found that its destruction was
inevitable, unless immediate measures
were taken for its preservation. He
was able to secure a contract with the
owner that it remain intact for year,
and a price for the absolute purchase
Of the land was agreed upon. Going
back to Boston, he enlisted -he aid Of
Miss Alice G. Fletcher, we'll known
for her notable contributions to the
knowledge Of Indian life. Miss Fletch-
er, meeting in Newport few Boston
ladies, appealed to them for support
with so much effect that in the winter
with the Endorsement of the late Fran
els Parkman, the historian Of the
West, calling for subscriptions. AS
result a sufficient sum, amounting to
about $4,000, was secured to buy such
land as seemed to be required for the
purpose in view, and to take steps for
the preservation Of the Serpent, with
provisions for making thorough eXca-
vations in the immediate neighbor-
hood. In the end some seventy-five
acres Of land along the pike leading
from PEBBLES to Hillsborough were
purchased, and the whole, under the
name Of the Serpent Mound Park, was
transferred to the keeping Of the Pea
body Museum in trust
This movement not only saved the
Great Serpent itself, but was the
cause OF stimulating increased inter-
est in the preservation Of the arcLae
logical remains OF Ohio III general.
The General Assembly, at the sugges
tion Of Professor VI. C. Read. of Hud-
son, passed g law in 1888 eXempting
from taxation lands in the Stale ION
which are situated any prehistoric
earthworks, and which may nave been
or may hereafter be purchased by any
person, association or company for the
purpose Of preservation Of said earth
works, and are not held for profit, but |
are or shall be dedicated to public use
as prehistoric parks"
Professor Putnam Immediately be- |
gan work to put the mound and the |
new park containing it III Il suitable
as public pie; re 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 =
pleasant picnic ground was arranged,
with 4 spring of water protected by a !!
springhouSC. 4 well-built
.oad leads diagonally across the park,
md tie whole was put under the care
If 4 competent keeper. The present
ransfer to the Ohio Archaeological and
Historical Society is in accordance, OF
course, with the principle that wner-
.ver possible historical sites are more
appropriately cared for by 4 local so.
;iety. When the Peabody Museum
ook over the property there was no
uch society available.
Serpent Hill, as one looks up toward
I from the cultivated meadows on
he hither side of Brush Creek, rises
teep and woody to height of nearly
90 feet. 1t is crescent-shaped. follow
rs the bend of the river below it. and
he bold turn to the northwest is ;