Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-12-26
JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN.
How They Live at Their Leavenworth
L0dges---Their Religious Services.
Leavenworth Times.

the NeZ ICrCcS INDIANS ABOUT q mile
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 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 keps 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-poles 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 q 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 captives were, in the past, made
a show to their red brethren, and that
too when they were tortured not only
by being captives, but tied to the stake.
This case is different, however, for the
prisoners have everything they need,
and as a general thing are treated more
like guests than prisoners of war. s
After q general survey of the village
rs it appeared casually, the reporter
visited the quarters occupied by Chief
Joseph, which consist of a comfortable
army tent with floor and stoves. This
place he found thronged with a multi
tude of people who were eager to get a
glance at the famous chieftail1. He APP
peared much the same as When last
noticed, although to the close observer
slightly careworn and tired expression
could be noticed on his face when new
batch of hand-shakers would arrive.
He, about o'clock in the afternoon,
left the tent, leaving another to fill 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 cere-
monies, as had been performed in the
morning, were of a strictly religious
character, and the Glance" talked of
was 1.-The afternoon service" like in our
churches where two meetings are held
In 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 a
solemn expression on his or her counte-
nance. After awhile others began to ar
rive, and within a short time fully one
hundred and fifty occupied the tent
The great medicine" or chief exhorter
then took his place in the centre of the
group, and began the first Of the general
service by a few remarks. He then
rang a small bell which he held in his
hand, and the entire party began a
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 a plume, either a
single feather Or bunch as large as a
hearse plume, which were waved back
and forth much in the manner of our
music-teachers wave their batons
Three men In the centre of the apart
ment held instruments which resemble
tambourines, which they at the proper
intervals vigorously pounded with sticks,
producing a sound not unlike drum
After the first general song was finished,
one of the braves made a few remarks
In his native tongue, which was followed
by another chant, which was concluded,
us were the remainder of the songs, by
long, low, Wall1ng sound, each one
raising the right hand toward heaven
The second who spoke was a woman
She related her experience to the medi-
cine man, and he repeated it in loud
voice to the congregation. This was
followed by another chant and a dance,
which was .kept up for long time. =
George" who during the services
seemed to be the most interested on be-
ing asked If he was a Catholic. said:
q Yes, me Catholic but no chief. You
white man; another black man; me
Indian; but all same heart, good heart;
ali feel same to him." and pointed up
ward. The services lasted untilquite a
late hour In the evening. The locker
on could not fail to see the resemblance
IN certain parts of the proceedings to
the htany in the Catholic church.
Washington's Ideas Of the Civil Service.