Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-06-04
Rene, New, Gazette.

Rene, New, Gazette,
The Washoe Indians have peculiar
game of football aich they play very
much after L. 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 investigation.
The Indians may be seen engaged in
his sport on fine days at this season.
The level ground on the southern side
of the river, above the dam and below
the biub, is their favorite pleasure
ground. The spectator from distance,
who does not know what is going for
ward, is struck by the novelty of the
spectacle when the game is in pro-
gress. Looking on from the opposite
side of the river, he will see number
of Indians at times run as if foot race
were going on, and then pair of, stand
still and appear to be embracing each
other. Osher Indians may be seen
squatted on the ground looking on, and
seated higher up ON the bluff, and
watching the proceedings, are always a
number of squaws conspicuous by the
bright colors Of their dress. The pres
ence of the latter no doubt serves to
tire the hearts of the struggling braves
and induce them to put forth their best
efforts to win the match. The bsll
used by the Indians is made OF pieces
OF wooden stockings, or any similar
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 sap.
lings upright in the ground, and about
i've feet apart. The game is played by
six Indians at time, three to 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 In.
dams do not cucumber themselves
with unnecessary clothing when about
to engage in the sport. Some of them
60 into it with nothing on buta breech-
cloth and belt. The most that any
retain of the garb of civilization 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, sometimes with the
ball of the foot. AS the ground is al
ways more or less stony, and the ball
not soft, it may be inferred that the In
dians' feet are tough. All being ready
the players from q ring midway be-
tween 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 tos sing the ball
lightly into the air, so that it will fall
in the centre of the ring. The instant
ii 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 Indi-
an wrestling. AS soon as the ball has
been started each player seize 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 Lancashire fashion
any hold is allowable. 1t is collar
and-elbow, side-hold, Greco.Roman,
and all other styles combined. Thus
struggling, the contest is exciting. The
physical development of these Indians
is superb Their muscles in action may
be seen TO glide beneath the skin like
serpents. They resemble snakes them
selves as they twine and twist about
each other in every conceivable fashion.
Wildly picturesque they look, too,
with their long black hair flying in the
wind. What strength and agility they
exhibit! One will lift his adversary by
the belt of the ground and throw him.
Down they 60 together. In the dirt the
struggle continues. There they inter-
lock and wind about each other, twist
ing and turning, catching a fresh hold
every moment, now one, now the other
uppermost until their identify is lost in
the cloud of dust which surrounds them.
This one seems to have overcome bis
antagonist; he breaks away from him
and springs to his feet. But the other
has caught him by the heel Another
moment and both are standing, each
locked in his adversary grip. AS they
shift their position and change their
hold their palms strike one another's
flesh with a conclusion that is head
hundred feet away. AT last one
player is loose. He rushes at the ball,
but before lie can kick an opponent
has seized bis belt and fresh graphing
ensues. Thus the game goes on. Some.
times, however, there will be some very
lively kicking, and the ball be kept al.
most constantly in the air. Often
rush at the object will result in con-
fused heap of Indisns. piled one above
the other on the ground, and trom.the
mass of struggling flesh legs and arms
will be seen sticking out in all direc-
tons. All is good nature. There is no
fighting. no swearing, no hair-pulling,
sfrikiuo scrafching or unfair NAV. The