Lee Green, an Archeological  Steward, for Hopkins County, presented the program at Thursday night's Hopkins
County Genealogical Society, on the Caddo Indians in Northeast Texas.

 

Caddo Indians in Northeast Texas
Was Source Topic at Genealogical Meeting

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Ronnie Glossup, President of the Hopkins County Genealogical Society, calls
Thursday night's meeting to order.

 

Have you ever wondered who inhabited this area, before the Anglo settlers arrived? Do you wonder about some of the Indian artifacts found in this area? Well, Lee Green, an archeological steward, for Hopkins County, explained the Indian migration patterns and the Caddo Indian Culture in the Eastern southern parts of Hopkins County, for those who attended Thursday night's Hopkins County Genealogical Society. Green is an avid archeologist and related a number of his finds, as well as the history of the Caddo Indians in Hopkins County.

The Caddo Indians were the last Indians to live in this area of the state, before the entrance of Anglo Settlers, denoted Green. They were based in what is known as the Titus Phase Basin, a section of land that headquartered on the Big Cypress River and extended into the "four corners" region, of Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. "These Indians basically came to the Red River and 'spread out' across the region, in a farming culture that liked the sandy soils of the region," stated Green. "And, once Anglo encroachment began they moved back toward the Red River, as they sought to be near other Indians and areas of trade with the settlers."

 

 

Green then outlined a number of artifacts that had been found in the Hopkins County Region: "Talco Points".....arrow points that are triangular in shape; Caddo Pottery of the Hudson Engraved, Ripley Engraved, Taylor Engraved, and Anglin Impress designs; and necklaces made from bison teeth, that were worn by the Caddos.

 

The Northeast Texas Caddo Indians were noted for their beautifully designed pottery.

 

 

"We've found a number of archeological sites in the Pine Forest area of Hopkins County," related Green. "The first study of the area was in 1931, when A.T. Jackson, of the University of Texas began a dig on the Culpepper Farm, in Pine Forest."

 

 

 

"Then, since then we have identified sites on the Rasure Farm, Stout's Creek, Anglin Farm, North Caney Creek, Tunier Farm, and on Cross Timbers Creek, in Eastern Hopkins County," related Green. "The artifacts that I brought with me tonight are from these sites."

 

Green brought a number of artifacts from the Pine Forest area of Hopkins County.

 

 

Green then explained the type houses that the Caddos built and how that they many times would burn the home and build on top of the same site. Houses were usually circular in design and made of local materials, with thatched roofs.

The Caddos were located to Oklahoma Territory in 1859, and today continue a Caddo Nation.

Following Green's presentation a question and answer session ensued with many questions about various aspects of Caddo Indian life.

The Hopkins County Genealogical Society meets on the third Thursday of every month, and next month's program will be about a woman in Hopkins County who was an early woman physician and went on to campaign for women's suffrage.

 

If you have information or questions about the Caddo Indians in Northeast Texas, Lee Green can be contacted, by calling (903)438-6368.

 

 

 

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