Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-12
A WEEK WITH THE Usage INDIANS
Manners and Customs of the Red Man of
Today.


Correspondence Daily Eagle.
About ) o'clock il
the afternoon we reached the summit of
the long hill that lay to the north OF the
Pawhuska, and until then had hidden
the village from view. To the south, a
mile distant, lay dark masses Of forest,
part of the foliage a dusty, dingy, blue
green and part russell brown. light
ened by the glare OF crimson sumach in
occasional groups. To the east broad,
grassy valley spread from the base OF
of the rocky hill we were on to the
wooded stream, called Bird creek, mile
away. On the slope near the stream,
free from the forest, was fifty or more
Indian lodges, with ponies grazing
amongst them ltethered to tent pins
with long ropes: children and dogs play
ing in the openings that served for doors,
while the squaws and older girls sat in
the shade of some grasses and tree
branches bound on top of few poles.
Down a steep and rocky road midway
between the hill and creek jutted out a
point of land, not unlike what is usually
termed second bottom land" in the
vernacular of the east. On this promon-
tory forty or fifty feet above the village
proper, was the large stone building
used as a school, erected by the govern
ment in 1871 or 70. of hard yellow sand
| stone-but by mistaken economy, never
painted-it was the most weather-beaten
object in the village. About one hundred
and fifty little Indians were undergoing
the torture of learning a despised Ian
guage, i. e. English, at the time of our
visit
| Down amongst the trees that shaded
the banks of Bird creek, were two long
white traders stores and two long red
| ones, two large white frames-the Ma
tional hotel, and Catholic mission school
| "a stone council chamber and
physicians office; several cosy
log houses, and on the banks of the
stream the weather-beaten roof of a saw
and grist mill, unused, and rotting away.
On the hill beside our carriage were
several conical heaps of stone, each as
large as good sized hay-cock: from the
side of one, some vandal had removed a
few stones, SO that by gazing intently
into it's dark interior, one could make out
a rusty gun, some beadwork, d rotton
blanket partly covering some repulsive
yellow bones, and a skull with few
tufts of black wirey hair yet attached
to it.
We clattered down the stony hill and
put up our horses at the National Hotel,
wrote our names with a suffering pen,
beneath that Of ''Four-Striker and two
wives" on the register, then removed the
traces of travel from face and clothing,
preparatory to calling on the agent; for
be it known, the agent is vested with
absolute power, and one must needs have
his permission to remain on the reserva-
ton. Bather a genial autocrat, we found
him. Captain Carol II. Potter is
one of the men who have seen years of
service, is thoroughly military in his
exactnesS and neatness, yet is capable of
unbending to civilians, far more than the
average army officer, and in consequence,
is thoroughly popular with his subjects.
During the morning we met the differ
ent traders, and chatted pleasantly on
general topics, especially on politics.
Traderships seemed to be a reward of
merit sometimes allotted for signal SER
vices IN the field of politics, so the trad
ers take an active interest in the shifting
scenes as portrayed by the papers, and
talk divoutly for the administration,
well knowing that a change therein,
would change traders.
Two days were spent in pleasant idle
ness, getting to know every one, and
questioning them in regard to the solemn
Indians who stalked noiselessly through
the streets, with bright blue or red
blankets wrapped closely about their tall
FORMS, streak of red paint around the
base of the scalplock on their shaven
skull. and vermilhon ears hung with
funnel shaped silver earrings, sometimes
a dozen or more in each ear. We also
met the two priests that control the
Catholic school and look after the spiritual
needs of the copper colored and white
members of their church. The senior
priest, smooth shaven, with the per-
ceptive bumps Of his forehead well de-
veloped, looked after the financial part,
and Junior, with nervous intellectual
face, full black beard and high promi-
nent forehead, was probably the scholar
of the two.
l was somewhat surprised to meet
benedictine monk in the robe of his
order, unshaven. but learned that be-
cause of a painful nearsightedness,
caused by study, and very nervous
temperament, the brother was unable to
shave himself. while laboring in the
from his bishop, allowing his beard to
grow unShaven.
Hearing that wedding was to be
celebrated at the Indian village near
town, we determined to witness it, and
that we might miss nothing, took with
us substantial lunch, and made an
early start. Thanks to the courtesy of
one of the traders, who kindly accom-
IL, IL
teepees or tents of the brides parents,
and that of the expected groom. We
stopped to enter the low aperture in the
tent of -Hup-Pah, lone who lights
up and came upon the family at break
fast. Having the day before them, they
are of sluggish movement, when
leaving their beds, though l cant
see for the life OF me why,
as their beds are anything but tempting,
consisting of few dry hides thrown
flesh side down on the ground, some
partly tanned deer skins on that. with a
blanket or two and not over-clean buff
faio robe for covers. PawEup-Pah sat
contentedly in his bed clothed IN a calico /
shirt, with his immense legs and placid /
face shining in the mingled freight and
daylight, for it was cool enough 10 have /
a fire III the tent mornings. bis two 4
wives sat opposite, dressed in like shirts |
and kind Of skirt made OF blankets /
wrapt about their waists. The bride-to- /
be, a girl of about fourteen years. sat di- I
rectly opposite the entrance, contentedly I
a baked potato and slipping /
black coffee from an old tin cup. Ranged 4
about the tent, hugging the wall closely, /
were six or seven gaunt, lousy dogs, al /
waiting for the bones thar
and his wives were leis-
urely gnawing.