Walczynski authors new Starved Rock book

Most of us think Starved Rock is named for indians starved out atop the rock by a competing tribe. But, IVCC instructor, Mark Walczynski says, that belief is rooted in numerous questionable accounts written over 50 years. Most, he says don’t stand up against modern day archeaology.

Walczynski new book – the next in a series – is called “Massacre 1769: The Search for the origin of the Legend of Starved Rock”. The book details the indian lifestyle and picks apart the accounts of what happened to a group of indians of the Illinois tribe.

Walzynski says problems arise because the stories don’t agree on the date of the massacre and where it occurred. Some authors place the indians atop the Rock or the base. Another claims some escaped…and still another says a French contingent was attempting a rescue. Walczynski says his book makes a solid case for what he believes happened.

The book is at the “The Book Mouse” in Ottawa, Starved Rock Visitors Center or on Amazon. The former IDNR employee spoke before a Reddick Mansion audience in Ottawa Saturday night.