Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-11-04
Social Life Among the Aborigines.


The Indian squaws, says correspond
ept writing from Red Cloud Agency, are
exceedingly interesting 10 visitor 70 the
agencies. Their faces are more oyai-shaped
| than the males, and less stern oil ex pressien-
| One might even say they had pleasing
expression. They wear their coal-DiacK
| hair in two braids hanging down on
| either side of their head. To one OF these
| hraida Is fastened little bag ornamented
with beads. and filled with sweef-smelllng
leaves Their teeth are better than those
of the men. white and even, and rarely de-
caycd. This redceming feature soitens
the sensual look Of the large mouth and
thick lips. Their eyes are large, almond
| shaped. and something Of dark brown,
sparkling and merry. While 1t is hard to
associate the idea Of beauty with squaw
whose garments are dirty, yet | have seen
those whose faces could not fail to please
| Their usual garment is q calico dress,
called cltainiggauncka mtnntehod, made
| In one piece, with flowing sleeves. II Is
| gathered at the waist by broad leather
| belt. worked with brass beads and orna-
| ments of German silver. This sack Is cut
short exposing red flannel leggings, called
hoonskn, and buckskin moccasins hand.
somely adorned with beads and painted
porcupine quilts Occasionally req
sack is worn, studded with elk teeth, which
| is highly priced. They wear no covering
| for the head, either in winter or summer
Occasionally squaw may be seen In sum
| mer time with variegated umbrella.
| Pieces of German silver and brass wire
are made into finger rings, and armlets are
| in common use. Large holes, varying IN
| length from a halfinch 10 an inch long,
| and from quarter of an inch to half
| inch in width, are cut in the upper and
| lower parts OF the ear In these holes are
| fastened large brass rings, to winch are
attached turquoise beads, divided into
| from five 10 ten longitudinal sections. In
| each section are from three to fiye beads,
fastened together by means OF buckskin
and rawhide. On the end of this earring
| is the handsomest portion OF a rnotiier-of-
pearl shell. / have seen as many as three
OF these articles of adornment in one car.
| A necklace OF the same material, and FASH
| toned in the same manner, is worn about
| the neck.
The only weapon carried by a squaw Is
knife, called me Ia, placed in hand
somely- beaded case and fastened TO the
waistbelt. For occasions OF ceremony
and dance the buckskin dress and 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 ani-
mails. The leggings have the same orna-
mcnts. They are expert in the manage
mcnt Of horses, and at a distance IT Is dill
! ficult 10 distinguish squaW from
buck" as their manner of riding Is
| identical, even TO the incessant punching
of the ponies sides with the heels ana
| beating the beast with a whip. In child
hood they play as merrily as white chill
dren, making mud pies, building miniature
| lodges, and seemingly making the most Of
their time against the hardsliips OF ma
turcr years. AS a rule they all paint their
faces One Of their fashions is TO tattoo a
small round spot in the center OF the fore
head and streak down the center OF the
inch.
The age Of womanhood is hailed with
| gladness by the parents, and Is the occa-
sion OF rejoicing in the form OF feast, to
| which are invited all the friends OF the
| family. On this great occasion the joyful
father of the girl gives away as many
ponies, robes and blankets to his friends
and the poor of the tribe as his posses
| sions permit. Now the young girl Is care
|
bucks" will watch her. She adorns
herself in garments of flaming colors,
paints in an extravagant manner, and
powders her hair with swect-smelling
leaves. Polygamy is the almost universal
practice. There are three modes OF mar
riage. The courtship of one form OF mar
riage is conducted in singular manner. A
young buck" becoming enamored OF a
young squaw, waits convenient time,
when, approaching stealtbily, he wraps
his blanket around her, and then, holding
her in firm grasp, pours his tale OF love
and devotion into her sometimes unwill-
ing) ear. This being completed he goes
TO the father and the price OF the maiden
is agreed upon, according to the young
mans wealth one to three, and sometimes
more, ponies are given for the girl. This
transaction finished the girl becomes the
warriors wife, whether she has said
"Yes" or mo" There Is one thing GER
tain, however, that while she remains with
him she obeys him. The squaw may
leave her husband, or rather she may be
| deserted By him, ana then, going back to
| her family, she is ready to be bought
again. There seems no especial regard
| between the buck" and the squaw. In
view OF this fact the Indian, strangely
enough, evinces strong affection for his
children. Where there is no love between
man and wife you would suppose this
could not exist 1t Is nevertheless fact
that the children are dearer to an Indian
| than his horses. Of course the squaws
grow old fast, and soon become ugly hays.
AT this stage they are treated as an incum-
| brance. Old men, as well rs women, have
frequently been left on the prairie to die.
A small store OF provisions to sustain life
a few days, Is given them this gone, death
| by starvation follows. This, / am told, is
] no longer nrActiced by the AGENCY Indians