Maumee City express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1838-184?, 1838-09-15
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE CHIPPEWA CHIEF.

| Upon one of those numerous rivers that emp
ty into Saginw bay, about twenty miles from
its mouth, is an open prairie Of two or three
thousand acres, which, from its beauty and ma
tural advantages, had been chosen for the coun-
Gil ground Of the numerous tribes of Indians
that inhabit the southern shore of lake Huron.
In the year 1915, there might have been count
ed some hundred lodges, built after the peculiar
fashion Of the Chippewas for u temporary res
idence. They had las was their custom) as
sembed there to celebrate their religious fes-
tivities, consult upon the affairs of the tribe,
and barter their furs and skins for the COM
modities of the traders.
The precise hour at which my story com
mences, is towards the close of a beautiful
day in the month of May, when the inhabit-
ants of the tents, which were pitched near the
bank ofthe river and extended nearly the whole
distance of the opening, were preparing for
one of their religious dances. Some few Of the
females were engaged in building slight fence
around beautiful green spot, on which the
dance was to be held while the old men were
to be seen reclining carelessly in the rear of
the tents, smoking their large stone pipes, and
relating their remarkable feats in the chase
The young and active were engaged in games
and sports, which seemed to be the very sum
init of their wishes. The air was filled at in
tervals with the shouts of some victorious
wrestling party, and the joyous mirth of the
successful performers of the cross bow. At
evening the youths suspended their sports, and
repaired to the tents, to bedeck themselves in
their fnery for the coming dance. There
was one amongst them, whose ornaments
plainly indicated that he had been more sue
cessful in his hunting excursions than his com
rades he was covered with a prufusion of the
precious wampum his European hat was en-
circled with band of silver, several inches in
width and around his neck was hung string
Of gorgettes, which nearly roaohod tho ground.
His scarlet eggings were of the finest texture,
and were fastened below his knees with straps
of curiously wrought bead work, in which was
represented an eagle in the act of pouncing
upon his prey. The eagle was also engraved
upon all his silver ornaments which was
meant TO represent, that the young Indian
was proud to call that noble bird his Totim or
Protecting Spirit. This youth was called
Nawawgo. He was descended from power
full and noble family, the head of which had in
his day led his young men in many u success
ful battle against the Sioux, who were the or
iginal possessors of the very hills on which his
offspring now hunted with impunity.
Nawawgo having been chosen by the tribe
for chief, was to be admitted as an assistant in
the ceremonies, and allowed to partake of the
fire water, on the evening of the dance for the
first time. AS the youths are never admitted,
until the old and wise men think them fit, it is
considered as desired event. The young In
dian never aspres to the felicity of matrimony
or nebriation, until he has been pronounced
skful warrior and successful hunter but
when he attains these necessary qualifications,
he is allowed to choose for himself wife, to
perform in the wabenoes, and if destined to be
a chief, is vested with the power of his office.
Thus was Nawawgo situated. His former
companions, whose less successful exploits In
the chase had precluded them from partaking
of the inspiring waters, felt degree of envy
towards the young chief, which wanted only
an opportunity to be openly manifested. They
watched eagerly to detect him in some devia-
ton from the strict rules Of the ceremonies,
which would have been viewed as stain'upon
the brilliancy of his debut. He was dancing
by the side of person, apparently few years
older than himself, who had not as yet been ad-
mitted to partake in the ceremonies of the
wabenoe or, in other words, was not pos
sessed ofthe qualifications which would enttle
him to be DUBBED man NaweWgo co9la
his hand, which was sufficient to make Pabaw-
mosh 1.-THE name of the otherl hate him, and to
be particularly anxious to wound his elated
feelings. Presently, in the eyolutions of the
dance, Nawawgo made a miss-step, and fell
upon his knees. Pabawmosh was the first to
raise laugh, which was loudly echoed by all
the envious crowd.
"rhere, saia ne, polhslng az m .ne PROSTATE aa {
chief 'thereIs man ne has been made
cmef this nlght, anu now ne Is @ On ~ ms @ kliees'
IN the act OF acknoWiedging that ne scalped
Fl the bear that his betters shot, and skinned
the beaver caught INNS neignoo' .lap
A crowd had gathered round pabawmosh,