Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-11-21
THE LAST REMNANT
OF the Once Powerful Indian Tribe Of
Ettal-aras.
A VISIT - Ehcir Viiiagc--Pccuiinrit
otT1'cir Eaugua.rr--PrrSO
Appearance ard bsnblIs-
Misunderstanding.
Cor New Orleans Times. Dcmocrat.1


it is a smnli Group of cabins. The BAYOU Mt
this yuiut approaches lake Chctimachp, or
as il Is called now, Grand lake, more closely
than at amy other place, ms it here makes n
long turn bcinIn it comes b1c'; to ~ spot only
n mile or so distant from vii re it started.
This bend is GATED Indian bcji. AMI derives
its name from the same little cluster OF
cnbins spoken of Here for moro than cen
tury ha, dwclt the last remnant of the once
powerful tribe of Aitakauas, once the terror
Of all other red men Ncroabput., iorit was told
of them that they dcvuured the flesh Of their
fallen foes.
The last remaining family now residing in
ludisn Bend are of the Ch"timschl tribe, a
branch OF the Attakapns, and relics If a
once great nation they are most interesting
to study. Far more difficult to approach aud
les communicative when approached than
our Chataws, it was not without much
trouble that what is here given was learne l.
The people living near them still hold them
insoncthin, like awe, and strangers are not
escorted to their village without minute adj
vice as to how they must b,havo, and even
then much reluctance is shown. II i not
little CuliOuS 10 note the h's,tauCy with
which resident of that locality will Ell
dravor to prevent one from making visit
To- this Indian village. Once during an attempt
to secure an introduction TO these interest
ing nburiginas we were told that very
dangerous fever was prevailing among them.
A. we expressed willingness to brave the
disease we were informed il was not the
proper time OF day to call. When the pro er
tim" arrived it was sail tn" sun was too hot.
W hen later hour was fixed the party to rs-
cort us had his carriage made ready and
drove us toa distant prairie C. view some
wonderful cane, thus consuming the day
Too hospitnbe to deny II, the pleasure of a
visit, That had some unknown dread to him,
10y pleasant SubtartuscS he filled up the time
So that other engagements prevented the pro-
posed call. OF course this only whettcl the
curiosity, which II subsequent visit gratitled
There was an atmosphere of loneliness
hanging over the Ii tie settlement, notwith-
standing there wosr three ur four women
moving langudly about from ons cabin to
another in the yellow sunlight Around their
reservation waving fields Of cane IN bright
appr-green spoke OF the growth of civilizn-
ton that hammrd them in. but tin, did not
seem to move their perfect apathy, tor ne
attempt Mt cultivation was tu be- seen near
their homes. ~ p'nt'r Of chic',rn. mo- song
of muther, NO sound ri lie WAS io b heard.
All was silent, ms il auiinntc life were rN met.
At the sight of n stranger the ". m'n retired,
and il was only when the door ot cabin
was approached thai man showed Himself.
In personal appearance they differ some
what from our ChatHW>, with whom we are
familiar from then con tmt visits to the
French market. The urn are somewhat
darker than those W" >cc IN tho city, Their
chcck-homc> very high AMI their eye keen
aud quick of movement. Pursy. sensual
mouths. indicate a deterioration of the race,
but even with this drawback their expression
is one of perfect self -assurance if not bold
ness They were fully up t. the average
height of the white man. and their broad
shoulders showed that they came from
hlI framed people. Tie women
were neatcr and moro comely than
| the men, and their faces hetokened
quick intelligence. All were dressed in tho
habits of the whites tie men in CottOnade
pants aud calico shirt the women in calico
skirt and brght-colored waist or josey Their
spoken language differs from all others If our
known Indians 1t is a sui gencris, and can
! he lkened to nothing much IA the twit-
tcring OF birds. 1t is made M of lnhials
siIilnns. and each syllable seems Of sharp
brrvity The absence of cultural sounds
makes their speech sound more like nm at
tempt at loud whispering which. with the
short ~yllahles produces, as was said before,
the twitrring sound. No attempt has been
made to form n written vocabulary of their
language and it will not be long before it
will he an impossibility.
So far AS has been observed none of the
ceremonies or festivals of ancestors are fol
lowed or celebrated, but it is possible within
their close community old rites may be regu-
lurlv observed without neighbors knowing
anything abD t it.
One OF the most remarkable arts they have
pre-ervcd is basket.making. In this they ex
cell In fact north Of Mexico there is no
tribe in winch such exquisite specimens OF
both Workmanship and color can he found.
Their baskets are really obi ccts of art and
are highly priced 10y those who can secure
them They are made oi cane but So small
md delicate are the strips, some app ear tc
have been woven of the finest material Will
their finger they strip oil the hard cuticl,
from the ordinary wild cane, and the differ
eut dyes are appued before the weaving lie
gins
These dyes are inn er.shahle. aud notwith
standing many temptations held cut, they
still refuse to divuge the secret Of theii
manufacture Such is their ingenuity of de
sign no two of these baskets are alike
, squares triangles, curious hieroglvVhics anC
/ | geOmHtrlC patterns IN white, red, chocolate
yellow and black, make each piece Of worl
, unique and all SO wrought that there is
unity IN the composition evincng remark
ably high order Of taste The larger basket
, are double the outside being covered witt
designs, while the interior is plain, and sucl
r Is their fneness they would hold water.
Their art of basket making will soon pas
away however as the younger one, show N
desire TO learn An estimable gentleman
living IN the neighb0rhood is even now all
+ deavoring to encourage the children to tax
up the study from their parents rather thai
see such exquisite work become a lost art
Their wants are very few, and whe
spoken o on the subject they invariabl
r comment on the high price of coffee, bev
7 erage OF which they are immoderately fond
r Homlny and little salt meats make up thei
: entire diet
r Unlike most tribes they recognize femal
, equality, and the twenty five or thirty lei
, are now ruled by queen, the chief havin
l died