The Delta independent., 1888-04-17
Indian Burials.

One Of the interesting publications of
the Smithsonian institution is q volume
by DR.. H. G. Yarrow, on the various
modes of sepulture which prevail
among the North American Indian.
The subject is curious and suggestive
one.
The popular idea that all Indians are
buried aerially upon scaffolds is moor
rect. Some tribes bury their dead in
pits or caves; some cremate them;
some embalm them, and some sink them
or cast them adrift in the canoes, The
commonest mode, however, is that of
interment in tho ground; and among
nearly all tribes it is customary to bury
with the deceased brave his weapons,
his ornaments, and his clothing.
When death takes place among the
tribes of Colorado, the event is at once
announced by the medicine man, and
the body is prepared for burial by the
squaws, who keeps up q continued
chant or dirge, the dismal cadence of
which can be heard for long distance.
The death-song is not mere inarticu.
late howl Of distress bnt is eulogy of
the character Of the deceased.
The body, when it is dressed. is
placed upon horse and carried to the
spot chosen for burial, which is usually
in the cleft of rock. The cleft is filled
in with stones. and all the personal
property of the deceased is Immediate
1y destroyed. His horses and his cattle
are shot, and his wigwaJn and its furni-
ture are burned. The widow then goes
into mourning by smearing her face
with pitch and charcoal, which are
applied but once, and when they have
worn of, the period Of lamentation is
over.
From the statement of the older
writers on North American Indians it
appears that mumifying was resorted
to among certain tribes Of Virginia, the
Carolinas and Florida, especirlly for
people of distinction. On the North
west coast, also, the Indians formerly
embalmed their dead with much care.
The bodies were usually doubled up
into the smallest compass, but some
times they were placed in life like
positions, dressed and armed as If
engaged in some oongenial occupation,
such as hunting, fishing or sewing. If
they had been distinguished in the
chase, effigies Of animals were placed
with them, and they were ornamented
with carved figures Of men, birds, tsh
or weapons. This custom existed up
to about 1740.
Urn burial is common among Central
and South American tribes more than
among the North American Indians,
among whom it is exceedingly rare.
Surface burial was practiced to a
limited extent. The Seminoles Of
Florida are said to have buried their
dead in the hollows Of trees or crammed
them into hollow logs.
Blackbird, the great chief Of the
Omahas, was buried with great pomp
on the surface. He requested his
people, says Catlin, to take his body
down to the river, his favorite haunt
and on the pinnacle Of a towering bluff
to bury him, mounted on his war-horse,
placed alive under him, whence he
could SO "the Frenchmen passing up
and down the river in their boats, as
he said.
According to this request the cere-
mony took place in the presence Of the
whole nation and several Of the fur
traders and the Indian agents. The
body was placed astride of the horse
and the dead mans bow was placed in
his hand; his shield and quiver slung,
and his scalps hung from the bride.
He was provided with flint and steel and
tinder to light his pipe, and dried meat
for iood on his journey through the
happy hunting grounds TO the shades Of
his fathers.
His head was surmounted by q head
dross OF war eagles plumes. Thnn.