9. In many parts of Indiana the mounds of the ancient races are
plentifully distributed. Almost every county has some relics of
this kind within its borders. But the most interesting remains of
the primitive races are those discovered in the ancient cemeteries
scattered between Lake Michigan and the Tennessee River. In many places
the aboriginal tombs still yield the relics of this people of whom we
know so little. In recent years a burial ground near Bedford, Indiana,
has been opened, from which have been taken primitive skulls and other
parts of human skeletons, belonging possibly to some unknown race long
preceding the Indians in our country.
[Sidenote: =The Indians, or Red Men.=]
10. With the Mound-builders, history can be but little concerned; but
with the Red men, or Indians, who succeeded them, the white race was
destined to have many relations of peace and war. On the first arrival
of Europeans on the Atlantic coast, the country was found in possession
of wild tribes living in the woods and on the river banks, in rude
villages from which they went forth to hunt or to make war on other
tribes. Their manners and customs were fixed by usage and law, and
there was at least the beginning of civil government among them.
11. To these tribes the name INDIAN was given from their supposed
identity with the people of India. Columbus and his followers believed
that they had reached the islands of the far East, and that the natives
were of the same race as the inhabitants of the Indies. The mistake of
the Spaniards was soon discovered; but the name Indian has ever since
remained to designate the native tribes of the Western continent.
12. The origin of the Indians is involved in obscurity. At what date
or by what route they came to the New World is unknown. The notion
that the Red men are the descendants of the Israelites is absurd. That
Europeans or Africans, at some early period, crossed the Atlantic by
sailing from island to island, seems improbable. That the people of
Kamchatka came by way of Bering Strait into the northwestern parts of
America, has little evidence to support it. Perhaps a more thorough
knowledge of the Indian languages may yet throw some light on the
origin of the race.
13. The Indians belong to the Bow-and-Arrow family of men. To the Red
man the chase was everything. Without the chase he languished and died.
To smite the deer and the bear was his chief delight and profit. Such
a race could live only in a country of woods and wild animals.
14. The northern parts of America were inhabited by the ESQUIMOS. The
name means _the eaters of raw meat_. They lived in snow huts or hovels.
Their manner of life was that of fishermen and hunters. They clad
themselves in winter with the skins of seals, and in summer with those
of reindeer.
[Sidenote: =Indian Tribes.=]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account