SUMMARY OF CORRESPONDENCE. 437 



Examined one, which contained nothing but charcoal. The mound in 

 Big Mound Township, three miles from Fairfield, is the largest one on 

 the prairie. It is supposed to have been a natural mound, shaped up 

 and finished by the mound-builders. It contains many graves, and 

 several bodies seem to have been placed in one grave. The graves are 

 stone cists, made of slabs brought seven or eight miles, from Skillet 

 Fork. Two trees growing on the mound, one a catalpa, the other an 

 oak, were probably planted there. The other mounds in the same town- 

 ship are also large. They are in the bottoms. One contained human 

 remains, mixed with river shells, deer hoins, wolf jaws, &c, united with 

 charcoal and small stones. Group of mounds in Four-mile Township 

 are near Skillet Fork ; two explored contained remains and bright-red 

 pottery. These mounds are on Fleming's Ridge, above the overflow. 

 Just below is the best ford on the river. A more accurate description, 

 with map, is in preparation. 



Smith, H. K. — There are many mounds and earthworks near Clear 

 Creek, Putnam County, between Hennepin and Peoria. They are in 

 groups of five to eight, running parallel with the river, from one-quarter 

 to one-half an acre in extent, and 5 to 12 feet high. Further explorations 

 in progress. 



Tandy, Mark. — Mounds occur in Hancock and Henderson Counties. 

 Part of them are close to the Mississippi River, mostly on bottom lands 

 or fiats, but some are on high bluffs or eminences. Quite, a number are 

 along Camp Creek. They are generally formed of loam; a few of shell- 

 rock. One mound examined was composed of loam the first 2 feet, the 

 rest was sand; no bones, but charcoal mingled with flint chips. A stone 

 mound, one mile below Dallas, made of very large flat rocks, was ex. 

 amined; bones, teeth, and stone relies found. 



Townshend, R. W. — Mound explored in the northern part of Clay 

 County, two miles south of Effingham County line, on Little Wabash 

 River. 



Trouslot, R. B. — Describes two mounds, five miles from Piano, Ken- 

 dall County, ten miles south of Post Mills, five miles from Sandwich. 

 See the "History of Kendall County," published at Aurora, by Rev. E. 

 W. Hicks. 



Wallace, S. -T. — Three mounds occur two miles northwest of Car- 

 thage, Hancock County, section 11, 5 north, 7 west. One 30 feet base 

 diameter, .'!() inches high ; the second similar in dimensions; the third 

 larger, unexplored. A group on Mississippi River, same county, near 

 1'ontoosuc, and others on bluff between Nauvoo and Montebello. Mr. 

 Wallace sends many drawings of Hint implements. 



Whitney, L. — Describes ancient burial-ground within the limits of 

 Morris, Grundy County. A cedar pole st ill standing on one of the streets, 

 protected by an iron railing, marks the spot. 



Wilcox, P. W. — Will carefully prepare diagrams and measurements 

 of mounds in La Salle County. 



