Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-02-20
lowe Indians.

Of land (which they have now increased
to thirteen hundred), on which they
built bark houses, OF long low tents OF
reeds, woven together, called in their
language .swickups," which are easily
moved from one place to another, and
when rolled up can be loaded upon the
backs of couple of ponies by the ever
faithful and harG-working squaws. The
Sac and Fox Indians, or "Musquakles,
as they are usually called, are OF good
stature, large and well made, evidently
possessing great muscular strength, which
might be utilized to good advantage
probably will be-when the day arrives
in which they (hguralively) "beat their
swords INTO plow shares and their spears
into pruning hooks, and when tie sguaw
has lald hold OF the ''woman's rights
movement and freed herself from the
burden of slavery. But as that mlllenlal
day IS far distant from both white and
red, we Will only wIIte of the customs
and condition of these people al the
present time.
Three and a half miles west of lama
City is q small Indian village, tuilt upon
the top Of high hill, which Is known
by the euphonious title of Bear City,
from the name of its founder, Same
Bear, Nah qua. This branch OF the tribe
becoming discouraged by the frequent
overfiowIng of the river, near which the
large Indian village Is situated, con-
cluded to build for themselves home
far removed from danger Visiting TIE
''city" at different times We found the In
dian hot ses built of lumber, or bark,
with a thatchcd roof, most OF them Ca
psble of containing four families.
Around the doors are the usual number
of dogs which are the children's play
fellows, grow up with them, and when in
q proper condition are killed, and consti-
tute the principal dish at their feasts. En-
terlng. you find platform on each side OF
the building extending from one end TO
the other. Here the women SIT and sew,
or make handsome lead work; and here
all their goods or clothing are stored In
baskets and piled away. The platform,
which Is well covered with mating made
by themselves, also furnishes beds for It's
owners at night. In the centre of the
lodge are two or more fires upon the
ground, and IRON pots are hung over them
upon hooks suspended from the roof.
Here the Gusky maidens boil their pota-
toes, make their coffee OF, seated upon the
ground, knead their cakes IN large pan
and then fry them III grease. Sometimes
pile OF fifteen or twenty are beng kept
warm at the fire, while the movements of
the cook are watched with eager eyes by
half dozen hungry dogs.
Outside the houses you can see at any
time several Indians wrapped in their
blankets, some with ferce looking faces
bedaubed with paint, others good-natured
and smiling, always ready TO respond to
your ord OF greeting. Perhaps they msy
be playing cards and gambling, of which
they are very fond, or talking to each
other earnestly, II may be discussing the
political outlook of Iowa, as do their white
brethren, but of this We are not certain.
Playing around are the children, the boys
(who leave off all superfiuOus clothing IN
the summer, and wear only one loose gar
ment), with bow and arrow ready TO pop
over some unwary bird, or still more ready
10 shoot as many pennies from the top oil
stuck as you Ike 10 place there. Occa-
sionally you may see one with his face
blackened; he is undergoing punishment
from his parents, and will stay with black
ened face and kept fasting, from sunrise to
sunset, and no Incucement Will make him
take food until the time for his punish
ment expires.
If any one steals they are punished IN
the same way, only for a length of time,
> At the time of corn planting, and wien
the corn appears above the ground, these
Indians hold a series Of religious meetings,
invoking the Great Spirit to give them 6
good Cror. These meetings are usually
held in a large house made of bark, and IL
white person is allowed to enter, or ever
look In Ia covering being hupg before tht
entrance), except during the portion ul
the service which consists of dancing
when a peculiar whistle Is given and the
hanging taken from the door, leaving 6
place for outsiders TO witness the ceremo
nies. Arriving al The Indian village II
the morning We were pointed out the
house In which church" was being held,
from which issued sounds which proved tC
US that the worshippers must at least be II
earnest, If we might judge from the amount
of noise made. A constant sound wa'
kept up, sounding as if a quantity of bean:
were thrown up and down In tin pan.
This was made by the shaking of gourds
while ever and anon voices of the mer
broke forth in a loud dlscordant chart
which gradually fell lower and lower unit
1t could hardly be distinguished. Some
tunes female voice would join with 6
wailing sound, then for few minutes
silence ensued, except for the shaking oi
the gourds. THIS was repealed over anC
over again. until the signal was gwen thai
the dance was about TO commence and The
b Inging was taken fiom the CoOr. 1heI
the dusky squaws, old and young, who
were not taking part in the ''tecaDns.
hurriedly made their way to the opening;
we also did likewise, and gazed with won
derment and interest upon a scene thai
does not present it elf to the eye of clvili,
zatlon. Upon the platform at the side Of
the house were seated a number of men
some with fantastic headgear, all of then
beating with gouIds. which made a hollow
sound ike that of a mutfled drum, anc
chanting In discordant tone. And now III,
dancers have taken their places, one be
hind the other, and ready to dance rounC
and round the house in Il circle, but not a.
You dance, dear reader, oh no. The frs
is stalwaTt Indian, whose great mu. culal
strength can be seen In his bare arms
which be moves to and fro IN the wild mo
ton of the dance. He is naked TO tht
waist, aud daubs Of blush paint are ol
his body; his arms are enciTclei by severa
silver bracelets, and around his CAV coloreC
leggins are hung little bells, which llngl,
at every movement. Upon his head at,
eagle feathers, around his neck string o
bears claws, and IN hls hand he bears
wooden instrument, upon which he blowi
every time the dsncers get round the cIrclt
once, when they pause for a morient
while tie whistle of The leader Is followed
by sundry shrill sounds from the othel
men taking part in the dsnce, increased
energy on the part of the dancers, anC
louder chanting and drum beating from
the ''orchesirs. Next TO the leade
comes q woman handsomely dressed IL
broadcloth, gslly oinamenied with differ
ent coiored silks, and gag ribbons, snC
profusely decorated with silver ornament
and beads. After ler comes q warrior
decked IN the extreme fashion tfrom ,
Musouakie point OF view, his moccasin
and leggIngs heavy with bead work,
short skirt of broadcloth richly ornan en-
It'd hanging from his waist, his fac,
sIreaked with paint of many hue Il
his hand he carries brass article of De
cka h