Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1859-03-17
days successively. Auntsrs returned with
three buffalo cows.

days successively. Auntsrs returned with
three buffalo cows.
Aug. 6.-The country here will compare
fsvorably with that on the Missouri river
below Sioux City, and there is far great.
or abundance Of timber. There are sew
eral varieties Of wild flowers on the prairie
and in the woods, many Of which are very
fragrant. The Crows are said to be the
most wealthy and most hospitabls Indian
Of the upper country.
Aug. I've camped and rested the
usual two hours this noon under . gigan-
tic cottonwood that measured thirty seven
feet in circumference. Wild cherries and
wild gooseberries in abundance around.
Aug.8.-At noon another party Of Crows
came down from their camp above with
the news that Big Robber," the leading
chief Of the nation, had been killed by the
Sioux, and that thirtp more Of the band
had been killed by war party Of Flat
Heads and Nez Perees. One of the Indians
that arrived to-day, named Four Dancers.
and one Of the largest men / have ever
seen, says the "Crows for once have been
badly whipped" The two missionaries
who are with US think they have hercu-
lean task before them in the reformation
Of the Crow nation. The "cordel" was
heightened out the full length this after
noon, and all hands, with the Indians,
squaws, mules and horses labored in vain
until night to get over the rapid. We did
not progress an inch, and camped for the
night where We had dinner. Hunters
come in with two deer and buffalo.
Aug. 9.-By tightening the boat. man
aged to get through the rapid this morn.
ing, and took dinner on a bar about a
hundred yarde above. Some Of these voy-
ageurs have seen something Of the world.
One Of them, . Frenchman, has been in
Lapland, Sumstra, Algiers and other por-
tons Of Africa, was French man of. war
before Sebas.opol, but thinks the "cordel"
equal to anything he has seen yet.
Aug. lO.-We are now in beautiful
country, and near Fl. Sarpy. We occa
sionally see Indian women coming from
their villages to pick cherries, which are
in abundance on the hills. Many Of the
Indian braves came down to the boat to-
day. They talk much about who distin-
guished and who disgraced themselves in
the late fight. One Of the braves, who is
but twenty six years old, ha, killed forty
seven men in his life. 1t is not as great
an act Of bravery or as great an honor with
them to shoot another, as to strike him
after be is shot, and perhaps dead. They
hold that il is np sign of bravery to stand
Oft at a distance, and without immediate
danger, to shoot another; and tina, an
Indian, like . grizzly bear, is more dam
eerous when wounded, aud therefore he
.hrt approaches and strikes him is the
bravest Of the two, or in their words
counts the creates. coo.'
Aug. ll.-Of the women that come
down to meet US to day, many had hus-
bands and brothers killed in the late battle
with the Flat Heads and Neg Prces, and
were in mourning for them. They were
the most horrible looking objects have
ever seen. Their hair, which they consid
er their greatest ornament, was cut OF
close to their heads, and from wounds they
had made in their heads with a knife,
blood had trickled down over their faces
and bodies. Their arms were cut in a
horrible manner, and covered with blood
and . joint cut of one or more Of their
fingers. This is their manner of mourn
ing, and not until the blood wears off, and
their hair grows to its full length must
they cease their mourning, and then their
mutilated hand reminds them Of their de-
ceased relatives. l noticed several old
women who had thus cut eff from time to
time nearly all their fingers. The first
thing noticeable on approaching Ft. Sarpy
and the Grow village was the immense
herds Of horses grazing on the prairie
From fifty to a hundred in band, and
three or four Indians watching each band
from . lodge erected close by. As we
rode up the village hosts Of children came
out of the river where they were swimming
aud gathered around US. Evidently a
white man is seen seldom enough here to
be curiosity We rode within the pick
of the fort, which had been taking care Of
itself since early in the spring and was
now TO be occupied again during the com.
ing winter. Dismounting, every thing was
found exactly as it was left. much to the
credit OF the Crows. Fort Sarpy is si.ua
ted below the forks OF the Yellowstone,
and in . beautiful location. The sur.
rounding scenery is quite picturesque, and
the water of the river here as clear and
limpid rs that OF our western lakes. The
Indian lodges surrounding the fort, and
the droves Of horses scattered over the
plains add to this most beautiful and char,
acteri.lic scene Of the Indian country.
B.
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n6r- The first State election of 1859, is
10 New Hampshire |. takes place on the