The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-10-16
AN INDIAN FAIR.


The telegraphic dispatches tell of an in.
ternational Indian fair which was held at
Muskogee, Indian Territory, and shed a
pleasant light on the question of the prac-
ticability of civilizing the red men. The
fair vas success, and the attendance large,
representing thirty five nationalities. On
the first day the grand march of the nation
was novel feature, the Sedalia, Mo-, brass
band leading; then followed ladies who were
to compete for the premium of three side
saddles; next the Arapahoes and Cheyenne
women with plain white banners; then the
! Cherokee banner, red, white and blue bars
on white ground with the motto "Agri.
| culture, the source of wealth." The Creeks
came next with "Charity for all, malice
toward none, Firmness in right, The
pioneers, -" We would learn a better way"
| The Osages: "Come and see the figure OF
| the pillow and fallow." The Caddo Apaches
The result of peace" The Comanches
owe wish to learn" A second band OF
Comanches with, "Preserve our liberties ~
| Kiowas: " We need our schools, COWS and
plows." Arapahoes: 1.-THE farm better than
the chase" Cheyennes: "Peace with all
kansas. Colored delegation. Band from
Sulphur Springs, Texas. Citizens on horse
back and in carriages.
After marching around the track to the
grand stand they listened to speeches by
| Governor Crawford, of Kansas; General P.
! Shanks, Special United States Commits
sioner; and by Col. William P. Ross, Chief
Of the Cherokee nation. The speeches
were listened to with the greatest attention
and interpreted to the wild tribes. There
| have seldom been more appropriate speeches
for an agricultural fair.
The next day the first prize for ladies'
equestrianship was awarded to Miss Mary
| Bromer, Cherokee. There were seven
entries. The second prize was contested
by colored delegation, thirteen entries,
and was awarded to Miss Jane Hawkins.
The race for third prize was ridden by three
| ll-bleoded Indian women-W ahaha, Co.
manche; Mineyea, a Cheyenne; and Ash
aha, Comanche. They rode in their ma
tive costumes with bows and quivers and
full -feathered, iron pointed arrows slupg
over their shoulders. In their gay blank
cts and shawls they attracted great atten-
ton. Indians from the Plains had been
selected as judges, but when the riders
were brought up to the stand to receive the
award the judges declined to act, fearing
that relationship might prejudice their deci-
sion. Other judges were substituted, but
they failed to decide upon the first trial,
hibt for third time, much to the delight
of the spectators. The prize was finally
awarded to Mineyea, the Cheyenne, the
young wife of McKusker, the interpreter.
The reading of an essay on intemperance,
by Miss Sarah Duncan, one of the pupils OF
the Cherokee Orphans School, and the
singing of the orphans, were exceedingly
pleasant features of the day. An essay by
Miss Lizzie Windslott of the Creek ITALIA
hassie Mission, was read. Speeches were
made by Mr. Reynolds, of the Parsons Sun;
Asheba, Comanche Chief; and Paceu,
Chief of the Apaches. number of run
ming races closed the days exercises. In
the evening an exhibition of the children
of the Cherokee Orphan Asylum was largely
attended There was singing by the chill
dren and addresses by VIM. p. Ross, Chief
of the Cherokees, and Gen. Shanks, Spe-
cial United States Commissioner. A num-
Der of Plains Indians were also present,
with their interpreter.
THE POLAR BEARS CUNNING.-Accord-
ing to the Esquimaux, the seal constructs
it's habitation beneath the surface of the
ice in such a manner that it can enter it
from the water below; here the young seal
passes its infancy, and when the returning
heat of Summer has destroyed it's igloo or
dwelling, the young seal is old enough to
take care of itself; but this mode of lodg-
ing it's youth beneath the ice is well known
to the bear, who, with his keen scent, soon
detects the whereabouts of the SEALS nur-
sery, and in order to gain entrance, makes
spring, and comes down heavily with all
its weight on the pool of the igloo, brushes
it in, and Immediately seizes the young seal
with its paw. Here, it might be supposed
the hungry bear at once devours its prey;
but no, it is far to wary to do so; it knows
full well that where a baby is, there must
of necessity be a mother, and that she will
be in search Of her darling; therefore, the
bear scrapes away the snow from the seal
hole, and holding the young seal by the
flippers allows it to founder about, and
when the young mother approaches, the
bear slyly draws the young seal toward it
until the old one is within reach, when he
seizes her with the other paw, and thus
captures both. The mode in which the
bear captures the seal is very similar to
that followed by the Esquimaux. When
at distance from the seal the bear throws
itself down, and stealthily crawls toward
the seal, and if the seal looks up it lies
perfectly still, and makes, at the same time,
peats the operation until it approaches its
victim, when it falls a prey to Bruins
appetite. Another mode of obtaining food
by the bear is to watch from cliff the
movements of a walrus, which are fond OF
summing themselves on the rocks, and when
one of these has taken up convenient
position for the bears purpose, the latter
takes up large piece of rock, and with
astonishing accuracy, throws it down on
the animals head. If the walrus is only
stunned, the bear rushes down, and with
the rock hammers its victim on the head
until it is dead. When attempting to catch
a seal in the water, the bear sinks its body
beneath the surface of the water, leaving
only the head above, which resembles a
piece of ice; and when the seal raises its
head above the surface, Bruin quietly sinks,
and swimming under the seal, seizes it.
Sacramento AgricuItnrist.
"Ef county fairs is goin' to do agri-
cultur' emmy good" says a Long Island
farmer, "keep out the wimmin. Them
ere pull-backs gets mans eyes SO sot that