very handsome man, in a beautiful dress.
147. ( ) Woman and Child; showing the manner in which the heads of
the children are flattened.
CHIN-OOK.
On the lower parts of the Columbia, near the Pacific Ocean.
148. _Hee-doh'ge-ats_, ----; a young man, eighteen years of age.
BLACK FEET.
A very warlike and hostile tribe of 50,000, including the _Peagans
Cotonnés_ and _Gros-ventres de Prairies_, occupying the head-waters
of the Missouri, extending a great way into the British territory
on the north, and into the Rocky Mountains on the west. Rather low
in stature, broad chested, square shouldered, richly clad, and well
armed, living in skin lodges. 12,000 of them destroyed by smallpox
within the year 1838!
149. _Stu-mick-o-súcks_, the Buffalo's Black Fat; Chief of the
tribe, in a splendid costume, richly garnished with
porcupine-quills, and fringed with scalp-locks.
150. _Eeh-nís-kim_, the Crystal Stone; wife of the Chief (No. 149).
151. _In-ne-ó-cose_, the Buffalo's Child; a warrior, full-length,
with _medicine-bag_ of otter-skin.
152. _Peh-tó-pe-kiss_, the Eagle's Ribs; Chief of the "_Blood
Band_," full-length, in splendid dress; head-dress of horns
of the buffalo and ermines' tails; lance in his hand and two
_medicine-bags_.
153. _Mix-ke-móte-skin-na_, the Iron Horn; warrior, in a splendid
dress.
154. _Pek-no-máh-kan_, He who runs down the Hill.
155. _Ah'-kay-ee-píx-en_, the Woman who Strikes Many; full-length;
dress of mountain-sheep skin.
156. _Méh-tóom_, the Hill.
157. _Tcha-dés-sa-ko-máh-pee_, the Bear's Child, with war-club.
158. _Wún-nes-tou_, the White Buffalo; a _medicine-man_ or
_doctor_, with his _medicine_ or _mystery_ shield.
159. _Tcha-aés-ka-ding_, ----; boy, four years old, wearing his
robe made of the skin of a racoon: this boy is grandson of
the Chief, and is expected to be his successor.
160. _Peh-tó-pe-kiss_, the Eagle's Ribs; Chief of the Blood Band;
splendid dress.
This man boasted to me that he had killed eight white men
(trappers) in his country; he said that they had repeatedly told
the traders that they should not catch the beaver in their country,
and if they continued to do it they would kill them.
161. ( ) ----, a _medicine-man_, or _doctor_, performing his
_medicines_ or _mysteries_ over a dying man, with the skin of a
yellow bear and other curious articles of dress thrown over him;
with his mystery rattle and mystery spear, which, he supposes,
possess a supernatural power in the art of healing and curing the
sick.
CROWS (BEL-ANT-SE-A.)
A tribe of 7000, on the head-waters of the Yellow Stone
River, extending their hunts and their wars into the Rocky
Mountains--inveterate enemies of the Black Feet; tall, fine-limbed
men, graceful and gentlemanly in deportment, and the most richly
and tastefully clad of any Indians on the continent. Skin lodges,
many of which are tastefully ornamented and painted like the one
standing in the room.
162. _Cháh-ee-chópes_, the Four Wolves; a Chief, a fine-looking
fellow; his hair reaching the ground; his _medicine_
(mystery) _bag_ of the skin of the ermine.
This man was in mourning, having some of his locks cut off.
163. _Eé-hée-a-duck-cée-a_, He who ties his Hair before; a man of
six feet stature, whose natural hair drags on the ground as
he walks.
164. _Pa-rís-ka-róo-pa_, the Two Crows; Chief of a band; his hair
sweeps the ground; his head-dress made of the eagle's
skin entire; he holds in his hand his lance and two
_medicine_-bags, the one of his own instituting, the other
taken from his enemy, whom he had killed in battle.
165. _Hó-ra-tó-a_, ----; a brave, wrapped in his robe, and his
hair reaching to the ground; his spear in his hand, and bow
and quiver slung.
166. _Oó-je-en-á-he-a_, the Woman who lives in the Bear's Den; her
hair cut off, she being in mourning.
167. _Duhk-gits-o-ó-see_, the Red Bear.
168. _Pa-ris-ka-róo-pa_, the Two Crows (the younger), called the
"Philosopher."
A young man distinguished as an orator and wise man, though the
character of his face and head would almost appear like a deformity.
169. _Bi-éets-ee-cure_, the Very Sweet Man.
170. _Ba-da-ah-chón-du_, He who jumps over Every One; on a wild
horse, with war-eagle head-dress on his horse's and his own
head; with shield, bow, quiver, and lance; his long hair
floating in the wind.
GROS-VENTRES
(MIN-A-TAR-REES), PEOPLE OF THE WILLOWS.
A small tribe, near neighbours and friends of the Mandans, speaking
the Crow language, and probably have, at a former period, strayed
away from them; numbering about 1100.
171. _Eh-toh'k-pah-she-pée-shah_, the Black Mocassin; Chief; over
a hundred years old; sits in his lodge, smoking a handsome
pipe; his arms and ornaments hanging on a post by the side of
his bed. (Since dead.)
172. _E'e-a-chín-che-a_, the Red Thunder; the son of the Black
Mocassin (No. 171), represented in the costume of a warrior.
173. _Pa-ris-ka-róo-pa_, the Two Crows; with a handsome shirt,
ornamented with ermine, and necklace of grisly bears' claws.
This man is now the head Chief of the tribe.
174. ( ), ----; woman, the wife of the Two Crows (No. 173).
175. _Seet-sé-be-a_, the Mid-day Sun; a pretty girl, in
mountain-sheep skin dress, and fan of the eagle's tail in her
hand.
CREES (KNIS-TE-NEUX).
A small tribe of 4000, in _Her Majesty's dominions_, neighbours of
the Black Feet, and always at war with them; desperate warriors;
small and light in stature. Half of them have recently died of the
smallpox since I was amongst them.
176. _Eeh-tow-wées-ka-zeet_, He who has Eyes behind him; one of
the foremost braves of the tribe, in a handsome dress.
This man visited Washington with the Indian agent, Major Sanford, a
few years since.
177. _Tsee-moúnt_, a Great Wonder; woman carrying her Infant in
her robe.
178. _Tow-ée-ka-wet_, ----; woman.
AS-SIN-NE-BOINS (STONE BOILERS).
A tribe of 8000, occupying the country from the mouth of the Yellow
Stone River to Lake Winnepeg, in her _British Majesty's dominions_,
speaking the Sioux or Dahcota language, ranging about, like them,
in skin lodges, and no doubt a severed band of that great nation.
4000 of these people destroyed by the smallpox in 1838, since I was
amongst them.
179. _Wi-jún-jon_, the Pigeon's Egg Head; one of the most
distinguished young warriors of the tribe.
He was taken to Washington in 1832 by Major Sanford, the Indian
agent; after he went home he was condemned as a liar, and killed,
in consequence of the _incredible stories_ which he told of the
whites.--(See him on _his way to, and returning from_, Washington,
No. 475.)
180. _Chin-cha-pee_, the Fire Bug that creeps; wife of Wi-jún-jon
(No. 179); her face painted red, and in her hand a stick,
used by the women in those regions for digging the "pomme
blanche," or prairie turnip.
181. ( ); woman and child, in beautiful skin dresses.
CHIP-PE-WAYS (OJIBBEWAYS).
A very numerous tribe, of some 15,000 or 20,000, inhabiting a vast tract
of country on the southern shores of Lake Superior, Lake of the Woods,
and the Athabasca, extending a great way into the British territory; residing
in skin and bark lodges.
182. _Sha-có-pay_, the Six; Chief of the Ojibbeways living north
of the mouth of Yellow Stone River; in a rich dress, with
his battles emblazoned on it.
183. _Kay-a-gís-gis_, ----; a beautiful young woman pulling
her hair out of braid.
184. _Háh-je-day-ah'-shee_, the Meeting Birds; a brave, with his
war-club in his hand.
185. _Kay-ée-qua-da-kúm-ee-gísh-kum_, He who tries the Ground
with his Foot.
186. _Jú-ah-kís-gaw_, ----; woman, with her child in a
cradle or "crib."
187. _Cáh-be-múb-bee_, He who sits everywhere; a brave.
188. _O-tá-wah_, the Ottaway; a distinguished warrior.
189. _Ka-bés-hunk_, He who travels everywhere; a desperate
warrior; his war-club in his left hand and a handsome pipe
in his right; strikes with his left hand; eight quills in his
head stand for eight scalps he had taken from the heads of
the Sioux, his enemies.
190. _Ohj-ká-tchee-kum_, He who walks on the Sea.
191. _Gitch-ee-gáw-ga-osh_, the Point that remains for ever; a
very old and respectable Chief. (Since dead.)
192. _Gaw-záw que-dung_, He who halloos. Civilized.
193. _O'n-daig_, the Crow; a beau or dandy in full array, called
by the Ojibbeways, _sha-wiz-zee-shah-go-tay-a_, a _harmless
man_.
194. _I-an-be-w'ah-dick_, the Male Carabou; a brave, with a war-club
in his hand.
195. ( ), ----; woman.
I-RO-QUOIS.
A small remnant of a tribe who were once very numerous and warlike,
inhabiting the northern part of New York; only a few scattered
individuals now living, who are merged in the neighbouring tribes.
196. _Nót-to-way_, a Chief, a temperate and excellent man, with a
beautiful head-dress on.
197. _Chée-ah-ká-tchée_, ----; woman, wife of Nót-to-way (No. 196).
ÓT-TA-WAS.
A subdued and half-civilized tribe of 5500, speaking the
Ojibbeway language, on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan.
Agricultural and dissipated.
198. _Shin-gós-se-moon_, the Big Sail; a Chief, blind in one eye.
The effects of whisky and civilization are plainly discernible in
this instance.
WIN-NE-BÁ-GOES.
A very fierce and warlike tribe, on the western shores of Lake
Michigan, greatly reduced of late years by repeated attacks of the
smallpox and the dissipated vices of civilized neighbours; number
at this time 4400.
199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206. _Du-cór-re-a_, ----; Chief
of the tribe, and his family; a group of eight.
207. _Wah-chee-háhs-ka_, the Man who puts all out of Doors, called
the "Boxer;" the largest man of the Winnebagoes; war-club in
his hand, and rattle-snake skins on his arms.
208. _Won-de-tów-a_, the Wonder.
209. _Náw-káw_, Wood; formerly the head Chief, with his war-club
on his arm. (Dead.)
210. _Káw-kaw-ne-chóo-a_, ----; a brave.
211. _Wa-kon-chásh-kaw_, He who comes on the Thunder.
212. _Naw-naw-páy-ee_, the Soldier.
213. _Wah-kón-ze-kaw_, the Snake.
214. _Span-e-o-née-kaw_, the Spaniard.
215. _Hoo-w'a-ne-kaw_, the Little Elk.
216. _No-ak-chóo-she-kaw_, He who breaks the Bushes.
217. _Naugh-háigh-hee-kaw_, He who moistens the Wood.
ME-NÓM-O-NIES.
Like the Winnebagoes, mostly destroyed by whisky and smallpox, and
now numbering about 3500, and in a miserable state of dependence;
on the western side of Lake Michigan.
218. _Mah-kée-mee-teuv_, the Grisly Bear; Chief of the nation, and
chief of a delegation to Washington city in 1829 (since
dead); handsome pipe in his hand, and wampum on his neck.
219. _Mee-chéet-e-neuh_, the Wounded Bear's Shoulder; wife of the
Chief (No. 218).
220. _Chee-me-náh-na-quet_, the Great Cloud; son of the Chief (No.
218), a great rascal.
221. _Ko-mán-i-kin-o-haw_, the Little Whale; a brave, with his
_medicine-wand_, his looking-glass, and scissors.
222. _Sha-wá-no_, the South; a noted warrior.
223. _Másh-kee-wet_, ----; a great beau, or dandy.
224. _Pah-shee-náu-shaw_, ----; a warrior.
225. _Tcha-káuks-o-ko-máugh_, the Great Chief (boy).
226. _Aú nah-kwet-to-hau-páy-o_, the One sitting in the Clouds; a
fine boy.
227. _Aúh-ka-nah-paw-wáh_, Earth Standing; an old and very valiant
warrior.
228. _Ko-mán-i-kin_, the Big Wave, called the "Philosopher;" a
very old and distinguished Chief.
229. _O-ho-páh-sha_, the Small Whoop; a hard-visaged warrior, of
most remarkable distinction.
230. _Ah-yaw-ne-tah-cár-ron_, ----; a warrior.
231. _Au-wáh-shew-kew_, the Female Bear; wife of the above (No.
230).
232. _Coo-coo-coo_, the Owl; a very old and emaciated Chief; sits
smoking a handsome pipe.
233. _Wáh-chees_, ----; a brave.
234. _Chésh-ko-tong_, He who sings the War-Song.
235, 236. Two in a group, names not known; one with his war-club,
and the other with his lute at his mouth.
POT-O-WÁT-O-MIE.
Once a numerous tribe, now numbering about 2700, reduced by
smallpox and whisky--recently removed from the state of Indiana to
the western shores of the Missouri: semi-civilized.
237. _On-sáw-kie_, the Sac; in the act of praying; his prayer
written in characters on a maple stick.
238. _Na-pów-sa_, the Bear Travelling in the Night; one of the
most influential Chiefs of the tribe.
239. _Kée-se_, ----; a woman.
KÍCK-A-POO.
On the frontier settlements; semi-civilized; number about 600;
greatly reduced by smallpox and whisky.
240. _Kee-án-ne-kuk_, the Foremost Man, called the "_Prophet_."
Chief of the tribe, in the attitude of prayer.
This very shrewd fellow engraved on a maple stick, in characters,
a prayer which was taught him by a Methodist Missionary; and by
introducing it into the hands of every one of his tribe, who are
enjoined to read it over every morning and evening as service, has
acquired great celebrity and respect in his tribe, as well as a
good store of their worldly goods, as he manufactures them all, and
gets well paid for them. #/
241. _Ah-tón-we-tuck_, the Cock Turkey; repeating his prayer from
the stick in his hand, described above.
242. _Ma-shée-na_, the Elk's Horns; a Sub-Chief, in the act of
prayer, as above described.
243. _Ke-chím-qua_, the Big Bear; wampum on his neck, and red flag
in his hand, the symbol of war or "blood."
244. _A'h-tee-wát-o-mee_, ----; woman, with wampum and silver
brooches in profusion on her neck.
245. _Shee-náh-wee_, ----.
KAS-KAS-KIA.
Once famed, numerous, and warlike, on the frontier, but now reduced
to a few individuals by smallpox and whisky.
246. _Kee-món-saw_, the Little Chief; Chief; Semi-civilized.
247. _Wah-pe-séh-see_, ----; a very aged woman, mother of the
above.
WÉE-AH.
Remnant of a tribe on the frontier; semi-civilized; reduced by whisky
and disease; present number 200.
248. _Go-to-ków-páh-ah_, He who Stands by Himself; a brave of
distinction, with his hatchet in his hand.
249. _Wah-pón-jee-a_, the Swan; a warrior; fine-looking fellow,
with an European countenance.
250. _Wáh-pe-say_, the White.
PE-O-RI-A.
Also a small remnant of a tribe on the frontier, reduced by the
same causes as above; present number about 200.
251. _Pah-mee-ców-ee-tah_, the Man who tracks; a Chief; remarkably
fine head.
This man would never drink whisky.
252. _Wap-sha-ka-náh_, ----; a brave.
253. _Kee-mo-rá-nia_, No English; a beau; his face curiously
painted, and looking-glass in his hand.
PI-AN-KE-SHAW.
A frontier tribe, reduced, as _above_; present number 170.
254. _Ni-a-có-mo_, to Fix with the Foot; a brave.
255. _Men-són-se-ah_, the Left Hand; a fierce-looking warrior,
with a stone hatchet in his hand.
Í-O-WAY.
A small tribe on the frontier, reduced by smallpox and their
enemies; living on the Missouri; number about 1400. Uncivilized
fine-looking men.
256. _Notch-ee-níng-a_, No Heart, called "White Cloud;" Chief of
the tribe; necklace of grisly bears' claws, and shield, bow
and arrows in his hand.
257. _Pah-ta-cóo-chee_, the Shooting Cedar; a brave, with war-club
on his arm.
258. _No-o-mún-nee_, He who walks in the Rain; warrior, with his
pipe and tobacco-pouch in his hand.
259. _W'y-ee-yogh_, the Man of Sense; a brave, with a handsome
pipe in his hand, and bears' claw necklace on his neck.
260. _Wos-cóm-mun_, the Busy Man; a brave.
262. _Mún-ne-o-ye_, ----; woman.
SEN-E-CAS.
Near Lake Erie, State of New York. 1200, semi-civilized and
agricultural. One of the tribes composing the great compact called
the "Six Nations."
263. _Red Jacket_, Head Chief of the tribe; full-length, life
size, standing on the "Table Rock," Niagara Falls.
This man was chief for many years, and so remained until his death,
in 1831. Perhaps no Indian Sachem has ever lived on our frontier
whose name and history are better known, or whose talents have been
more generally admitted, than those of Red Jacket: he was, as a
savage, very great in _council_ and in _war_.
264. ( ), Deep Lake; an old Chief.
265. ( ), Round Island; warrior, half-blood.
A very handsome fellow.
266. ( ), Hard Hickory; a very ferocious-looking, but a mild and
amiable man.
267. ( ), Good Hunter; a warrior.
268. ( ), ---- String; a warrior, renowned.
269. ( ), Seneca Steele; a great libertine. Hatchet in his hand.
O-NEI-DA.
Remnant of a tribe, State of New York, one of the "Six Nations;"
present number, 600.
270. ( ), Bread; the Chief, half-blood, civilized.
A fine-looking and an excellent man.
TUS-KA-RÓ-RA.
New York, remnant of a numerous tribe, one of the confederacy of
the "Six Nations;" present number, 500; semi-civilized.
271. _Cú-sick_, ----; son of the Chief. Civilized and
Christianized.
This man is a Baptist preacher, and quite an eloquent man.
MO-HEE-CON-NEU, or "MO-HE-GAN," THE GOOD
CANOEMEN.
Now living near Green Bay; numbers, 400 or 500; formerly of
Massachusetts; a band of the famous tribe of Pequots; now
semi-civilized.
272. _Ee-tów-o-kaum_, Both Sides of the River; Chief of the tribe,
with a psalm-book in one hand, and a cane in the other.
_Christianized._
273. _Waun-naw-con_, the Dish (John W. Quinney); missionary
preacher. _Civilized._
DEL-A-WARES.
Remains of a bold, daring, and numerous tribe, formerly of the
States of Pennsylvania and Delaware, and the terror of all the
eastern tribes. Gradually wasted away by wars, removals, small-pox,
and whisky; now living on the western borders of Missouri, and
number only 824; lost by small-pox, at different times, 10,000.
274. _Bód-a-sin_, ----; the Chief; a distinguished man.
275. _Ni-có-man_, the Answer; the second Chief, with bow and
arrows in his hand.
276. _Non-on-dá-gon_, ----; a Chief, with a ring in his nose. #/
SHA-WÁ-NO (SHAW-NEE).
Remains of a numerous tribe, formerly inhabiting part of
Pennsylvania, afterwards Ohio, and recently removed west of the
Mississippi River. Number at present about 1200; lost one-half by
small-pox at different times. Semi-civilized; intemperate.
277. _Lay-láw-she-kaw_, He who goes up the River; a very aged man,
Chief of the tribe; his ears slit and elongated by wearing
weights in them, according to the custom of the tribe, and
his hair whitened with age.
278. _Ká-te-quaw_, the Female Eagle; a fine-looking girl, daughter
of the above Chief.
279. _Tea-sqúat-a-way_, the Open Door; called the "Shawnee
Prophet," brother of Tecumsch; blind in one eye, holding his
_medicine_ or mystery fire in one hand, and his "_sacred
string of beans_" in the other; a great _mystery-man_.
280. _Pah-te-cóo-saw_, the Straight Man. Semi-civilized.
281. _Lay-lóo-ah-pee-ái-shee-kaw_, Grass, Bush, and Blossom. Half
civil, and _more than half_ drunk.
282. _Cóo-ps-saw-qúay-te_, ----; woman (the Indescribable).
CHER-O-KEES.
Formerly of the State of Georgia, recently removed west of the
Mississippi to the head-waters of the Arkansas. This tribe are
mostly civilized and agriculturists; number, 22,000.
283. _John Ross_, a civilized and well-educated man, head Chief of
the nation.
284. _Túch-ee_, called "Dutch;" first War-chief of the Cherokees;
a fine-looking fellow, with a turbaned head.
I travelled and hunted with this man some months, when he guided
the regiment of dragoons to the Camanchee and Pawnee villages: he
is a great warrior and a remarkable hunter.
285. _Cól-lee_, ----; Chief of a band of the Cherokees. (Since
dead.)
286. _Téh-ke-néh-kee_, the Black Coat; a Chief, also of
considerable standing.
287. _Ah-hee-te-wáh-chee_, ----; a very pretty woman, in civilized
dress, her hair falling over her shoulders.
MUS-KÓ-GEE (CREEK).
Recently removed from Georgia and Alabama to the Arkansas,
700 miles west of the Mississippi. Present number, 21,000;
semi-civilized and agricultural.
288. _Steeh-tcha-kó-me-co_, the Great King, called, "Ben
Perryman;" one of the Chiefs of the tribe.
289. _Hól-te-mál-te-téz-te-néek-ee_, ----, "Sam Perryman;" brother
of the Chief above, and a jolly companionable man.
290. _Wat-ál-le-go_, ----, a brave.
291. _Hose-put-o-káw-gee_, ----; a brave.
292. _Tchow-ee-pút-o-kaw_, ----; woman.
293. _Tel-maz-há-za_, ----; a warrior of great distinction.
CHOC-TAW.
Recently removed by Government from the States of Georgia and
Alabama to the Arkansas, 700 miles west of the Mississippi. Present
number, 15,000; semi-civilized.
294. _Mó-sho-la-túb-bee_, He who puts out and kills; first Chief
of the tribe.
A gentlemanly-looking man (died recently of small-pox).
295. _Kút-tee-o-túb-bee_, How did he kill? A noted brave.
296. _Há-tchoo-túc-knee_, the Snapping Turtle; half-bred and
well-educated man.
297. ----, woman; hair in braid; remarkable expression.
298. _Tul-lock-chísh-ko_, He who drinks the Juice of the Stone.
299. _Tul-lock-chísh-ko_, Full-length, in the dress and attitude
of a ball-player, with ball-sticks in his hand, and tail,
made of white horse-hair, attached to his belt.
SEM-I-NÓ-LEE (RUNAWAY); 3000.
Occupying the peninsula of Florida; semi-civilized, partly
agricultural. The Government have succeeded in removing about
one-half of them to the Arkansas, during the last four years, at
the expense of 32,000,000 dollars, the lives of 28 or 30 officers,
and 600 soldiers.
300. _Mick-e-no-páh_, ----; first Chief of the tribe; full-length,
sitting cross-legged.
This man owned 100 negroes when the war broke out, and was raising
large and valuable crops of corn and cotton. #/
301. _Os-ce-o-lá_, the Black Drink; a warrior of very great
distinction.
Painted only five days before his death, while he was a prisoner
of war at Fort Moultrie. This remarkable man, though not a
chief, took the lead in the war, and was evidently (at the time
he was captured) followed by the chiefs, and looked upon as the
_master-spirit_ of the war.
302. _Ee-mat-lá_, King Philip; an old man, second Chief.
Like Osceola, he died while a prisoner, soon after I painted him.
303. _Ye-hów-lo-gee_, the Cloud; a Chief who distinguished himself
in the war.
304. _Co-ee-há-jo_, ----; a Chief, very conspicuous in the present
war.
305. _Láh-shee_, the Licker; a half-breed warrior, called "Creek
Billey."
306. _How-ee-dá-hee_; ----. a Seminolee woman.
307. ( ) ----; a Seminolee woman.
308. _Os-ce-o-lá_, the Black Drink. Full-length, with his rifle
in his hand, calico dress, and trinkets, exactly as he was
dressed and stood to be painted five days before his death.
EU-CHEE.
Remnant of a powerful tribe who once occupied the southern part
of the peninsula of Florida, were overrun by the Creeks and
Seminolees, the remnant of them merging into the Seminolee tribe,
and living with them now as a part of their nation. Present number,
150.
309. _Etch-ée-fix-e-co_, the Deer without a Heart, called "_Euchee
Jack_;" a Chief of considerable renown.
310. _Chee-a-ex-e-co_, ----; quite a modest and pretty girl,
daughter of the above Chief.
LANDSCAPES, SPORTING SCENES, MANNERS,
AND CUSTOMS.
----*----
CERTIFICATES.
The Landscapes, Buffalo-hunting Scenes, &c., above mentioned, I have
seen, and, although it has been thirty years since I travelled over
that country, yet a considerable number of them I recognised as
faithful representations, and the remainder of them are so much in the
peculiar character of that country as to seem entirely familiar to me.
WM. CLARK, Superintendent of Indian Affairs.
The Landscape Views on the Missouri, Buffalo Hunts, and other scenes,
taken by my friend Mr. Catlin, are correct delineations of the scenes
they profess to represent, as I am perfectly well acquainted with the
country, having passed through it more than a dozen times. And further
I know that they were taken on the spot, from nature, as I was present
when Mr. Catlin visited that country.
JOHN F. A. SANFORD, U. SS. Indian Agent.
----*----
It gives me great pleasure to be able to pronounce the Landscape Views,
Views of Hunting, and other scenes taken on the Upper Missouri, by
Mr. Catlin, to be correct delineations of the scenery they profess to
represent; and although I was not present when they were taken in the
field, I was able to identify almost every one between St. Louis and
the grand bend of the Missouri.
J. L. BEAN, S. Agent of Indian Affairs.
----*----
I have seen Mr. Catlin's collection of _Indian Portraits_, many
of which were familiar to me, and painted in my presence in their
villages. I have spent the greater part of my life amongst the tribes
and individuals he has represented, and I do not hesitate to pronounce
them correct likenesses and easily recognised; also the sketches of
their _Manners_ and _Customs_ I think are excellent, and the _Landscape
Views_ on the _Missouri_ and _Mississippi_ are correct representations.
K. M'KENZIE, of the Am. Fur Company, Mouth of Yellow Stone.
----*----
I have examined a series of paintings by Mr. Catlin, representing
_Indian Buffalo Hunts, Landscapes, &c._; and from an acquaintance
of twenty-seven years with such scenes as are represented, I feel
qualified to judge them, and do unhesitatingly pronounce them good and
unexaggerated representations.
JNO. DOUGHERTY, Indian Agent for Pawnees, Omahas, and Otoes.
LANDSCAPES.
311. St. Louis (from the river below, in 1836), a town on the
Mississippi, with 25,000 inhabitants.
312. View on Upper Mississippi, beautiful prairie bluffs,
everywhere covered with a green turf.
313. "Bad Axe" battle-ground, where Black Hawk was defeated by
General Atkinson, above Prairie du Chien. Indians making
defence and swimming the river.
314. Chippeways gathering wild rice near the source of St.
Peter's; shelling their rice into their bark canoes, by
bending it over, and whipping it with sticks.
315. View near "Prairie la Crosse," beautiful prairie bluffs,
above Prairie du Chien, Upper Mississippi.
316. "Cap o'lail" (garlic cape), a bold and picturesque promontory
on Upper Mississippi.
317. Picturesque Bluffs above Prairie du Chien, Upper Mississippi.
318. "Pike's Tent," the highest bluff on the river, Upper
Mississippi.
319. View of the "Cornice Rocks," and "Pike's Tent," in distance,
750 miles above St. Louis, on Upper Mississippi.
320. "Lover's Leap," on Lake Pepin, Upper Mississippi, a rock 500
feet high, where an Indian girl threw herself off a few years
since, to avoid marrying the man to whom she was given by her
father.
321. Falls of St. Anthony, 900 miles above St. Louis;
perpendicular fall eighteen feel: Upper Mississippi.
322. Madame Ferrebault's Prairie from the river above; the author
and his companion descending the river in a bark canoe, above
Prairie du Chien, Upper Mississippi; beautiful grass-covered
bluffs.
323. "Little Falls," near the Falls of St. Anthony, on a small
stream.
324. "La Montaigne que tremps l'Eau," Mississippi, above Prairie
du Chien.
325. Cassville, below Prairie du Chien, Upper Mississippi; a small
village just commenced, in 1835.
326. Dubuque, a town in the lead-mining country.
327. Galena, a small town on Upper Mississippi, in the lead-mining
district.
328. Rock Island, United States Garrison, Upper Mississippi.
329. Beautiful Prairie Bluffs, ditto.
330. Dubuque's Grave, ditto.
Dubuque was the first miner in the lead-mines under the Spanish
grant. He built his own sepulchre, and raised a cross over it, on a
beautiful bluff, overlooking the river, forty years ago, where it
now stands.
331. River Bluffs, magnificent view, Upper Mississippi.
332. Fort Snelling, at the mouth of St. Peter's, U. S. Garrison,
seven miles below the Falls of St. Anthony, Upper Mississippi.
333. Prairie du Chien, 500 miles above St. Louis, Upper
Mississippi, United States Garrison.
334. Chippeway Village and Dog Feast at the Falls of St. Anthony;
lodges built with birch-bark: Upper Mississippi.
335. Sioux Village, Lake Calhoun, near Fort Snelling; lodges built
with poles.
336. "Coteau des Prairies," head-waters of St. Peter's. My
companion, Indian guide, and myself encamping at sunset,
cooking by our fire, made of buffalo-dung.
337. "Pipestone Quarry," on the Coteau des Prairies, 300 miles N.
W. from the Falls of St. Anthony, on the divide between the
St. Peter's and Missouri.
The place where the Indians get the stone for all their red pipes.
The mineral, _red steatite_, variety differing from any other known
locality--wall of solid, compact quartz, grey and rose colour,
highly polished as if vitrified; the wall is two miles in length
and thirty feet high, with a beautiful cascade leaping from its top
into a basin. On the prairie, at the base of the wall, the pipeclay
(steatite) is dug up at two and three feet depth. There are seen
five immense granite boulders, under which there are two squaws,
according to their tradition, who eternally dwell there--the
guardian spirits of the place--and must be consulted before the
pipestone can be dug up.
338. Sault de St. Mary's--Indians catching white fish in the
rapids at the outlet of Lake Superior, by dipping their scoop
nets.
339. Sault de St. Mary's from the Canadian Shore, Lake Superior,
showing the United States Garrison in the distance.
340. View on the St. Peter's River, twenty miles above Fort
Snelling.
341. View on the St. Peter's--Sioux Indians pursuing a Stag in
their canoes.
342. Salt Meadows on the Upper Missouri, and great herds of
buffalo--incrustation of salt, which looks like snow.
Salt water flows over the prairie in the spring, and, evaporating
during the summer, leaves the ground covered with muriate as white
as snow.
343. Pawnee Village in Texas, at the base of a spur of the Rocky
Mountains--lodges thatched with prairie-grass.
344. View on the Canadian, in Texas.
345. View of the junction of Red River with the False Washitta, in
Texas.
346. Camanchee Village, in Texas, showing a spur of the Rocky
Mountains in the distance--lodges made of buffalo-skins.
Women dressing robes and drying meat.
347. View on the Wisconsin--Winnebagoes shooting ducks, in bark
canoe.
348. Lac du Cygne (Swan Lake), near the Coteau des Prairies.
A famous place, where myriads of white swans lay their eggs and
hatch their young. #/
349. Beautiful Savannah in the pine-woods of Florida.
One of thousands of small lakes which have been gradually filled in
with vegetation.
350. View on Lake St. Croix, Upper Mississippi.
351. View on the Canadian--Dragoons crossing, 1834.
352. Ta-wa-que-nah, or Rocky Mountain, near the Camanchee Village,
Texas.
353. Camanchee Village, and Dragoons approaching it, showing
the hospitable manner in which they were received by the
Camanchees. Camanchee warriors all riding out and forming in
a line, with a white flag, to receive the Dragoons.
354. White Sand Bluffs, on Santa Rosa Island; and Seminoles drying
fish, near Pensacola, on the Gulf of Florida.
355. View of the "Stone Man Medicine," Coteau des Prairies.
A human figure of some rods in length, made on the top of a high
bluff, by laying flat stones on the grass. A great _mystery_ or
_medicine_ place of the Sioux.
356. Fort Winnebago, on the head of Fox River, an United States
outpost.
357. Fort Howard, Green Bay, an U. S. outpost.
358. Fort Gibson, Arkansas, an U. S. outpost, 700 miles west of
Mississippi river.
359. The "Short Tower," Wisconsin.
360. Passing the "Grand Chute" with bark canoe, Fox River.
361. View of Mackinaw, Lake Michigan, an U. S. outpost.
362. View in the "Cross Timbers," where General Leavenworth died
on the Mexican borders.
363. View on Lower Missouri--alluvial banks falling in, with their
huge cotton-woods, forming raft and snags, 600 miles above
St. Louis.
364. View on Upper Missouri--the "Blackbird's Grave."
Where "Blackbird," Chief of the Omahas, was buried on his favourite
war-horse, which was alive; 1100 miles above St. Louis.
365. View on Upper Missouri--"Blackbird's Grave," a back view;
prairies enamelled with wild flowers.
366. View on Upper Missouri--"Brick Kilns," volcanic remains, clay
bluffs, 200 feet, supporting large masses of red pumice, 1900
miles above St. Louis.
367. View on Upper Missouri--Foot war-party on the march,
beautiful prairie--spies and scouts in advance.
368. View on Upper Missouri--Prairie Bluffs at sunrising, near
mouth of Yellow Stone.
369. View on Upper Missouri--Mouth of the Platte; its junction
with the Missouri, 900 miles above St. Louis.
370. View on Upper Missouri--Magnificent Clay Bluffs, 1800 miles
above St. Louis; stupendous domes and ramparts, resembling
some ancient ruins; streak of coal near the water's edge; and
my little canoe, with myself and two men, Bogard and Bàtiste,
descending the river.
371. View on Upper Missouri--Cabane's trading-house; Fur Company's
establishment: 930 miles above St. Louis, showing a great
avalanche of the bluffs.
372. View on Upper Missouri--View in the Grand Détour, 1900
miles above St. Louis. Magnificent clay bluffs, with red
pumice-stone resting on their tops, and a party of Indians
approaching buffalo.
373. View on Upper Missouri--Beautiful Grassy Bluffs, 110 miles
above St Louis.
374. View on Upper Missouri--Prairie Meadows burning, and a party
of Indians running from it in grass eight or ten feet high.
These scenes are terrific and hazardous in the extreme when the
wind is blowing a gale.
375. View on Upper Missouri--Prairie Bluffs burning.
376. View on Upper Missouri--"Floyd's Grave," where Lewis and
Clarke buried Serjeant Floyd thirty-three years since; a
cedar post and sign over the grave.
377. View on Upper Missouri--Sioux encamped, dressing
buffalo-meat, and robes.
378. View on Upper Missouri--"The Tower," 1100 miles above St.
Louis.
379. View on upper Missouri--Distant view of the Mandan Village,
1800 miles above St. Louis.
380. View on Upper Missouri--Picturesque Clay Bluff, 1700 miles
above St. Louis.
381. View on Upper Missouri--"Belle Vue"--Indian Agency of Major
Dougherty, 870 miles above St. Louis.
382. View on Upper Missouri--Beautiful Clay Bluffs, 1900 miles
above St. Louis.
383. View on Upper Missouri--Minatarree Village, earth-covered
lodges, on Knife River, 1810 miles above St. Louis. Bàtiste,
Bogard, and myself ferried across the river by an Indian
woman, in a skin canoe, and Indians bathing in the stream.
384. View on Upper Missouri--Fort Pierre, Mouth of Teton
River--Fur Company's trading-post, 1200 miles above St.
Louis, with 600 lodges of Sioux Indians encamped about it, in
skin lodges.
385. View on Upper Missouri--Nishnabottana Bluffs, 1070 miles
above St. Louis.
386. View on Upper Missouri--Riccaree Village, with earth-covered
lodges, 1600 miles above St. Louis.
387. View on Upper Missouri--South side of "Buffalo Island,"
showing the beautiful buffalo-bush, with its blue leaves, and
bending down with fruit.
388. View on Upper Missouri--Mouth of Yellow Stone--Fur Company's
Fort, their principal post, 2000 miles above St. Louis, and a
large party of Knisteneux encamped about it.
389. View on Upper Missouri--the "Iron Bluff," 1200 miles above
St. Louis, a beautiful subject for a landscape.
390. View on Upper Missouri--View in the "Big Bend," 1900 miles
above St. Louis; showing the manner in which the conical
bluffs on that river are formed; table-lands in distance,
rising several hundred feet above the summit level of the
prairie.
391. View on Upper Missouri--View in the "Big Bend"--magnificent
clay bluffs, with high table-land in the distance.
392. View on Upper Missouri--Back view of the Mandan Village,
showing their mode of depositing their dead, on scaffolds,
enveloped in skins, and of preserving and feeding the skulls;
1800 miles above St. Louis. Women feeding the skulls of their
relatives with dishes of meat.
393. View on Upper Missouri--Prairie Buffs, 1100 miles above St.
Louis.
394. View on Upper Missouri--"The Three Domes," 15 miles above
Mandans. A singular group of clay bluffs, like immense domes,
with skylights.
395. View on Upper Missouri--the "Square Hills," 1200 miles above
St. Louis.
396. View on Upper Missouri--River Bluffs and White Wolves in the
foreground.
397. View on Upper Missouri--Beautiful Prairie Bluffs, above the
Puncahs, 1050 miles above St. Louis.
398. View on Upper Missouri--Look from Floyd's Grave. 1300 miles
above St. Louis.
399. View on Upper Missouri--River Bluffs, 1320 miles above St.
Louis.
400. View on Upper Missouri--Buffalo herds crossing the river.
Bàtiste, Bogard, and I, passing them in our bark canoe, with
some danger to our lives. A buffalo scene in their _running
season_.
401. View on Upper Missouri--Clay Bluffs, 20 miles above the
Mandans.
402. View on Upper Missouri--Nishnabottana Bluffs.
403. View on Upper Missouri--Indians encamping at sunset.
SPORTING SCENES.
404. Buffalo Bull, grazing on the prairie in his native state.
405. Buffalo Cow, grazing on the prairie in her native state.
406. Wounded Buffalo, strewing his blood over the prairies.
407. Dying Buffalo, shot with an arrow, sinking down on his
haunches.
408. Buffalo Chase--single death; an Indian just drawing his arrow
to its head.
409. Buffalo Chase--surround; where I saw 300 killed in a few
minutes by the Minatarrees, with arrows and lances only.
410. Buffalo Chase--numerous group; chasing with bows and lances.
411. Buffalo Chase--numerous group; chasing with bows and lances.
412. Buffalo Chase--Cow and Calf; the bull protecting by attacking
the assailants.
413. Buffalo Chase--Bulls making battle with men and horses.
414. Buffalo Hunt under the wolf-skin mask.
415. Buffalo Chase, Mouth of Yellow Stone; animals dying on the
ground passed over; and my man Bàtiste swamped in crossing a
creek.
416. Buffalo Chase in snow drift, with snow shoes.
417. Buffalo Chase in snow drift, with snow shoes; killing them
for their robes, in great numbers.
418. Attack of the Bear (Grisly); Indians attacking with lances on
horseback.
419. Antelope Shooting--decoyed up.
420. Sioux taking Musk-rats, near the St. Peter's; killing them
with spears. Women and dogs encamped.
421. Bàtiste and I, running Buffalo; Mouth of Yellow Stone; a
frog's leap.
422. "My turn now;" Bàtiste and I, and a Buffalo Bull, Upper
Missouri.
423. Dying Bull in a snow drift.
424. Buffalo Bulls fighting, in _running season_, Upper Missouri.
425. Buffalo Bulls in their "_wallow_;" origin of the "_fairie
circles_" on the prairie.
426. Grouse shooting--on the Missouri prairies.
AMUSEMENTS AND CUSTOMS.
427. Ball-play Dance, Choctaw.--Men and women dance around their
respective stakes, at intervals, during the night preceding
the play--four conjurors sit all night and smoke to the Great
Spirit, at the point where the ball is to be started--and
stakeholders guard the goods staked.
428. Ball-play of the Choctaws--_ball up_--one party painted
white; each has two sticks with a web at their ends, in which
they catch the ball and throw it--they all have tails of
horse-hair or quills attached to their girdles or belts.
Each party has a limit or bye, beyond which it is their object to
force the ball, which, if done, counts them one for game.
429. Ball-play--same as 428, excepting that the ball is _down_,
which changes the scene.
430. Ball-play of the women, Prairie du Chien.--Calicoes and other
presents are placed on a pole by the men--the women choose
sides and play for them, to the great amusement of the men.
In this play there are two balls attached to the ends of a string
eighteen inches in length: the women have a stick in each hand, on
which they catch the string and throw it. #/
431. Game of "_Tchung-kee_" of the Mandans, the principal and most
valued game of that tribe.
A beautiful athletic exercise, and one on which they often bet and
risk all their personal goods and chattels.
432. Horse-Racing, Mandan, on a Race-Course back of the Village,
in use on every fair-day.
433. Foot-Race, Mandans, on the same ground, and as often run.
434. Canoe-Race--Chippeways in Bark Canoes, near the Sault de St.
Mary's; an Indian _Regatta_, a thrilling scene.
435. Archery of the Mandans.
The strife is to prove who can get the greatest number of arrows
flying in the air at a time, before the first one reaches the
ground. The most of these are _portraits_ closely studied from
nature. I have seen some of them get eight arrows in the air at one
time.
436. Dance of the Chiefs, Sioux.
A very unusual thing, as the dancing is generally left to the young
men; given to me expressly as a compliment by the chiefs, that I
might make a painting of it.
437. Dog Dance, Sioux.
The dog's liver and heart are taken raw and bleeding, and placed
upon a crotch; and, being cut into slips, each man dances up to it,
bites off and swallows a piece of it, boasting, at the same time,
that he has thus swallowed a piece of the heart of his enemy, whom
he has slain in battle.
438. Scalp Dance, Sioux--Women in the centre, holding the scalps
on poles, and warriors dancing around, brandishing their
war-weapons in the most frightful manner, and yelping as loud
as they can scream.
439. Begging Dance, Sacs and Foxes, danced for the purpose of
getting presents from the spectators.
440. Buffalo Dance, Mandans, with the mask of the buffalo on.
Danced to make buffalo come, when they are like to starve for want
of food. Song to the Great Spirit, imploring him to send them
buffalo, and they will cook the best of it for him.
441. Ball-play Dance, Choctaws.
442. Dance to the Berdash, Sac and Fox.
An unaccountable and ludicrous custom amongst the Sacs and Foxes,
which admits not of an entire explanation.
443. Beggars' Dance, (Sioux,) for presents.
444. Dance to the Medicine Bag of the Brave, Sacs and Foxes.
Warriors returned from battle, with scalps, dance in front of the
widow's lodge, whose husband has been killed. They sing to his
medicine-bag, which is hung on a bush, and throw presents to the
widow.
445. Braves' Dance, Boasting, &c., Sioux.
446. Green Corn Dance, Minnatarree--Sacrificing the first kettle
to the Great Spirit. #/
Four medicine men, whose bodies are painted with white clay, dance
around the kettle until the corn is well boiled; and they then burn
it to cinders, as an offering to the Great Spirit. The fire is then
destroyed, and _new fire_ created by rubbing two sticks together,
with which the corn for their own feast is cooked.
447. Bear Dance, Sioux--Preparing for a Bear Hunt--Song to the
Great Spirit, praying for success.
448. Discovery Dance, Sacs and Foxes--A Pantomime; pretending to
discover game, or an enemy.
A very picturesque and pleasing dance.
449. Eagle Dance, Choctaw--Holding the eagle's tail in the hand,
and bodies painted white.
Given in honour of that valiant bird.
450. Slave Dance, Sacs and Foxes.
A society of young men, who volunteer to be slaves for two years,
and elect their chief or master; they are then exempt from slavish
duties during the remainder of their lives, and are allowed to go
on war-parties.
451. Snow-shoe Dance, Ojibbeway--danced at the first fall of snow,
with snow shoes on the feet.
Song of thanks to the Great Spirit.
452. Brave's Dance, Ojibbeway--bragging and boasting.
453. Pipe Dance, Assineboins.
Each dancer is "_smoked_" by the chief, who sits smoking his pipe,
and then _pulled_ up into the dance.
454. Straw Dance, Sioux.
Children made to dance with burning straws tied to their bodies, to
make them tough and brave.
455. Sham Fight, Mandan Boys--School of practice every morning at
sunrise, back of the village--instructed in it by the chiefs
and braves.
456. Sham Scalp Dance, by the Mandan Boys--danced in the village
when they come in, in honour of a sham victory.
457. War Dance of the Sioux.
Each warrior, in turn, jumps through the fire, and then advances
shouting and boasting, and taking his oath, as he "strikes the
_reddened post_."
458. Foot War Party in Council, Mandan.
Stopping to rest and take a smoke; chief with a war-eagle
head-dress on; their shields and weapons lying on the ground behind
them.
459. Camanchee War Party--the Chief discovering the enemy and
urging on his men, at sunrise.
460. Religious Ceremony; a Sioux, with splints through his flesh,
and his body hanging to a pole, with his medicine-bag in his
hand, looks at the sun from its rising to its setting. #/
A voluntary cruel self-torture, which entitles him to great respect
for the remainder of his life, as a _medicine_ or _mystery_ man.
461. Dragoons on the March, and a band of Buffalo breaking through
their ranks, in Texas, 1835.
462. Prairie Dog Village.
Myriads of these curious little animals sometimes are found in one
village, which will extend several miles. The animals are about
twice the size of a rat, and not unlike it in appearance and many
of their habits. They dig holes in the ground, and the dirt which
is thrown up makes a little mound, on which they sit and bark when
danger approaches. They feed upon the grass, which is their only
food.
463. "Smoking Horses," a curious custom of the Sacs and Foxes.
Foxes, going to war, come to the Sacs, to beg for horses; they sit
in a circle and smoke, and the young men ride around them, and
cut their shoulders with their whips until the blood runs, then
dismount and present a horse.
464. Mandans attacking a party of Riccarees, whom they had driven
into a ravine, near the Mandan village, where they killed the
whole number.
465. Chippeways making the portage around the Falls of St.
Anthony, with two hundred bark canoes, in 1835.
466. Camanchees moving, and Dog Fight--dogs as well as horses drag
the lodge-poles with packs upon them.
These fights generally begin with the dogs, and end in desperate
battle; amongst the squaws, to the great amusement of the men.
467. White Wolves attacking a Buffalo Bull.
468. Ditto, ditto--a parley.
469. _My horse "Charley" and I_, at sunrise, near the Neosho, on
an extensive prairie, encamping on the grass; my saddle for
a pillow, two buffalo-skins for my bed, my gun in my arms;
a coffee-pot and tin cup, a fire made of buffalo-dung, and
Charley (a Camanchee clay-bank mustang) picketed near me.
With him alone I crossed the prairie from Fort Gibson, on the
Arkansas, to St. Louis, 550 miles.
470. _Sioux worshipping at the Red Boulders._ A large boulder and
two small ones, bearing some resemblance to a buffalo cow and
two calves, painted red by the Indians, and regarded by them
with superstitious reverence, near the "Coteau des Prairies."
471. _Camanchee Warrior lancing an Osage_, at full speed.
472. _Camanchees giving the Arrows to the Medicine Rock._
A curious superstition of the Camanchees: going to war, they have
no faith in their success, unless they pass a celebrated painted
rock, where they appease the spirit of war (who resides there), by
riding by it at full gallop, and sacrificing their best arrow by
throwing it against the side of the ledge.
473. _"Bàtiste, Bogard, and I" approaching Buffalo_, on the
Missouri.
474. _Wi-jun-jon (an Assinneboin Chief), going to and returning
from Washington._
This man was taken to that city in 1832, in a beautiful Indian
dress, by Major Sanford, the Indian agent, and returned to his
country the next spring, in a Colonel's uniform. He lectured a
while to his people on the customs of the whites, when he was
denounced by them for telling lies, which he had learned of the
whites, and was, by his own people, put to death at the mouth of
the Yellow Stone.
475. "_Butte de Mort_," Upper Missouri, a great burial-place of
the Sioux, called by the French "_Butte de Mort_," Hill of
Death.
Regarded by the Indians with great dread and superstition. There
are several thousand buffalo and human skulls, perfectly bleached
and curiously arranged about it.
476. "_Rain-making_," amongst the Mandans, a very curious custom.
Medicine-men performing their mysteries inside of the lodge,
and young men volunteer to stand upon the lodge from sunrise
until sundown, in turn, commanding it to rain.
Each one has to hazard the disgrace which attaches (when he
descends at sundown) to a fruitless attempt; and he who succeeds
acquires a lasting reputation as a _Mystery or Medicine man_. _They
never fail to make it rain!_ as this ceremony continues from day to
day until rain comes.
477. "Smoking the Shield." A young warrior, making his shield,
invites his friends to a carouse and a feast, who dance
around his shield as it is smoking and hardening over a fire
built in the ground.
478. "_The Thunder's Nest_" (Nid du Tonnerre), and a party of
Indians cautiously approaching it, Coteau des Prairies.
Tradition of the Sioux is that in this little bunch of bushes the
thunders are hatched out by quite a small bird, about as large (say
their _Medicine-men_, who profess to have seen it) as the end of a
man's thumb. She sits on her eggs, and they hatch out in claps of
thunder. No one approaches within several rods of the place.
479. _Sac and Fox Indians sailing in canoes_, by holding up their
blankets.
480. _Grand Tournament of the Camanchees_, and a Sham Fight in a
large encampment, on the borders of Texas.
481. _Bogard, Bàtiste, and I, travelling_ through a Missouri
bottom, grass ten feet high.
482. _Band of Sioux_, moving.
483. _Bogard, Bàtiste, and I_, descending the Missouri River.
484. _Bogard, Bàtiste, and I_, eating our breakfast on a pile of
drift wood, Upper Missouri.
485. _Medicine Buffalo_ of the Sioux, the figure of a buffalo cut
out of the turf on the prairie, and visited by the Indians
going on a buffalo-hunt.
486. _Bogard, Bàtiste, and I_, chasing a herd of buffalo in high
grass, on a Missouri bottom.
487. Feats of Horsemanship.
Camanchees throwing themselves on the side of their horses, while
at full speed, to evade their enemies' arrows--a most wonderful
feat.
488. Camanchee War Party meeting the Dragoons; and one of their
bravest men advancing to shake hands with Colonel Dodge, with
a piece of white buffalo-skin on the point of his lance. On
the Mexican frontier, 1835.
489. An Indian Wedding, Assinneboin--young man making presents to
the father of the girl.
490. Crow at his Toilette, oiling his long hair with bear's grease.
491. Crow Lodge, of twenty-five buffalo-skins, beautifully
ornamented.
This splendid lodge, with all its poles and furniture, was brought
from the foot of the Rocky Mountains.
492. Pawnee Lodge, thatched with prairie grass, in form of a straw
beehive.
493. Camanchee Lodge, of buffalo-skins.
494. Dog Feast, Sioux; a religious feast.
Given to Mr. Sanford (Indian agent), Mr. Chouteau, Mr. M'Kenzie,
and myself, in a Sioux village, 1400 miles above St. Louis, 1833.
The only food was dog's meat, and this is the highest honour they
can confer on a stranger.
495. An Indian Council, Sioux--Chiefs in profound deliberation.
496. Camanchee War Party, mounted on wild horses, armed with
shields, bows, and lances.
497. Scalping, Sioux; showing the mode of taking the scalp.
498. Scalping, Mandans--"Conqueror conquered."
From a story of the Mandans--took place in front of the Mandan
village.
499. Wild Horses at Play, Texas, of all colours, like a kennel of
hounds.
500. Throwing the Laso, with a noose, which falls over the horse's
neck.
501. Breaking down the Wild Horse, with hobbles on his fore feet,
and the laso around his under jaw.
502. _A Bird's-Eye View_ of the _Mandan_ Village, 1800 miles above
St. Louis, on the west bank of the Missouri River.
The lodges are covered with earth, and so compactly fixed by long
use, that men, women, and children recline and play upon their tops
in pleasant weather.
These lodges vary in size from forty to fifty feet in diameter,
and are all of a circular form. The village is protected in front
by the river, with a bank forty feet high, and on the back part by
a piquet of timber set firmly in the ground. Back of the village,
on the prairie, are seen the scaffolds on which their dead bodies
are laid to decay, being wrapped in several skins of buffalo, and
tightly bandaged.
In the middle of the village is an open area of 150 feet in
diameter, in which their public games and festivals are held. In
the centre of that is their "Big Canoe," a curb made of planks,
which is an object of religious veneration. Over the Medicine
(or mystery) Lodge are seen hanging on the tops of poles several
sacrifices to the Great Spirit of blue and black cloth, which have
been bought at great prices, and there left to hang and decay.
503. The _Interior of a Mandan Lodge_, showing the manner in which
it is constructed of poles, and covered with dirt. The Chief
is seen smoking his pipe, and his family grouped around him.
At the head of each warrior's bed is seen a post with his ornaments
hanging on it, and also his _buffalo-mask_, which every man _keeps
to dance_ the buffalo-dance. Some of these lodges contain thirty or
forty persons, and the beds are seen extending around the side of
the lodge, all with _sacking bottoms_, made of a buffalo-skin, and
the frames of the bed covered with dressed skins.
*** Reader, the hospitable and friendly Mandans, who were about
2000 in number when I was amongst them and painted these pictures,
have recently been destroyed by the small-pox. It is a melancholy
fact, that only thirty-one were left of the number, and these have
been destroyed by their enemy, so that their tribe is extinct, and
they hold nowhere an existence on earth.
Nearly twenty of their portraits can be seen on the walls, and
several other paintings of their games and amusements.
MANDAN RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES.
CERTIFICATE.
We hereby certify that we witnessed, in company with Mr. Catlin, in
the Mandan village, the ceremonies represented in the four paintings
to which this certificate refers, and that he has therein faithfully
represented those scenes as we saw them transacted, without any
addition or exaggeration.
J. KIP, Agent Amer. Fur Company.
L. CRAWFORD, Clerk.
ABRAHAM BOGARD.
_Mandan Village, July 20th, 1833._
504. Interior View of the _Medicine_ (or _Mystery_) Lodge of
Mandans, during the first three days of an _Annual Ceremony_.
This ceremony continues four days and nights in succession, in
commemoration of the subsiding of the _flood_; and also for
the purpose of conducting all the young men, as they arrive at
manhood, through an ordeal of _voluntary torture_, which, when
endured, entitles them to the respect of the chiefs, and also to
the privileges of going on war-parties, and gaining reputation in
war. The floor and sides of the lodge are ornamented with green
willow-boughs. The young men who are to do penance, by being
tortured, are seen lying around the sides of the lodge, their
bodies covered with clay of different colours, and their respective
shields and weapons hanging over their heads. In the middle of the
lodge lies the old _Medicine-man_, who has charge of the lodge: he
cries to the Great Spirit all the time, and watches these young
men, who are here to fast and thirst for four days and nights,
preparatory to the torture. Behind him, on the floor, is seen a
scalping-knife and a bunch of splints, which are to be passed
through the flesh; and over their heads are seen also the cords let
down from the top of the lodge, with which they are to be hung up
by the flesh.
On the ground, and in front of the picture, are four sacks
(containing several gallons each of water), made of the skin of the
buffalo's neck, in form of a large tortoise, lying on its back.
These are objects of veneration, and have the appearance of great
antiquity.
By the side of them are two _she-she-quoi_, or rattles, which are
used, as well as the others, as a part of the music for the dance
in the next picture.
505. This picture, which is a continuation of the ceremonies, is
a representation of the Buffalo Dance, which they call
_Bel-lohck-nah-pick_ (the Bull Dance).
To the strict observance of which they attribute the coming of
Buffalo to supply them with food during the season. This scene is
exceedingly grotesque, and takes place several times in each day
outside the lodge, and around the curb, or "Big Canoe," whilst the
young men still remain in the lodge, as seen in the other picture.
For this dance, however, the four sacks of water are brought out
and beat upon, and the old _medicine-man_ comes out and leans
against the "Big Canoe" with his medicine-pipe in his hand, and
cries. The principal actors in this scene are eight men dancing
the Buffalo Dance, with the skins of buffalo on them, and a bunch
of green willows on their backs. There are many other figures,
whose offices are very curious and interesting, but which must be
left for my _Lectures_ or _Notes_ to describe. The black figure on
the left they call _O-kee-hee de_ (the Evil Spirit), who enters
the village from the prairie, alarming the women, who cry for
assistance, and are relieved by the old _medicine-man_; and the
Evil Spirit is at length disarmed of his lance, which is broken by
the women, and he is driven by them in disgrace out of the village.
The whole nation are present on this occasion as spectators and
actors in these strange scenes.
506. Represents what they call Pohk-hong (the Cutting Scene). It
shows the inside of the Medicine Lodge, the same as is seen
in the first picture (505).
This is on the fourth day of the ceremonies, in the afternoon.
A number of the young men are seen reclining and fasting, as in
the first picture; others of them have been operated upon by the
torturers, and taken out of the lodge; and others yet are seen in
the midst of those horrid cruelties. One is seen smiling whilst the
knife and the splints are passing through his flesh. One is seen
hanging by the splints run through the flesh on his shoulders, and
drawn up by men on the top of the lodge. Another is seen hung up by
the pectoral muscles, with four buffalo-skulls attached to splints
through the flesh on his arms and legs; and each is turned round by
another, with a pole, until he faints, and then he is let down. One
is seen as he is lowered to the ground; and another, who has been
let down and got strength enough to crawl to the front part of the
lodge, where he is offering to the Great Spirit the little finger
of the left hand, by laying it on a buffalo-skull, where another
chops it off with a hatchet. In the right of the picture are all
the chiefs and dignitaries of the tribe looking on.
507. Represents what they call the "Last Race."
After they have all been tortured in the lodge in the above manner,
they are led out of it with the weights, buffalo-skulls, &c.
hanging to their flesh. Around the "Big Canoe" is a circle of young
men formed, who hold a wreath of willow-boughs between them, and
run round with all possible violence, yelling as loud as they can.
The young fellows who have been tortured are then led forward,
and each one has two athletic and fresh young men (their bodies
singularly painted), who step up to him, one on each side, and
take him by a leathern strap, tied round the wrist, and run round,
outside of the other circle, with all possible speed, forcing him
forward till he faints, and then drag him with his face in the dirt
until the weights are all disengaged from him, by tearing the flesh
out, when they drop him, and he lies (to all appearance a _corpse_)
until the Great Spirit gives him strength to rise and walk home to
his lodge.
In this scene also the _medicine-man_ leans against the "Big Canoe"
and cries, and all the nation are spectators. Many pages would be
required to give to the world a just description of these strange
scenes; and they require to be described minutely in all their
parts in order to be fully appreciated and understood. (A full
account of these in my _Notes and Letters_.)
* * * * *
NINE OJIBBEWAYS,
WHO VISITED LONDON IN 1845.
508. _Ah-quee-we-zaints_, the Boy Chief; a venerable man of 72
years.
509. _Pat-au-a-quot-a-wee-be_, the Driving-Cloud; a war-chief.
510. _Wee-nish-ka-wee-be_, the Flying Gull; a medicine-man.
511. _Sah-mah_, Tobacco.
512. _Gish-ee-gosh-e-gee_, the Moonlight Night.
513. _Not-een-a-akm_, the Strong Wind.
514. _Wos-see-ab-e-neuh-qua_; a woman.
515. _Nib-nab-ee-qua_; a young girl.
516. _Ne-bet-neuh-quat_; a woman.
FOURTEEN IOWAYS,
WHO VISITED LONDON AND PARIS IN 1845 AND 1846.
517. _Mew-hew-she-kaw_, the White Cloud; first Chief of the nation.
518. _Neu-mon-ya_, the Walking Rain; War-chief.
519. _Se-non-ti-yah_, the Blistered Feet; a medicine-man.
520. _Wash-ka-mon-ya_, the Fast Dancer; a warrior.
521. _Shon-ta-yi-ga_, the Little Wolf; a famous warrior.
522. _No-ho-mun-ya_, One who gives no Attention.
523. _Wa-ton-ye_, the Foremost Man.
524. _Wa-ta-wee-buck-a-na_, the Commanding General.
WOMEN.
525. _Ru-ton-ye-wee-ma_, the Strutting Pigeon; wife of White Cloud.
526. _Ru-ton-wee-me_, Pigeon on the Wing.
527. _O-kee-wee-me_, Female Bear that walks on the Back of another.
528. _Koon-za-ya-me_, Female War Eagle.
529. _Ta-pa-ta~me_, Wisdom; girl.
530. _Corsair_; a pappoose.
TWELVE OJIBBEWAYS,
WHO VISITED LONDON AND PARIS IN 1845 AND 1846.
531. _Maun-gua-daus_, a Great Hero; Chief, 41 years old.
532. _Say-say-gon_, the Hail Storm; 31 years old.
533. _Kee-che-us-sin_, the Strong Rock; 27 years old.
534. _Mush-ee-mong_, King of the Loons; 25 years old.
535. _Au-nim-muck-kwa-um_, the Tempest Bird; 20 years old.
536. _A-wun-ne-wa-be_, the Bird of Thunder; 19 years old.
537. _Wa-bud-dick_, the Elk; 18 years old.
538. _Ud-je-jock_, the Pelican; 10 years old.
539. _Noo-din-no-kay_, the Furious Storm; 4 years old.
540. _Min-nis-sin-noo_, a Brave Warrior; 3 years old.
541. _Uh-wus-sig-gee-zigh-gook-kway_, the Woman of the Upper
World; 38 years old.
542. Pappoose, born in Salle Valentino, Paris.
* * * * *
543. _Death of the White Buffalo._ A feat of the Mandan Chiefs.
544. _A Sioux War Council._ The Chief Waneton speaking, and asking
of the head Chief a war-party to go against the Sacs and
Foxes.
545. _Battle between the Sioux and Sacs and Foxes._ The Sioux
Chief killed and scalped on his horse's back. An historical
fact.
546. _The Death of Ha-wan-je-tah_, the One Horn; head Chief of the
Sioux.
Having been the accidental cause of the death of his only son, he
threw himself in the way of a buffalo-bull. (See Catlin's _Notes_,
vol. ii., for a full account.)
547. _The Long Speech._
It is an invariable rule amongst Indians, that while any one speaks
in council no one can rise. _See-non-ty-a_ (the Blistered Feet), a
great _medicine-man_, made his favourite boast, that when he once
rose in an Ioway council of war it happened unfortunately for the
council that "he began to speak just as it began to snow."
548. _Battle of the Buffalo Bulls._
549. _Buffaloes crossing a Ravine in a snow-drift._
550. _Buffaloes crossing the Missouri on the ice._
551. _Grisly Bears attacking a Buffalo Bull._
552. _Indians spearing Salmon at Night by Torchlight._
553. _Deer-hunting by Moonlight._
554. _Deer-hunting by Torchlight, in bark canoes._
555. _War Party attacked in their Camp at Night._
INDIAN CURIOSITIES AND MANUFACTURES.
Amongst this most extensive and valuable collection of them in
existence, a few of the most remarkable are
A CROW LODGE, OR WIGWAM.
A very splendid thing, brought from the foot of the Rocky
Mountains, twenty-five feet in height, made of buffalo-skins, garnished
and painted. The poles (thirty in number) of pine, cut in
the Rocky Mountains, have been long in use, were purchased with
the lodge, and brought the whole distance. This _wigwam_ stands
in the middle of the gallery, and will shelter eighty or more
persons.
_Indian Cradles_, for carrying their pappooses. _Lances_, _Calumets_
or _Pipes of Peace_, _Ordinary Pipes_, _Tomahawks_, _Scalping
Knives_, and _Scalps_.
A very full and valuable collection of _Men and Women's Dresses_
from the different tribes, garnished and fringed with scalp-locks
from their enemies' heads, _Bows_, _Quivers_, _Spears_, _Shields_, _War-Eagle
and Raven Head-dresses_, _Necklaces_, _Mocassins_, _Belts_,
_Pouches_, _War-Clubs_, _Robes_, _Mantles_, _Tobacco-Sacks_, _Wampums_,
_Whistles_, _Rattles_, _Drums_, _Indian Saddles_, _Masks for their
Mystery Dances_, _&c. &c._
Amongst the immense collection of Indian curiosities, &c., too
numerous to be described in the catalogue, there are Skulls from
different tribes, of very great interest; and particularly several
from the _Flat-heads_, showing perfectly the character of this unaccountable
custom, and also the Flat-head cradles, illustrating the
process by which these artificial distortions are produced.
_Indian Cloths_, _Robes_, &c., manufactured by the Indians from
the mountain sheep's wool, and from wild dogs' hair, beautifully
spun, coloured, and woven.
END OF VOL. I.
Transcriber's Notes
Hyphenation of compound words follows the text. If a hyphenation
occurred on a line or page break, the most common variant was followed.
Suspect spellings are noted, but are retained. The modern word 'grizzly'
is spelled as 'grizly' or 'grisly'.
On p. 273, the numbered list of prints is missing #261.
On p. 291, the asterism (three asterisks forming a triangle) is
represented simply three asterisks.
The following table describes how a variety of textual issues, and
resolution. Where variants were most likely printer's errors, they
have been corrected, otherwise merely noted.
p. 89 visit[e]rs _sic._
p. 135 nonplused _sic._
p. 161 _chickababbo_ _sic._
p. 185 [t/T]he wedding in St. Martin's church Corrected.
p. 195 "Oh, yes, he's here every day[,/.]" Corrected.
p. 196 The Emperor of Russ[s]ia, Removed.
p. 213 tribes of the North American Indians[.] Added.
p. 217 land[s]capes and other scenes Removed.
p. 219 presented to us[.] Added.
p. 252 opportunit[it]ies Removed.
p. 255 Mississip[p]i Added.
leggins _sic._
p. 276 made of whi[l/t]e horse-hair Corrected.
p. 278 delineatio[u/n]s Inverted.
lik[e]nesses Added.
p. 279 [5/3]28. Rock Island Corrected.
p. 283 the ["]Big Bend["] Added for
consistency.
p. 284 Miss[i]ouri Removed.
p. 290 sp[l]endid Added.