Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1851-09-03
scenes in the Far West.
BY T. s. L.

III tne year 1859, lett the lfOntief
settlements, of themighty West, and
established trading post on one of
the tributaries Of the great father of
waters, among the Chippewas, Otta-
was, and Pottawatamie Indians. My
nearest pale face neighbor was Is
miles off, and sometimes the smoke
from his wigwam, curling gracefully
towards the heavens, made me feel
woliish. He was too near-he was
encroaching upon my rights. My
Indian neighbors were very numer-
Gus; sometimes as many 3OOwere en-
camped about me: at such times
was at home. III wanted an Indian
war dance, or a horse race, or any
other amusement congenial to my
red brothers, | had but to sound the
whoop, and they would be thar, and
then the scenes would open rich.
Their manner of trading was rath-
er singular. After the hunting sea-
son (for furs) was over, they came in
bands and encamped, and then for a
frolic. The muskrat hunter, with his
po-kun saugun (tomahawk pipe),
would leisurely saunterinto the store,
wrapped in his blanket, as stoical
and Indifferent as though he had no
interest at stake, and his wives fol-
lowing him, loaded down with packs
offurs. They would drop theirpacks,
and step back. | would overhaul
the furs, and separate the different
qualities, step behind the counter,
down with broad cloths, calicoes, and
other Indian fxins, measure tear off.
and throw aside goods of all descrip-
tons; jabber French and Indian, and
all hands as noisey as jack DAVIS. !
have measured and turned off 600
yards of calico in four yard strips,
and took all my pay in muskrats.
The beaver hunters, great men,
they0 announce their approach to the
village by whooping and yelling in a
most frightiul manner. You can see
them afar off over the prairie, riding
towards you at a furious rate, follow
ed by chiefs and braves, squaws and
pappooses, and by innumerable gangs
of wolfish dogs. On they come; the
glittering trappings on their poneys
the brass bells and rafting trinkets
on their leggings, while the gay and
gaudy blankets and dresses remind
the stranger of the description of the
knights of old times.
Arrived at the store, with a wild
whoop they proclaim their presence.
Great warriors and braves are they.
Their iron hearts do not condesce nd
to address you with the common sal
utations of the day. They must be
treated, coaxed and flattered, and the
pipe of peace and friendship must be
presented, and each one of the band
must have puff. Then, and not till
then, do their giant and lofty minds
presume to talk of trade and traffic.
The introduction over, they enter
the store with rapid strides, pace back
and fourth, putting volumes of smoke
from their long pipes, with a CON
temptuous look, and gaze around up
on the well-iilled shelves. At last
out came the otter and beaver skins.
Whcw! how they brag and boast
This was caught by me. Shaus-
buk-skum, an-ta-go (his nancy. "rm
a great warrior and brave; if skulk-
ing beaver or otter crosses my trail,
he dies. This is the best beaver that
we ever caught; Shi-or- kick Sc ba
(Rankakee riveD cannot beat it."
"How much you give?" "Five dol
lars" "Cho-par-pish, wha, ty-yer,
Shaw-ne-town, min, we-ke way" q
will not take it, Ill go to Shawnetown
and trade.) An hour passes-the
skins are bought-the money (no
barter for such furs) is wrapped in
one corner of the blanket. Another
big smoke and then the trade. Every
dollar must be spent and long &C
count entered in due form, whic h
they are sure to pay. have trusted
the Indians to thousands Of dollars,
and have never lost the first sixpence }.
Could l say the same by the pale
face my heart would beat joyfully.
In their drunken frolics was some
timeslwasin great danger. remember
well one morning, when unusually
busy, large numbers of Indians
squaws and pappooses had come
from a long hunt, and had bought
freely. They had a keg of whisky
which they obtained from trader up
the river, and when it was all gone
their frolic was not half over. A young
chief, son of distinguished warrior
and near relative to the great Te-
cumshe, came into the store drunk
and in sad plight. He looked most
frighttul. He demanded sko- ia war.
DO fire water.) | had none. He
would take se-se-pau-quet quar- war.
DO Sweet wine) Idare not give him
any, and told him no.
He left the store with a fixed and
determined look. An Indian boy
came in, looked under the counter
saw the key of wine, and went out
The window was darkenei, ian In,
dian never enters house without
first looking in the window,) and
then the young chief entered, follow,
ed by his young pretty wife, with an
innocent, laughing, and chubby pap,
poose in her arms. Again he de.
manded whiskey or wine, and draw.
himself up to his full height, with &