THOMAS. | MOUNDS AT EAST DUBUQUE, ILLINOIS. 35 
at the depth of 2 feet immediately below the apex. Near the orig- 
inal surface of the ground, several feet north of the center, were the 
much-decayed skeletons of some six or eight individuals of every size 
from the infant to the adult. They were placed horizontally at full 
length with the heads toward the south. A few perforated Unio shells 
and some rude stone skinners and scrapers were found with them. 
Near the original surface, some 10 or 12 feet from the center, on the 
lower side, was discovered, lying at full length on its back, an unusu- 
ally large skeleton, the length being something over 7 feet. It was 
all distinetly traceable though it crumbled to pieces immediately after 
removal from the hard earth in which it was encased. With it were 
three thin, crescent-shaped pieces of roughly-hammered native copper, 
respectively 6, 8, and 10 inches in length, with some small holes along 
the convex margin; also a number of elongate copper beads, made by 
rolling together thin sheets, and a chert lance-head 11 inches long; 
the latter was placed near the left thigh. Around the neck were the 
remains of a necklace of bears’ teeth. Lying across the thighs wére 
dozens of small copper beads, evidently formed by rolling slender wire- 
like strips into small rings. The assistant who opened this mound, 
and who is personally well acquainted with Indian habits and customs, 
suggests that these beads once formed the ornamentation of the fringe 
of a hunting shirt. 
As No. 4 of this group presents some peculiarities, I take the deserip- 
tion from Colonel Norris’s notes: 
During a visit to this locality in 1857, he partially opened this mound, 
finding masses of burned earth and charred human bones mingled with 
charcoal and ashes. At his visit in 1882, on behalf of the Bureau, a 
further examination revealed, on the lower side, the end of a double line 
of flat stones set on edge, about a foot apart at the bottom and leaned 
soas to meet at the top and form a roof-shaped flue or drain. Following 
this up, he found that it extended inward nearly on a level, almost to 
the center of the mound, at which point it was nearly 3 feet below 
the original surface of the ground. Here a skeleton was discovered 
stretched horizontally in a yault or grave which had been dug in the 
ground before the mound was cast up. Over that portion below the 
waist (including the right arm) were placed flat stones so arranged as 
to support one another and prevent pressure on the body, but no traces 
of fire were on them; yet, when the upper portions of the body were 
reached, they were found so burned and charred as to be scarcely trace- 
able amid the charcoal and ashes that surrounded them. 
It was apparent that a grave had first been dug, then the right arn» 
had been dislocated and placed by the side of the skeleton below the: 
waist, and this part covered with stones as described, and then the re- 
mainder burned by a fire kindled over it. 
A section of the mound showing the grave and stone drain is given. 
