Copyright
1954

Printed in the United States of America
Susanville Lassen Litho California

PREFACE

It is with some temerity that the author, a geologist by trainingand an interpretive naturalist by occupation, undertakes to compilethis booklet on Indians who once inhabited the vicinity of LassenPeak.

The main mission of a naturalist, as he functions in the NationalPark Service, is to act as an interpreter of technical informationgathered together by research scientists. It is his obligation aswell as his privilege to make these data of history and naturalhistory available for visitors to units administered by the NationalPark Service of the United States Department of the Interior. ThePark Naturalist is challenged to create in visitors an eager interestby presenting information in an appealing manner so that the greatstories of the respective areas may be learned easily andpleasantly. In doing this, visitors gain fuller understanding andhence better appreciation of the significance of these areas. Thisleads to greater enjoyment of the scenic masterpieces, the scientificnatural wonders, and the historic shrines of areas of theNational Park System. Not only is the visitor’s enjoyment enhancedby his active reception of the interpretive facilities and servicesoffered him by the Federal Government, but his pride is stimulatedin these areas which have been set aside for his own use as wellas for the benefit of future generations. A citizen’s pride in hispark areas in turn develops a love of country. It also promotes asense of responsibility which helps the National Park Service fightvandalism, fire carelessness, and litter carelessness to the ultimatebenefit of all concerned.

Little on the pages which follow may be classed as originalmaterial for it is in the role of interpreter that the undersigned hasassembled information gleaned by qualified students.

The term “Amerind” instead of the traditional word “Indian”was seriously considered for use in this book but finally rejected.Ever since Christopher Columbus’ historic mistake the word Indianhas had a confusing two-fold meaning. Columbus, of course, thoughtthat he had been successful in reaching India when his little fleettouched the shores of the New World. Hence he applied the wordIndian to the people he found there, supposing them to be nativesof India. The term Amerind is a coined contraction of the words:American Indian. The use of Amerind has been advocated by someauthors to do away with confusion, and it does seem to be anexcellent name, but it has not enjoyed wide usage by the Americanpublic.

I am deeply indebted to the following named persons whoseresearch and learned writings have provided the bulk of the informationcontained in the present publication. The bibliography carriesthe titles of the specific references used.

Dr. Roland B. Dixon

Mr. Thomas R. Garth

Dr. E. W. Gifford

Dr. Robert F. Heizer

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