The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1878-05-17
Manners and Morals of the
SIOUX.

foONiAs
Correspondence OF tAe CnicsEo Tines
have made diligent inc uiries regard
ing the social and tribal laws governing
the Ogallala Sioux, and have elected the
following, which, though not so terribly
strict, is, nevertheless, more than enough
to govern "ye gentle savage" in his
own home, when administered through
the channel of Indian justice: mention
frs. the crime of stealing No doubt, when
/ say this crime is considered virtue
instead Of crime, the reader will laugh
but yet tbs true, "to steal
and not to be found out" but to be
caught in the act or to be found in pos
session of the stolen property is disgrace,
and it is the privilege Of the squsws to
taunt and tease him, who exercise this
privilege to the fullest extent, and
to be ridiculed by squaw is
the worst degradation that can
be inflicted; Consequently he very
seldom steals. Should he be caught in
the act three or four times, he would be
by all th9 warriors and Dnade 8
sduaw man. He is then disgraced for
ever, b.ing debarred from all warrior
proceedings whatsoever, which disgrace
to an Indian is worse than death, and
many prefer death to that punishment
and kill themselves. When a warrior or
young man is made squaw man, the
head men of the tribe take bis gun, bow
snd arrows. ponies, all his war apparel,
in fac, everything and in turn they are
given 70 the parties whom he had stolen
from, and 10 destitute widows and or
phans of fallen braves, aud the thief il
turned over 90 the mercy OF the band.
But sSould he be q successful thief out
side eShfs own band, then be is praised
n his ssgacity, and the more he steals
the higher he gets Should he luckily
Ihsppen to be brave Indian AMI an &C
lconplished thief mbiued, then he is
away up on the brave list, and no expe-
dihon is fitted up but he is invited
10 be one of the party, very often as
itsleader. This kind of an ipdividual is
a error to the gquaw man, as he in
ysiably taunts him when and wherever
hemeets him. There is but one squaw
u1sn ia the whole of Red Clouds band.
I nave personally seen him, and his life
isshe,l on earth. He has to do every
thing that no other Indian would do, and
never receives a kind werd unless it be
from some kind-hearted missionary. l
tried TO find out what he had done, but
could not as there are several ways TO
reduce an Iudian TO that position and
mo oamount Of inquiry will make them
disclose the facts to outside parties;
and as the last Indian asked said,
'.Heap talk too much" / gently took
the hint. TO act the coward in battle,
70 disobey an order from the chief where
there is any danger, to try TO skulk or
Get out OF any dangerous undertaking
when detailed for it, go to make the
Indian squsw man.
Fighting among themselves is almost
unknown. During my experience have
never seen one Indian wishing TO fight
another of his own band, though ! have
heen told that occasionally there is such
a easc. Should two Indians commence to
fOht aud smother Indian step between
them, or put stick or pipe between
them. they would have to desist,
or run the chance of being
killed, as they certainly would be,
Aid they not desist when called on.
premeditated murder among themselves
il looked on as one of the impossibilities.
There is not an Indian in the band that
can call To mind any instance of such
case. There are some instances where
the peace men cannot keep down fight
between two Indians who have some fDC
point OF Indian honor to settle. The heac
men then make them 60 and settle thu
affair with knives, when one or botE
ere invariably killed. Should one come
of safe, he would on some dark nigh
take all of his ponies and tie them II
front of the tepee Of the deceased, whicl
would 20 a great ways TO assusge tn
grief of the relatives. Sometimes tn
gilt would only be four or FIVE ponies
according TO the rank of the deceased
Any dispute that may arise is invariabl.
settled by the older men of the tribe
and their verdict forever settles the dis
pute.
Hospitality among the Sioux Is grea
indeed and would put to shame some Q
their psieface brethren. Poor tbough
be, tits given cheerfully, and you receiv
a perfect welcome. For an Indian I
send hungry man from his tepee, be b
q prisoner, friend or enemy, Is 81 insui
70 his txibe.
II would require separate letter
give all the different forms of marriage
days gene by, but now they resort to ii
missionary, and have adopted the wa
of the whites, and they seem to think
the best way, and try to initiate the
white sisters and brothers TO the best
their ability.
| An Indian will always avenge al
personal wrong done hing, even should
Head t, his death, and their memory of
wrong done them lasts for lite, but by q
kind actions of a humane government Al
good examples of the missionaries scho'
masters, elc., hope thrIe viii oe a gre
change. Civilization will do It IN tin