Ohio Archaeologist - Knowledge Bank

38 Pages·2012·5.47 MB·English

Vol. 5 Number 1
Ohio
Archaeologist
!
JANUARY-1955
OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
COLUMBUS, OHIO
(Formerly Ohio Indian Relic Collectors Society)

THREE MORE HARDSTONES
by
H. C. Wachtel
. . In our last issue of Ohio Archaeologst, Vol, 4, No, 4, October, I pictured
the first of a series of the Hardstones, gorgets and pendants, in my collection. I
may be imposing on the readers as they may not have the same appeal to you as
they do to me.
It is strange how some certain types of artifacts appeal to certain in
dividuals. It may be because after acquiring a sizeable number of a certain type
they take on a pertain allurement, just as the birdstones seem to have affected
soniefriends of mine It may be because numbers seem to enhanse the type to
one and when they strive to acquire more to fit into the pattern they find how
scarce they are.
At this very moment I stepped over to the case and brought out the three
pieces you are looking at on the opposite page. I laid them over the pictures and
they are exact size.
B430 is a beautiful thing here in my hand, a purplish b!.acJc background
with yellowish-white inclusions. A very odd piece of material. Strange as it may
seem, I saw one this summer of the same strange material, as if they both came
from the same mother boulder. 1 would have liked to lay it beside this one, but
its price (and quite an inferior piece) was three times more than 1 figured this one
was worth, so 1 just couldn't afford it, As you can see, this one is from Ashtabula
County, Ohio, and was formerly in the Frank Burdett collection in Springfield,
Ohio.
185 is a one hole pendant variety of later acquisition. It is a finely
speckled black and white granitic stone. Yes, my finger-nail tells me it has the
faint tally notches on the upper end. This formerly belonged to Dr. Stuhl man of
Darke County, Ohio.
B431 is a two hole gorget type. An exceptional type of material. It looks
similar to marble, a faint yellowish tinge with very fine stripes of darker brown.
Numerous faint pits below the surface, evidently of softer inclusions. As I hold it
up to the light now, it is quite translucent. I believe it is a type of quartz. Dif
ferent ones have handled this and guessed at the material. This is from a mound
in Brown County, Ohio and was originally in the Frank Burdett collection,
I think it is a fallacy to display only one piece as some museums do.
Somehow, one single piece in a display is not nearly so attractive as a group and
where one single piece seems to attract a casual glance a group seems to hit you.
For instance, you look at a beautiful Flint Ridge dovetail, resplendent with only
the colors that Flint Ridge produces, you read a caption accompanying same as
is usually the case in a museum display and then by chance you visit a collector
friend who will lay out a large tray of them, They are all beautiful, and each
different, and the assembled group is a thing of beauty. Each one makes another
more attractive. So it is with these "Hardstones" with me and birdstones with
others.
Since stating my personal opinion of only displaying a single piece or
just a very few, I feel that at a later date I will be obliged to picture quite a large
group in one picture in a future issue for you to see,
I, also, like all collectors enjoy showing my collection to members or
interested persons and I extend an invitation to you to help me enjoy looking them
over. If you have any similar artifacts I would also appreciate looking them over.
- 1-
CONTENTS
Page
Three More Hardstones by H. C. Wachtel 1
Contents and Meeting Dates for 1955 2
Officers
3
President's page - Dr. L. E. Hicks 4
Editorial page 5
Adair Letter 6
Stone Head - M. W. Hill 7
Warner Artifacts 8-9
The Pretsch Site - George A. Yates 10-13
Polished Slate Ax - R.Smith 14
Roving Reporter - H. C. Wachtel 15
Two Peculiar Pendants - Arthur G. Smith 16-17
Pestles - H. C. Wachtel 18-19
A Letter - Wm. Garvey, S. J. 20
Fort Ancient — A Poem 21
Policy Committee Report 22-23
Serpent Mound Meeting — B. E. Kelley 24
Exhibits Committee - Dr. L. E. Hicks 25
Membership Ivoster 26-
* * * * * * **
MEETING DATES FOR 195_5_
March 13,- 1955 - Ohio State Museum
May 15, 1955 — Ohio State Museum
June 19, 1955 — To be announced
September 11, 1955 — Portsmouth, Ohio.
November 13, 1955 — Ohio State Museum
OFFICERS
President Dr. Lawrence E. Hicks, 8 Chatham Rd., Columbus 14, Ohio
Vice-Pres Mr. Robert M. Goslin, 316 Wilson Ave., Columbus 5, Ohio.
Sec'y-Treas - Mr. Arthur George Smith, 65 N. Foster St., Norwalk, Ohio.
Editor -Mr. H. C. Wachtel, 307 Elmhurst Rd., Dayton 7, Ohio.
DIRECTORS
Mr. Charles L. Kisling, 228 Oakland Ave., Washington C.H., Ohio.
Mr. George C. Collins, 627 Snow Hill .ilvd., Springfield, Ohio.
Mr. C. 3. Kruger, 1035.Superior Ave., Dayton 7, Ohio.
Mrs. Vernon fiarrett, ;iox 304, Chillicothe, Ohio.
Dr. Stanley G.Copeland, 1138 E. Whittier St., Columbus 6, Ohio.
PUBLISHING COMMITTEE
Dr. Gordon F. Meuser, 2248 Summit St{, Columbus, Ohio (Chairman)
Mr. P. F. Mooney, Mount Sterling, Jhio.
Mr. LaDow Johnston, 2001 Toledo Trust 31dg., Toledo 4, Ohio.
Mr. B. E. Kelley, 138-140 S. Fayette St., Washington C.H., Ohio.
Mr. H. C. Wachtel 307 Elmhurst ltd., Dayton 7, 9hio.
Prof. William P. Holt, 319 S. Summit St., Bowling Green, Ohio.
Mr. Donald McBeth, Route 1, Kingston, Ohio.
Mr. Ernest L. Spoon, Route 2, Miamisburg, Ohio.
vir. Robert E. Craver, 121 Mercer Ave., Wheatland, P.enn.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE
Mr. n. S. 3aby, Ohio State Museum (Advisory)
Mr. Arthur G. Smith, 65 N. Foster St., Norwalk, Ohio (Chairman)
Mr. LaDow Johnston, 2001 Toledo Trust Bldg., Toledo 4, Ohio.
Mr. Lynn Munger, Route 3, Angola, Indiana
Mr.Dwight Koon, Route 4, Elm Grove, W. Va.
Mr. Frank C. Sharp, Kingston, Ohio.
NEW NAME
This is the first issue to appear under the name of the "OHIO
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOIETY", which was adopted at the last meeting
of the "Ohio Indian Relic Collectors Society", November 14, 1954.
The object and ideals of the Society will continue as in the past.
There is no implication of an association with the Ohio Historical
Society.
J * * * **
Due credit should be given this publication and the author for any
article or data copied and published by others.
- 3 -
THE PRESIDENTS PAGE
by
Lawrence E. Hicks
Much water has gone over the dam since the last time. Our organization is growing up.
It is a real challenge for each of us as individuals to grow along with it. We are now in
corporated as a non-profit organization under the name,'/'OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIE
TY", which is in keeping with the name "Ohio Archaeologist" which was long ago adopted
for our official magazine.
Most organizations tend to "go to seed" with the years as evidenced by the increase in
the average age class of its members. To build a healthy permanent organization we need
appropriate representation of all age classes in our membership. Particularly we need to
build "from the bottom" by interesting boys in their teens in our hobby. That has recently
been provided for. We now have a junior membership (with full privileges) but with dues at
only half-price for students of 18 or less in age. Now it is up to us to devise programs
which will attract and hold the younger age classes. The future value of our collections
depends upon the appreciation which each succeeding generation develops of what they re
present. J
We have something to learn and something to give. Our program includes an intensive
attempt to get more group participation in our meetings. While we're all ignorant about
different things, we all have some tiny field of experience which should be shared with our
fellow members. Our goal is to get at least 20 members to actively participate in some way
in each meeting. We aim to make use of our own group talent in symposia or panel discuss
ions, reports of finds made, techniques, meetings attended or current events from back home.
We need many brief snappy reports from members. Let us know what you can contribute be
fore we have to call upon you.
Seeing is believing and to see is to learn. 2e'd like to have more to look at, examine
and study at each meeting. This means just a bit of work for everyone. Don't come to a
meeting without bringing something to show and share. We now have an Exhibits Committee
responsible for setting the stage for the artifacts or other exhibit materials which we want
you to bring to meetings. For the next meeting everyone has an assignment. If you are 18
ar-less we- want you tb.display your.entire collection. If you are over 18 we want you to
;
bring in as many unfinished artifacts as you can locate which demonstrate the sequence or
manner in which the pieces were made.
MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN RESULTS
During the first eleven months of 1954, thirty-nine members or our
Society were responsible for obtaining 98 new members. We hope to
reach our goal of a total membership of 500 early in 1955. From time
to time we expect to give recognition to those obtaining new members
by publishing the names of those responsible for them. Is your name
on the list? Try to put it there by nominating those who should belong
or sending in gift memberships for those you wish to encourage in our
direction. (Don't forget the new Junior Memberships at half-price for
students 18 years of age or under).
If we've made errors in our compilation, please advise. Our list
indicates that the number of new members obtained by each of the follow*
ing active members was as follows: H,C.Wachtel 13, A.G.Smith 8, Lynn
Munger 8, LaDow Johnston 8, Larry Hicks 8, K. McNeal 5, J. Barker 4
Three each A.R.Long, C.H.Kruger, R.J. Servey, Russell Thompson, C.B.
Baud, Albin Elchert, W.P.Holt, D. McBeth, C.L.Kisling, W. Rice, M.F.
ttard. Quite a number of other members who are credited with one each.
- 4 -
EDITORIAL PAGE
by
H. C. Wachtel
Our first issue for 1955.Keep your fingers crossed for us and wish us luck
you can be assured we will do the best we can under the limited conditions that
we operate.
We will strive to put out what we will consider to be the best at our command
and our aim is to have a diversified copy, covering many phases of our hobby
the personal experiences encountered by members who will submit them for pub
lication, and we also hope for some more scientific articles to appear. This we
feel, makes for a well balanced, interesting magazine, and should have material
of interest for every member as we realize that all of us have certain pet theo-
Fies1 and preferences for certain types of artifacts.
My experiences this year have turned up some personal, human interest ang
les when contacting various members, that I believe everyone should hear of. I
cannot help but feel they will impress you the same as they did me. We all have
these experiences so 1 suggest you send yours in to the Editor and he will
find a place for them.
It has been mentioned to me by some members this year how much they enjoy
ed pictures of the outstanding artifacts we have shown, but they say these are
practically out of their reach and they would also like to see some of the more
common artifacts like they have in their collections. From the actual archae
ological view-point, some of the more common type are every bit as rare, and
more closely associated with the every day existence of the time and it is our
intention to try to balance our publication accordingly.
We are instituting a new numbering system to number all pages consecuti
vely for a volume, i. e. Volume 5, No.l, will start at page 1 and continue through
Volume 5, No. 4. This is the method used in various magazines similar to ours
and more clearly distinguishes yearly issues.
Response to the sales notice in previous issue relative to ordering copies
of the Warren County Serpent Mound issue, was quite gratifying as quite a large
percentage of members did so and it is our suggestion that members who have
not ordered their copy, and who desire one, should send their 50$ to the editor
who will immediately mail it to them. Every member should have this'.rssateLto
fill out his complement of our publications, as well as to be acquainted with
this site and its place in the prehistory of Ohio.
We are fortunate in having such an active, cooperative member in Warren
County, Mr. J. H. Barker, who really did a splendid job, with the assistance
of his son Joey, in making all arrangments at the Warren County Serpent Mound
site last September. This entailed a lot of time and expense on his part. We
owe him a debt of gratitude for all this effort, he so freely gave to make the meet
ing a success.
From the Editor: Please do not read looking for errors, but for what I am
trying to give you to the best of my limited ability. Your cooperation, criticism
and assistance will be greatly appreciated as it is all for one end, the better
ment of our magazine.
Continental, Ohio
April 17, 1954
Mr. H. C. Wachtel
307 Elmhurst Rd
Dayton, Ohio
Dear Mr. Wachtel:
In the April 1954 Ohio Archaeologist you have a write-up on Mastadons and
Folsoms. This is a very good write up and brings to light a find 1 have made.
This takes me back to the year 1917, At that time 1 was on a farm and also
trapping for muskrat or whatever 1 could snare. My brother-in-law had found a
mastadon tooth and also part of a tusk about three feet long. He had told me
of the find but had sent the tooth to some relative in New York and the tusk
had been discarded somewhere. As usual, when not interested, he di not know
where, and to this day it has not been located.
He would never tell me where the find was made as he thought it was of no
importance, but on one trip while running my trap line I noticed what I thought
was a tooth, and of course, it was across a creek. So, determined to find out,
I warded water well past knee-deep, and to my surprise it was a tooth which at
that time weighed three wnd one-half pounde. This tooth I still have in my
collection.
This tooth was found in a small creek, where it had been washed out of the
creek bank. Although this has been a number of years since I made the find, I
have made several trips, at least every year when the creek is low, as this
particular spot is usually covered with water when the creek is normal. This
winter the creek was dredged but the spot wan missed, due to changing the
course of the creek. I was there again and found one small piece of bone.
If any reliable person is interested in the place of this find, contact me and
1 will take them there. I never done any digging but do believe there is more
to be found- I only know of one folsom found anyways near this location and
that was found about twelve miles from the location of the mastisdon find. This
I located just a week ago.
I have several folsom styles that I have f cund but cannot believe they are
true folsom. Although I have seen several in different collections they claim
are folsom, the thought still goes - - I do not believe it.
I have more to write at a later date, including some squawking on some highly
priced duds and a lot of comment on others.
Will also try to have some pictures of part of my collection.
Enclosed please find payment for my two year subscription.
Respectfully yours,
Box 183 G. E. Adair (Another Pot Hunter)
Continental, Ohio. '
fi
STONE HEAD
Beltsville, Ohio
1879
Small stone head, weight 7.8 oz., a mottled tan color with lighter
spots. Hardness 5, probably a form of limestone. Special features,
brow-prominent. Nose snub and uptilted, two short lines indicate
rounding of nostrils, which are inset.
Mouth narrow and wide, upper lip projects. Chin sloping, hinge
jaw prominent. Eyes one lower than other. Eye ball inset, retina
circular, core drilled, projects one thirty second inch beyond socket.
Back is ground about sixteenth deep down long axis and two short
grooves from back towards temple but do not show from front.
History - - Collection made by John R. Miller, a Union soldier
shortly after civil war. Collection stored for many years and bought
by E. A. Tyler of Mason, Mich, in .1909 who had known of Miller's
collection in Beltsville, Ohio for many years. The collection was
held intact until 1949.
Info, supplied by M. E. Fronville, Watseka, 111.
M. W. Hill
Alexandria, Va.
- 7 -
ANOTHER WARNER FRAME
In several previous issues we have shown some frames from the Dave Warner
collection of Howe, Indiana. In this frame we see some more of the same collection.
Quite a few of the more common types are shown, but we also see some very fine
pieces from this collection.
The top row shows five one-hole slate pendants of the more common type from
LaGrange County, Indiana.
Below these left to right:
Boatstone - Gray and tan slate. Noble County, Indiana
Slate pick banner - 5 1/2 inches long. LaGrange County, Indiana
Unnotched slate butterfly - 4 inches. Banded slate. LaGrange County, Ind.
Third Rowi'down:
A one hole slate pendant. LaGrange County, Indiana.
To the right of pendant a fine panel type banner of slate. Branch Co.,Mich.
Next a nice catlinite pipe - Stueben County, Indiana
Directly below the pipe is a more common type of Indiana birdstone of slate
from LaGrange County, Indiana.
The little notched pendant on the right of the upper bird, I found in LaGrange
County along a small creek bank near a village site.
A fine plummet between the two birdstones is made of gray stone and found
in Noble County, Indiana.
The exceptionally fine pop-eye birdstone, which is easily recognized is of
spotted porphyry. 3 1/2 inches by 2 inches. LaGrange County, Indiana,
Found about forty years ago caught on the plow when ploughing new ground
ncamitiie only mound found in LaGrange County.
In the extreme left is a butterfly with mutilation of both wings and shows
three drilled holes used to attach the broken pieces by the original owner.
Found in Branch County, Michigan.
In the lower right corner is another butterfly of the double-notch type, also
showing the mend holes required to: hold the two halves together. This was
found in LaGrange County, Indiana.
Dave Warner
Howe, Indiana.