"Complex and paradoxical, Nehemiah Matson (1816-1873) celebrated the occupation of the Middle West by European pioneers even as he labored to preserve the memory of the natives these pioneers replaced. And while he perpetuated the memory of the Indians who were driven out of the territory, he nevertheless accumulated wealth selling their land to the pioneers. Rodney O. Davis notes in the foreword to this book that Matson combined the attributes of a scholar with those of a salesman and promoter.".

"Matson's historical writings are valuable even when he deals with well-known events because his personal perspective makes his observations unique. Without the stories and reminiscences he collected, much valuable information would have been lost, especially since many of his informants, both Indian and European, were illiterate. Because his informants often told conflicting stories, Matson admitted that "harmonizing all conflicting accounts... has not been a success.""--BOOK JACKET.