Ohio History Journal




Editorialana

Editorialana.                       233

 

collection. A very large and unique celt, of Williamstite, is one of the

finest of its kind found in Ohio. A new type of stone relic, made of

granite, cylindrical, about 4 inches long and 2 1/2  inches in diameter,

with a groove near each end, is one of the novelties of this collection,

four specimens being shown.

An important addition to the Museum collections is the material

taken from the so-called Hilltop mound, which stood in the city of

Portsmouth. The material includes a unique implement made from a

curved deer horn, with a large beaver incisor set into and thru it, at

right angles to the horn. Another unusual specimen from this mound

is a fine celt of translucent jade, highly polished and symmetrical. The

specimen is of good size, and is one of a very few objects of this material

found in Ohio. Another celt of jade was recently obtained, having been

found near Dayton. Besides the above mentioned objects, the Hilltop

mound find includes a very fine platform pipe of limestone; a cache of

flint blades, several bone implements, and other objects. The specimens

were secured for the Museum from Mr. Paul Esselborn, of Portsmouth,

who obtained them at the time of the opening of the mound.

One of the most valuable of recent additions to the Museum is the

collection of Mr. Clinton Cockerell of Ross county. This collection

which was made in the Paint Creek valley, is large and fine, containing

many specimens unique in character. Among the numerous fine flint

specimens, is a notched spear point of pink flint, 10 inches in length, one

of the finest found in Ross county. From the same locality comes a

tiny notched arrow-point of quartz crystal, barely a half inch long. Other

interesting specimens are: A rare birdstone of bird effigy, of the short

squat type, made of granite and with unusually protruding eyes; several

finely made boat-shape ceremonials, deeply concaved; a fine example of

the rare spool-shaped objects, incised decoration; a ceremonial tube of

banded slate, having a supplementary perforation near each end, at right

angles to the main perforation; a very large lizard-shaped ceremonial, etc.

 

 

ORIGIN OF THE NAME, YANKEE.

Asbury, an author who did not respect the Americans, being an

officer in General Burgoyne's army, and among the captives surrendered

at Saratoga, has the following paragraph upon this word:

"The lower class of these Yankees-apropos, it may not be amiss

here just to observe to you the etymology of this term: it is derived

from a Cherokee word, eankke, which signifies coward and slave. This

epithet of yankee was bestowed upon the inhabitants of New England

by the Virginians, for not assisting them in the war with the Cherokees,

and they have always been held in derision by it. But the name has

been more prevalent since (1775) the commencement of hostilities; the

soldiery at Boston used it as a term of reproach; but after the affair



234 Ohio Arch

234        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

at Bunker's Hill, the Americans gloried in it. Yankee-doodle is now

their pean, a favorite of favorites, played in their army, esteemed as

warlike as the grenadier's march--it is the lover's spell, the nurse's

lullaby. After our rapid successes, we held the yankees in great con-

tempt; but it was not a little mortifying to hear them play this tune,

when their army marched down to our surrender."

But Mr. Heckewelder thinks that the Indians, in endeavoring to

pronounce the name, English, could get that sound no nearer than

these letters give it, yengees. This was perhaps the true origin of

Yankee. Drake. (American Pioneer.)

 

 

MASTERS OF MEN.

A RETROSPECT IN PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS.

This is a political review treating of familiar men and events in

our national politics and especially interesting on account of its rela-

tion to Ohio. The author's gift of portraying graphically, and coloring

picturesquely, the facts of history, adds to the interest and value of the

work, and is sustained throughout. The reader is given pen portraits

and characteristic criticisms of great National figures. The discussions

of the eminent dramatis personae in the presidential politics of the

early eighties are compelling and attractive. In those days there were

intellectual giants in public life. Here we have a powerful perspective

of John Sherman and James G. Blaine written evidently from a personal

sidelight. Famous Ohioans who figured in the political campaigns of

1880 and 1884- McKinley, Hanna, Foraker, Garfield and Judge West-

are all portrayed as only one who knew them can describe. The In-

dependent Republican movement against Blaine headed by Carl Schurz

and George William Curtis is treated with faithful yet caustic criticism.

To this generation that has forgotten many of the interesting and

graphic situations of the past, the work will be an addition to its polit-

ical and historical knowledge. For the student of political life in this

country it will prove a valuable aid in the studying of public affairs.

The author of the work is Daniel J. Ryan, Vice President of The Ohio

Archaeological and Historical Society and a trustee for the past twenty-

five years.

The author discusses his political topics with frank, characteristic

criticisms, and the reader gets Mr. Ryan's views of a number of the

intellectual and political giants and pigmies of campaigns gone by. There

are seven essays: Ohio in National Politics; John Sherman, Statesman;

Preparing for a Contest; "In Chicago in the Heat of June"; The Victory

of the "Plumed Knight"; The Independent Republican Movement, and

Blaine in Ohio.

"Masters of Men," by Daniel J. Ryan; McClelland & Co., Columbus;

75 cents net.