There is evidence that supports this tale, as evidenced by De Soto on his first conquest of the Americas in 1540. In De Soto’s notes he came into contact with natives that had temples, mounds and road systems that lead to many towns in the region now known as the southeastern United States. Surprisingly, against his normal actions it is also noted that De Soto did not kill or enslave any of these natives, nor threaten or take captive any leaders for ransom as he did with nearly all others he came into contact with. In his second expedition in 1593, again the Cherokee were spared direct affects, though the devastation on their neighbors and the knowledge of foreigners surely changed their views of the world (Conley 17-20).
By the 1700’s the
By the 1700’s the