September 30 , 2021 The Beacon • 7

Carole Etchells Cross

Between the Bookends

Field work reports are interesting , especially when related to Ohio historical and archaeological publications in the Coshocton area printed in 1900 and 1898 . Let ’ s talk about a book by Dr . Cyrus Thomas . In “ Catalogue of Prehistoric Works ,” he states , “ Skeletons located in burial mounds decay very slowly if water cannot reach them , but a few years of exposure to moisture will cause more decay than 300 years of dry internment .”

The area around Coshocton was known as the “ mound period ” inhabited by the Delawares , Mingoes and Shawnees , as well as other tribes from 1700- 20 . By exploring various streams , field workers were able to collect a variety of weapons and ornaments . Serrated arrowheads and stone pipes were found along the banks of the Muskingum River .

Axes found in Ohio are of the flat-back type with a groove that does not run all the way around the axe . The back is either flat or slightly hollowed out so a wedge can be driven between the fastening and the axe head to attach it to the handle . A large number of axes were polished , and a large amount were broken . A large amount of banded slate ornaments were found in the mounds and graves with holes drilled at each end . These finds may have been worn on the forearm and served a double purpose as an ornamentation and wrist protection against the release of bow strings .

An effigy of a frog weighing about 5 pounds was found cut from fine grained sandstone . To see this interesting discovery , you would have to attend the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition , the Smithsonian and the Paris Exposition in 1889 . Other field work reports list panther teeth , bear jaws , deer antlers , turkey bones , bone beads , needles , scrapers and spears . Much closer to Coshocton , a skeleton was found wrapped similar to that of a mummy in a birch-bark white fabric plaster cast about half an inch deep with no other relics nearby .

In a long section of an old field report , we find this comment , “ Ohio

The University of Findlay recently welcomed new undergraduate and graduate students to campus for fall 2021 . New students began their studies at UF on Aug . 16 .

Local students include the following :

— Cal Shrimplin of Coshocton is pursuing a degree in animal science / preveterinary medicine .

— Haley Thompson of Coshocton is pursuing a degree in animal science / preveterinary medicine .

— Johnathan Roberts of Warsaw is pursuing a degree in business administration .

— Lucas Massie of Coshocton is pursuing a degree in chemistry .

— Malek Better of Coshocton is pursuing a degree in computer science .

— Lindsay Griffith of West Lafayette is pursuing a degree in exercise science for health professions .

— Braydon Johns of Coshocton is pursuing a degree in multi-age / health and physical education . is the first state in the Union which has undertaken systematic records of prehistoric remains . We are aware that Ohio is the richest state archaeologically speaking that has the greatest number of diversity of stone structures . In 1895 we find a list of prehistoric remains found in these Coshocton townships : Tiverton , New

As your new county commissioner , I have a chance to help make a difference in our county for a new justice center , in which I

Castle , Jefferson , Bethlehem , Keene , Perry and Jackson .

Another interesting note dated Dec . 30 , 1805 , reads , “ In our annual report , we state that Ohio has no prehistoric map of ruins , mounds or monuments and at the present rate of demolition no trace of the past remains .” believe we need desperately .

We as Coshocton County residents will all benefit from a new justice center . We will have a safer and more organized way of dealing with different situations that develop as we experience the next several years into the next generation .

I believe in rehabilitation because it can make productive citizens out of people who need the help to make better decisions for their life .

Finally , I believe we will look back and say we made the right choice .

Rick Conkle Coshocton County

Commissioner