The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-08-08
CURIOUS OLD RELIC.
A 'Luckenbooth Brooch" Found
in an Indian Mound Near
kaukauna.

LAdIAauAd, w as, "A II opecldl. l.
Some time since Alexander McNaughton.
president of the First National bank of
this city, while digging in one of the nu-
meICus Indian mounds in which were
buried the remains Of the abOrigines who
once thickly populated all this region,
brought to light relic with which is con-
nccted curious and Interesting history.
1t was Il thin, circular disk Of solid sill
Yer about three inches across cut through
ia an attractive scroll pattern and orna-
mented around its outer edge, with small
crosses, etc, attached by links to holes in
the rim
Mr.. McNaughton, who is much inter
CSted III the history of ancient objects. at
once thought Of his friend Robert Shells.
president Of the Neenah National bank.
who is known as something of an archae-
OlGGiSt, and is also an hOnOra BILE Fellow
OF the Scottish Antiquarian society of
Edinburgh. Both gentlemen were quite
positive that the ornament was undoubt-
cdly worn as jewelry by the Indians, at
a very early day.
Mr.. Shells. to gain all the information
possible. forwarded the article to the
Edinburgh museum of that society, and
is now in possession of the society's re-
port Here comes i'll the most curious
part of the history Of this ancient bit of
jewelry.
The report gives as its origin the city
Of Edinburgh, its particular name Luck
enboCth brooch" and the probable date
Of its manufacture about 200 years ago.
Ii is curious fact that Mr.. Shells
had unwittingly sent it back into the
city from which it was originally sent
cut and where it was made. In eXplana-
tion of its name the report says that dur
ing those early days there were ranged
along the outer edge Of the main street
of Edinburgh small booths in which mer-
chants and artifcers displayed and i'll
sOme instances manufa ctured their
wares. Those engaged in making small
articles of metal usually locked up their
shops or booths. and dealers in cloth.
goods home at night. and to distinguish
between the two arose the name Luck
enb0oth.' which in Scotch means Il
locked booth. And SO the brooches which
came across the ocean came to be known
as 'IuckenbOoth brooches"
In commenting on the history of this
relic Of the early days of the Fox River
valley, eX-Mayor z. V. Lawson of Me-
nasha says of it in late paper:
This relic recalls the alliance between
Great Britain and the savages of the
Northwest. 1t was connected with the
events which led up to the burning of the
capitol at Washington: the assault on Balti-
more which gave occasion for writing the
"StarSpangled Banner, and also which
made Gen. jackson famous by the battle of
New Orleans.
1t is Il well-known fact that in the
carly times such articles as bright-colored
blankets, and woven fabrics, brass beads,
jewelry, rum and tobacco had more pur-
chasing power than money. and so the
bright silver brooch came into Wisconsin
probably in exchange for furs with the
traders of those days. BY means Of gift
making the British held many Of the
Western Indian tribes as active allies of
that country against the United States.
And thus the presence Of the brooch in
the Fox River valley can be accounted
for