, 1884-10-21
THE LAST REM
Of the Once Powerful Indian Tribe Of
Attakapas.
A Visit TO Their vIIIage-PecuIIaritiea
or Language-PersonnI
Appearance and Habits
Basket-mRkfng.

80 - h'A - 80 aANNAa AA-hN VI 4
aud a mornings pleasant walk distant from
IL Is a small group OF cabins. The bayou at
this point approache5 Lake Chetimacha, OF
as ii Is called now, Grand lake, more closely
than at any other place, as it here makes a
long turn before it comes back 10 a spot only
IA mile or 70 distant from where II started.
This bend Is called Indian bend, and derives
It's name from the same little cluster of
cabins spoken Of Here for more than u cen
tury has dwelt the last remnant OF the once
powerful tribe OF Attakapas, once the terror
Of all other red men hereabouts, for II was told
Of them that they devoured the flesh OF their
fallen foes.
Tbs last remaining family now residing In
lndiIn Bend are OF the Chetimachn tribe, a
branch OF the A~ttakRpas, and as relies Of a
once great nation they are most interesting
u study. Far more difficult 10 approach and
less communicative when approached than
our ChAtaws, It was not without much
trouble that what is here given was learned.
The people living near them still hold them
In something like awe, and strangers are not
escorted 10 their village without minute ad-
vice as to how they must behave, and even
then much reluctance is shown. 1t Is not a
little curious 10 note the hesitancy with
which a resident Of that locality viii en-
deavor to prevent one from making a visit
to this Indian village. Once during an attempt
10 secure an Introduction TO these interest
ing ~aboriginals we were told that a very
dangerous fever was prevailing among them.
As we expressed II willingness TO brave the
disease we were informed It was not the
proper time Of day to call. When the pro rer
time arrived IL was snid the sun was too hot
When a later hour was fixed the party TO es-
cort US had his carriage made ready and
drove us to a distant prairie 10 view some
wonderful cane, thus consuming the day.
Too hospitable 10 deny US the pleasure Of a
visit, that had some unknown dread to him,
by pleasant subterfuges he filed up the time
50 that other engagements prevented the pro
po e | call OF course this only whetted the
curiosity, which Il subsequent visit gratihed.
There was an atmosphere of loneliness
hanging over the little settlement, notwith-
standing there were three or four women
moving languidly about from one cabin to
another in the yellow sunlight Around their
reservation waving fields Of cane In bright
apple green spoke OF the growth OF c~iviliza-
ton that hemmed them In, but this did not
sem 10 move their perfect apathy, for no
attempt at cultivation was to DO seen near
their homes. No pratue OF chicken, no song
Of mothers, no sound OF life was to DO heard
All was silent, as IL animate life we're extinct.
At the sight Of IA stranger the women retired,
and 1t was only when the door Of a cabin
was approached that a man showed himself.
In personal appearance they differ some
what from our Chataws, with whom we are
familiar from their constant visits TO the
French market. The men are somewhat
darker than those we. see In the city, their
cheek-bones very high and their eyes keen
and quick Of movement. Pursy, sensual
mouths, indicate a deterioration OF the race,
but oven with this drawback their expression
is one Of perfect self assurance If not bold
ness. They were fully up to the average
height Of the white man, and their broad
shoulders showed that they came from
a big framed people. The women
we're neater and more comedy than
the men, and their faces betokened
quick intelligence. All were dressed in the
habits Of the whites, the men In cottonade
pants aud calico shirt, the women in calico
skirt and bright-colored waist or josey. Their
spoken language differs from all others Of our
known Indians. 1t is a sui generis, and can
DO likened TO nothing so much us the twit-
tering OF birds. 1t is made up Of labials
s~ibilants, and each syllable seems Of sharp
brevity. The absence Of cultural sounds
makes their speech sound more like an at
tempt at loud whispering which, with the
short syllables. produces, as was said before,
the twittering sound. No attempt has been
mado 10 form a written vocabulary of their
language, and 1t will not be long before it
viii be an impossibility.
SO far us has been observed none of the
ceremonies or festivals OF ancestors are fol-
lowed or celebrated, but il is possible within
their close community old rites may he regu-
lnrly observed without ~neighbors knowing
anything aboat it.
One of the most remarkable arts they nave
preserved Is matchmaking. In this they OK
cell. In fact north OF Mexico there is no
tribe in which such exquisite specimens of
both workmanship and color can be found.
Their baskets are really objects Of art, and
arc highly priced by those who can secure
them. They are made Of cane, but so small
and delicate are the strips, some appear to
have been woven of the finest material. With
their finger they strip off the hard cuticle
from the ordinary wild cane, and the differ
emit dyes arc applied before the weaving be-
gins.
These dyes are imperishable, and notwith-
standing many temptations held out, they
still refuse to divulge tho secret of their
manufacture Such is their ingenuity OF de-
sign no two OF these baskets are alike.
Squares, triangles, curious hieroglyphics and
geometric patterns In white, red, chocolate,
yellow and black, make each piece of work
unique and all so wrought that there is IA
unity In the composition evincing a remark
ably high order Of taste. The larger baskets
are double, the outside being covered with
designs, while the interior Is plain, and such
is their fneness they would hold water.
Their art Of basket making will soon pass
away, however. as the younger ones show no
desire to learn. An estimable gentleman
living in the neighb0rhood Is even now en-
deavoring 10 encourage the children 10 take
up the study from their parents rathor than
see such exquisite work become a lost art.
Their wants are very few, and when
spoken o OH the subject they invariably
comment on the high price Of coffee, a bev-
erage Of which they are immoderately fond.
Hominy and a little salt meats make up their
entire diet.
Unlike most tribe they recognize female
equality, ami the twenty-five or thirty left
are now ruled by "A queen, the chief having
died.
The younger generation are more indolent,
and show a marked indisposition to work,
but strong efforts are being made to urge
them TO learn the secret dyes OF their fathers,
30 that thcy may be able TO preserve them,
Is they will be Of service to them In tho
future.
Life. Yes. SIR said Mrs. Darlington,
Ipoaking OF one who drank himself to death.
@y,~, sir, dissolution has brought many a
man II the grave"