\ ANTIQUITIES ON THE BANKS OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 367 



Just in the rear of the city of mounds, near the residence of Colonel J. T. 

 Averill, there was a large mound, which I believe to have been a pottery, or 

 potter's shop. Inside this mound I found numerous remains of pottery, besides 

 large, flat smooth stones which wore probably used to grind the clay. For quite 

 a distance around, this mound I found large pieces of broken pottery. 



The town seems to have been well fortified, for there is, about half a mile in 

 the rear, a regular line of out-posls, each wing extending to the lake. About 

 midway of this line, near the residence of H. K. Terrell, the mounds are very 

 large, either elongated or built near together. There was, beyond a doubt, the 

 stronghold or main fort. 



Again, about three-quarters of a mile still back to the west, upon an elevation 

 of the ground, there is a group of the largest mounds I have ever seen. They 

 are built very near together and are perfect in their form. There are no ditches 

 about thier base, and they are wanting in other appearance of fortifications. Yet 

 I believe them to have been used as forts, and that they were placed here to 

 guard the approaches to the town from this direction. A few years ago some 

 large oak trees were standing on these mounds, but I failed to ascertain their 

 ages at the time they were cut down. 



There is still another group of mounds located to the south, just below A. 

 Dwelle's farm and near Minnow Lake. These resemble those last described — 

 not so large, but more in number. Here again was another fort, which guarded 

 the approaches from the south. 



