The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-04-18
MISCELLANY.
From the Knickerbockcr for March.
The Lost FaVvM.

The removal of the Choctaws from Mis-
sissippi to their new homes west Of the Ter
ritory of Arkansas, gave rise TO numerous
domestic disquetudes. The folowingis is one
among the many instances known TO Hola-
bee," as the writer was called by the lndi-
ans.
The organization of the Choctaw Nation
partakes of q military as well as civil char
acter. The principal chiefs are called colo
nels; the next grade majors, and the sub
chiefs captains. The captains have districts,
and the men, women and children are all re-
gistered by their respective captains. Thus
the strength of the nation is at all times as
certained by calling council. White men
and women are adopted into the nation by
marriage. Occasionally the compliment has
been paid 10 white man, who has entitled
himself to their confidence; children of enc
mics killed in battle and children Of persons
residing among them, who have no parental
protection. Many families were separated,
a portion emgrating, while others remained
behind.
Instances of strong attachment are to be
found among them, which would seldom find
q precedent in civilized life These howev-
er are not characteristic of Indians in gene
raj. The bane of polygamy tends TO weak
en- human affection, except in cases were
the mind shows itself superior 10 the laws
and of society. The names Of Indians de-
pend more on circumstances than on paren-
tage; and the time of giving name 10 a
warrior, hunter, or girl, is alike indcfl-
mite.
Black Wolf was the son of chief When
quite child, he was sent to missionary
school. He remained until his manhood
was nearly developed; having given evil
dence, such as is rarely seen in Indian
youths, of fondness for study. The female
children seldom acquire much learning,
their time being generally employed i'll
learning the use of the needle, and such
other arts as may be useful in after life; for
the females form the working class. Some
exceptions arc to be found, in which females
show fondness for books. OF this descrip-
tion was a quarer-blood Of great beauty,
who from her complexion was called Water
Lilly. She remained at the school as asss-
tantteacher, quite neglected by her parents;
who could discover nothing in her delicate
form, or her fondness for books, that could
add to their comfort; and they were very
willing she should remain as long as the mis-
sionaries would take care of her. A similar
ity of thought is not unfrequeutly attended, by
kindred interest in feeling. Black Wolf
and Water Lilly were often seen reading
from the same book, looking over the same
map, Or tracing the trai'' to the new home
Of their nation, which was at this time
matter of all-absolbing interest, the majority
having already made their arrangements to
remove. Black Wolf received his name
from an act of high daring. When but
youth, he was one day in pursuit of some
small game, with a party of Indian boys
Their dogs had scented an animal and fol-
lowed him to a swamp. The others we're
for calling them of, but Black Wolf still
urged them on, himself following close,
without noticing that his companions were
more cautious. He was soon lost in the
thicket, yet still continued the pursuit.
The dogs soon had the creature at bay, and
no sooner had they grappled, than the lndi-
ans knife was in the animals heart Ii
proved black wolf, of the largest size, the
skin of which he brought off as trophy
His youth made this act the more daring;
and he was soon known by the name which
his early disregard for danger had fairly earn
cd for him, and was allowed caste in the
nation seldom accorded 10 one so young
The course of Black VOLTS studies was
destined TO a sudden interruption. His fa-
mily was among the first to emigrate, and
he was summoned home to prepare for de-