Under this head may be placed those examples furnished by certain
tribes on the Northwest coast who used as receptacles for the dead
wonderfully carved, large wooden chests, these being supported upon a
low platform or resting on the ground. In shape they resemble a small
house with an angular roof, and each one has an opening through which
food may be passed to the corpse.
Some of the tribes formerly living in New York used boxes much
resembling those spoken of, and the Creeks, Choctaws, and Cherokees
did the same.
Capt J. H. Gageby, U. S. A., furnishes the following relating to the
Creeks in Indian Territory:
"... are buried on the surface, in a box or a substitute made of
branches of trees, covered with small branches, leaves, and earth. I
have seen several of their graves, which after a few weeks had become
uncovered and the remains exposed to view. I saw in one Creek grave (a
child's) a small sum of silver, in another (adult male) some
implements of warfare, bow and arrows. They are all interred with the
feet of the corpse to the east. In the mourning ceremonies of the
Creeks the nearer relatives smeared their hair and faces with a
composition made of grease and wood ashes, and would remain in that
condition for several days, and probably a month."