Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-04-23
over the whole and three feet beneath

over the whole and three feet beneath
the surface.
Sixth-The occurrence Of clam shells
turnout and especially numerous near
the bottom. These are species now eX-
tant in the Des Moines river.
Seventh-The composition of the
dirt so differing in color and char
acter at small intervals as to indicate
its disposition in small quantities.
Eighth-The occurrence of single
human bones at different and Instant
portions of the mound.
Ninth-The occurrence OF separate
skeletons in disconnected and lncom-
plete condition at different places on
the bottom of the work.
Tenth-The occurrence of so-called
stratified stone floor, some 21X26 feet
in dimensions and of irregular outline,
practically level and supporting cir
cular arrangement of the same char
acter of stones, near it's edge, when
stones are on edge and of width
practically uniform and of Is inches.
Eleventh-The occurrence of decayed
timbers so disposed as to suggest their
having lain across the floor upon the
edgewise stone. These are five in
number, two extending east and west
and three north and south.
Twelfth-The occurrence of small
boulders above the timbers mentioned
in substantial regularity of rows east
and west. and some two feet apart.
Thirteenth-The occurrence of two
elm and one oak tree on the mound
of diameter of two feet each
Mr.. Van Hyning has had exhaustive
preparations completed for the repro
duction of this work if found advis-
able For few weeks it is desired to
allow the same to remain undisturhed
for the inspection of the public, and
for the final disposition of the work
intact to any institution that may care
to acquire it. 1t is hoped that all who
can do so will visit the site in day
or two. All museum specimens will be
in charge of Mr.. John NJ. Brainard, OF
the Ericsson library. Boone.
Age Cannot Be Estimated.
The method used in opening the
mound was to cut off the sides like
slices are cut from a cake. In the
center was found the room with the
stone floor about 21x26 feet and the
walls of stone 12x14 feet high All of
the pottery and human bones were
found inside this room. The roof of
the room had been made of timbers
thrown across with stones placed on
them. This had caved in which had
smashed the pottery and the skeletons
too In addition to the skeletons and
pottery there were found few flint
tools.
The fragments of pottery are very
interesting Some of this showed a
good deal of decorations. Some pieces
about the top showed little raised
places on the outside and it was easily
seen that these We're made by taking
sharp stick and punching thru from
the inside while the clay was wet In
too hard and had punched thru. He
had pressed the clay back into place
with his thumb and the markings of
the thumb were clearly shown on the
piece of pottery which had been sub
sequently burned.
AS to the age of the mound no one
has yet been found to hazard a guess.
For many years dead man buried in
the mound in 1850 has stood guard over
atives objected to his remains being
moved. 1t was found that he had died
of smallpox and the state law prohib-
tied opening the grave. This was finally
arranged, however and the last legis-
lature appropriated the money for the
work