The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-11-12

Tribune writes rs follows from Red
Cloud Agency
The Indian squaws are exceedingly
interesting Ia visitor 10 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. To one Of
these braids l. fastened little BAG orna-
mented with beads and filled with sweet
smelling leaves. Their teeth are better
than those Of the men, white and even.
and rarely cecayed. This redeeming
feature softens the sensual look Of the
large mouth and thick lips. Their eyes
are large, almond-shaped, and some
thing of dark brown, sparkling and
merry. While il Is hard TO associate
the idea of beauty with "A squaw whose
garments are dirty, vet | have seen
those whose faces could not fail to
please. Their usual garment is a calico
dress, called ohHHciggauncka-minnic-
hod, made in one piece. with flowing
sleeves. IL Is gathered at the waist by
"A broad leather belt, worked with brass
beads and ornaments of German silver.
This sack j. cut short. exposing red
flannel leggings. called hOonSkd. and
buckskin moccasins handsomely adOrn-
ed with beads and painted porcupne
quilts. Occasionally red sack is worn,
studded with elk teeth, which il highly
priced. They wear no covering for the
head, either in winter or summer. De-
casionally squaw may be seen in sum
mer time with yariegated umbrella
Pieces Of German silver and brass wire
are made into iinger-rings. and armlets
are in common use. Large holes. vary
ing in length from a half-inch to an inch
long, and from quarter of an inch To
a half-inch in width, are cut in the up
per and lower parts Of the ear. In
these holes are fastened large brass
rings, 10 which are attached turquoise
beads, divided into from five to ten
longitudinal sections. In each section
are from three TO five beads. fastened
together BY means Of buckskin and raw
hide. On the end Of this earring Is the
handsomest portion Of a m0ther-of-
pearl shell. | have seen rs many as
three Of these articles Of adornment in
NiAN ttAA - AAtNhAAAt VI lilt >Alfit iiA-
terial. and fashioned in the same man
ner. j. worn about the neck.
The only weapon carried by a squaw
i a knife. called me- ~. placed in "A hand
somely beaded ease and fastened to the
waist belt For occasions Of ceremony
and dances the buckskin dress and leg
gings are dOnned. These garments are
gorgeous with bead-work, the shoulders
and sleeves being covered with beads i'm
various devices, representing men and
animals. The leggings have the same
ornaments They are expert in the
management Of horses. and al distance
it is difficult 10 distinguish a squaw from
buck, a their manner of riding j.
identical, even to the inccssant punch
ing Of the pOny's sides with the heels
and beating the beast with a whip. In
childhood they play merrily a white
children, making mud pies. building
miniature lodges. and seemingly max
ing the most Of their time against the
hardships of maturer years A. a rule
they all paint their faces One Of their
fashions j. 10 tattoo a small round spot
in the center Of the forehead and a streak
down the center Of the chin.
The age Of womanh0Od j. hailed with
gladness by the parents, and j. the oc-
casion 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 a.
many ponies, robes and blankets 10 his
friends and the poor Of the tribe as his
possessions permit. Now the young girl
j. careful Of her personal appearance.
as the "bucks" will watch her. She
adorns herself in garments of flaming
colOrs, paints in an extravagant manner.
and powders her hair with sweet-smell-
ing leaves. Polygamy is the almost uni 7
versal practice. There are three modes
of marriage. The courtship of one
form Of marriage j. conducted in a sin I
gular manner. Ayoung buck becom- \
Ing enamOred Of a young squaw, awaits \
a convenient time, when, approaching
stealthily, he wraps his blanket around \
her, and then, holding her in a firm
grasp, pOurs his tale Of love and devo-
ton into her sometimes unwilling ear.
This being completed, he goes 20 the
father and the price of the maiden i
agreed upon according to the young
mans wealth; one 10 three and some
times more ponies are given for the
girl. This transaction being finished,
the girl becomes the warriors wife.
whether she has said Z" Yes or " No. =
There is one thing certain, however,
that while she remains with him she
Dbeys him. The squaw may leave her
gr rather she may be deserted
by him, and then going back to her
family she j. ready to be bought again.
There seems noespecial regard between
he ''buck" and the squaw In view of
his fact, the Indian, strangely enough,
svinces a strong affection for his chill
M. 4 ]