The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-06-24
Indian FOot-Ball-A Splendid DISPLAY
Of Wind and Muscle.

Indian Foot-Ball-A Splendid Displaj
! Of Wind and Muscle.
THE Washoe Indians have peculiar
game of football which they play very
much after the manner of the English
game. Whether it originated with
them or was learned from the whites,
and how long it has been practiced by
them, are questions for future investi-
cation. The Indians may be seen en-
gagged in this sport on. fine days at this
season. The level ground on the south
| ern side of the river, above the dam
and below the bluff, is their favorite
| pleasure ground. The spectator from
a distance, who does not know what is
going forward, is struck by the novelty
of the spectacle when one of the games
is in progress. Looking on from the
opposite side of the river, he will see a
number of Indians at times run as if a
foot race were going on, and then pair
Off, stand still and appear to be embrace
| ing each other. Other Indians may be
seen squatted on the ground looking
on, and seated higher up on the bluff.
and, watching the proceedings, are al
ways number of squaws, conspicuous
by the bright colors of their dress.
The presence of the latter no doubt
serves to fire the hearts of the struo-
Cling braves, and induce them to put
forth their best efforts to win the match.
The ball used by the Indians is made of
pieces of WOODEN stockings, OR any SIM
liar substance, encased in leather 1t
is about the size of the ordinary cricket
ball. A level piece of clear ground is
selected, and two goals fixed, distant
from each other about one hundred
yards. The goal is made by setting two
saplings upright in the ground and
about five feet apart. The game is
played by six Indians at time, three
to a side. The game consists in
each side trying to kick the ball
through the goal of the other This
must be done from the space between
the goals; if the ball is kicked through
from the rear it does not count. When
the ball has been forced through one or
the other of the goals the game is
won 1t must be kicked through, not
thrown. The Indians do not cucumber
themselves with unnecessary clothing
when about to engage in the sport
Some OF them go into it with nothing
on but breech-cloth and belt. The
most that any retain of the garb of civ
ilization is pair of abridged overalls,
leaving them naked from the waist up
and from the knees down. Nothing is
worn on the feet The ball is kicked
with either the heel or the toes, some
with the ball of the foot. AS the ground
is always more orless stony, and the ball
not soft, it may be inferred that the
indians feet are tough. All being
ready, the players form ring midway
between the goals. One side is called
the Reno, the other the California.
The two sides are thus named by the
Indians themselves. The game opens
by one of the players tossing the ball
lightly into the air, so that it will fall
in the center of the ring. The instant
it touches the earth thirty Indian toes
are propelled against it. Five feet may
come in contact with each other. and
the ball remain where it fell; or swift |
stroke may send it spinning out of the
circle. Now commences the Indian
wrestling. AS soon as the ball has |
been started each player seizes upon
one OF the opposing side and tries to
prevent him from reaching the ball, |
which will sometimes lie untouched for !
ten or fifteen minutes, until some one
breaks away from his adversary and |
gets kick at it. The Indians dis
play wonderful skill as wrestlers.
Their wrestling is after the Lanca
shire fashion-any hold is allowable. 1t
is collar-and- elbow, side-hold, Greco
Roman, and all other styles combined.
thus struggling, the contest is excit-
ing. The physical development of
these Indians is superb. Their mus
cles In action may be seen to glide be-
meath the skin like serpents. They re-
semble snakes themselves as they Irvine
and TWIST about each other in every con-
ceivable fashion. Wildly picturesque
they look, too, with Their long black
hair flying in the wind. What siren nth
and agility they exhibit One will lift
MS adversary by the belt clear of the
ground and throw him. Down they 90
,ogether. In the dirt the struggle con-
lnueS. There they interlock and wind
about each other. twisting and turning.
fresh hold every moment.
low one, now the other uppermost, un-
ii their identity is lost in the cloud of
lust which surrounds them. This one
seems 10 have overcome his antagonist;
lie breaks away from him and springs
o his feet. But the other has CAUGHT
him by the heel. Another moment and
10Th are standing, each locked in his
'dversary's grip. AS they shift their
position and change their hold their
palms strike one another's flesh with a
that is heard hundred feet
way. At last one player is loose. He
ushes at the ball, but before he can
lick an opponent has seized his belt
nd fresh graphing ensues. Thus the
.ame goes on. Sometimes, however,
here will be some very lively kicking,
nd the ball be kept almost constantly
the air. Often rush at the object
vii result in confused heap of In
lans, piled one above the other on the
round. and from the mass of strug-
ling flesh legs and arms will be seen ,
ticking out in all directions, All ia s