Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-12-15

without much resistance, but the hunters, hear
ing the noise Of the battle, and knowing that
their fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters were
being swept away, they fastened to the field,
and stayed the progress Of the carnage. The
number killed at this place was upwards Of
hundred, while the loss Of the Dakotas, at both
places, was fifteen killed and wounded. In
their haste to secure the bloody trophy, the
scalp, they tore one from the head Of one of
their own men. In this battle Red Birds son
was shot in the bowels. Farther on, wound
ed Ojibwa was discovered, with his gun, and
as Red Bird made for him to dispatch him, a
ball from the wounded mans rifle laid the lead
er dead. The son inquired tor his father
Said he wished to see him. When told that
he was shot, he expired almost Immediately.
A year after the above event, the writer and
others visited Fort Smelling. While there tie
following incident occurred. About two miles
below Hon. H. H. Sibley's residence, on the
same side Of the river, two Dakotas, man and
woman, were scalped, by the Ojibwas, in
sight of the fort. They made their escape, and
were not pursued by the Dakotas, for fear that
they were the scouts Of large party.
Many of the young men Of the Ojibwa tribe
spent years in searching the places where re.
posed the bones Of their slaughtered relatives.
In the summer of 1889, the Dakota village
at Lake Calhoun was abandoned, and the In.
dams removed to the Mississippi. The Mis-
sion at Lake Harriet was given up, and the
Missionaries took up their abode in the stone
house above Fort Smelling. Early in the spring
of 1916, these Ojibwa warriors secreted them
selves in some bushes in path that led from
the garrison to the Mississippi river. Karbo-
ka, chief, his son, and another Dakota, pass
ed that way. The son was killed, the father
wounded but the other indian escaped. The
chief finally died from his wounds. In the fall
two more Dakotas were killed by the Ojibwas,
who were still seeking their dead fathers.
In the month Of June the writer and his fam
lily removed to the Minnesota Valley, for the
purpose Of establishing Mission at Traverse
des Sioux. In family Journal an account of
their trials on the journey was kept by Mrs.
Riggs, which is too long for this report. Suf-
fee it, they suffered all that persons in their
situation could suffer. Surrounded by savages.
strangers in strange land, they felt as though
they were lone pilgrims, at any moment liable
to be cut down. They were houseless and
homeless, but relied upon Jesus for guidance
and support. The writer had been on a two
days journey to Lacquparle to bring her little
daughter Isabella to her new home, and when
nearing their destination they were surprised
by party of Ojibwas who had two scalps, one
OF which appeared to be that of white man.
The fears of the company were confirmed
The scalp was that Of brother of one of the
party who was on his way to meet his relative
and who had been absent many years. A wind
ing sheet was placed around him and he was
buried. Soon after company of Dakotas
made there appearance, Infatuated with rage
because the writer and her friends did not pur.
sue their enemy, and so angry were they that
they threatened to kill them. One of the horses
was killed. The party finally reached home
in safety.
More savage warfare took place. Peace
was made between the two tribes and then
broken, and thus have brutal scenes been en-
acted over and over again.
The following account of the scalp-dance, Civ
by the writer, is interesting, it exhibits the
savage nature in all its hideousness. certain
number of men paint their bodies and faces and
with feathers in their heads, form part of cir
Gle. They are the musicians, and drum, sing and
keep time with their feet Opposite to that is a
part of another circle, composed of women, who
move all together around pole which has been
placed in the ground. The scalp scalps stretch
ed on small stick, they carry in their hands, as
man carries his gun on his shoulder. In the
song that is sung by the men, the women join at
intervals with kind of squeaking chorus, max
ing music, which, if it were not for the assoc;a-
ton, would not be unpleasant. If the scalp is
taken in the summer, the dance is kept up until
the leaves fall of the trees, and if in the winter,
until the leaves grow in the spring. Il is then bu
riel. During this time, almost every evening,
and until late at night, and many whole days, is
the scalp dance performed. Among the pako-
tas scalps are painted red four times, which are
always great occasions. At such times men
give away blankets, and guns and horses, and Of
ten their little girls. Not unfrequently old wo-
men, who can but just walk, become for the time,
young again and engage in the general Joy of
the scalp dance. The clothes of the successful
warriors are also held sacred.
The writer closed his paper with some excellent
remarks on the evil influence of the scalp dance.
and deemed it worthy the interference of the Uni
ted States Government. He thinks it should be
apunishable offense, and stopped at once. He
stys:-''lf we fail to put stop to such savage
clstoms,we fail of fulfilling the great object which
God, and the best interests of the human family
requirs of u.s."
He then dwe.t at some length on the effect these
wars had on the various tribes deprecated
war in civilized form but more so tina: which
justi6es attack on defenceless lodges by night,
when women and children are indiscriminately
slaughtered. In closing he said-"War makes
not n man better husband, better father or u
better citizen anywhere; and surely it does not
among the Dakotas. In such scenes, and by such
deeGs, only the most savage and 6cndish feelings
of humanity are crushed out. thirsting for
blood, a savageness of heart, and a clarifying in
their shame--all these and more are produced BY
their system of killing enemies. From their ba-
by-hood they are trained up to indulge in feel
ings of hatred and revenge. An old grandfather
teaches his grandchild, who is just learning to
talk, to say 81 will kill an enemy!' This thought
it has worked itself into action.''
The room was crowed and the lecture was lis
tensd.to with deep interest.
ELECTION NEws-OFFICIAL.
Wiscous1u. s&tEs S.