The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-06-02

NO RTH-W EST.
BY JENNIE JONES.

been in possession of all the territory
south Of Lake Superior, west Of Lakes
Huron and Michigan, south MS far AS
Milwaukee, and west to, or even beyond,
the Missouri river, for at that period
they took a Jesuit priest prisoner at Sault
st. Mary's, and killed him as an intruder
on their territory. And in 1860, the Jesu-
its, having established a mission Mt La
Point, in Magdalen Island, Lake Superior,
were driven of by the Sioux western
History. Soon after this, probably in
1870, the Chippewas commenced their in
roads upon the territory Of the Sioux, on
the north and east, and fought their way
south and west.
In the meantime the Winnebagos, a
migratory tribe from Mexico, to escape
the Spaniards came among the Sioux,
who gave them lands near Green Bay,
probably to help shield themselves from
the Chippewas. But the Sacs and Foxes
came up from the south and took forcible
possession of their territory and forced
them to go west, and they were in turn
driven out by the Menomonies (ibid).
Thus it will be seen that the first white
settlers in this northwest found wild
tribes of Indians. constantly at war with
each other, and SO used to scenes of war
and bloodshed that to seek revenge in
blood for any real or fancied injuries from
the whites was but their natural i%nclina-
ton. To prevent these wars between the
Indian tribes as much rs possible, the
United States government, in 1926, au-
thorize6 a general treaty to be held at
Prairie du Chen between all the tribes
within a district of five hundred miles
each way. This joint treaty was signed
on the part of the government by Gener-
ais Lewis. Cass and William Clark, and
by Wabasha and Red Wing, Little Crow,
and twenty-three other chiefs and braves
of the Sioux, and by Hole-in-the-D Day and
forty other chiefs and braves on the part
of the Chippewas.-HiStorica Collections.
Then followed the establishing of bound
aries between these tribes, and a little
later the buying of the lands from the
Indians by the United States government,
and their removal farther west and north
the old, old story of their frequent dep
relation, the dealing out of the red mans
ruin, fre-water (whisky), and the dwind-
ling out, which must inevitably end in
the dying out of these once strong, fierce
and warlike tribes of the forests and of
These tribes were, most of them, re-
moved to reservations-lands considered
except for hunting grounds, but
Of them wandered back to their old
haunts where they remained unmolested,
generally on friendly terms with the
whites, except when under the influence
~ liquor, when they were not unfrequent-
savage and barbarous.
CHARACTER OF THE INDIANS.
The character of the Indians, as written
by their distant admirers, or their near
enemies, has been both over-rated and
Moderated. How shall / describe them?
IA mixture Of savage barbarism and of
civilization" as learned from the whites.
This is about what the pioneers found
hem to be: They are either warm and
friends, or bitter, treacherous and
ood-thirsty enemies. That is their
nature. They are inveterate beg
yars, liars and thieves; a part Of this is
and a part was learned from their
white brothers. They are lazy, dirty
Ind shiftless. They are brave, chaste
Ind constant in their marital relations.
They are true to their tribe and those
Who befriend them, but revengeful and
inforgiving to their enemies. How much
# this is nature, and how much is learned
rom the pale faces, I leave to the reader
o say.
INDIAN HABITS.
With the coming of the whites, the
habits of the Indians underwent some-
hing Of a change. They learned to prize
money and to covet it's possession, pro-
,ided It could be gained without much
abor. Their wants grew to be more nu-
nerous as the ability to supply them in
They were still hunters, as they
had always been. but to this was added a
'ew other pursuits whereby money could
be obtained. But in this the principal
abor fell upon the squaws. The braves
would hunt and fish, and would sell their
urs, which always commanded good
while the deer skins would be
AIMED by the squaws, and often manu-
actured into poccasins, many OF them
astefully beaded and ornamented. For
bread they used the sinews Of the deer,
md their work was both substantial and
leat. These moccasins were favorite
ootwear for the pioneers, both men and
women, and for comfort they cannot easily
Ne surpassed, and a pretty foot never
ooked prettier han when dressed in a
leAt fitting Indian moccasin. No white
,erson could ever give a softer finish to
deer skin than do the squaws. In this
hey surpass all others.
The gathering of wild berries, and Of
Wild rice, also contributed considerably
supplying their wants. In sum-
ner . small patch Of Indian corn, and
ometimes Of potatoes, would be Guilt
'ated. In this, also, the squaws per-
ormed the most of the labor, while the
wandered off on hunting or fishing
OF their dances and amusements il is
ct necessary here to speak, as they diff