French and Indians of Illinois River

Description

The author says this is a history of the country between the Wabash and Mississippi rivers, that was once occupied by the Illinois Indians. He says that some of the incidents in the narrative, “…are drawn from history, others from traditions, while many are from the statements of persons who figured in them. To collect these traditions from the Indians and early French pioneers, has been the work of many years, and harmonizing all conflicting accounts, candor compels me to admit, has not been a success.”

Description

"Complex and paradoxical, Nehemiah Matson (1816-1873) celebrated the occupation of the Middle West by European pioneers even as he labored to preserve the memory of the natives these pioneers replaced. And while he perpetuated the memory of the Indians who were driven out of the territory, he nevertheless accumulated wealth selling their land to the pioneers. Rodney O. Davis notes in the foreword to this book that Matson combined the attributes of a scholar with those of a salesman and promoter.". "Matson's historical writings are valuable even when he deals with well-known events because his personal perspective makes his observations unique. Without the stories and reminiscences he collected, much valuable information would have been lost, especially since many of his informants, both Indian and European, were illiterate. Because his informants often told conflicting stories, Matson admitted that "harmonizing all conflicting accounts... has not been a success.""--BOOK JACKET.

Subjects

Series Statement

• Shawnee classics

Other Editions

• French and Indians of Illinois RiverRepublican Job Printing Establishment1874-01-01
• French and Indians of Illinois RiverSouthern Illinois University Press2001
• French and Indians of Illinois river.Republican Job Printing Establishment1874-01-01
• French and Indians of Illinois river.Republican Job Printing Establishment1874-01-01
• French and Indians of Illinois RiverMicroforms.n.]1981-01-01
• French And Indians Of Illinois RiverPaperbackKessinger Publishing, LLC2007-01-17
• French And Indians Of Illinois RiverHardcoverKessinger Publishing, LLC2007-07-25