Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1888-07-21
LAND or THE DAkorAs.



Bnltirnars womanrs Graphic Descrip-
ton % Lafs Among the Indians.
Mrs. Abbie Thayer is visiting friends
In this city during her vacation from
government work In the Gland Of the
DAkcEas." She IL head teacher In one OF
the government Indian schools in the
5 Rosebnd agency. Miles away from any
white settlament, she has the charge Of a
camp Of 100 Indians, her protecting
police being savages also. Her duty Is to
look after the education. food. clothing
and general furnishings Of the entire
camp. She has been very successful in
her work, and her graphic descriptions of
her experiences are exceedingly interest
ing.
The Indians are those known as the
Sioux" who were sent from Minnesota
years ago to their present reservations in
Dakota sEhey adhere 10 their ancestral
customs, except 90 far as they can be in
dividually persuaded to Ego on the white
mans road" The more fortunate among
them live In wood or canvas ''teepees"
or tents, an entire family occupying the
one room. which serves for all purposes,
and sleeping on the ground floor. In
! fact, the word ground Is also the word
for bed, a. they are generally unaccus-
toned 70 sleep on anything else. A
. chair. when they have one, Is rather a
matter Of ornament than use. The dress
OF squaw Ia, to begin with, q single
calico garment, which after being put on
Is never taken Of. When q new garment
Ia received from the government it Is put
on over the old one, and so on with sub
sequent additions until the inner one
drops of. HALF q dozen dresses are
sometimes worn over each other In this
way, a squaw's wardrobe and wealth be-
ing almost literally ION her back" The
dresses are loose fitting. but drawn to-
gether at the waist by fancy girdle.
They have no trunks.
The ears of both sexes are fairly rid
died with holes as large as pencil, from
which hang many ornaments made OF
brass and bones. Both sexes wear the
hair long, plated and heavily orna-
mented-a full dressed squaw looks like
an animated and moving junk shop, with
all her rags, bones and brass about her.
Polygamy prevails and whenever a
"brave" is displeased with his squaw he
''throws her away" The marriage cere.
mony Is mainly that of capture" The
brave covers himself with a large
blanket. hiding all but one eye, which is
painted beyond all recognition. He Sc.
lects his girl and envelops her in his
blanket. Being sure Of his audience, he
sings her love song. If she submits tC
this the courtship is over and he takes
her home. He regards his mother-in-law
as his natural enemy and never deigns Il
either speak to her or to look at her.
Many Of the Indians, especially thu
young ones, are handsome in figure ant
sometimes in face. Their complexion i
about that of an Italian, hair and eye
uniformly black. teeth sound and white
even among the aged.
In school the children are bright il
| their studies and close observers of al
that goes on around them. All kinds o
receptions are considered legitimate, ant
| the better the lie the smarter the author
| Among themselves all the work is don
| by the women, the men doing nothing
until they are taught and compelled b.
| the inroads of civilization. Alcoholi
liquors In any form are not allowed o.
any Of the reservations. All demand
upon the government are made throug
the head teacher Of the school, VIII
| naturally becomes the queen bee Of tn
savage hive. The teachers are unde
superintendent, who report to their 81
periors in the department of the interior
Washington. Baltimore Sun.