HISTORY OF KENTUCKY.


  Previous to the exploration by the Anglo-Saxon race about the
middle of the eighteenth century, Kentucky formed a vast hunting
ground upon which the savage tribes of the South and of thle North
killed the elk and buffalo, and occasionally encountered each other
in bloody conflict. No permanent settlements existed within its
borders. Its dnrk forests and cane thickets separated the Chero-
kees, Creeks and Catawbas of the South from the hostile tribes of
Shawnees, Delawares and Wyandots of the North.  A-l ot these
tribes encountered the pioneer, and fiercely disputed the settle-
ment of the country. It is certain, however, that these were not
the original occupants of the country, as ancient monuments of
deep interest speak, in language not to be mistaken, of a race of
men who preceded the rude tribes encountered by Boone and
Finley.  The origin, language and history of these men are
buried in darkness which may never be dispelled; but 'the scanty
vestiges which they have left behind them enable us to affirm.
hat they far surpassed the rude tribes which succeeded them, in
acts and civilization. They had worked the copper mines of the
West, and were in possession of copper tools for working in wood
and stone. Their large fortifications, constr acted of solid in asonrv,
and artificial]y contrived for defense, show that they had foes to
resist, and that they had made some progress in the military art.
How long they occupied the country, whence they came, and
whither they have gone, no one is able to diecide; but certain it
is, that the fortifications and cemeteries which have been examined
are certainly more than 7800 years old, but how munch older is
only a matter of conjecture.
  Passing over the visits to different portions of Kentucky in 1758,
and again in 1767, the company, headed by Daniel Boone in 1769,
and by KDOx in 1770, may be regarded as the earliest visits
worthy of particular attention.  Boone's party remained in the
State two years, and the party led by Colonel James Knox came
one year later and remained about the same time; the two parties
never met.
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