The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-10-06
ONoNDAaA CASTLE, Aug, 1876.

The Onondagas-Ind Feast of Suckerfash.
We Yesterday made visit to the castle OF the
Onondagas, a remnant of whom only remain,
aud they are divided into two parties, (about
equality Christian and Pagan. Many of the
Younger members Of the tribe show the g bleach
ing" influence of ASSOCIATION with the whites very
plainly, especially the children. The whole num-
Der OF the tribe at this time does not exceed 800
The farms they occupy are, some Of them very
well cultivated, under leases, by the whites, and
few of them (the Indians,) are wealthy. A
very great proportion OF them, however, are idle
and disspated Notwithstanding the great exer-
tons which have been made TO educate and re-
form them.
During the past year the S,a'e has appropriated
about $500 toward the erection OF a public school
house near their council grounds "castle," as
1t is called here Beside that sum, the citizens OF
Syracuse have contributed about $500 towards
compromising teacher, Miss Hitchcock, who with
great self denial and perseverance has been la
boring to educate them in the common branches.
Her success thus far has been very flatering, far
exceeding any male teacher who has made at.
tempts to instruct them.
Yesterday was their annual s'feast of sucker
fash, as they call it. The preparations for which
had been made the day previously. The ''feast,"
so far as we could discover, consisted of corn, po
tatoes and pumpkins, boiled in mass with pork,
pigs feet, squirrels, rabbits, &C., served up in
large iron kettles From these each Indian dipped
what he desired with his ladle into small pail,
and ate with his ladle or spoon, made of wood
the war dance, some twenty or thirty men joining
in each sett or dance at Il time, each arrayed in
his official costume. Most of them were naked
down to their hips, excepting their caps, and a
few who woIe sashes Their performances
evinced great muscular elasticity, and with some
great power, but very irregular. Next came the
religious dance, in which the women engaged
Their music consisted OF very simple drum, and
shells filled with pebbles or seeds, and singing
At the intervals between each dance speech was
made by some OF the chiefs, to which re-
spsnses were given by a, loud cheer whoop
somewhat similar to the regular war whoop
made during their dances.
Twas quite amused with the performances of
one of the young hereditary chiefs, lad about
eleven years OF age. q eat grandson of the famous
old Ante au-ga The name Of the lad IS Ga-no-
osaka. His performances were some of them
truly astonishing exhibitions of elasticity and skill
in evolutons. He is great favorte aInongi the
old chiefs.
great many presents were exchanged be-
tween the white spectators who were present
(some of whom were the most fashionable and
intelligent ladies in Syracuse) and the Indians
Each gift from the whites was presented through
the head chief, La Forte, who accompanied the
presentation with a speech, when the gift was laid
aside for deposit in the national archives.
The Christian party of these Indians do not Join
in their feast., from the beefth they are con-
trary to the doctrines and precepts OF Christianity.
It is rare that they attend as spectators, though
some do. RAMBLER
PS. Being in Syracuse to-day, learn that the
grand Jury, now in session, have found bill
against the noted Empire House, Tor violating the
Excise or No License law. That house was at
tached first, because il was deemed the greatest
sinner protesting to be temperance.
There are only fourteen causes on the civil ca
lendar. These are divided between more than
thirty lawyers Hard business that.