Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-10-25
II. wTLTMORE,
Publisher and Proprietor
INDIAN SOCIAL LIFE.

New York Tribune.l
RED CLOUD AGENcY, September "a -
The Indian squaws are exceedingly in-
teresting to a visitor TO the agencies.
Their faces are more oval shaped than
the males, and less stern of expression.
One might even say they had pleasing
expression. They wear their coal black
hair in two braids hanging down on
either side Of their head 70 one Of
these braids is fastened little bag or.
nnmented with beads aud filled with
sweet-smelling leaves. Their teeth are
better than those of the men, white and
even, aud rarely decsyed This redeem
ing feature sottens the sensual look Of
the large mouth aud thick lips. Their
eyes are large, almoud-shaped and some
thing of a dark brown sparkling and
merry. While it is hard TO associate the
idea of beauty with squaw whose gar
ments are dirty, yet have seen those
whose faces could not tail to please.
Their usual garment is calico dress,
called chunwiggs uncka minnie hoa
made in one piece, with flowing
sleeves. 1t is gathered at the waist
by broad leather belt, worked with
brass beads and ornaments Of German
silver. This sack is cut short, exposing
red flannel leggings, called hoonska, and
buckskin moccasins handsomely adorned
with beads and painted porcupine quills
Occasionally red sack is worn, studded
with elk teeth, which is highly priced
They wear no covering tor the head,
either in winter or summer. Occasion
ally squaw moy be seen in summer
time with o Variegated umbrella. Pieces
of German silver and brass wire are
made into finger rings, and armleta are
in common use. Large holes, varying
in length from a half inch to an inch
long, and from q quarter of an inch to a
halt inch in width, are cut in the upper
and lower parts OF the ear. In these
holes are fastened large hrsss rings, to
which are attached turquoise beads,
divided isto from five to ten Longitude
nal sections 10 each section are from
three to FIVE beads, fastened together by
means of buekskin and rawhide. o.
the end Of this earring is the handsoq
est portion of 2 mother,oi-pearl shell. /
have seen as many ss three OF these ar
ticles OF adornment in one ear. A neck
lace of the same material, and fashioned
in the same manner, Is worn about The
neck.
The only weapon carried by squaw
is knife, called me la, placed in hand
somely beaded case and fastened totbe
waist belt. For occasions of ceremony
and dances the ,buekskin dress aud leg.
gings are donned. These garments are
gorgeous with bead-work, the shoulders
and sleeves being covered with beads in
various devices representing men and
animals. The eggngs have the same
ornaments. They are expert in the
management OF horses, and at distance
it is difficult to distinguish squaw from
buck, as their manner OF riding is
identical, even to the incessant punch
ing of the pony side with the heels and
beating the beast with whip. In child
hood they play merrily as white child
rem, making mud pies, building minia-
ture lodges and seeminely making the
most of their time against the bardships
of maturer years. As rule they all
paint their faces One of their fashions
is to tattoo small round spot in the
center Of the forehead and streak down
the eepter OF the chin.
The age Of womanhood is hailed with
gladness by the pRrents, and is the occa-
sion Of rejoicing 40 lhe term OF a feast,
to which are invited all the friends Of the
family. On this great occasion the Joy
| full father of the girl gives away as many
ponies, robes aud blankets to his friends
ana the poor of be tribe as his posses
siohs permit. Now the young girl is
careful OF her personal appearance, as
the bucks will watch her. She adorns
herself in garments of flaming colors,
paints in an extravagant manner, aud
powders her hair with sweet-smellinG
leaves. Polygamy is the almost univer-
sal practice. There are three modes Of
marriage. The courtship of one form OF
marriage iscSndpotel in a asingnlar man
ner. A young buck becoming enam
ored OF a young squ8w, awaits eonve'
nient time, when, approaching steslthlly
he wraps his blanket around bar, and
then, holding her in q firm grasp
ponFs bis tale of love and devotion
INTO he's sometimes unwilling ear
This being completed, he goes tc
the father and the price Of the
maiden is agreed upon according tc
the young mans wealth; one TO thref
aud sometimes more ponies are giver
Tor the girD. This transaction being Gn
ished, the gH becomes the warriors
wife, whether she hes gaid Yes o.
. " No." There is one thing certain, how
ever, that while she remains with hin
she obeys bin. The squaw may leav'
her husband, or rather she may be de