St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1858-02-25
st. Charles City, Iowa, Feb. %. 1858.
WinnebagO Encampment.


A ride of fifteen minutes, the other
day, brought us to an encampment OF
the Winnebago Indians. 1t occupies
retired and protected spot in the
timber on the Cedar, about one mile
north of town The band, numbering
80, all told, are part of the once
powerful tribe of Winnebagoes, and
are on visit to their hunting grounds.
AS we neared their encampment, and
saw the smoke curling from their wig
vans, we thought of the time when
beautiful Iowa was one vast wilder
ncss-unadorned by art and unad-
mircd by eye of white man-when the
Indian hunters shout only awoke the
solitude. We saw him return to his
lodge, loaded with the spoils Of the
chase, to lie down to rest. We saw him
awake from sleep ana grid about his
loins the cruel tomahawk and scalp
ing knife, while piercing war-whoops
rang from dell to dell. We heard the
red mans cry of death-thc. white
mans shout of victory.
Again we looked, and the colossal
wheel was set in motion whose acccl-
Grated revolutions were to keep time
with the pnlsations Of new States
ambitious heart and hurry forward
the multitudinous throng that were to
people Iowa's vast domains, develop
her resources, and build up her cities,
, landmarks of her liberation from
, the darkness of barbarism.
Applying for admission at the most
conspicuous of the tents, we were
given to understand that we We're
welcome. The Indians were variously
engaged-making fishing tackle, dres-
sing game, cleaning guns, arranging
their toilette, &c, &c. Wapinicon,
or "Capt. JIM" as he is Familiarity
called by the whites, whose acquaint-
ance we made some two years ago,
coming in and recognizing us, we
were invited to take seat by his side
: and smoke with him the "pipe of
: peace" This served to make us So
Gladly inclined, so with Capt. Jim's
English and our knowledge of the 1ndi-
an vernacular, we whiled away an hour
. in agreeable conversation. From him
$ we learned that the Winncbago tribe
r were now reduced to about 1000.
n The majority Of them are on the Indian
reservation, in Minnesota. Two OF
:, three of their most noted braves are
5, now at Washington. There are nine,
n teen chiefs in the tribe, each of whom
with their bands: are in the habit o
20 visiting the white settlements on ;
trading and begging tour, three OF
e four times year. During these cx-
: petitions they seldom if ever commit
=. depredations of any kind, which fact
@ secures to them many favors from
It the whites.
e Their tents are constructed by en-
; closing with poles set in the ground a
:, room from Is to 20 feet in diameter
The tops of the poles are tied togcth-
d err and then the sides covered with
+ canvas, skins, or mats made of bark.
}, A hole is left at the top for the smoke
$ to escape. Their fires are on the
d ground in the centre of the tent, and
e are kept burning day and night.
Over the fires are hung large wooden
!, hooks on which they boil their samp,
v roast and smoke their venison, &c.
S They sleep on blankets spread on the
ground, with but little other protec-
u ton from the cold In the winter
I they are rather filthy in their habits;
l. in the summer they pay more regard
= to cleanliness.
Playing cards is a favorite pastime
a with the indians, and it frequently af-
If fords them muchproft. They are gen,
g orally more skilled in the use of the
e "primmers" than the whites. The
o chief of the band was absent, hunt
4 ing, much to our regret. He is called
it Bradford" by the whites-his Indian
G name we did not learn. He speaks
e English quite flucntly, and can read
y and write.
IS Noticing very aged squaw, we
made inquiries concerning her, ant
n learned that she was the medicine
:. woman" attached to the band In
= her department she differed from the
"a others, as she took no notice of what
If transpired around her.
&c Thanking Capt. Jim for his atten
'e ton, and shaking his hand, we bad,
= him and his companions goodbye, ant
n left; our mind being filled with refec
n tions upon the mighty change few
y years have wrought, in the condition
u of the red man, and in the charactel
F" and aspect of this country
ID VALENrINEs.-In the absence of gen
~ uine valentine varses with picturs
as to match" all the boys" in St. Charles
- - have received through the post-oflice 6
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