The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1883-10-13
THE ORIGIN or scALPING.
Helena Independet. !

a MONTANA newspaper man had long
and interesting talk with Otowatsc OF
the tribe OF Mochicans, aud among other
things asked him the purpose OF the
Indians in scalping their enemies and
where and how the custom originated.
0tOwatse replied that the custom had
now become one Of revenge and hatred,
but that scalps at one time were only taken
to show after battle how many of their
enemy were slain. A war party, by
comparing tie number Of scalps taken
with the number OF their own warriors
missing, could tell which side were vic.
torious in point OF execution on the foe.
The origin of the custom, he said, was
only explained by tradition. The ira.
ditiOn is in substance as follows.
Hundreds Of years ago-perhaps thou.
sands-when the Indians were all one
tribe and under one great chief, dis.
pute arose in the tribe as to who should
become chief, the old chief having died
without having son succeed him. There
were two principal aspirants for the
chieftaincy and each OF them had strong
following. The dispute ended in divid.
ing the tribe and in war. Previous to
this time scalping was unknown, as there
were no enemies to scalp, the land being
occupied by only one people. Peace was
never made between the two factions.
The chief of one side had a beautiful
daughter and one of the leading warriors
was suitor for her hand. The chief, as
a condition to consenting to give his
daughter to her warrior lover, required
him to kill the chief of the opposing
tribe lhis old time rival for the chief.
taincy), and to bring him proof of the act.
The warrior accepted the condition. 1t
was many long miles to the enemy and
the snow was deep, but he Immediately
set out upon his mission. After lying in
wait near the enemy's camp for days and
undergoing great suffering from the ex.
treme cold without having an opportun.
ity Of carrying out his plan, he finally,
one night, boldly entered the camp,
walked into the great chiefs lodge, slew
him, and cutting of his head to take
back with him as proof, started to re.
turn to his own people. The next morn.
ing the murder was discovered, also
the murderer's tracks in the snow and
drops Of blood which had fallen from the
dead chieftain's head. Two hundred
warriors started in pursuit Of the mur.
derer. They almost overlook him, and
lie could hear them on his track. He
was almost tired out and the dead chiefs
head was growing heavy. yet he struggled
on with it through the snow and cold,
determined not to relinquish the proof
which would win for him his bride.
The pursuers pressed him so at length
that he threw away every weight but
his trophy. They finally gained on the
weary brave SO fast that it seemed he
must either relinquish his prize or be
captured, which, Of course, would be
death. Whipping out his rude knife lit
was before the time of steel knives
among the Indians), he hurriedly
stripped off the the scalp from the head
and sped on. Thus tightening of his
10. load he made his own camp in safety.
The scalp was accepted as sufficient
proof that he had fulfilled his mission,
the old chief no longer withheld his con.
sent and the brigh-eyed daughter Of the
forest became his own. Thus originated
the custom Of scalping among the Ameri.
can Indians.
----~e---
The Hartford Courant says there have
been in the United States since the 9th
Of May last up to September 3rd. 1927 re.
corded cases Of wives quitting their hus.
bands in company with neighbors and
hired men; 239 husbands have abandoned
their wives to enjoy the society of unmar.
ried persons; "a white girls, under 20
vaars ne Oo hoyo -, r,., nj rco,, ,,e Ac-.