The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-10-15

BURIAL OF AN INDIAN CHIEF.-On Sunday the
remains OF Abram La Fort, named De-hat ka-tons
In bis native tongue, committed to the grave.
For several years he bore conspicuous part in the
affairs OF his nation, and for nearly two years he has
been its head chief He succeeded the late Capt Frost
both among the whites and natives The ocoasion
called together large of people, by whom
the ceremonies were Witnessed with most int In
terest AT IL O'Clock, the corpse carried upon .
bier TO the Council House, placed in the centre Of
the room in which he had often addressed the few
remaining sons of the forest who had assembled pay
their last tribute of respect to their chief The white
people seated the extre end Of the and
the females of the tribe occupied side and thu
the other. The ceremonies we're commenced BY Harry
Webster, the highest religious officer of the Pagsa
patty, by speech in his native tongue At times he
was animated and spoke rapidly aud at Others in slow
and solemn tones giving quantity the vo wells which
form 80 large part Of the Indian language Although
he was not understood by the crowd Of spectators
close attention given and all appe t. feel the
solemnity Of the occasion. The euphonious and mu-
steal succession of vowel sounds that from the spea
ke and the response that rose from all coun-
Gil chamber tie Indians gave ass to the wors Of
the speaker made impression upon thoss who we're
witnesses OF the solemn which wllong be
bered The speaker, as he closed his remarks .ssed
string OF beads represen the laws of the Atom
to an individual named John Halftown, Who Is to
act as head chief until q council of the ak ma.
lions shall be convened This same string of b.a 49,
once held by the celebrated chief Antcsuga, then By
Capt Frost ana Abram La Fort, successiveiy is the
unwritten code which he Ii to administer He received
1t In speech that indicated mt of feeling
He was followed by another speech from Webster at
tbe OF Wnlcn nd OF the com thrown
open and tie last opportunity of seeing the cold aud
leiess form Of the chief improved by nearly all in
attendance He dressed in the warriors fun Co.'S
tune with his wampum belt and other gay trappinss
around him. Although educated and reared in the
christians faith, La Fort Pagan and took delight
In adm mastering the laws aud customs OF the o uon
dagas as in days of yore At their fessts and
MES, he was painted and plumed as were the chiefs
when they were powerful people. AS he appeared
thoe occasions. excepting the head dress his form
was cos'umed for the grave and placed In elegant
coffin, upon which was silver plate with his lame and
age inscribed upon It, He 81 years old although
biz app would scarcely indicate him to be forty
The coffin then carried TO the grave and placed in
the ground with the head In the direction Of the
mt md day-thus noting the season of the year in
which he was buried. The rude simplicity Of the
scene was deeply affecting and especially as the sister
and bereaved wife, lowed by other female relatives
in single file retrac,u their steps to the house made
more than desolate by the death Of two children and
the father The loud and piercing shrieks Of the
r., mngling with the sound Of the sartn it
fell upon the coffin and the wildness of the surround
ing scenery could not but impress all present that the
burial of Indian chief true picture Of the
last end Of man. few days ago aud he welded the
sceptre his people-and NOW, his body lies in the
open field, and his spirit, according to the indiana
faith IL associated with the brave In another world
Syracuse Journal