Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-09-23
Correspondence OF THE JouRNAL.-NO 4

Rite of Seputfure- Village BuTying Ground
Dakota Doctors Birch-bark Canoe--,St. Paul
IF. Smelling.
Sculpture, have informed you, was rite
unknown among the Dakotas until the time Of
the missionaries. Prior to that the bodies Of
their dead were left upon shelves in the open
air. From the village burying- ground, collins
stacked upon these shelves look down like spec
tres, continual warning TO the inmates Of the
village. The shelves consist of simple upright |
and cross pieces. Intentionally avoid entering
into minute description, because the wigwam
and cottage embrace every variety Of building
material in use among this particular tribe, and
you have had full accounts Of both. Friends
and relatives, during the days of mourning,
continually resort to the place with food and
wailings for the dead. There were few
graves, and blankets and pillows half exhumed
from the resting places of their former own
ers. How far short will they fall Of their in
tentions TO afford comfort 10 the departed OH
their pilgrimage TO the spirit-land! We saw
number of short sticks. dyed red and carefully
tied together in bundles. These were proba-
bly, charms to warn away evil spirits.
The coffns appeared to be ornamented ac-
cording to the wealth or distinction Of the
individual. They were wrapped in different
colored cloths, which were fastened to them
with brass tacks. OF those which came under
our observation, one of the coverings was COM
mon white cotton, another Of cheap calico prints;
al oh off
fine red blanket, decorated with variegated
border. The border was worked with narrow
ribbon, displaying much taste, as well as skill in
needle-work. These, before many years, will
be placed among the antiquities OF nation en-
tirely extinct; and when l am forced TO ac-
knowledge this the work of our conquests on the
Northwest, it is with feelings of modification
and feelings of deep regret. Under cover OF
iustice we take advantage Of power, and thou
sands of acres of their territory are secured Tor
as many CENTS u0,Gt Of trfnkef' Some would
Quiet their eonsciences with the idea OF pur-
chase Contemplate expedient, indeed! When
the provisions of liberal treaty are presented
TO Congress, they at once demur. Gentlemen
Senators with per diem, can spend the greater
part Of a session in odnuaSS speeches, but when
called upon for Indian appropriations, begin to
talk of government economy and are wonder
fully sOlieitous of the dear peoples money! 1t
is TO be hoped the appropriations they do receive
will benefit the Indians more than they have in
many instances heretofore, and that they Will be
greatly increased.
ri II,
call them, form q conspicuous class among their
chief men, and the deluded natives rely win
The utmost confidence in these wholesale quacks.
With them, frighuul incantations, and the noise
of the "Gourd- shell Rattle" are PGndced Tor
every disease; but what accompllshes most IN
their system that is, diet, is perhaps the redeem
ing feature in the practice OF certain other
class who are gaining, in these latter days, con-
siderable favor with their little pills. The in
fluence of these medicine-men is one of the chief
obstacles in the way of those who labor for their
Improvement.
"There are four ways" to obtain the services
Of medcine-man, "sometimes attended with
good deal of foolish ceremony" which, for the
benefit Of the curious, will insert in full from
a cores pondent of the "DukOta Frieiad'
l. A person goes from the lodge of the sick
man carving little bell in his hand, and rat
ties it while he walks around the lodge where
the doctor is, and then as he. returns the latter
follows him.
2. A person carries pipe to the lodge where
the doctor is, which he enters; and after pre-
sentne the pipe to him, he lays his hand on his
head and walls. The doctor then follows him
to the lodge of the suifeter.
3. The person sent strips himself for run
ming. retaining only his breech cloth; and car
TyiSg bell he enters the lodge, and without
further ceremony, strikes the professional man
with his foot, iingles his bell, and suddenly is
suing from the lodge, runs with all his might
for the sick mans lodge, with the doctor at ms
heels. If the latter overtakes and kicks him
before he reaches the lodge, he does not proceed
any, farther, but returns home. Another per
SON is then dispatched for him; aud it is not til
one is sent who is too swift for him, that thu
doctors services can be secured. A case OF thu
kind occurred at Lac-qui Paule, a few years ago
and it was not till three or four persons ha'
been sent, that they succeeded. Toonkon Wee
ehashtah, who has since been killed by lightning
was the successful messenger.
a. The most common method OF securing tn
services of Dakota doctor, however, is to SEN
him the pay IN adUanee, Just as newspaper pub
fishers like to have subscribers do by them
Calling doctor, is termed chdndoohooPdh any
Ghpee-carrying the pipe.
Much has been said OF Indian ingenuity
bead-wOrk; but you would be little less SUI
prised on account of this, when you see tn
Broh.bark canoe. There are two at Fl. Sne