Dedication:

To Theodore Dreiser

Without that leave which fear of trying too severely your friendship of years prevented me from asking, I have taken this liberty. P. McCord

Pioneer Days 1-33

(How the author's grandfather left Pittsburg in the spring of 1833, as a young lawyer with a young wife, traveling down the Ohio river and up the Mississippi to St. Louis, and then three days westward on horseback, to settle in the new county seat. And how he was given possession of "a treasure," by the itinerant Jesuit priest who had become their friend, on his deathbed, to be held for his nephew, or, should he not appear, to be left to someone worthy. The author's grandmother passed it on to him, at her death, in 1905, with the condition that it was not to be opened until 1908, at which point he discovered the manuscript, translated and transcribed by the priest:)

Chapter I The Memoirs of a Cave Dweller 37-62

Of those within the cave of my father I speak. My brothers I give according to their ages. The Oak, the Fir, the Deer, the Eagle, the Storm and myself, who am called the Wolf. These, with my father's women and the women given to my older brothers, were all who lived within the cave...

Chapter II The Power of the Gods 65-83

In good time I said, "Now will I make pots"; for upon this thing had I thought deeply. To the fisher-woman did I say, "From clay will I fashion them; from wet clay and sand will I make pots for our food. Hard shall they be, for in them will they hold water brought from the stream." ...

Chapter III Black Magic 87-106

In time the sons born to me by my women were six. He who came of the fisher-woman was the fairest in my eyes, and, in strength, grew master of his brothers. He was tall, and knew not fear of any kind. In him and his brothers I saw my glory and power incxrease, for sons to man are as little lakes to reflect the brightness of the great sun, but take from it nothing of its fire...

Chapter IV The Speaking Bones 109-133

At this time the sun went down in a red sky and for many days did it so sink at evening. The earth was sick and trembled. The wild animals sought the deep wood, and wolves howled as if filled with much fear. The dogs kept very close to the home cave...

...So here have I with much pain spoken, that my people may ever be feared and served by all tribes about them. And, O, my people, keep this art ever among you, that you may add to my words, if there be more for man to know.

Finis

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A reference at Newark: 1666-1999 A Panorama of Prints - Newark Public:

"...a turn of the century artist from Newark, Peter B. McCord, whose watercolors of Newark in the Japanese style are absolutely intriguing."
Beginning of the Old Plank Road, watercolor by Peter B. McCord, c. 1906.

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