The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-04-10
Miscellaneous,
From the New York Atlas.

TIFUL Do HUM-ME.-It is not many weeks ago
we learned that number ofIndans of the Sacs, Fox
and Iowa tribes would visit this city, en- route from
Washington. Among the number, particular mem
ton made of a maiden called Do hum me, the
beautiful daughter Of Nan nouce-push e-to, Bufa-
10 king, Before she arrived at this city che was mar
ried to Cuck-hick-ke, Of the principal chief of
the lowas. They came, and, while staying at the
American Museum, were visited by thousands of
spectators, who not pleased with the war
dances of the chiefs than with the beauty of the young
princess She and her husband were the theme of
general admiration. On Monday evening the Indians
attended a ball at the Tivol, where they danced
some ofther exciting dances, and Do-hum-me, it is
said, stood up in cotillon. Returning, the omni-
bus in which they were riding broke down and the
whole party had to walk home. Do-hum-me caught
severe cold, which, on Thursday morning, produced
alarming symptoms. The best Of medical attendants
were called, but in vain. Notwithstanding she
blcd, and ot| ewise attended to, she died at three o.
clock tho day. The grief of her husband and
father violent. They tore the rings from their
ears, and stripped themselves of all ornament Ac.
cordng to their CUSTOM they proceeded TO bury her
within six hours of her decease. We should here
mention that Mrs Sawyer, wife Of the Rev. Mr. Saw
yer, who had taken lively interest in tho Indians
from the time Of their arrival, and who with Do
humme in her sickness and at her death, assisted in
the funeral rites Do-hum-me dressed in allher
richest robes and all her trnkets, and many of the
most valuable Of those of the Indians Her fingers
were covered, and her strung with rings, and
many were placed in the coiin--se veral hundred
were buried with her. Mrs Sawyer had given each
of the Indians small gold crcet, of the kind that
ladies used to frontispiece around their
brows these all inferred with her, was her
portmanteau, which had been bought to convey her
trinkets and presents the home of her fathers.
tin vessel containing food was placed in her coffin,
and some wheat according the custom of her tribe;
and she was conveyed to the Greenwood Cemetery,
and buried in the strangers grave. She was followed
by her husband Mr. Sawyer, Col Devoe, Major Au-
lick, and Major Hall Her father was much afec
ted to attend. After getting into the carriage to fol-
low the body he returned overcome with grief Thus
passed away tho beautiful Do-hum-nle in tho sew
enteenth year of her age, and very shortly after her
marriage. She was an amable and interesting crea-
ture. She was delighted with the presents lav.shed
upon her, and charmed with all she saw. The Me-
odeon particularly excited her admiration, and she
felt convinced that the Great Spirit must be tho espe
cal avorte of the white people, for only by his nsru
mentality could they have been possessed OF so
derfu an instrument. Young, lovely and intelligent
the admired less Of kindred than Of strangers, she
had doubtessly stored up her mind with the won
ders she had witnessed in her travels and anticpa-
ted the pleasure she should have, returning home
in recounting them to her wondering friends and ac
quaintances. She little thought she should see them
no more, that the Great Spirit about to call her
SO early from all her earthly ties.
After the funeral, Nan-n .pnsh-e-to, the father,
formally adopted Mrs Sawyer his daughter, and en-
Joined her TO strew bread and corn round Do-hum-
mes grave, when he gone. She promised to do
so, and this being interpreted to Do.hum-mes hus-
band, he grasped Mrs. Sawyer's hand in gratitude,
and retained it for some time in his embrace We
were there at the time, and silent and sorrowful the
Indians appeared. They were without paint as is
their custom in mourning
The notions of these Indians in regard TO after life,
are strange enough to On the night of the funer
a. tho father of the deceased observed to boil
some food and take it TO the top ofthe museum and
deposite it IN various places Upon being asked why
he did so, he answered, "That her spirit might come
down and eat!''