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EPILOGUE

IN sending forth this slight volume of glimpses of historic Cahokia, the author wishes first to acknowledge the kind aid provided by a student of the early history of this section of the Illinois country, and then to point to its twofold purpose.

The first aim was to set forth in romantic style the aspirations and the trends which led to the founding of this first settlement of white men in the great Mississippi Valley, north of New Orleans. This booklet was to be a brain-child of the author, and not necessarily a deep study in historic lore, yet should it bring to the mind of the reader visions of olden days; visions of scenes once seen by ancient tribes, by couriers-du- Bois, by explorers and missionaries, and lastly by gallant Frenchmen, and amiable French women, who came to make blossom-like the rose these once wild lands.

A second aim was to enthuse men and women, too, to aid in the preservation of the ancient landmarks, the olden buildings, the sacred places which are hallowed by time, and some of which are still in a state of existence which if now reconstructed shall stand as monuments to the integrity, the courage, the ability of the pioneers who braved the dangers of the wilderness, and wrought wonders of progress with frequently inadequate tools. To the consummation of this latter aim this booklet is then dedicated. It shall be the fore-runner of a larger and more comprehensive publication, as opportunity presents itself, and a further study and research may reveal.

Let then men and women, too, resolve to aid energetic ally in bringing to mind the story of historic Cahokia; the restoration to pristine beauty those remnants of past cultural endeavors, the re-dedication to high purposes of the old church and other old buildings of historic worth, still to be found within the confines of the still slumbering, soon to he revivified Cahokia.

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