delegation of Arickarees and Mandans to Washington in 1874:
_List of illustrations._
1006. WA-SHU-NA-KOO-RA. _Rushing War Eagle._
The present head chief of the Mandans, a man noted for kindliness
and benevolence. Age, 43; height, 5.7-3/4; head, 24-1/4; chest, 38.
1005. ME-RA-PA-RA-PA. _Lance._
Head soldier or brave. Age, 38; height, 5.8-1/2; head, 22-3/4;
chest, 38-1/2.
1007. E-STA-POO-STA. _Running Face._
Young warrior, son of Red Cow, a "big chief," who was too old to
travel, and this son sent in his place. Age, 23; height, 5.6; head,
21-1/2; chest, 37-3/4.
884. CHARLES PAPINEAU. _Interpreter._
Born in Montreal in 1820. Has lived in the Mandan country since
1839. Speaks Arickaree, Crow, Sioux, Gros Ventres, Mandan, French,
and English.
6. MISSOURIAS.
The Missourias are a tribe of Dakota descent, living on the Missouri
River, their name being one given them by the Illinois, and means the
people living by the muddy water. They style themselves _Nudarcha_. Were
first heard of in 1673, as the first tribe up the river which bears
their name. Became allies of the French at an early day, and assisted
them in some of their operations against other tribes. Were hostile to
the Spanish and also opposed to the ascendency of English influence. In
1805, when Lewis and Clarke passed through their country, they numbered
only 300 in all, living in villages south of the Platte, and at war with
most of the neighboring tribes. They were affiliated with the Otoes,
having deserted their own villages near the mouth of the Grand some time
previously in consequence of their almost entire destruction by
small-pox. The two have ever since been classed as one tribe. In 1862
the combined tribes numbered 708, and in 1876 only 454. Since their
consolidation with the Otoes their history has been the same as of that
tribe.
_List of illustrations._
481. THRACH-TCHE. _True Eagle._
A full-blood Missouria, and nephew of Ah-ho-che-ka-thocka (Quapaw
Indian Striker), a title gained by his bravery in battle against the
Quapaws, and who was head chief. At his (Ah-ho-che-ka-thocka's)
death, the hereditary successor, Good Talker, was assassinated by
Shungech-hoy and others, when the line of descent fell on True
Eagle, who became chief in 1860, and held the position of Missouria
chief in the confederated Otoes and Missourias until 1874, when he
resigned in favor of his nephew. Is now about 80 years of age, 6
feet in height, with a stout, well-proportioned frame.
503. NOCH-PE-WORA. _The One they are Afraid of._
Is a cousin of True Eagle, and chief of the Eagle band of
Missourias. Is of a mild, genial disposition, with but little force
of character. Age, 45; height, 5.8-1/2; weight, 155; head, 22-1/2;
chest, 35.
484-5. WA-THOCK-A-RUCHY. _One who eats his Food Raw._
His father was of the Bear band of Otoes, and his mother of the
Eagle band of Missourias. He inherited a chieftaincy among the
Missourias, and succeeded to that position upon the death of his
uncle, White Water, in 1868, when he took the name of
LOD-NOO-WAH-HOO-WA, or _Pipe-Stem_. Lacks force of character, but is
of a mild disposition and well disposed. Is about 5 feet in height,
and of a well-developed physical organization.
486. MUNCHA-HUNCHA. _Big Bear_, or _Joseph Powell_.
Is a full-blooded Missouria. Succeeded his grandfather,
Cow-he-pa-ha, as chief of the Bear band, in 1870. When a young man
he lived much of his time among the whites. Possessing more than
ordinary intelligence, he is at present the leading spirit of the
Otoes and Missourias in the industrial pursuits of civilized life.
These qualities have engendered much jealousy in the breasts of the
older chiefs, who throw many obstacles in his way. Besides his good
mental qualities he possesses a splendid physique. Height, 5.11;
weight, 225; head, 23-1/2; chest, 42.
498. BLACK ELK.
7. OMAHAS.
The Omahas were one of the tribes noticed by Marquette in 1673, and by
Carver in 1766, who found them located on the Saint Peter's River. They
were divided into two bands, the Istasunda, or Grey Eyes, and the
Hongashans, and cultivated corn, melons, beans, &c. In 1802, from a
tribe numbering about 3,500, they were reduced to less than a tenth of
that number by small-pox, when they burned their village and became
wanderers, pursued by their relentless enemy, the Sioux. Lewis and
Clarke found them on the L'Eau qui Court, numbering about 600. Since
1815 many treaties have been made with them, always accompanied by a
cession of lands on their part in return for annuities and farming
implements. In 1843 they returned to their village, between the Elkhorn
and the Missouri, and made a peace with some of the Sioux, but their
great chief, Logan Fontanelle, was killed by them not long after. Since
then they have devoted themselves mainly to agriculture, and, under the
fostering care of the Friends, are very much improved in their
condition. In 1875 they numbered 1,005, depending entirely upon their
crops for their subsistence, of which they have considerably more than
enough for their own use. They have three good schools, which are
largely and regularly attended. The older Indians are also abandoning
their old habits and assisting in building for themselves upon
forty-acre allotments of their lands.
_List of illustrations._
885. SHU-DTHE-NUZHE. _Yellow Smoke._
A leading and influential chief among the Omahas, and a man of more
than ordinary intelligence and executive ability. Holds his position
by hereditary descent. Is well off, possessing a large number of
horses and a very well furnished house.
465. GRE-DTHE-NUZHE. _Standing Hawk and squaw._
The oldest chief in the tribe, and consequently one whose words
always command attention in their councils. This view represents him
leading his pony, followed by his faithful squaw.
467. O-HUN-GA-NUZHE. _Standing at the End._
A brave, nearly nude, decorated with "war-paint" and astride a
characteristic Indian pony.
468. MO-HA-NUZHE. _Standing Bent._
A policeman, or one appointed by the chiefs to preserve order in the
village.
463. GI-HE-GA. _Chief._
One of the nine chiefs who govern the tribe, holding their positions
by hereditary descent.
469-470. BETSY.
A noted character among the Omahas, an exponent of women's rights.
Has always accompanied the tribe on their annual buffalo-hunts, and
participates in the chase with the men. Speaks three Indian
languages, besides French and English.
457. AGENCY BUILDINGS.
462. THE VILLAGE OF THE OMAHAS. (1871.)
461. THE VILLAGE. Near view, showing lodges.
464. GI-HE-GA'S LODGE.
459-460. VIEW FROM BLACKBIRD HILL.
In Irving's Astoria is a short sketch of some of the romantic deeds
of Wa-shinga-sah-ba, or Blackbird, a famous chief of the Omahas, who
died in 1802, which concludes as follows: "His dominant spirit and
his love for the white man were evinced in his latest breath with
which he designated his place of sepulture. It was to be on a hill,
or promontory, upward of 400 feet in height, overlooking a great
extent of the Missouri, from which he had been accustomed to watch
for the barks of the white men. The Missouri washes the base of the
promontory, and after winding and doubling in many links and mazes
in the plains below, returns to within 900 yards of its
starting-place, so that for thirty miles, navigating with sail and
oar, the voyager finds himself continually near to this singular
promontory, as if spell-bound.
"It was the dying command of the Blackbird that his tomb should be
upon the summit of this hill, in which he should be interred, seated
on his favorite horse, that he might overlook his ancient domain,
and behold the barks of the white men as they came up the river to
trade with his people."
The river has now changed its course, running far to the eastward,
leaving at the foot of the hill a lake in the old bed of the river.
The mound which was raised over the chief and his horse is now
nearly obliterated, "yet the hill of the Blackbird continues an
object of veneration to the wandering savage, and a landmark to the
voyager of the Missouri."
472-476. GROUPS OF SCHOOL-CHILDREN.
478. EBA-HOM-BA'S LODGE.
479. VILLAGE SCENE.
477. A BRAVE.
471. INDIAN CARPENTERS BUILDING HOUSES FOR THE TRIBE.
8. OSAGES.
The Osages were placed on the Missouri in 1673 by Marquette, who called
them the Wasashe; were allies of the Illinois, and near the last of the
past century had been driven down to the Arkansas. Coming in contact
with the French, they became their firm allies, and joined them in many
of their operations against Spanish and English and other Indians; in
1804, made peace with the Sacs and Foxes, with whom they had been at
war, and settled on the Great Osage River. Their numbers were estimated
then at 6,300. The usual succession of treaties ceding lands, and wars
with neighboring Indians followed, reducing them very much in numbers,
until the breaking out of the civil war, when 1,000 of them went South
and joined the Confederacy. Treaties of 1865, 1866, and 1870 provided
for the conveying of their lands in trust to the United States, and for
their removal to the Indian Territory, where they have been placed under
the care of the Society of Friends, and are now making rapid progress
toward a self-supporting condition. They now number 3,001, of whom 323
are civilized, self-supporting mixed-bloods.
_List of illustrations._
511. JOSEPH, PAW-NE-NO-PA-ZHE. _Not Afraid of the Pawnees._
Governor or chief of the tribe. Was born on the Osage reservation
when in Kansas, and when 12 years of age was placed in a Catholic
mission, where he received a good English education. He still
retains the old customs and habits of his tribe, however. Is a brave
and warlike chief, but yet exerts all his influence to secure peace
between his people and the whites. Is about 40 years of age, 6 feet
in height, with a large and commanding physique; head, 22-1/4;
chest, 41.
886. SHONGA-SA-PA. _Black Dog._
The youngest of the six principal chiefs of the tribe. Is 28 years
of age, and was born on the present reservation. Is the descendant
of a long line of chiefs, one of whom was principal in establishing
peace between the Government and the wild tribes. With the governor,
Joseph, he visited Washington in 1876 to adjust various business
matters in connection with his tribe. Age, 28; height, 5.11-1/2;
head, 22-3/4; chest, 38.
887. GROUP representing the governor and some of the headmen
or councillors of the nation, as follows:
JOSEPH PAW-NE-NO-PA-ZHE. See No. 511.
CHETOPAH.
Died in 1876, aged 38. Was among the first to commence farming and
to live in the white man's way.
PA-TSA-LUN-KAH. _Strike Axe._
Born on the Osage reservation in Kansas 45 years ago. Is one of the
principal "peace chiefs," and also chief of one of the largest bands
of the Osages, over whom he has unbounded influence.
CHE-ZHE-LUN-KAH. _Big Chief._
Chief councillor of the nation, a man of good sense and much
influence. Is the son of a chief; 45 years of age, and was born in
Kansas.
HARD ROPE.
Head war chief of the nation, and a man of considerable ability as
an orator. Served as a scout under General Custer during the Indian
war in the Indian Territory. Is now 50 years old.
513. KAH-HE-KA-WAH-TI-AN-KA. _Saucy Chief._
509. NOM-PA-WA-LE. _A Savage._
510. KE-SI-SI-GRE. _A Distant Land._
512. MAH-KEA-PU-AT-SEE. _One Who Reaches to the Sky._
888. JOSEPH AND BLACK DOG.
889. JOSEPH, BLACK DOG, OGEAS CAPTAIN, AND J. N. FLORER.
9. OTOES.
The Otoes, calling themselves Watoohtahtah, were known to the French as
early as 1673, under the name of Otontanta; were originally part of the
Missourias, and, with the Iowas, claim to have migrated to the Missouri
with the Winnebagoes. They have long resided on the south side of the
Platte River, in mud lodges, confederated with the Missourias, who
formed one village with them. The two tribes now number 457 souls. Under
the care of the Friends, many are laying aside their Indian dress and
habits, and learning to labor. In common with many other tribes, their
annuities are payable only in return for labor performed, which
exercises a most beneficial effect.
_List of illustrations._
480. AR-KE-KE-TAH. _Stand by It._
Is a full-blooded Otoe Indian. He was a leading warrior in his
tribe, and during the early settlement of Nebraska, when an emigrant
train had been attacked on Big Sandy Creek, and robbed of all they
had by a party of Pawnees, Ar-ke-ke-tah, leading a band of Otoes,
fell on them, and, killing the entire party, restored the goods back
to the emigrants, for which he gained notoriety, and received papers
commendatory of this and other valuable services rendered the
whites. By being a man of deep scheming and cunning, he succeeded in
gaining the position of head chief of the tribe, while on a visit to
Washington, in 1854, when the treaty was concluded, in which the
Otoes ceded to the Government the southeastern part of Nebraska. He
was deposed from his chiefship in 1872, re-instated in 1873, but has
been inactive as a chief since, and has lost his influence in the
tribe. He is still living, about 65 years of age, and 5 feet 8
inches high, with square, well-built frame.
482, 492-4, 502. SHUN-GECH-HOY. _Medicine Horse._
His father was an Otoe, and his mother a Missouria Indian. By
hereditary descent he became, in 1854, head chief of the Bear band
of Otoes, and being ambitious, worked himself finally into the
position of head chief of the Otoes and Missourias. In 1874 he led a
portion of the tribe away from their reservation, in violation of
law and agency regulations, for which he, with five others, was
arrested and confined for a time at Fort Wallace. In consequence, he
became alienated from the agency and main part of the tribe, and
lost his position as chief. Has features remarkably coarse; has a
very stern, fierce disposition; is a deep schemer; would be willing
to sacrifice almost any interest of his tribe in order to maintain a
supremacy over them, and has been engaged in many stratagems of the
kind. He is tenacious of old Indian customs, opposed to improvement
that makes innovations thereon, and is a heavy clog on the tribe in
their endeavors to advance in civilized pursuits. In stature, he is
about 5 feet 9 inches, with a heavy-set, well-developed muscular
frame; about 60 years of age.
487, 489, 490. LOD-NOO-WA-INGA. _Little Pipe._
Is a son of Hick-a-poo or Kick-a-poo, formerly a prominent chief of
the tribe. The chiefship had been hereditary through many
successors, and after the death of Hick-a-poo, the present Little
Pipe, in 1858, took his place. He was one of the followers of
Shungech-hoy in 1874; was arrested and imprisoned with him, and has
not since been recognized as a chief. He is of a mild disposition,
well disposed toward improvement, but quiet and without much
individual force of character. Has been under unfavorable
influences, and therefore makes but little progress. He is about 50
years of age, 5 feet 7-1/2 inches in stature, head 23 inches, chest
36, and weighs 155.
488. PAH-HO-CHA-INGA. _Little Iowa._
Generally known by his more proper name of Baptiste Devoin, is a son
of John Devoin, who is half French and half Missouria Indian. His
mother is half Omaha, one-quarter French, and one-quarter Iowa
Indian. He was partially educated at the Pawnee Mission, at
Belleview, Nebr.; can read, write, and speak the English language
tolerably well; also speaks Pawnee, Omaha, and French. He married
into the Otoe tribe, and has been employed at Otoe agency in the
several positions of teamster, farmer, interpreter, and miller,
under former agents. In 1869, he was employed as interpreter for the
tribe, and has continued in that office until the present. In height
he is 5 feet 9-3/4 inches, head measurement 23-1/2 inches, chest 44
inches, and weighs 220 pounds. He is about 40 years of age, and
quite corpulent.
495. TCHA-WAN-NA-GA-HE. _Buffalo Chief._
Is an Otoe Indian, though his grandfather belonged to the Iowa
tribe. He was, when a young man, a self-constituted chief, leading a
portion of the Buffalo band of Otoes, at a time when Sack-a-pie was
chief, and at whose death he became the recognized head chief of the
band, which position he held until 1874. He is still living; is
about 80 years of age, in stature 5 feet 6 inches, and weighs about
160 pounds. He is of rather a mild disposition, though decided in
his ways; concilitory to the whites, and has gained many friends
among them.
497. BAPTISTE DEVOIN AND TCHA-WAN-NA-GA-HE.
The same as given and described in Nos. 488 and 495.
500. { E'EN-BRICK-TO. _Blackbird._
{ OP-PO-HOM-MON-NE. _Buck Elk Walking._
The first is half Otoe and half Omaha; the second, who is
represented sitting, is a full-blood Missouria.
501. { INSTA-MUNTHA. _Iron Eagle._
{ KO-INGA. _Little Thunder._
{ OP-PO-HOM-MON-NE.
{ E'EN-BRICK-TO.
491.--LITTLE PIPE, with Missouria chief and interpreter.
496.--MEDICINE HORSE, BAPTISTE DEVOIN, and interpreter.
10. PONCAS.
The Poncas were originally part of the Omaha tribe, to whom they are
related. Lived originally on the Red River of the North, but were driven
southwestwardly across the Missouri by the Sioux, and fortified
themselves on the Ponca River. United for a time with the Omahas for
protection, but have generally lived apart. Were so exposed to the
forays of the savage Sioux that they were almost exterminated at one
time, but after the treaties of 1817 and 1825 rallied and began to
increase. Were estimated then at 750, which has remained their average
number ever since. In 1858 sold their lands and went on a reservation
near the Yanktons, but being too near their old foes, and not being able
to raise any crops, were in 1865 removed down to the mouth of the
Niobrara, where they now have three villages. Are still exposed to raids
from the Sioux, retarding very much their progress toward a
self-supporting condition. Efforts are being made to have them join
their relatives, the Omahas.
_List of illustrations._
517-518. { ASH-NOM-E-KAH-GA-HE. _Lone Chief._
{ TA-TONKA-NUZHE. _Standing Buffalo._
{ WA-GA-SA-PI. _Iron Whip._
{ WASTE-CO-MANI. _Fast Walker._
519. WA-GA-SA-PI. _Iron Whip._
521. NATIVE DRAWING.
11. WINNEBAGOES.
The Winnebagoes are a branch of the great Dakota family, calling
themselves O-tchun-gu-rah, and by the Sioux, Hotanke, or the Big-voiced
People; by the Chippeways, Winnebagonk--whence their common English
name--a word meaning men from the fetid waters. The French knew them as
La Puans (the Stinkers), supposed to have been given them in consequence
of the great quantity of decaying and putrid fish in their camps when
first visited by white men. With some others they formed the van of the
eastward migration of the Dakotas, penetrating apparently some distance,
but were forced back to Green Bay. This was some time previous to 1670,
as the map of the French Jesuit missionaries, dated 1671, styles Green
Bay the "Bayo des Puans," and the map accompanying Marquette's journal,
dated 1681, notes a village of the "Puans" as near the north end of
Winnebago Lake, on the west side.[A]
[Footnote A: Alexander Ramsey.]
They were then numerous and powerful, holding in check the neighboring
Algonkin tribes, but soon after an alliance of tribes attacked and very
nearly exterminated them. Became firm friends of the French until the
Revolution, when they joined the English; made peace with the colonists
afterward, but sided with the English again in 1812.
In 1820 they numbered about 4,500, and were living in five villages on
Winnebago Lake and fourteen on Rock River. By a treaty in 1832 they
ceded all their lands south of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, for a
reservation on the Mississippi, above the Upper Iowa, but here they
became unsettled, wasteful, and scattered. In 1846 they surrendered this
reservation for another above the Saint Peter's. This proved unfit, and
they became badly demoralized, losing many of their number by disease,
but were kept on it by force. In 1853 they were removed to Crow River,
and in 1856 to Blue Earth, Minnesota, where they were just getting a
start in civilized pursuits when the Sioux war broke out, and the people
of Minnesota demanded their removal. Thus again they were put on the
march, and this time landed at Crow Creek, on the Missouri, near Fort
Randall, a place so utterly unfit, that the troops could not retain them
on it. Out of 2,000 when taken there, only 1,200 reached the Omaha
reserve, to which place they had fled for protection. They were then
assigned a new reservation on the Omaha lands, and placed under the care
of the Friends, and since then have prospered. At the time of their
removal, in 1863, from Minnesota, many of the tribe who had taken up
farms remained, receiving their share of the tribal funds. There were
also last year 860 in Wisconsin, of whom 204 have lately joined those
in Nebraska, swelling their numbers to 1,667. Nearly all of these now
dress in civilized attire, and many of them have taken farms, their
lands being divided into 40-acre allotments for the purpose, upon which
they are building neat and comfortable cottages. There is an industrial
and three day schools on the reserve, which are attended by one-sixth of
their whole number. Their chiefs are now elected annually by the tribe,
who in turn appoints a force of twelve policemen from the Indians to
preserve order.
1080. JNO. M. ST. CYR.
A delegate representing the Wisconsin Winnebagoes. Has been to
Washington three times. His mother was a relative of Little Priest,
one of the most prominent chiefs of the tribe, and his father a
Frenchman.
808. { NAW-CHER-CHOO-NU-KAW.
{ BAD THUNDER.
812. WAH-KUNK-SCHA-KAW, and daughter.
Wife of "Martin Van Buren," a former prominent chief of the tribe.
814. KA-RA-CHO-WE-KAW. _A Blue Cloud Passing By._
809, 813. WINNEBAGO CHILDREN.
IV. PAWNEES.
1. ARICKAREES.
The Arickarees, Ricarees, or Rees, as variously written, call themselves
Sa-nish, or Tanish, meaning "the people," a common form of expression
among Indians to indicate their superiority. They were originally the
same people as the Pawnees of the Platte River, their language being
nearly the same. That they migrated upwards along the Missouri from
their friends below is established by the remains of their
dirt-villages, which are yet seen along that river, though at this time
mostly overgrown with grass. At what time they separated from the parent
stock is not correctly known, though some of their locations appear to
have been of very ancient date, at least previous to the commencement of
the fur-trade on the Upper Missouri. At the time when the old French and
Spanish traders began their dealings with the Indians of the Upper
Missouri, the Arickaree village was situated a little above the mouth of
Grand River, since which time they have made several removals, and are
now located at Fort Clark, in a former village of the Mandans.
The cabins or huts of the Arickarees and other stationary tribes are
built by planting four posts in the ground in the form of a square, the
posts being forked at the top to receive transverse beams. Against the
beams other timbers are inclined the lower extremities of which describe
a circle, or nearly so, the interstices being filled with small twigs,
the whole thickly overlaid with willows, rushes, and grass, and
plastered over with mud laid on very thick. A hole is left in the top
for smoke to pass out, and another at the side for a door. The door
opens a few steps distant from the main building on the surface of the
ground, from which, by a gradual descent through a covered passage, the
interior of the hut is reached. The door is of wood, and the aperture
large enough to admit a favorite horse to the family circle, which is
often done. These buildings are located within fifteen or twenty feet of
each other without any regard to regularity.