The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1889-09-28

~ oOAA Oholl ulCltCI10c, uuu I'd IN
troduce the latter throughout the
United States. Each company con-
sists of q general manager, actors and
musicians, u lecturer, and a greater
or less number of genuine Indians.
The performances given are free. aad
the programme "a be rendered very
interesting and attractive ; especially
SO are the Indian national songs and
dances to people among whom the
Red Nan has become Il stranger.
During the performance and lecture
the medicines are sent out amOlig the
crowd for sale, and all day they may
be purchased at the office tent on Il e
grounds.
Those who have attended the exhi-
billions know all this of course ; / on
ly refer to it as explanatory to those
VIII" had not that privilege. This arti,.:c
is written chiefly with reference to the
Indians themselves, of whom | shall
now particularly write. Many days
passed before we began to feel ;,c-
quaintcd with I'LL transient %neighbors.
First we made acquaintance with the
manager and his wife, and by their
courtesy obtained seats each evening
OF the performances in the Office tent
where We could not only obtain a good
view of the stage, but were protected
from the damp atmosphere, and not
compelled to take chances of IL view
with the crowd outside. The thirteen
days of the company's intended stay
among us a up, when unforeseen
troubles arose which prolonged their
visit to nearly six weeks. The
manager, for reasons best known to
himself, deserted his post, and return
Ell to the west, leaving the Iudiaus,
with Red Cloud at their head, to Their
" sweet will until another manager
should appear. A gentleman former
ly connected with the company did
appear i'll IL few days, but it was quite
II while before affairs could be SO
Strengthened up us to resume the
nightly exhibitions, and get every
thlrG into regular running order
again. Meantime, we hd lost our
fear Of these representa- yes of the
aboriginal American aud become
cariOus to find out something Of their
personal histor;. So far as our "
experience went, we had found them in
camp quiet, inOtfehsive, giving no
trouble whatever t those around
them. approaching kindness shown
them. good-homored, patient and
-manitcsting very little curiosity about
anything. Since it has been said
''every man is lis indolcnt as he can
afford to be" we could not expect,
during these warm days, that these
people should manifest much activity
or energy. They bought their own
food, and did their own simple cook
ing in the camp. Their dress to some
extent, is furnished, | believe, by the
firm whom they represent. This cos
tune consists Of shirt long and pain,
with dark iegyins or pantalools for
every day wear /; sometimes the breech-
es are Ut buckskin. On the stage the
costume is embcllished by various
ornamental appendages, beaded moe
c~assins, fine otter pelts, ETC., and the
face is painted as the fancy and skill
Of each dictates. They respect person.
i'll cleanliness so far us the body is
concerned. frequently bathing, aud
keeping the skin clean, and the teeth
beautifully white. The long, coarse
black hair receives its share Of at
tention also. Their hands and feet
! are small, their movements, especially
in the dance, very graceful. To see
them walking with slow, dignified
step across the grounds, using um :
brellas in lieu Of hats, one would
| scarcely imagine them 10 swift Of foot
! and so quick of motion as they al I've
on occasion. The one woman with
the company did washing for herself
and child, and they were well sup
piled with clothing and neatly ap-
parelled. Now for the personal his
from various sources, for they are ::
hard race to interview and not ove
prodigal Of the truth. First comes
Red Cloud in point Of age and ex-
~pericnce. This old mar is active, in
tclliSent and trustworthy somewhere
near sixty, and is II Winnebago. His
ancestors were medicine men and war
riols and fought in the Revolution and
! the, wal Of 1912. He himself has spent
the greater part OF his life among the
! white race ; has been Il sailor, aud Il
soldier on Il war vessel during thu
Civil war. Has been connected with
the Medicine companies of Healy ant
Bigelow for over Ten years. He has
no family ties, and is independent 81
| other members OF the company. 1t is
interesting to hear him relate li'
varied experiences.