Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 1.djvu/27



HILE Iowa is one of the younger states of the Republic, as compared with the Thirteen Colonies which won independence from Great Britain through the War of the Revolution, it has a history which may be traced with some degree of certainty for a period of more than two hundred years. From the time of its discovery in 1673, by Marquette and Joliet, investigation has brought to the knowledge of civilized people many facts relating to the prehistoric period during which it was occupied by the aboriginal races who preserve no history. Through traditions handed down from one generation to another by the Indian tribes, and recorded observations of the earliest explorers who ventured among them, much of the history of the Red Men who made their homes in Iowa has been gathered. The story of the first explorers of our rivers who gave them names, is incomplete, and even the origin and signification of the beautiful name of our State is involved in obscurity and uncertainty.

No connected history of Iowa from the earliest period down to the close of the Nineteenth Century is in existence and the time has arrived when the growing prominence of our State among the members of the Union would seem to justify the presentation of a narrative of the important events of the past. The approaching centennial anniversary of the acquisition of Louisiana, a vast region west of the Mississippi River of which Iowa is one of the greatest states, renders it especially appropriate that its written history should now be given to the public.

In preparing this work the utmost care has been exercised in the investigation of authorities examined, and in all cases of conflict the evidence has been sifted with the sole purpose of discovering the truth. These conflicts of opinion, which are not uncommon, compel the writer to act as a judge in the trial of causes, giving due