The Dolores star., 1923-09-14

ture. The highest point OF this mound as 1t ex-
lists today is l02 feet its longest axis is OSO feet
and 1t covers slightly more than 16 acres. The
great pyramid of Cheops in Egypt Is 746 feet
square, and the temple of the Aztecs In Mexico
$50 feet square. In volume, therefore, this Ca
hOkia pyramid is the greatest structure of its kind
found anywhere in the world
There is so much about the huge CahoEia Mound
that is similar to the works of the AZtecs that II
undoubtedly was from that part of the world that
these people came, bringing their religion. their
priesthood their their mode of life and their
middle order Of primitive civilization II is gem
orally accepted however. that the mound builders
Of Illinois did not observe the barbarous human
sacrifices Of the Aztecs
Eminent archeologists estimate that the settle
ment Of the CahOka mound builders numbered
10000 at the height Of its prosperity.
They probably ished and hunted to some ex-
tent, but they likely depended for their subsst-
ence upon their labor in the field and their staple
food was unquestonaby corn
Now for the historical associations of national
Importance. kaskaska was the first permanent
European settlement in the Upper Mississippi Val
ley, as well the first capital of the illinois Ter
rltor%.' Fort Chartres, named for the son of the
regent Of France, built in 1920 by the French
with the Idea of giving protection to the operations
of the Company of the West-.ohn Laws famous
mississippi Bubbe"-organzed In 1717 The for,
was abandoned in 1872, the British garrison going
TO kaskaskia. 1t has now been in part restored
by the state and its powder magazine, the Oldest
building in Illinois, will be used as a historical
museum. When in 1853 the Jesuits were sup-
pressed In France and their property confiscated
TO the crown, the decree was enforced by the
French commander against the Jesults in Kaskas-
kia. The priests were expelled and their proper
w including 200 acres of cultivated land many
cattle and brewery. sold. This was lust
before the British occupation
During the Revolution "HaIr Ruver, Hamilton
Of tl,a
quarters at Detroit, necessarily harried the Amer,
can settlements in Kentucky by Indian raids
George Rogers Clark, n heaven-born military
genius raised up by Providence for the occasion
conceived the plan Of winning peace for Kentucky
by carrying the war to Hamilton at Detroit He
began operations by capturing Kaskaskla taking
it by surprise, without bloodshed
The French of the Illinois territory called rho
Americans Long g-knves" and believed them 70 he
bloodthirsty and cruel They had no love for
their British Overlords but feared the Anericang
exceedingly. When Clark captured KaskaskIa
"i'hout boodshed, treated the inhabitants with
kihdhess ana announced that there would be no
interference with their church and religion the
simple villagers overjoyed and enthusi,st
eniiy took the oath OF allegiance to the United
States. lhey raised company of militia and
accompanied Major Bowman to CahokIa vb.r.
there was another bloodless victory Then they
Volunteered to take Vincennes the sane vay-
which they did. SO Clark got possessIon n, .v.r,
BRUSH post In the Illinois country without n hat,
ue anu WITHOUT the loss Of life. Later that fall
as everyone knows. Hamilton led an .,ned,,inn
from Detroit and recaptured yInrenneg ,,,,, a..
rose IL 10 Clark the next spring and he take, y,
virginia as prisoner
'iafhs sudden appearance and rapid card are n,
these western posts of the British ast,,riahed s..
Sond measure the Indians and their cbIe,y ~, ,/
-'i'e" f'uho ABOUT hocked to zee the mighty war.