STATE OF MISSOURI HAS A RICH HISTORY FOR BOTH RESIDENTS AND MANY TOURISTS

Missouri's reflection in the many rivers that flow through the state show an interesting picture. The state is one of the largest of the 50, with a fascinating history and land over which the French, English, Spanish and finally the American flag has flown.

There are many things for the residents of Missouri to learn about their home state, and for tourists to see and enjoy.

The story begins when Christopher Columbus with three small ships, staffed with 90 men, started across the Atlantic in 1492 and after traveling 3000 miles in rough seas landed the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria in the West Indies on Oct. 12, 1492 on an island he called San Salvador because it was the church name for the day, (Holy Savior). We know the group of islands as the Bahamas.

They were inhabited by humans whose skin was copper colored, and hair was black, straight and coarse. They wore no clothes.

Columbus called them "Indians" because he was certain he had landed in part of India.

Next year, we will observe the 500th anniversary of Columbus' discovery of "New India". He completed four journeys to the new world before he died in 1504. But he never knew he had discovered a new land that in the distant future would become the United States of America.

It was left to DeSoto and his group to come west from a European port and land in Florida in May 1539. Traveling north and inland, they discovered the Mississippi River in 1541. DeSoto did not reach what was to become Missouri. He died in May 1542 and was buried in the Mississippi River to keep the Indians from knowing about his death. Some of DeSoto's men did reach Missouri, and the state acknowledges the fact. A town in south central Missouri is named "DeSoto" to honor the explorer.

Indians were the first residents of what became the state of Missouri in 1821. The chief tribes were the Osage and the Missouri. Other tribes came and went over the years and left their footprints in Missouri's sand and mud. These tribes were the Kaskaskia from Illinois, who crossed the Mississippi, the Kickapoos, some Delaware and Shawnee Indians who came with Louis Lorimier, the founder of Cape Girardeau, the Illinois tribe, and others.

As the summer tourist season begins, travelers from across the country and other lands will join native Missourians in touring the state.

The role of the Missouri Indians is depicted for tourists to enjoy and learn about at the Indian Museum in the Trail of Tears State Park in Cape Girardeau County. Indian artifacts, crafts, paintings, and information of interest has been attractively exhibited. The Indians forged the paths that would be tramped by early pioneer families, who later settled the state.

Indian families, like American families, developed their own ways and habits for doing things in their homes, on their farms, and in their religious life.

They believed in life after death and faithfully practiced their tribal customs. They developed medicines to cure fevers and other maladies.

Indian men liked to hunt, fish, explore, practice skills, games, celebrations, and strategy in making war against other tribes. Women did the work.

They had no written language. Pictures told a story. Later when they developed a written language, their history was recorded from stories passed down over generations by word of mouth. From this, we have learned more about the Indian nations and the early history of Missouri.

The University of Missouri's archaeology department and the Archaeology Society of Missouri connected with the university have spent years in scientific research, trying to discover the ancient history of Missouri and that of the early men who resided in the highlands, lowlands and plains.

How old is Missouri? It is ancient. More than 10,000 years ago, elephants, bands of camels and giant sloths, which are now extinct, roamed Missouri.

There is much to learn about this amazing state. Anyone interested in learning more may join the state Archaeology Society, 15 Switzer Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia.

As a life member, this writer can assure you the experience will introduce you to a fascinating segment of Missouri's history that will surprise and delight you, and be rewarding.