The Vast Majority of Native American Deaths

The article on protecting BRM sites was excellent. However the section on Mission San Jose was not completely accurate. As tragic as the unrecorded deaths of 4,000 Ohlone Indians were, most did not die of hostile actions by settlers. The vast majority of Native American deaths were due to smallpox and other deadly diseases. For further detailed information I suggest reading “Pox Americana” by Dr. Elizabeth Fenn, with pictures for those interested. In light of current health concerns I strongly recommend that no one be permitted to do archeological excavations on the cemetery to prevent the spread of residual smallpox. If you think that Covid is a bad epidemic, then you cannot imagine what smallpox would do in a mostly unvaccinated populace. 

–Michael Lindstrom, Castro Valley