The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-22
INDIANA CELEBRATED AGAIN.
Historic Indian Mound Figures in "A
New Novel.

To the Editor Of the indianapolis Journal:
The Red Rangers, or Laura Lamar of
the Susquehanna," by DR.. Charles Asbury
Robinson, of Greenfield, formerly of this
place, has aroused great deal of interest
here-frst, because ali are so we'll acquaint-
ed with the author, and second. owing TO
the fact that a part of the scene is laid
only two miles from here. at Hogback hill,
as IL is styled by the author.
Hogback hill stands ON the west bank
of the "Bonny Big Blue" 1t is of a very
peculiar forma ton and appearance. The
base is composed of mass of cOnglom-
crate and the top of the mound is some
what the shape of the back of an old
razor-back hog; hence it's name, Hogback.
1t is unlike any other hill in the country
and plainly shows that it is of human. and
not natural formation. Its elevation is
about thirty feet.
On the east side. next to the river is a
small entrance to what is supposed to be
a cave of some size. According 10 tradi-
ton the entrance was much larger when
the white settlers first came. But no one
now living knows anything positively Of
its interior, and the walls resist all at
tempts TO dynamite them Just above the
entrance. the side of the hill stands a
small ash tree, from whose leaves on the
warmest days the moisture is dripping
This has only tended to increase the whole
some respect felt for il by the pioneers
but that fact is explained by the cold air
from this opening cOndensing the atmos-
phere in the warmer air above Some five
years ago, while wOrkmen were engaged in
opening a gravel pit on the summit of the
hill. an Indian burying ground was dis
covered and several score of skeletons were
unearthed. Among them was one apparent
| ly OF a chief, by whose side Were found
the skeletons OF a woman and child. The
body of the chief was in sitting posture
facing the river on the east Around the
neck were the beads of shell and many
ornaments of bears claws. beaver teeth and
ornamented bones and shells. Many wild
turkey bones were also found. among them
two lower leg bones. into which had been
cut notches, one having nine, the other
thirteen notches. Flint weapons were also
found, and everything indicated the high
rank OF the body buried there. These speci-
mems are almost entirely in the possession
of collectors here. Tradition tells us that
many years ago a noted Indian tribe made
its home there. They were sun worship
ers. and this mound was KIND of tenn
pie Even after the whites had settled here
party of Indians returned from their
Western home to visit the graves and
place of worship of their fathers. They
fingered long time around HOgback and
1t is now claimed and firmly believed by
the pioneers that these Indians had dou-
bic mOtive-not only to visit their former
home, but TO seek long hidden treasure.
DR.. Robinson was twice a candidate for
Congress on the Democratic ticket i'm this
district against James Z. Watson. Later
he editor of the Greenfield Tribune.
but his eyesight is nearly gone and he has
been compelled TO give up all his work The
novel has been dramatized by c. II. Ros-
kan, and will soon appear in Indiana
JOHN f. HARPER.
Morristown. Ind. April 49,