The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1885-11-07
INDIAN CUSTOMS.
A Woman's Experience In the Haunts OF
the Noble Red Man.

the Noble Red Man.
A woman of this city who has several
times visited the frontier as 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:
IF you want to know what real dirti-
ness is, you ought, without doubt, to Sc"
the inside of an Indian tepee. Ar =
til you have do not consider - eh-
.,able of judging ir ,5earseH ca
'Ehese uncle such matters. y
-Hnate, for thu Indians abhor wa
Ter as pyuch as a dog attacked with
At the Pine Ridge Indian Agency,
coz Lsidered the typical one in the coun-
Wy. and which is presided over bv
Agent McGillicuddy, is a mission school
conducted by Mrs. McGillicuddy. a
woman of superior education and re-
finement. 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 wears
old. ran away from the school and re-
turned to the wigwam of their parents.
who at once brought them back. Mrs.
McGllllcuddy thought they ought to be
punished. and discussed with the squaw
the advisability of a whipping. but was
told in substance it would do no good;
that the most severe and effective
punishment possible to inhict 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 amoug the most obedient
thereafter. She agrees with all authori-
ties as to the constitutional laziness 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 devoutly 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
1t to How loosely and Lee the Indians adj
mire it. She at once became the center
of attraction, to the utter neglect of the
religious ceremonies. They gathered
about her in swarms, and manifested
their pleasure at the sight by Jumping
about, rubbing their hands and gesficu-
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 thew
went in all was perfectly quiet, hut
services had hardly begun when they
were startled by terrible excitemeut
among the Indians. DR.. McGillicotiv
endeavored to quiet them, but was
unable to do so. The case of
the CONJUNCTION was that news lad been
received announcing the deaf of White
Thunder. a very popular Chief on one
OF the other reservations. The despair
OF the Indians seemed so intense and
their griet SO uncomfortable that the
question was asked: '.Why do thew wall
and moan so loudly?' 1t was explained
that when brave dies he who does the |
most and loudest mourning receives
nom 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
ehe display of anguish made by grief |
stricken friends.
The traveller related an incident COM |
ing under her observation which tends |
to dissipate the idea that the savage can |
not be civilized. 1t is the story Of poor
Euoch Arden in terra Gotta tint, with |
slight variations.
There was one young buck, of indus
trious aud frugal hibits, who, unlike his
more trifing brothers. had adopted
many of the white mans ideas. and by
steady work at teaming acquired COM
portable cabin (instead of q wigwam). |
which he furnished in some taste, lived |
quietly with his squaw, and enjoyed the
confidence of the white man. He went
put on one of his regular trips, but did
not return at the expected time.
Search was made for him. but after
the lapse of week or so he was de-
clared lost. The other braves at once
began to mourn for him. This is said
10 have been the best. or perhaps the
worst, exhibition of bowling ever heard.
It was exciting for the double incentive
Of securing the personal effects of the
lead Indian and receiving the smiles of
the rich young squaw, who was pos
'essed of unusual personal charms as
wall as wealth