Bellevue gazette. [volume] (Bellevue City, N.T. [i.e. Neb.]) 1856-1858, 1857-12-03

rity, on their march across the plains to
their earthly Canaan. But here let me
linger awhile. On this elevated position,
are the rude sepulchers of many departed
warriors Of the Omaha nation, furnishing
reflection for the curious and philosophic
mind. Here is the only memento Of Big
Elk, the noblest and most eloquent chief
Of the Omaha tribe. His mound is at
present undisturbed by the ruthless hand
of the white man, but ere long will only
be known in the memory Of the past, as
the accouterments attached to it, are fast
disappearing, and time is making sad hav-
oc upon his clayey r%esceptacle. Some Of
the graves are much defaced, and others
are leyelcd with the earth, aud the skulls
and bones of the red man, lay scattered
in every direction. The Indians show a
certain degree of respect for their dead,
and manifest their distress by giving a
blanket or trinkets to some disinterested
squaw, to kneel occasionally at the grave
of the deceased, and utter the most fear
ful lamentations. They are very super
]slitious and think it necessary to furnish
the deceased with provisions for his sup
port in his new hunting ground. Scraps
of food are daily left at the side of the
resting place, and a bottle of liquor made
Of herbs, is suspended from the top of a
pole placed in the center of the mound.
Alright, the food is eagerly devoured by
the hungry wolves, and the poor Indian
left in darkness as to the modus operandi
of its yanishment. was acquainted with
one young lady, who daily visited these
graves with her ~favorite mtstiff, whose
capicious jaws were often the recipient of
the food intended for the spirit Of the In.
dian.
Upon this Hill, was formerly the great
rendezvous Of the returning War Party,
and | well remember the time the Sioux
were at war with the Omahas, and after
prowling around in this vicinity, would
kill some Struggling Indian or Squaw, and
d" lift their hair" ACouncil of chiefs was
held. The signal for retaliation given,
and a band of braves summoned to march
into the enemies country, and when the
wild w~ioop'of success was announced up
on this hill, the whole tribe assembled to
welcome them, and shouts Of rejoicing
and victory would echo across the wide
%ravines as the scaIps Of their victims were
held up in helIish gIee, TO the dance Of the
War Party. They have a tradition among
them that the waters of the Big Muddy.
extended from this bluff to those on the
Iowa side, some 5 or 6 miles. 1t ap-
pears to be rather too broad an expanse
to admit of much probability.
Our first, and chief executive officer,
Gov. Burt, whose name is held with res
pect and ven"ration, by all who were ia
mlliar with lim-had selected this spot for
the location of the capitol of the Terrific
ry, but the icy hand of death deprived
him of his most ardent wish, and the
power fell into the hands of inscriptions
d~emagogues, whose only ambition was
self ACCOMPLISHMENT, and who betrayed
the best interest of the place they were I'M
der moral obligation TO sustain, and by
I" skulduggery" and intrigue, Governmen,
patronage was withheld from US, and Belle
vue robbed of her just and sacred rights.
1t will not be long, ere the Iron Horse
is heard, sweeping along the valley of the
Platte, 10 the golden shores Of the Pacific,
and then the truth will come home with
irresistible force, to the minds of those
who are blinded with prejudice, in their
~favorite town sites, that the valley OF the
Platte, on the north side, is the only prac-
iicable route for the great and magnificen,
progect of rail road commerce, between
the Atlantic and Pacific coast. We need
not fear as to its ultimate result, upon this
city and county, as we can proudly boas,
that we have the key to the fertile valley,
and cannot be deprived Of it by any hu-
man power or a%rtifice.
The Commissioners appointed to locate
the Court House, for Sarpy County, have
decided upon erecting a building upon the
brow of tins Hill, and some excellent
plans have been submitted to them for ap-
proval and next spring will no doubt see
the work actively progressing towards
! completiop