The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-08-29
INDIAN CUSTOMS.


times visited the frontier as a guest of
acquaintance in the regular army was
speaking the other day of her expert
ences last summer. She was one of a
party OF ten, among them two or three
women from the East, who were visiting
at one of the frontier posts. A gallant
officer conceived the idea of trip last
ing several weeks, which should include
the various Indian agencies and army
posts of the Northwest. The women
were particularly delighted with the idea
and the party set out.
In speaking of Lo, the traveller said:
eff you want to know what real dirti-
ness is, you ought without doubt, to see
the inside of an Indian tepee And I'M
til YOU have do not consider Yourself ca
pable of Judging in such matters. "
These uncleanly habits, she thought,
were innate, for the Indians abhor wa
ter as much as dog attacked with
rabies
At the Pine Ridge Indian Agency,
considered the typical one in the coun-
try, and which is presided over by
Agent McGillicuddy, is q mission school
conducted by Mrs. McGillicuddy, a
woman of superior education and re-
fnement. The little Indian girls live
IN the school-building, which is con-
Quoted as are Eastern seminaries for
young women. One day two of the
little girls about ten and twelve years
Old ran away from the school and re-
turned to the wigwam Of their parents,
who at once brought them back. Mrs
McGillicuddy thought they ought to be
punished, and discussed with the squaw
the ACCESSIBILITY of a whipping, but was
told in substance it would do no good;
that the most severe and effective
punishment possible to infict would be
an extra bath that week, which was adj
ministered, much to the discontinue of
the children. 1t had its effect, however,
and they were among the most obedient
thereafter. She agrees with all authori-
ties as to the constitutional lazincss of
the noble red man
A number of humorous incidents that
happened while on the trip were related.
While at one Of the agencies, one Sun
day, the Indians were gathered near
the officers quarters deyoutly perform
ing certain religious duties. An officer
induced young woman from one of
the Eastern cities, who was possessed
of remarkably heavy head of blonde
hair, reaching to the ground, to allow
it to flow loosely and let the Indians adj
:mire it. She at once became the center
of attraction. to the utter neglect of the
TaliOpng flNbA,- !, 4
about her in swarms, and manifested
their pleasure at the sight by iumping
about, rubbing their hands and geSticu-
lating wildly. They pronounced it the
finest scalp they had ever seen. The
young woman was badly frightened,
and the rest of her stay at that place
was made rather unpleasant from the
fact that the Indians manifested such
an admiration for her that she was
afraid to venture out. One evening
during their stay at the Pine Ridge
Agency the party attended church in
the little Episcopal chapel. When they
went in all was perfectly quiet, but
services had hardly begun when they
were startled by terrible excitement
among the Indians. DR.. McGillicudy
endeayored to quiet them, but was
unable to do SO. The cause oil
the cOmmotiOn was that news had been
received announcing the death of White
Thunder, very popular Chief on one
of the other reservations. The despair
of the Indians seemed so intense and
their grief 50 uncomfortable that the
question was asked: "Whv do they wall
and moan 50 loudly?' 1t was explained
that when brave dies he who does the
most and loudest mourning receives
from the widow the choicest pieces OF
personal property left by the deceased.
All Of the property is thus given away
by graduating scale" based upon
the display of anguish made by grief
stricken friends.
The traveller related an incident COM
NC under her observation which tends
20 dissipate the idea that the savage can
not be civilized. 1t is the story Of poor
EnOch Arden in terra Gotta tint, with
slight variations.
There was one young buck, of indus
Tious aud frugal hibits, who, unlike his
more tritling brothers, had adopted
many of the white mans ideas. and bv
steady work at teaming acquired a com
portable cabin Gnstead of Il wigwam)
which he furnished in some taste, lived
quietly with his squaw, and enjoyed the
confidence of the white man. He went
out on one OF his regular trips, but did
not return at the expected time.
Search was made for him, but after
the lapse of a week or so he was de.
clared lost. The other braves at once
began to mourn for him. This is said
to have been the best, or perhaps the
worst, exhibition of bowling ever heard.
1t was exciting for the double incentive
of securing the personal effects of the
dead Indian and receiving the smiles OF
the rich young squaw, who was pos
sessed of unusual personal charms as
well as wealth.
Not unlike her white sisters in similar
positions, this bereaved widow displayed
considerable tact and executive ability.
BY her coy manners she had induced
one fine young brave to outlast the
others in the contest. His Grief had
been so intense that she rewarded him
with nearly all of the personal property
left by her lamented husband, and as a
happy elimination gave him her fat,
greasy hand in marriage. The honey
moon had only fairly begun when "the
supposed deceased who had ap-