262 ANCIENT EARTHWORKS IN OHIO. 



groove. The ravines in the vicinity contained water sufficient to supph" 

 the wants of the fort if beleaguered by an enemy. 



Two mounds were found in the north part of Perry Township, about 

 one mile from the fort. They were about 30 feet apart, and occupied 

 level ground near a brook. The larger one was about 5 feet high and 

 25 feet in diameter at the base. The smaller one was probably 12 feet 

 in diameter at the base and 3^ feet high. William Hamilton destroyed 

 the larger one in digging a cellar; and about 4 feet below the natural 

 surface found a triangular wooden post and three human slieletons, one 

 of unusual size, imbedded in sand. On exposure the smaller ones dis- 

 solved. 



Metcalf^s Fort. — By returning to the Jerome Fork, and ascending that 

 stream about one and a half miles, we approach a fort on the lands of 

 the late William Metcalf, south of the stream, on an elevated plateau, 

 facing the valley on section 21. It was circular in form, and contained 

 about three acres. It was near a spring. AVhen first discovered in the 

 forest, in 1812, the embankments were about 4 feet in height, and the 

 base about 10 feet in diameter. Large trees grew in and upon the work. 

 It commanded an extensive view. The fort at Tyler's, some four miles 

 down the stream, could be easily seen by the naked eye. By the means 

 of assault, probably used by the race that then inhabited these valleys, 

 it would have been difficult to capture it. 



WmMglefs Fort. — On an elevated point, two and a half miles north, 

 and across the Jerome Fork, was another fort, on the lands of Henry 

 Winbigler, on the northeast quarter of section 9. It contained about 

 four acres of land, was circular in form, and was much more easily 

 defended than Metcalt's, because the ground around it was steep and 

 more difficult of ascent. The embankments were also somewhat higher 

 than the former work, and 10 feet thick at the base. When first dis- 

 covered it was covered with large timber — a sort of ridge-oak of slow 

 growth, and must have been abandoned for a long series of years. It 

 had a gate-way looking to the north and one to the south, and was 

 near an excellent spring. From this fort a good view of Metcalf's was 

 had. By the use of torches or other signals, the Tyler Fort could have 

 been alarmed at the same time. Nearly due west of this fort, on section 

 13 in Vermillion Township, is a large mound which was used as a burial 

 site by the Mohegans and Delawares, but was doubtless erected as a 

 signal point by the same race that constructed the forts. West of it 

 about four miles, on section 14, and near the town of Hayesville, is 

 another large mound at the head of a valley reaching the Mohican. It 

 was also most likely used as a signal point. 



Gamble's Fort. — Continuing up the Jerome Fork, which rises in the 

 summit, in the north center of the county, is found a beautiful valley^ 

 from three to six miles wide, through which that stream meanders, fed 

 by numerous smaller ones on either side. As we approach Ashland, an 

 elevated point of land on the north of the town, on section 8, southwest 



