Smith devoted to sharing his Native American artifacts

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Arnold Smith has placed his collection of Native American artifacts on display at the Giddings Public Library and Cultural Center. Smith, once an avid fisherman and hunter, has collected the objects, such as dart points, knife blades, and gamestones, since he was 7-years-old. -- Staff photo by Taylor

July 31, 2003 -- From the time he was about 7-years-old, Arnold Smith walked with his head down. It wasn't that he was shy; he just loved walking across the plowed peanut fields looking for Native American artifacts.

As a child during the "Dust Bowl" days in Giddings/Lee counties, the strong winds and blowing soil helped uncover as many as 100 arrowheads on a good day. Smith said the creek banks of Rabbs Creek held a wealth of artifacts, since many of the Native American tribes camped in the area, at one time.

According to Smith, when the peanut farmers were finished with their crops and the land was fallow, he was allowed on various owners' property to search for the treasures (artifacts) that would become a lifetime project.

Earlier this spring, Smith opened an exhibit at the Giddings Public Library and Cultural Center so he can share the history and artifacts with others. The exhibit is said to be the "largest permanent public display of Native American artifacts in the state," according to the Austin American Statesman.

Along with his collection of dart points, bird points, knife blades, shell pendants, gamestones and various other pieces, Smith has a collection of copper and silver coins from his father.

Once an avid fisherman and hunter, Smith said he was always watching for the opportunity to preserve more history for future Texans and expand on his knowledge of the artifacts.

For many years, he said the collections remained in boxes in closets until his wife finally needed the space for personal belongings. During this time he decided to study and learn all he could about the Native American tribes that inhabited his part of South Central Texas.

According to Smith's research, the Tonkawa tribes were primarily in Central Texas for hundreds of years, hunting and fishing and raising various crops in the area around creeks and other water sources needed for campsites.

Smith said that these tribes were moved to an area along the Wichita River in Oklahoma in 1859, but returned to Texas in 1862. Along with the Tonkawa tribe, the Apaches, Wichitas, Kiowa, Caddo and Comanche tribes were moved around Texas and Oklahoma until the early 20th century.

According to Smith's research, "several projectile point fragments discovered at the site indicate a possible early use of the site by Paleo-Indian people ... approximately 10,000 years ago." Although it has

not been unusual to find the later artifacts in many areas around rivers in Texas, the unusual amount of those found in Lee County by Smith seems to overshadow other small collections.

Smith said that although he searched through various soil types during his career, the fertile soil of the peanut farms in Lee County yielded more artifacts than any of the blackland soils he visited.

While Smith has devoted his lifetime to this unusual collection of Native American artifacts, mostly found on farm land, he remembers no time he would have done things in his life differently.

When asked what the best part of offering this exhibit to the Giddings Public Library and Cultural Center and the City of Giddings was, Smith smiled and tears welled in his eyes ... he just wants this era of Texas history to be passed down to the next generation.

Perhaps, someday, another young boy will walk with his head down, too.