Middletown transcript., 1897-01-30

the Indians made their appearance upon
this continent; and that they were greatly
superior to them. The truth is, by prying
into their mounds and graves. we have dis
covered enough to prove that their mode of
living was very similar to that of the In
dians. Did the Mound Builders hunt? Yes.
Did they fish2 Yes: Did they ight2 Yes.
How do we know2 Because we find bones
of animals in the mounds, fish scales in
their ASH pits" and arrow points sticking
in their skeletons.
Now just what induced these ancient peo-
pie of Asia to cross over to America is not
known and is difficult to guess. 1t may be
that they first visited the Alaskan coasts for
seals; or that they came over to escape the
tyranny of some Mongalian prince; or that,
being nomadic, they crossed over thinking
little of where they were going and doubt
less caring less.
Thus was the peopling of North America
begun. which, like the ages Of geology, has
continued for thousands of years. At first,
nothing but band of Mongolians, wanderss
ing about through the dense forests that
were filled with game; camping by the
rivers that teemed with fish; traversing the
broad prairies that were alive with rowing
herds Of buffaloes; finally, mighty and
distinct race, brought about by climatic
changes and other influences, a race COM
posed of numerous tribes, or bands, Of
whom the Esquimaux Of the North, are
probably remnant of the Oldest.
Now, under such conditions, is it strange
that some of these tribes should have be-
come more powerful than others2 And
could there have been a more desirable
place for such development and growth
than in the Great Basin of the Mississippi
Nature has always been mother to the
savage. She has nourished the infant tribes
of the great nations Of the earth; and out
side ofthe tropics, where has she been more
prolific than in this great valley-a very
paradise for the savage2
Here with their wives and children lived
the Mound Builders. They had come down
from the north, leaving their relatives, the
Esquimaux, far behind them. Here they
lived in great simplicity-hunting fishing
and eating during the day, and dancing by
their camp fires in the evening.
Such people might have been found by
the early settlers of America, had not these
prosperous tribes been surrounded by bands
of their kinsmen who did not possess such
noble hunting grounds, and who were en-.
vieus, as the unfortunate often are of the
prosperous.
Upto this time no defense had been
needed for there had been no enemies, un
til the later tribes, trayersing the country
from north to south and from east to west,
found those who had preceded them oc-
cupying the garden spot Of the continent,
and growing powerful under their despotic
81 1HFsaF Y al felle#ed and hence
the Notifications which fill US with wonder
and admiration.
Professor Locke has said of one of these,
Fort Ancient, that it took no less than one
hundred thousand men one year to build
ii. This. of course, is mere guess work,
but that it took mighty host to construct
an enbankment three and two-third miles
long, and which now after the lapse of CEN
turies, has an average height of thirteen
and three-fourths feet, is not to be ques-
toned.
Whenever their territories were invaded
the great families, or tribes of the surround
ing country, took refuge in these forts,
where they felt as safe as the people of the
walled city of Athens, or the inhabitants
of the impregnable city of Babylon; and
yet these cities were both taken, either by
strategem. or on account of carelessness.
In like manner no doubt the Mound Build
ers were taken, their warriors put to death,
and their wives and children made slaves.
Thus perished those ancient people of our
country who were intelligent enough to
bury their dead, energetic enough to build
fortifcations for the protection of the fam
lilies; but who were not sufficiently civilized
to leave history of themselves and re-
cord of their doings.