Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-12-26
JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN.
How They Live at Their Learenworth
LOdges...Their Religious Services.
LeavenMorth Times

further up the river. At the latter place
he found that the army tents which had
at first been put up, for the accommo-
dation Of the captives, had been taken
down, at the request of the Indians and
in their places a number Of 'tepees' or
lodges made of skins stretched upon
long poles.
The lodges are circular in form, and
Of conical shape. The SKINS which
form the walls, or rather wall are sewed
together securely with buckskin
'whangs" or strips. They are perfectly
weather-proof on the outside, and DO
not appear at all untidy, except at the
top, where the skins have been blacken-
ed by the smoke caused by the fires
which are kept up on the inside and
centre Of the circumference. in some
of these lodges were noticed furs Of the
finest description owned by the more
wealthy members of the tribe. On
some of the lodge-poes there are forks
which in some instances were seen
hanging boards to which the children or
papooses are strapped hanging in much
the same style the white brethren would
hang pictures on wall.
Near each lodge was stacked a huge
pile of wood, some of the stacks" be-
ing covered, to keep them dry.
The number Of people who visited
the camp during the day did not fall
short of five thousand, and the Indians
before night must certainly have felt
tired of the scrutiny to which they were
subjected, yet it was only repetition Of
history, for many is the time, when
white captivcS were, in the past, madc
q show to their red brethren. and that
too when they were toEurcG not only
by being captlvce, but lied to the stake
This case is different, how ever, for the
prisoners have everything they need,
and as ageneral thing are treated more
like guests than prisoners OF war,
After general survey of the village
rs it appeared casually, the repurtcg
visited the quarters occupied by Chef
Joseph, which consist Of Il comfortable
army tent with floor gnd 81 YES. This
place he found throng,d With multi
tudc of people who were eager to get Il
glance mt the famous chief in. He ap-
peared much the same a. when last
slightly careworn and tired expression
could be noticed on his face when new
batch of hand-shakers would arrive
He, about 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
left the tent, leaving another to fiji his
place, and with his chief adviser sought
refuge and rest in the tent Of the officer
of the guard.
The next point OF attraction was one
of the large hospital tents, where, it was
given out, there would be medicine
dance" This was an error. The ccre-
monies, as had been performed in the
morning, were of strictly religious
character, and the dance talked Of
was the afternoon service" ike in our
churches where two meetings are held
in n day. The reporter, when the time
for the ceremonies began, at the invita-
ton of the medicine man who is
known as George entered the large
tent, and found about one hundred men
and women ranged in two lines, near
the walls and in sitting position. They
were engaged in singing some of the
chants peculiar to the tribe, and paid
no marked attention to the entrance of
the visitor each one seeming to be
deeply interested, and each wearing Il
solemn expression ON his or her counte-
nance. After awhile others began TO ar
rive, and within short time fully one
hundred and fifty occupied the tent.
The great medicine or chief cxhorter
then took his place in the centre of the
group, and began the first of the general
service 10y few remarks. He then
rang small bell which he held in his
hand, and the entire party began n
chant which was perfect aS to time and
harmony, and was not devoid of music.
Both male and female held in their
hands some kind of plume, either Il
single feather or bunch rs large as Il
hcmse plume, which were waved back
and forth much in the manner of our
musiC-tcaChcr> wave their batons.
Three men in the centre of the apart
ment held instruments which resemble
tambourincS, which they at the proper
intervals vigorously pounded with sticks.
producing sound not unlike drum.
After, the FIRST general song was finished.
one of the braves made Il few remarks
III his native tongue which was followed
10y another chant, whlchwus concluded,
rs wore the remainder of the songs, 10y
long, low, wailing sound. each one
raising the right hand toward heaven.
The second who spoke was woman.
She related her experience To the mcdi-
cine man, and he repeated it in loud
voice to the congregation. This was
followed 10y another chant and a dance,
which was kept up for a long time.
George, . who during the services
seemed to be the most interested, ON be-
ing asked If he WAS Il Catholic, said:
Yes, me Catholic but no chief You
white man another black man; me