Norman Muller writes:Attached is an image of the Eastman watercolor, which I copied from the book Seth Eastman: A Portfolio of North American Indians, by Sarah Boehme, Christian Feest and Patricia Johnston (Afton, MN, 1995). The painting in question is illustrated on page 116.
The caption accompanying the painting reads in part: “In addition to seven mounds (‘Celtiberic tumuli,’ as he called them) and traces of ‘circumvallation,’ Schoolcraft located ‘on rising the hills to Parr’s Point … quite entire and undisturbed, the ruins of a tower or look-out, upon a commanding point of ground on the farm of Mr. Micheltree.’ It had been built over an excavation of several feet deep, walled with rough stones, and had supposedly once stood ‘many feet’ high. Similar remains were discovered by Schoolcraft on the other side of the Ohio River (Schoolcraft 1851-1857, 1: 123; see Squier and Davis 1848: 182).
“In Eastman’s view, which faces nearly due south, the conical Grave Creek Mound appears in the distance behind scattered farmhouses and close to a bend in the Ohio River.” The caption is on page 117.
The watercolor drawing measures 4-15/16” x 7-5/8”
Something like this was also mentioned here.
The image is a lithograph based on the original watercolor, and is titled "water tower." The water color has the title "watch tower," which makes more sense. A friend of mine in WVA may see if anything remains of the tower.
ReplyDeleteThe watercolor could not be reproduced because of copyright issues.
Looking at the image of the litho more closely, I believe the title says "watch tower." My error.
ReplyDeleteHere's a nice reference to such a thing in Narragansett Country:
ReplyDelete"It is said that there used to be a stone covert or watch-tower made by these Indians near the Pettaquamscutt and another at about the site of the South Pier. The first of these was destroyed many years ago." (Bacon 1904:260)
BACON, Edgar Mayhew. 1904. Narragansett Bay. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons.
Interesting. Thank you.
ReplyDelete