i6 SfLJTATE 



The vestiges of ancient works, of varied and interesting character, occur 

 upon the shores of the beautiful Cassadaga lake, (plate X.) The remains of 

 a circular Tumulus, now having a diameter of thirty feet, with an altitude of seven 

 feet, are situated some forty rods from the eastern borders of the lake. This 

 mound had been excavated in 1822; a number of skeletons, of very large size, 

 were exhumed, and examined by medical gentlemen. One of the skeletons mea- 

 sured nearly nine feet. This mound is undoubtedly of great age. The osteological 

 remains which it contained were very much decayed, and forest trees measuring 

 two or three feet in diameter were growing upon its summit. A number of ancient 

 hearths or platforms, having upon an average a diameter of thirty feet, and con- 

 structed of large stone, were observed in the vicinity of the mound; and the fires 

 here had been so intense that the stones were burned to a depth of fourteen inches 

 below the surface. Numerous caches are also found here, having a diameter of 

 some four feet, and two feet in depth. In the vicinity of this Tumulus, formerly 

 existed a line of fortification, extending across a peninsula upon the southern shores 

 of the lake, and inclosing a very large area. 



There also occurs the trace of an ancient road, or graded way, which commences 

 at a point some ninety rods from the mound, upon the north-eastern shore of the 

 lake, and running in north-west course to a distance of forty rods, across swampy 

 lands. This road is constructed of coarse gravel, and has an elevation of several 

 feet. The causeway had probably been formed for the purpose of establishing 

 communication with some point upon the upper lake. It was formerly covered by 

 the forest; large trees, — Pinus strohus, jJhics canadensis, L. americana, — were 

 growing upon the embankment; and wild-wood flowers, NymphoBa odorata, Sar- 

 racmia purpurea, V. lanceolata, and the Anemone, in their bloom, adorned the 

 lonely way. 



Vast numbers of relics have been found near these works; fragments of pottery, 

 ornamented, and of elaborate workmanship, stone tomahawks and chisels, and 

 also iron implements, such as ** French axes," &c. Thus, within the area, not ex- 

 ceeding a hundred and sixty rods square, we find the trace of nearly every descrip- 

 tion of the remains of ancient aboriginal occupancy; the tumulus, the fortification, 

 the ancient road, hearths, and caches; while the unparalleled size of the skeletons 

 exhumed from the mound, and pronounced by medical gentlemen to ** belong to 

 human giants," renders this series of works also of the most interesting character. 



An entrenched work occurs near the eastern boundary line of the corporation of 

 Fredonia, and is known as ** Fort Hill." The work occupies a strong defensive 

 position; it is situated upon an eminence which rises abruptly to an altitude of 

 thirty feet, while the embankment — one hundred and ninet3^-eight feet in length, 

 intersects with the steep ba^ks of the creeks upon either side. The wall, which is 

 of semi-circular form, has been much obliterated by repeated ploughing, but was 

 originally some five feet in height. The trace of a very large pit occurs in front of 

 the embankment. The usual Indian relics, such as ancient pottery, &c., have 

 been observed here. The Canadaway creek forms the southern boundary of thp 

 peninsula. 



The remains of another fortification, in southern portion of Sheridan township, 

 are situated upon elevated ground, and near a small stream, which flows in a north- 

 western direction. This work incloses a circle, of four hundred and ninety-five 

 feet in diameter. The embankment has been much obliterated, but a segment of 

 about one-third of its circumference, upon the south-eastern limits, has still an 

 elevation of two feet*. Formerly several gateways were observed in the work, but 

 they have now become effaced. Various relics have been found within tb.e inplo- 

 sure, such as remains of pottery, &c. 



