The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-07-08
Hudson BAY Trading Posts.

The trading and interior depot pests o
the company are strange, quaint -lookin.
places, built according to a general plan
They stand generally upon the second o.
lower band Of some mvigable river or lake
30 as to be easily accessible to the boats
which annually visit them with supplies.
a trading post is invariably a square, in.
closed by immense trees or pickcts, one end
sunk deeply in the ground, and placed close
together. A platform, about the height of
an ordinary man, is carried along the inner
| side of the square, SO as to enable any one
70 peep over without danger from arrow or
bullet. At the four corners are bastions
octagonal In shape, pierced with cmbrasurcs
to lead the Indians to believe in the exist
ence of cannon, and intended to strike ter
ror into any red-skinmd rebel bold enough
to dispute the supremacy of the company.
The entrance to the stockadc is closed by
two massive gates, an inner and an outer
one In the center of the square stands the
residence of the factor or trader in Charge.
and OF the upper class of employees, while
about its four sides, close to the stockadc
are ranged the trading store the fur-room.
the warehouses, servants quarters, etc.
Beside the larger dwelling rises tall flag
staff, bearing the flag Of the company, with
It's strange device, "Pro 1elle cuiea,e"-
skin for ssin-and near by bell tower, the
tones from which mark the hours of labor
and rest. In front of the gate lounge a few
half-brecds or indians in taaselled cap and
dlrty white capote, or tattercd blankets. A
band of horses Craze in distant meadow.
while nearer by few leather tcpces or bark
lodges, from the frilled poles of which the
smoke curls lazily, indicate the home of the
aboriginal hanger-On. At one side of the
paisade few rude crosses or wooden rail
ings, stained by rain and snow-drift, and
blown over by the tempest, mark the last
resting places of the dead. The trade-rooms
at oil the posts are arranged with strict re-
terence to the wants of the pccula custom
which they attract. From the her.y ioists
OF the low ceiling depend twine, sccl-traps,
TIN kettles, frying-pans, etc. on various
shelves are piled bales of cloth of all colors.
capotes, blankets and caps; and in smaller
are placed files, scalping- knives.
gun screws, tiints, balls of twine, fire stecls,
canoe avis, and glass beads of all colors and |
'lzes. Drawers in the counter contain nee
lies, pins, scissors, fish-hooks, thimbles and
Iermllion for painting canoes and faces.
IN the i1oor is strewn variety of copper
kettles, from half pint to gallon; and
n one corner Of the room stand a dozen
rading guns, and beside them kcp of
powder and a bag of shot,
In some of the tradc-rooms a small space
rallied off by the counter near the door.
'ehind which the Indians stand to trade.
sometimes they are confined to a separate
partmcnt, called the Indian-room, adioin-
ng that occupied by the traders, and busl-
ess is carried on through loop-hole COM
1unicating betwce len the two In MANY of
Ut atside ,s'd the picket ESQ as 70 SsSsSgI long
arrow passage, only ys&spSihcient width to
dlnit one Indian at time, and bent ut
n acute angle near the window at which
he trader stands. This precaution is rem
cred necessary by the frantic desire which
ometimes seizes upon the Indian to shoot
he clerk, which he might easily do were
he passage straight. At most Of the into
ior posts time moves slowly, and change is
lmost unknown. To-day is the same as
hundred years ago. The st of goods Or
Tered from England for this year has ex-
Ictly the same items as that of ITO.
Strands, cotton, beads and trading guns are
till the wants of the Indians, and are still
raded for musquash and beaver. The sys
EN- of trade at the company's posts is en-
ircly one of barter. Until recent years.
money values were unknown; but this me-
lium of exchange has gradually become |
familiar to the Indians, and the almighty |
dollar is rapidly asserting it's supremacy In |
,aYagedOm. ... |