Most evidence of Indian occupancy were perishable, and such durable artifacts as trinkets enclosed in the coffins, arrowheads, and tomahawk heads were picked up and carried from the area, so that within a few decades after white people has superceded the Indians evidence of Indian culture had disappeared.... The disappearance of visible effects of Indian culture was early commented on:

We eat the corn he taught us to grow and stupefy ourselves
with the tobacco he taught us to use.... These are their sole
contributions to the world's progress and comfort. Is it
wonderful that we forget them? (26)

"Historical Geography of Champaign County, Illinois" (1957)
Marjorie Corrine Smith

BACK // FORWARD // TOC