The location of Plan I is about 4 miles in a southeasterly direction from the village of Troy Grove, La Salle County, Illinois. It is about 10 miles north of the village of Utica, on the Illinois River, near which was situated the great town of the Illini Indians, famous in the early history of Illinois.
All of the mounds discovered were situated on the bluffs on the eastern side of Vermillion Creek, at small stream flowing into the Illinois River.
No. 1 was a circular depression about 12 feet in diameter and 1 foot deep at the center. On trenching it we found evidence of a long-continued fire-place in the baked clay, burned stones, and fragments of charcoal, evidently the site of an Indian's fireside.
No. 2 was a mound 15 feet in diameter and 4 feet high, occupying a commanding position on a high bluff projecting out into the valley. The view from this point is a fine one, commanding the valley for miles in either direction. On opening the mound we made the following discoveries: In the center and just under the sod we found a great quantity of burnt bones, human and animal,—the latter those of dogs or wolves. From a careful examination of the fragments of skulls, we determined the remains of nine individuals. There was no evidence of fire in the soil. They had been placed there in comparatively recent times after having been elsewhere cremated. Along with these bones were found a few perfect arrow-points, numerous fragments, and a rude stone pipe fashioned somewhat like a spool.
On digging deeper, just below the original surface of the ground, was found a skeleton lying upon its back, with the feet toward the west. It was of an individual of average height and advanced in years, as indicated by the absorption of the alveoli and the angle of the inferior maxillary. The arms were extended along the body. The frontal development of the skull was of a low order, more so than is found in the Indian, and yet not so much so as is usually ascribed to the mound-builder. This was the only burial in a horizontal position discovered in this locality. A very careful examination of the soil about the head and upper parts of the body failed to bring to light any relics whatever. The burial was in a compact dry clay, and the bones in a crumbling condition.
No. 3 was a burial place on the point of the same bluff just spoken of. Nothing but bones were found in it, the remains of several individuals. One skull was taken out in good condition, lacking the inferior maxillary. The bones still preserved quite a portion of the animal matter, and indicated a comparatively late burial, presumably Indian.
No. 4 was a circular depression but a few feet in diameter, evidently, from the burnt stones, being a fire-place.
No. 5 was a mound about 10 feet in diameter and 2£ feet high. It had been opened a short time before our visit and a few bones taken
