Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-03-05
VOL. TX. NO. 25.
CHILDREN OF NATURE.
Sketches Taken in the Camp Of the Dig
ger Indians.

Few people know that the Diggers, who
live in Pleasant Valley, and are known as
the Pamblos, have musical man among
them This Digger is known as Bod He
Is a really good performer on the guitar.
tuie. iiie, violin, organ, and harmonica.
lie has played for several ''paleface"
dances. and handles violin like master.
lie is a pure.blooded Digger, aud, 80 far
as he knows, none Of his ancestors were
musically inclined.
{ The 'tribe" also boasts Of having a
ccntenarian, an old squaw, whose hair ia
white as snow, whose daughter IS 7J years
old, and whose only English ejaculation
Is Gimme two bits"
Capt. Pamblos Is a short, wiry old fel.
low. lie is about 90 years Of age, and Is
one Of the most inveterate hunters In the
country His unerring aim has laid down
many jack rabbit, and humbled TO
the dust many u proud woodpecker The
reason is tins: Whenever they have =
dance, or. as they call IT, "a big soup"
they rig themselves out as fantastically as
possible Every buck who wishes TO dance
must Duy ticket, paying for II in good
solid American silver
AS ticket the scalp Of the woodpecker
recommends itself. It is gaudy and con.
spicuous The tail feathers Of the yellow
hammer are also used for the same pur.
pose, two feathers being fastened to a lit.
tie stick which is worn In the hair or car
ried in the hand These "big soups" are
fr quenL A Digger will work hard for a
week OF two when the Gcorns are ripe and
lay in supply Of them foI winter Then
he will notify some other tribe, and all bis
relations back to the tenth generation will
come to see him and help him to deyour
The whole lot. Then they invite the family
Of the host TO their "campooda," and so
the visiting and big souping" goes on till
all the relations have visited each other
aud there are no acorns TO devour
The Digger is a child Of nature, and he
cares little for the fashionable follies Of the
world. Some Of them are noted for their
wicked ways, and one Of the Pamblos, a
hard case known as Scar Face Dick, or
Dick Tomale, has been a holy terror
among his people for mny years. Sew
eral efforts have been made to kill him by
his tribe and the Nevada City In
dians, but all have failed. He is the most
intelligent Digger Of them nl, and will
discuss any subject not ignoring religious
matters. But his favorite topic is spiritu
alism. His arguments are often full Of
hiN sal itAStlt uuulNf. 4 his uIl nuLuOI. -
a part Of the average Digger's disposition.
Capt Pamblos was once passing house
where a young lady was singing vigorous
lv. lie paused and listened Then turn
ing TO boy who was playing near he
said, grsycly: why for She clyg" Dick
Tomale once listened gravely to several
young men and women who were discuss.
NJ ghosts At last he interrupted them.
and la his drovyifncr xVav ca{d. HXaas
believe in ghosts, too met a ghost one
night wasn't exaslly full, but had
some wine 1t was dark, and saw tkg.
white ghost get up out Of the ground and
stand in front of me. | hauled of and
hit it with my fist, you bet
"Well, said listener. what was itf'
Dick looked around mysteriously.
picked up his rifle, spat a fly on his sleeve,
and as be n~sved of with a light and cum
ming air said in loud whisper II VISA
q rOek