Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/640

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��ITISTOIJY OF EICHLAND COUNTY

��marked by a l)en(l in the creek at nearly right angles, where the creek is seen stretching away toward the west. On either side, so tar as the eye can penetrate, the creek is walled in l\y high precipitous hluffs.

Indian Hill forms the eastern extremity of the ledge of rocks upon which Hemlock Falls, Kaole's Nest, etc., are situated. This eminence attbrds a fine view of the Valley of (Mear Fork and Slaters Run. On the top of this hill are seen several depressions, extending in a line •altout twenty -five feet across the hill, which would seem to indicate an Indian burial ground.

Prospect Hill is situated about one-half mile west of Hemlock Falls, on the south bank of the Clear Fork. It is probably the highest point of land in "JJ^orthington Township. The view from its summit is very beautiful. The Clear Fork valley, and thousands of acres of field and meadow and neat farmhouses ; cattle, sheep, peace, plenty and beauty everywhere. Near its summit are several bowl-shaped cav- ities, the largest of which is, perhaps, twenty feet in diameter, evidently formed by the sink- ing down of the earth among the cavities of the rocks beneath. Thej' lie at the edge of a cleared field, and when the ploughed earth, on dilTerent occasions, has rolled into one of these tlepressions, and been washed down by rain, it finds its wa}' out about five hundred feet below, at the base of the hill, through the outlet of a strong spring of water. From this circum- stance, it is supposed that there is a subter- ranean passage from these depressions to the base of the hill.

A short distance below the cavities is a mag- nificent rocky tower, one hundred and fifty feet high, overlooking the valley.

A perforation of twenty or thirty feet always existed in this hill, Init it was not until within the last twent}' years or more that this was found to be the entrance to a cave, which has received the name of Fountain Cavern. This cavern is quite roomy, being perhaps three hun-

��dred feet in circumference, and with several distinct rooms and narrow, winding ways. Near its entrance is a rock called the Giant's Plow- share, from a resemblance to that farming im- plement. A short distance from this is another large rock resembling a pulpit, and near this a rock called the Indian's Arrowpoint, from its resemblance to that article. It stands on the large end, pointing to the north at an angle of seventy-five degrees. It is six feet broad at the base, and tapei's to a point like an arrow- head.

Watts Hill is on the north side of the creek, immediately opposite Prospect Hill, and derives its name from Mr. Noah Watts, on whose farm it is located. The location of this gentleman's residence at the foot of this hill is one of the most beautiful that can be imagined.

The eastern ascent of the hill is gradual, but the south is more abrupt, being in places al- most pei'pendicular. iVU over the hill are scat- tered curious-shaped rocks, cliffs, arches, towei'S and various strange things nature has provided to astonish the beholder.

Near Watts Hill is a solitary rock called Dropping Rock. It is about one hundred feet in circumference, and ten or fifteen feet in alti- tude. It stands entirely alone, no other rocks being near, and its surface is covered with moss and shrubs. From its outside walls the water is continualh^ dropping, even in dry weather — hence the name.

It will be seen from the foregoing, that this must have been a delightful hunting-ground for the Indian, and equally delightful to the first white residents ; but how much more beautiful is it to-day, when there are no Indians, rattle- snakes or wolves lurking beneath its I'ocks and in its caverns.

The township is rich in Indian relics, Dr. J. P. Henderson, of Newville, having quite a cab- inet of curious things gathered in this vicinity. The plow even yet unearths some curious im- plements. Not long since, a curiously wrought

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