Only surviving BHW Fort?

[Robert Braun]

Thus far, research indicates that only the stone blockhouse of George Wallace Jones, at Sinsinawa Mound, survives as the sole relic of the fort-building frenzy that gripped the Lead Region after the debacle at "Stillman's Run."

[Greg Carter]

The foundation of so-called "Fort Cribs", located near present-day Hennepin, Illinois, is the floor of a standing barn. I asked the historical society there for some information, but have received none.

The disadvantage with many of the Illinois forts is modern development and historical construction. All the wooden forts, with the exception of Fort Armstrong, were dismantled for use in homes or buildings by the late 1840's, or had weathered into disrepair. Fort Armstrong was destroyed in a freak fire in in the 1850's, I believe 1855 but I will have to check.

Many of the fort sites have also been paved over, including Forts Clark, Edward, Johnson and Wilbourn.

GMC

[Larry Koschkee]

Many (and "yours truly") have stood in awe before the remains of a stone structure located at Sinsinawa Mound purported to be a block-house erected by George Wallace Jones at the outbreak of the BHW. GWJ's autobiography appears to repudiate the use of stone for building material.

In March, 1831, I brought my wife and seven servants,... and five or six Frenchmen up north leaving my wife at the residence of Mrs. Barnes in Galena, until I could make a suitable home for her. She remained with Mrs. Barnes about a week, then insisted upon coming to the Mound where we occupied the two unhewed log cabins which I had helped to build... In the spring of 1832, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk War, I built a log fort or block house for the protection of my family (consisting of my wife, children, some ten or twelve slaves, and fifteen or twenty hired men) and neighbors. My wife being very much afraid of Indians, I sent her with our servant, Charlotte, to Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, her old home.

Source: George Wallace Jones, Edited by John Carl Parish, The State Historical Society of Iowa, Iowa City, 1912

[Robert Braun]

Larry, you raise an interesting point.

During my visit to Sinsinawa Mound to do research on "Jones' Fort," I spoke with the archivist from the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation, examined archival files, and read the work of at least one other investigator who looked at the connectivity between the stone structure and the Black Hawk war. Also taken into account was the work of biographer Parish.

Unfortunately-- as you have already observed-- Mr. Parish's preserved writings of GWJ that were less than definative on the subject.

Based on the information currently available, Jones directed the construction of a blockhouse surrounded by a log palisade... presumably similar in construction to that seen at Fort Dodge and Fort Union. The archivist reported a very strong tradition within the Order that insisted the blockhouse portion was of stone. I will need to unearth my notes, but the presumption here was that Jones had enough previously-quarried stone blocks to erect a structure, presumably from his smelting operation.

My investigation indicated that the fort was constructed by about the time of the St. Vrain massacre on May 24, 1832. I am unclear as to exactly WHEN GWJ started construction of the strongpoint. My best guess (for now) would be when word was recieved about the debacle at "Stillman's Run." This would mean that GWJ would have to have constructed his strongpoint in a little over a week. The construction time of "one week" seems to coincide with the time-frames we have been given for wooden structures like Mound Fort or Apple River Fort. However, it does not necessarily rule out the construction of a stone blockhouse.

Or does it? I checked with a professional mason about the resources needed to erect a structure of about the size of GWJ's blockhouse. He confirmed that one person working on the project could indeed build the structure in several weeks, provided pre-cut materials were available. When I asked about a workforce of say twenty under the direction of a skilled stone-mason, he stated:"Well, depending on the weather, I suppose about a week to ten days. It all depends..." Hmmm...

Given the written correspondence from then-current and retired sisters when the Order contemplated the razing of the structure to make way for a new Motherhouse in the 1960s, there is little doubt in my mind that the structure maintained a strong traditional and historical place in the minds of the members. So much so that the Order decided to save a portion of the structure in response to the many concerns raised.

I would think that the building could be examined from a structural point of view, to see if any of the remaining portions bear construction techniques or styles known in the early 1830s. Also, some site archaeology may lend additional clues, but I am unaware that any such archaeology has ever been done, nor am I aware if any is contemplated. If so, I would be very surprised.

Should the stone structure indeed prove to have an 1832 provenance, it deserves a little better care than it is now receiving.

[Larry Koschkee]

This business of a stone blockhouse is very peculiar and I am not convinced it existed. Taken in context with all the other militia fortifications erected at the time and their commonality of construction materials other than stone and temporary use, it is highly unlikely we have the remains of a stone blockhouse at Sinsinawa Mound.

What remains at Sinsinawa may be from a stone smelting furnace or a post Black Hawk War stone house.

GWJ's autobiography states that in the spring of 1827 he erected a log cabin and The next day I put my men to quarrying rock, and in a few days I had two good log furnaces built. So GWJ was quarrying rock before the BHW but did not indicate he was building structures with the material other than furnaces.

The log cabin GWJ built in 1827 measured 49 by 17 feet, having an entry of 15 by 17 feet. Each room had one door and one window only... By March of 1831 he had erected a second "unhewed" log cabin but did not indicate the dimensions. No matter... two log cabins, one of known commodious size and a log blockhouse, which was stated in the autobiography, with a stockade to connect or surround the structures, you have a very familiar and respectable strong point for the times.

[Robert Braun]

Larry, again... you make several good points with respect to the "oddity" of the presence of the stone blockhouse within the context of other log structures in the Mineral District. It is interesting to note that Jones' efforts include quarrying... which is different from normal movement of material associated with surface excavations for lead. Indeed, it is interesting to compare this quarrying effort to GWJ's contemporaries to see of this activity is associated with their efforts and activities in the District. As of this writing, I suspect that GWJ may have been unique in this endeavor. This means he would have had to have the knowledge himself, or employed persons who did.

I agree that the pedigree of the stone fort has yet to be firmly established. I also readily concede that a stone structure or barn stood on the site for many years, used at various times by the sisters as a storehouse and a carriage shed. There are several photographic images of the structure prior to the construction of the new motherhouse.

Along with this, there is clearly a solid tradition within the Order for the existance of Jones' fort as a stone blockhouse; there are references to the stone blockhouse in early writings of the Order that I have examined; and the existance of the structure seems to fit the research of an unpublished author (in the Order's archival files) regarding the structure and its association with the history of Sinsinawa Mound. Unfortunately, there's much we don't know at this point.

However, based on one vague citation in GWJ's writings, I am not ready to conclude that there was no stone blockhouse at Sinsinawa Mound.

Regards, Bob.

[Larry Koschkee]

Bob,

I also concede that there was a stone structure embedded in the tradition of the order, however it was never defined in their archives.

My approach differs than yours... I am going with an old saw: "a bird in hand is worth two in the bush." I have a sound reference to a log blockhouse in GWJ's autobiography... the archives at Sinsinawa has no specific information, therefore at this time I conclude there was no stone blockhouse.

Larry

[Robert Braun]

Larry, I wish I had your confidence in your "sound reference." For me, I don't think we know enough to make a conclusive determination. I can't shake the feeling that there's something more...

In the meantime, now that you have slashed this great Gordian knot, who will be leading the charge in advising the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation that their claim to a Black Hawk War era "fort" is bogus, the "loopholes" are contrived, and that 150+ years of oral and recorded tradition is essentially meaningless?

Regards, Bob.

[Larry Koschkee]

Bob,

I can come up with many ways to break the news to the Sisters that there is just a possibility their tradition may be mistaken.

This reminds me of a time down on the Brazos River where a group of us were inspecting an old Spanish "rubble stone" fortification. The tour guide pointed to some openings on a side wall... "venatnillo - Senors." After careful examination the group concluded that the loopholes were actually "viga" or cross beam openings in the wall. Further examination indicated the building had settled extensively and someone had modified the door heights to compensate for the settling. What had been overhead cross beam wall openings of approximate height 6' to 6.5' from the gravel floor were now about 5' from the floor... giving the appearance of the right height in which to fire a long arm.

Adios - Larry

[Robert Braun]

I concede quite readily that there is ALWAYS the possibility that a tradition might be mistaken! I also note that it might likewise be possible for Jones' writing to have been in error.

I have yet to learn of a long-held tradition that was not founded in some fact. The presumed location of Apple River Fort was a long-held local tradition, despite that there were practically no written accounts of the actual location. Yet acting on this tradition... the archaeological dig stripped away the plow-zone and Shazzaam! There it was! And... on the very first try!

My iconoclastic tendancy leans me to be open to any reasoned inquiry into the structure. You'll forgive me if I note that your inspection of the Brazos River ruin sound to me to be far more informed and comprehensive than any such investigation done on the "Jones' Fort" structure-- at least any known to me, save the one invesigation mentioned earlier in this thread by me.

One thought... the "fort" loopholes, or whatever they are, are in the second story, about 18-20 inches up from the floor joists... if memory serves. This fits the defensive style of wood blockhouses known to have been erected during the BHW, with defensive "port holes" fashioned in the second story.

It is my sincere hope that before we jump into our cars for a drive to Sinsinawa Mound, that we have something more than one (IMHO) less-than definative phrase from George W. Jones.

Continued regards, Bob.

[Larry Koschkee]

Think about this for a moment, Bob, I am relying on your experience or experimentation here in firing long arms through loopholes in mock battles. A loophole 18 to 20 inches above the floor joists... how many accurate shooting positions would you be afforded if the enemy was at the same level as the base of the building? Second, in the same situation, except the enemy was on the same plane as the loopholes or on a higher elevation, what positions would you have?

Your comments would be appreciated.

Cordial as ever...

Larry K.

[Robert Braun]

Maybe the best way to address your question is to return to some images taken in April, 2001 by Mike Thorson (images are copyrighted property of Phalanx Studios, Inc. and are used here with permission.)

First, the exterior of so-called "Jone's Fort." Note the levels of the alleged loopholes---



Next, an interior image of the second story. Note the distance of the loopholes from the floor, and the CEILING, which appears to be 18-20 inches (so much for my memory capacity!)



Finally, for the sake of comparison, an interior shot of the upstairs of the reconstructed blockhouse, with loopholes, at Apple River Historic Site, Elizabeth, IL---

[Larry Koschkee]

In concert with the theme that research on this fort is still in a process status... I would like to insert a couple of things to consider.

1) The stone construction of this structure is "wet", meaning with mortar opposed to "dry" construction. That would mean limestone would have been burned to make a suitable mortar composition. We do not know that Jones had this material unhand. If he did not the process would have added significant time to construction.

2) In addition the size and weight of the structure would have necessitated a foundation below frostline or set directly on bedrock.

3) Laying up cut or dressed stone with mortar as a joining agent requires a settling or set up period that prevents the application of several tiers of stone in a short period of time.

4) Also, please consider this source which should be investigated before a final conclusion is made.

Within recent years beautiful buildings have been erected at the "Mound," but the old stone building built in 1845 by Father Mazzuchelli, with its little Italian porches, is still used as part of the main struture.

Source: Wisconsin State Journal, Nov 25, 1923

Larry Koschkee

[Robert Braun]

Larry, you continue to raise good points regarding the ongoing investigation of the stone "fort." I will add a few more...

1. GWJ dictated many (indeed most) of his memoirs from memory, at the ripe age of eighty years old, and periodically though the last ten years of his life. The memoirs resulted in hundred pages of typescript, which Jones himself apparently never edited or made notable revisions of the manuscript. (The reason for this was given by a family descendant in 1936: by this time GWJ was "too old-- weary and passive.") In his "Author's Preface," John Carl Parrish wrote: "The memory of Jones was variable. ...In many instances his memory is vivid and and accurate; but it often slips into error."These and other comments by Parrish, et al underscore my concern with the indefinate nature of Jones' passage "I built a log fort or blockhouse."

2. Would it be reasonable to suggest that perhaps the structure was re-pointed or mortar was otherwise replaced/restored/whatever at least once during the structure's alleged 150+ years of existance?

3. I am informed by one of the Dominican sisters and by readings regarding Sinsinawa Mound that the mound was noted for '"its forest and scattered outcroppings of limestone"--- this coupled with Jones' quarrying operation provides a clue to how deep the soil was/is at various points on the Mound.

4. GWJ sold the ~800 acres of Sinsinawa Mound to Fr. Mazzuchelli for the sum of $6,500 in cash and notes. The deed was transferred on October 3, 1844. This exhausted all of Fr. Mazzuchelli's ready cash... such that by October 25, he was writing a friend in Lyon for money: "I am now in debt, without a penny, but with the tenderest attachment of the poor inhabitants, who supply me with the bread necessaey to sustain life, for from the land which I have purchased I shall harvest nothing for a year. " I question the assertion of the Wisconsin State Journal, only because in late 1844-1845, Fr. Mazzuchelli had no money to construct anything. There is nothing in the traditional hisotry of the structure that suggests it was ever used for anything other than for storage. "Italian porches" sounds too immodest for someone like Fr. Mazzuchelli to put on a storage building. That's my opinion, however.

5. On May 24, 1846, Fr. Mazzuchelli had laid the cornerstone of his "College of St. Thomas," soon to be a large stone building located half-way up the Mound. The school, also known as "Sinsinawa Mound College," would not be completed until after September, 1848. I am informed that at least a portion of this orginal structure yet remains at the Mound.

With warm regards,

Bob.

[Larry Koschkee]

Hope you do not mind if we continue to advance this interesting process of determining the building material composition of Jone's block-house at Sinsinawa Mound.

In this thread you have suggested that scholars reading George Wallace Jone's biography should question the accuracy of his written manuscripts because he was perhaps worn down in his advanced years. With those words of caution based on Parish's caveat it becames a tedious exercise to corroborate the contents of this valuable literary work.

We can sympathize with Jones not quite remembering correctly dates, names or places in the twilight of his years, but something as significant or odd as a stone blockhouse on the frontier strikes me as something one would specifically recall. From what can gather from his literary work and historical accounts all of his buildings, except for stone furnaces, were of log construction. He wrote in his manuscripts that the mound was very happy and memorable time for him and his family. His wife exclaimed after they moved to Mineral Point that she missed their home at the mound. It is clear that living at the mound was memorable for Jones. How could he possibly forget that the blockhouse was built with logs.

If it were true, except for the stone basement of Parish's fort, Jones had the only stone blockhouse in the Michigan Territory and all of the State of Illinois for that matter.

In addition, a stone building would have carried some status in the mining community. Researching The Galenian and The Miners Journal newspapers of the time period did not prove fruitful. It should have carried some weight as a worthy news item.

Another mystery to me is, if there was any hint of truth that the stone structure at the mound was of BHW vintage, why has the Wisconsin State Historical Society not done some extensive research on this oddity? I have been to the society for information on Sinsinawa Mound fort information and have not come up with a shread of evidence. I have corresponded with Mr. Robert Birmingham, State Archaeologist, and he was not aware of any evidence that a stone blockhouse was built by Jones.

Bob wrote: because in late 1844-1845, Fr. Mazzuchelli had no money to construct anything. This statement was in response to the newspaper article citing Mazzuchelli erected a stone building in 1845.

Sinsinawa archive records show that during the winter of 1844-1845 Mazzuchelli tore down a wooden church that had been erected in 1842 on the southeast corner of the Jones property and he moved it up to Sinsinawa Mound and was nearly completed by April 1845. The painting and plastering was finished on August 3rd, 1845. The next day a celebration was held and the honorary speaker, retired Rev. John M. Henni, first bishop of Milwaukee rededicated the church from St Augustine to St. Dominic.

If Father Mazzuchelli was stony-broke as you suggested how do we explain the monetary resources to tear down, move and reconstruct this church?

1844, the same year Mazzuchelli or should we say the church (order) purchased the mound property from Jones he was constructing St Augustines Church at New Diggings. So I suggest Mazzuchelli may have been broke personally and declared it as such in a figurative context, however the church or order had funds to work with.

It is clear Mazzuchelli was a very successful fund raiser and gained a lot of monetary support from the influential people in the region.

I would like to advance this position. Fr. Mazzuchelli erected a stone structure in 1845, just as the newspaper article stated and he may have incorporated "loopholes" in the construction. My basis for the "loopholes" is the history of St Augustine's church in New Diggings cites the following: On the right side of the altar there is a secret passageway built into it for quick escape in case of Indian attacks. This suggests the parishioners and Mazzuchelli were conscious of the fact Indians could still be considered a threat. Or I could be "out in left field" with this position and the secret passageway could have been built to facilitate a quick escape for a bridegroom with "cold feet."

Cordially,

Larry Koschkee