The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1869-02-18
s0UAw KISSING ATsFoRTr BENTON.
fort Benton Correspondence of the Helena
Herald.l
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| Heraldl
Thsl laihapIo IL sss 0f tie 5ola IIAmsSrSicIan,.A ,sSSiIn 4
Fur Company, who were mostly
French, in the days when any settle7
ment other than trading posts were
not dreamed OF, brought into use the
custom (national with frog eaters) of
saluting the other sexyea New Years
day, with platonics kisses; and, as &
considerable number of our citizens
abide with and are married to Indian
and half-breed women, who derive
bmuch of their MANNERS ana Hiany yLcus-
toms of the French settlers, the afore-
said ladies from the carmine complex
ion might have been seen, early on the
ffrstdag oe tHeyear, in bodies of twen-
ties and thirties thronging the streets,
going into every house, and kissing
the male inmates. Most young gem
tlemen found nc, security in retreat or
seeking hiding places in the upper loft
and dry good boxes the squaw was
privileged character that day ana must
1be kissed. II
1t was anamusing sight to- see our
young men when necessity siompelled
them to go abroad, poke a. head out
door or window, and seeing the coast
clear sally forth. to be, grabbed and
mussed over on the corner. But be-
tween us, fancieaIa1 certain portion
of the entertainment was very much
relished by the victims, pSFtiedlarlys
in the absence of two squaws, who
drank too much, and when one ARM
ed DUMMY" "a fraiI and by no means a
fair one) was not in the crowd. One
had no choice, however, and the bonnie
and outre had to be endured alike.
During the evening dance came off
known here as the squaw ball, at which
the elite of the forest maidens were
present, among whom my informant
told me he recognized the charming
and elegant miss Wagon Box" ar
rayed in striped sill, ,sbed tick pattern,
with various kickshaws and adorn-
ments. Also were present the affable
pollte,T meek, gentle; II FeteaJ Misses
:" Stomach, " Fatty" 'sAfike" and 9TH
ers with euphonious cognomens. NV
reporter informs me that ohe noticed
etiquet In those assemblages requiredH
that when you wanted partner for F
the next dance you must nudge her
with your thumb and look at her: if
she grunts you are all right and can
count ensthe engagement, but if she !
says asa" (Which means no in Peigan)
you must poke up another. Refresh
nents consists of pie cut in slices and
handed around with "a bucket Of ice
water. Drinks are only attainable at :
lear saloons, orswhere some one has t
fcatched" bottle of the ardent in the
'noWa outside, which, by.4the way, S
seems not to be very safe way to
leep it handy, for the, ,untamed Indian
langeth around the door, seeking for
to devour, and isn't at all
observation-disclosures hunting for and
raising the cache" if he finds il,
which he generally deessE sfoot. asssd q
We find the Following excellent ta-
'ie i'll the Ottawa, Ill, Statesman.
which farmers will do well. to. pass in.
o a scrap book for future reference
yards wide 96S yards long con.
aims acre. ssasa -s'. sTi... n n
loyards wide by 4s4 yards long cons T Ts
aims l acre. ID ii
20 yards wide by 242 yards long "
ohtainsql acre. gslzsa taa qstslasasssI ie S
40 yards wide by III yards long
ontains acre. ~. ado
80 yards by COZ yards long contains
acre. iaai=ea) no s3t8O sss1g ali ssatI, II
70 yards wide by 60 anu ndil one-ininthll e Nil til
ards long contains 1 acre. .sss =, - = ID
220feet wide by l6s feet long. conf
llQ feet wide BY 500 feet long con- , /.
Inns acre. vt e .sasi O. aaL .anasTaa NJ
so feet wide by 726 feet long con-. H
lIIls acre t,is,,g ..ssF us sgs,5a5 er
100 feet 5piltcal1y 9tei fnnfe ior,o, ico,,1 zen