Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-11-25
TIE oRlclx Of scALPrxG.
Helena Independentl

a Montana newspaper man had a
long and interesting talk with O.o-
watse OF the tribe of Mohicans and
among other things asked him the
purpose Of the Indians In scalping
their enemies and where aad how II
originated. Otowatse replied that
the custom had now become one of
hatred and revenge, but tina, scalps
at one time were only taken to show
after battle how many Of the enemy
had been slain A war party, BY
comparing the number of scaips tax
en- with the number OF warriors miss
ing. could tell which side was victo-
rious In poin: Of execution of the foe.
The origin Of the custom, he said.
was only explained by tradition. The
tradition is in substance a. follows:
Hundreds Of years ago-perhaps
thousands-when the Indians were all
one tribe and under one great chief.
dispute arse 10 the tribe as 10 who
should become chief. the old chief
having died without leaving son to
succeed him There were.two prin-
cipzi aspirants for the chieftaincy and
each of them had strong following.
The dispute ended in dividing the
tribe and in var Previous 10 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 very beautiful daughter and
one of the leading warriors was
sutton Cor her hand. The chief. az a
condition To conserving TO give his
daughter TO her warrior lover, requir-
ed him TO kill the chief OF the oppos-
ing tribe lhis old-time rival Tor the
chieftaincy), and to bring him proof
OF the act. He accepted the condi-
ton. II was many long miles TO the
camp Of the enemy and the snow
was deep, but he Immediately set out
upon bis mission After lying in
wait near the enemy's camp for days
and undergoing great suffering from
the extreme cold without having an
opportunity of carrying out bis plan,
he finally one night boldly entered
the chiefs lodge, slew him, and cut
ting off his head 10 take back with
him as proof, started to return to
his own people. The next morning
the murder was discovered, also the
murderer's tracks in the snow and
drops of blood that had fallen from
the dead chieftain's captured head.
Two hundred warriors started in
pursuit of the murderer. They al. |
most overlook him, and he could
hear them on his track. He was al |
most tired out, and the dead chiefs
head was growing heavy. yet he
on with it through the |
snow and the cold, determined not |
10 reiinquish the proof which would |
win for him his bride. 1he pursuers |
pressed him 80 at length that he threw
away every weight but his trophy.
They finally gained on the weary
brave 30 fast that it seemed he must |
either relinquish his prize or be cap
.ured. which meant death. Whip
ping out his rude knife (it was before
he time of steel knives among the |
lndians), he hurriedly stripped off !
he scalp from the dead mans head |
md sped on. Thus lightened of mis-
DAD he made his own camp in safety.
The scalp was accepted as sufficient
proof that he had fulfilled his mission,
he old chief no longer withheld his
consent and the brisht-eyed daughter
,ethe forest became his own. Thus
originated the custom OF scalping
Imong the American Indians.