HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
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pied Illinois, with adjacent portions of Iowa, Wisconsin and Missouri. The name is derived from Illini, "man," the Indian plural "ek" being changed by the French to "ois." They were intensely warlike, being almost constantly in conflict with the Winnebagoes, the Iroquois, Sioux and other tribes. They were migratory and depended for subsistence largely on the summer and winter hunts. They dwelt in rudely constructed cabins, each accommodating about eight families. They were always faithful allies of the French, whom they heartily welcomed in 1673. French missionaries labored earnestly among them-notably Fathers Marquette, Allouez and Gravier - who reduced their language to grammatical rules. Their most distinguished Chief was Chicagou, who was sent to France, where he was welcomed with the honors accorded to a foreign prince. In their wars with the Foxes, from 1713 to 1719, they suffered severely, their numbers being reduced to 3,000 souls. The assassination of Pontiac by a Kaskaskian in 1765, was avenged by the lake tribes in a war of extermination. After taking part with the Miamis in a war against the United States, they participated in the treaties of Greenville and Vincennes, and were gradually removed farther and farther toward the West, the small remnant of about 175 being at present (1896) on the Quapaw reservation in Indian Territory. (See also Cahokias; Foxes; Iroquois; Kaskaskias; Mitchagamies; Peorias; Tamaroas; and Winnebagoes.)
ILLINOIS INSTITUTION FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE BLIND, located at Jacksonville. The institution had its inception in a school for the blind, opened in that town in 1847, by Samuel Bacon, who was himself blind. The State Institution was created by act of the Legislature, passed Jan. 13, 1849, which was introduced by Richard Yates, then a Representative, and was first opened in a rented house, early in 1850, under the temporary supervision of Mr. Bacon. Soon afterward twenty-two acres of ground were purchased in the eastern part of the city and the erection of permanent buildings commenced. By January, 1854, they were ready for use, but fifteen years later were destroyed by fire. Work on a new building was begun without unnece
Dundee Area History
