Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1889-01-17

his victim. In single days hunt they
sometimes killed from 5000 to 1900
buffalo. The dead bodies would lie
scattered over the prairie for miles. 1t
required the greatest diligence to save
the skins and dry the meat for use in
winter. They made wholesale slaugh-
ter of antelope by forming a surround.
This required the presence of several
hundred Indians to make it a complete
success. Early in the morning the
men and boys would form circle miles
in diameter, riding round and round,
making the circle smaller at every
revolution and growing closer together.
All the game within the ranks was
gradually collected into body, which
was driven into an Enclosure formed by
weeds piled high up at the sides, be-
hind which were women and old men.
As the game passed this reserve force
these bsbbed up and set up unearthly
shrieks and yells that caused the
frightened animals to plunge forward
over a precipice to which the Enclosure
conducted. The slaughter was terri
BILE. Indians stationed below gave
tho quietus to such of the game as
made the descent with but slight in
jury. At the close of the day great
feast was held, and nobody enjoys
feast more than an Indian"
"Was marriage a success among the
aborigines?"
II never heard it limited that it was
otherwise. The Indian had the priv
ilege OF taking as many wives as he
was able to support, and if he married
the Oldest sister in family, all the re-
naming sisters were considered his
property as they became of age. I'm
der favorable circumstances, in some
tribes, warrior took IL new wife every
two or three years. A separate lodge
was provided for each wife, as the
women would fall out and scratch each
other if kept together. The children
were fairly idolized among the more
advanced tribes. The parents seemed
to live for their children, more par
ticularly when the children were boys.
An Indians wealth was known by the
number OF his horses. There were
both rich and poor Indians, but the
latter were never allowed to want
when there was any thing to be had.
| After great hunt the poor man was
granted the privilege of taking the
first carcasses nearest the camp. Some
Indians kept their lodges nicely
painted and beyond criticism as to
cleanliness. The lodges were renewed
every year, as the frequent moving
and exposure to weather made the
skins leaky. The Indians range ex
tended anywhere that game and fooc
for their animals cauld be found. II
was rare occurrence for them to re
main a month in single vicinity
The monotony of hunting and moving
was varied By occasional forays upol
an unfriendly tribe, stealing theiI
horses and carrying off scalps ant
prisoners.
"What was done with the prisoners"
unless they were children the.
were put to death. The children wer'
usually adopted and treated with tn
greatest kindness. The older prison
ers, both men and women, were dis
patched with little ceremony. Th'
killing was usually deferred for severa
days after the prisoners were brough
into camp. | shall nevor forget
young Pawnee Indian who was killet
before my eyes by party of Conan
ches. He was taken into the open air
his hands was tied to his legs, and h
was shot through the heart IL
uttered not word or g1Oan. Afte
the killing warrior stepped forwar'
and raised the dead Pawnee's scalp
then the war dance was held. | after
wards saw a Crow Indian dispatches
| even more expeditiousiy. | called o
the captive in the lodge where he wa
confined, and we talked together b.
signs. He said he knew he must die
but felt perfectly resigned to his fate
as he would inflict the same penalty o
his enemies if he had the chance
While we were talking warrior al
peared at the door aud made motion
The Crow stepped forward and wa
shot within a few feet Of the spot h
had occupied moment before. Afte
the scalping and war dance he wa
tied up in a standing position, with hi
hands stretched as far apart over hi
head as possible, making a ghastl
spectacle. and left as terrible war;
!, ing to all the enemies OF his execl
, TONERS.
i Turning to a more cheerful subjec
Mr.. Ward continued;
T The winter of 1888 and 1889
| wildly impressed upon my mlnd' b
| ing nv first experience as trappe
t After a journey of six hundred mil'
| from Independence l arrived at Fo
, Bent, and early in the fall the differe1
5 hunting and trapping parties starte
| out for long sojourn in the mountain
: l was fortunate in being one OF par
r of twelve of which Kit Carson was
member. We made our headquarte
4 in Browns Hole, on the Colorad
L river, where it enters the mountain
' from the east. Trapping proved har
q work, bu, never enjoyed life NOR
: and we knew no such thing as sicknes
r Our clothes were made by our ov
hands of buckskin. Our food W
nothing but meat. 1t was cooked on
Q stick or on the Goals. as we had !
; kettles. Antelope, deer, elk. bea
!, beaver and, ia case of necessity, eve
n the wolf. furnished a variety that W,
J. always acceptable. At night '
e gathered round roaring fire. in col