These are placed at the head or foot of the grave, or both, and have
painted or carved on them a history of the deceased or his family,
certain totemic characters, or, according to Schoolcraft, not the
achievements of the dead, but of those warriors who assisted and
danced at the interment. The northwest tribes and others frequently
plant poles near the graves, suspending therefrom bits of rag flags,
horses tails, etc. The custom among the present Indians does not exist
to any extent. Beltrami [Footnote: Pilgrimage, 1828, ii, p. 308.]
speaks of it as follows.
"Here I saw a most singular union. One of these graves was surmounted
by a cross, whilst upon another close to it a trunk of a tree was
raised, covered with hieroglyphics recording the number of enemies
slain by the tenant of the tomb and several of his tutelary Manitous."