Iowa County Cemetery Stones and History 1844-1975 (manuscript) by Pauline Lillie

          INDIAN BURIALS ABOVE ABOLISH RIVER (English twp.)           p. 1
          
                              by Pauline Lillie

Located
Section 26 English 78 Township, Range 11, on high hill top above the
Middle English River - Gravel road V 62 from northwest part of North
English; East side of North English Cemetery - Across the river bridge
then up the hill.

History
Land owned by Lynn 0. Smith, et al, of 80 acres; Most of this was at
one time owned by E, L. - E. B. and V.A. Lortz; Original land was enter-
from the government May 8, 1846 by John A. Summitt for Sec.26 SW¼, NW¼

The 1874 Atlas on E. J. Smith land above Middle English River, at that
point in time appears a Brick Yard, on northeast corner of section.
Many small plots and acreages of land appear along the English River.

Place where Indians were buried have mound contours, with only pit-
ted surface, of trench; It is difficult to set absolute bounding limits
and therefore diameters, lengths, widths, and heights, from my obser-
vations. For they are due to natural erosion and years of slopes (blend
in so perfectly with the surrounding level that it is impossible to decide
definitely where the original level stops and man made elevations begins)
It is apparent that they have been entered, objects removed and then re-
filled years before 1900 - for a cavity opening still exists.

Bill Carter of North English showed me where they were, as it was a
favoriate [sic] place for them as children of the area to play in these woods-
for family picnics ;years past. One time it was owned by Everett Lortz
who came with us, and mentioned that he had removed trash and brush in
the pasture - today is still pasture. Easy to get too if you like to climb
steep hills.

I have no doubt whatever that the Indians did bury here, but I simply
cannot see Mormans [sic] having burials. Few if any came this way, but always
possible of a lost group. No stones were ever placed any where on this
hill according to Mr. Carter (he is over 80) No other people ever buried
here either, and he knew every spot.

The Mormans who went west through Iowa County, were those who came from
Europe, to Iowa City. (end of Railroad line) Left in hand carts in 1856
(the 1846 group came across southern Iowa, and not into Iowa County.)
These European groups moved out through Homestead, over the old Dragoon
Trail (parallel to Hy. 6). This movement has been documented many times,
Mormans if buried here, names could be located as the "Saints" kept lists
and diaries, as they moved on the trail, and those who died during the
migration.


continued on page 2           -14-


          Indian burials above English River    - continued           p. 2


Remarks
Nothing what ever here on the hill top to see - no different than 
any other timber area. Remember this is PRIVATE PROPERTY - has 
cattle - NO ONE SHOULD attempt to ENTER without first obtaining per-
mission from owner. I am not interested as archeology is to comp- 
licated. Burial mounds occur by thousands in Iowa as reported by 
Marshall McKusick - State Archeologist, in his book published, "Men
of Ancient Iowa" which received the Hamlin Garland Award. If you 
have a curiosity on Indian Mounds and Burials, check the library 
for that book.


Researched by Pauline Lillie

                              -15-