The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-04-04
CAMP JOSEPH.
A Short Visit to the Quarters Assign
ed to the Nez ?e.ces Above Fl
leayenWorth.
Chief Joseph Leaves a History Be-
hind Him Written on a Tree.

for a short time, 10 observe the condition of
the red captives. The first glance at the
village revealed the fact that many new
tepees or lodges were in course OF coustruc-
ton, and that those of the old ones that had
become leaky or worn, were being repaired
with tent-cloth furnished by the government.
Everything abou. the camp bore 4 cheerful
aspect and appeared remarkably clean.
This Is in meas re due perhaps to the
habits of the tribe which require them to
take bath every morning. The modps
operandi OF the bath, is in some respects
peculiar, one portion of the process being
SWEAT BATH.
When the camp was first established the
artisans who were competent Tor the work
built -'sweat-house" consisting of a deep
hole in the ground within few feet of the
river and covered ;ingeniously with earth,
making the roof appear like a mound with
top like the bottom Of an iron kettle. An
aperture was left on the east side in front
OF this, fire was built and several large
stones which had been collected were heat
ed red hot. In the bottom of the hole was
placed a sufficiency OF water to create steam;
the rocks then were thrown in
and the members OF the tribe
one after another went into hte
oven, for such it is, and remained until the
body was profusely covered with perspira-
ton. Alter this leap through the aper-
ture to the open air and plunge into the
cold waters of the Missouri finished the
bath. This custom is al old one with the
Nez Perces and the bath is taken regularly
every morning no matter what the condi-
ton Of the weather is, or what the ailments
of the body may be, SO long as the man or
woman is able to walk. This proceeding,
which is not unlike a Turkish bath, is said
by the braves who can speak little Eng
lish to make Indian much good
CHIEF JOSEPH
was found in his tent enjoying cigar in
company with his wife and child and the
warrior, Charley" who was the first cap
tured and sent here some months before
Joseph's defeat by Gen. Miles, "Chsrley"
having Gully been recently released from the
guard house and permitted to take up his
quarters with his chief who had honored
him with a Trustworthy position during
the campaign. The chief appeared as tran
quill as on the day of his arrival, and was
dressed about in the same manner. He
stated through Charley" who acted as in
terpreter, that he was not unhappy, and
that his people were being treated as well as
could be expected. In front of his neatly
arranged tent, stands large tree, which he
has blazed, and on the white wood painted
a number of hieroglyphics, which detail the
cause of his residence on the banks of the
Missouri. The base of the "blaze" is
filled with long row of Indian lodges
paintedl in real. Above these are
horses, birds, wolves, dogs and men all
the idea that they are all closely connected.
One peculiar feature is that the out line OF
the birds, ii closely observed very much
resemble the birds carved on Cieopatras
needle, which has been recently landed in
London, and the position too, is the same,
being at the top OF all other characters.
Whatever it Is, it is OF deep significance to
The Indians who all seem TO be able to read
it, and understand It's import. The work
was executed by Chief Joseph himself, and
we must say that his talents as an arts: OF
his kind are not of the worst.
Several of the tepees i. the village are
ornamented with pictures OF various kinds.
DYING OF CONSUMPTION.
One of the sad features Of the visit was
few moments spent in a tent occupied by
an aged Indian, who is known as George
Washington" the man who usually con-
Quoted the religious exercises OF the tribe
On Sundays.
,,,,,I ,.,,oi, IL
and in the last stages of consumption. His
face wore q haggard appearance, and his
hollow shaking voice as he endeavored to
speak few words OF friendly welcome in
broken English told too plainly that his
days are numbered. George was only
few months ago when last seen by the re-
porter as robust as any, apparently, and
the earnestness with which he conducted
the services spoke for his goodness. When
the last hand-shake Of farewell was given
at parting he said, pointing upward, Soon
go; good bye; me no chief but got good
heart" meaning, perhaps, that he was
humble in spirit.
THE HOSPITAL TENT
was almost empty. Nearly all OF the
wounded have got well and are able to take
full rations. There is one, however, among
those who are not well that will not prob
ably last long. He is tall warrior who
was shot through both hips. He is very
low and thinks he cannot recover. One
known as Joe" who was shot through the
shoulder 20 high that an amputation was
impossible, and who was given up as a los;
case is getting well.
The tent Of the white interpreter. Mr.. \.
l. Chapman, is situated close to Joseph's
tent, and is filled with many valuable In
dian curiosities among which is "a wolfskin
cap once owned by "White Bird" who is
now with Sitting Bull with the remainder
of the Nez Perces. "Yellow Ball." who
was in Chapman's tent, seemed TO be j0-
vial sort of fellow, and inclined 10 use his
eyes in talking, in place OF English. Mr..
Chapman has a pipe that was owned By
Chief Joseph's grand father, Wah-la-mu,-ki,
seventy-h five years ago.
On leaving the interpreters tent the re
porter walked around through the village
at random, and found here and there rack
arranged Tor Jerking beef; a lodge filled
with beef that was in process Of smoking
groups Of Indian women and girls making
with bows and arrows at nickels
one feature was group Oh men
ard women a short distance from the lodges
playing game Of ball not unlike our old
game OF Shiny" using clubs cut from
crooked timber, and made to resemble a
huge spoon.
The health OF the captives is said TO be
excellent
Nothing has yet been made known as to
the time Of their removal, and it is pre-
sumed they will remain here all sum-
mer.