Columbia gazette., 1854-03-18
For TIE Columbia Gazette.
AN INDIAN FUNERAL.
a HORRIBLE AND AFFECTING SCENE


A HORRIBLE AND AFFECTING SCENE.
Mr.. EDITOR:
On last Saturday I was
informed by friend, that he had just
found an Indian, dead, near Wilson's
Correll, about mile West Of Columbia.
He stated that the night previous, at
about dark; he saw the same Indian
drunk; it showing at the time, he be-
ieves that he laid down and froze dur
ing that very cold night. With my friend
| hurried over to the spot; and before we
got half the distance the hills resounded
with Indian yclls,-denoting DEATH
Approaching near where the body lay it
was a most affecting sight! There were a
dozen old Indian squaws, some rolling
upon the body on the ground in most
lamentable and agonizing manner, and
bowling most pitiously. In about an
hour after, they put the body in a blan-
ket the squaws gathered around wher-
ever they could get their hands, and
commenced carrying it in the direction
of their ranchere, about half a mile dis
tant; but they had not proceeded far be-
fore their miseries were increased by the
discovery Of another Of their tribe, dead
he having tumbled head-foremost into
the 7. G. W. Co.'s ditch, in the neigh
bmhood of their rancherc. Upon the
finding Of this body the male Indians,
with a few exceptions, took no part in
the bowling over the first body found -
now became perfectly frantic, running
in all directions over the hills and along
the ditch, bowling most terribly, and
wildly acting; as if looking for more VIC
Tins Of Ram. The terrible noise being
heard great distance, brought miners,
and the Indians, from every direction,
armed with their bows and arrows; and
upon reaching the crowd of Indians sur
rounding the bodeis, they would madly
throw themselves upon the bodies in the
widest anguish, and there remain until
pulled off to make room for the next.
Every American present, was affected, s
looked with establishment at the agoniz-
inggrief ofthe old squaws, hardly able to
stand with age, while acontinued stream
of tears rolled down their withercd faces.
But now for the most horrible sight l
ever witnessed in my life: The Indi-
ans had gathered and closely packed
about cord and half of wood, ready to
receive the bodies in accordance with
their custom, to be burned to ashes. Just
~~~
before putting the bodies upon the wood
pile, an old Indian, who knew me, asked
me to look at the bodies, and being glad
Of the chance, I Of course consented. He
after some effort, got the squaws off the
bodies so that I could see their faces:
when in the last one found I recognized
an Indian who had on three different
occasions told me of the Indians having
liquor, and got me to 60 and take it
from them, he himself finally falling a
victim to it. At about 2 o'clock P. N.
they placed the bodies, face downwards,
upon the wood-pile, together with every
thing belonging to them; the pile being
about six feet square. The fire being
placed in at the four corners, soon be-
gan to blaze amidst the most piteous
howlings Of a hundred indians; and as
the hra grew hot, one OF the Indians did
frequently throw himself in on the bod
les, as if willing to burn; and as the fire
grew hotter yet, the squaws would have
to be pulled off the bodies, then on FIRE:
and several of them had their hair burn
ed of their heads. Each of the squaws
had some relic to throw in upon the FIRE,
such as bead-work, baskets, fancy things,
shawls, and blankets. Ala, P. M. I left
much instructed in savage affection, il
being stronger thanI ever expect to VT
ness again in my life. l hope never t.
witness another such horrible sight as an
Indian funeral. j. L..
~s2f fF 1---sa &ra@ sA g0eg.eH "
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10 Our thanks are due to Adams &
Co.'s Express, for their attentions during