St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-08-06
AMONG THE DAKOTAS.
a Woman's Unique Experiences
with Indians
Habits and Customs Of the Ccpper-Col-
Orcd Children Of the Plalns-Their
Weakness for Slowed Dog
A Farewell Dance.

noO cccn taught 10 look on As oltOgetn-
cr barbarous, my sister and l had
unique experiences in finding that some
things about us shocked their ideas Of
the Gtness of things as much as their
customs did ours. We thought . faded
calico bag good enough to send over the
prairics for our mail, and every ten
days our two camp policemen carried
that bag to and from the agency. Ono
day ono of the huge fellows said with
serious face that We should have pref
ty bag, and he turned to his fellow po-
liccman to ask If that was not so. The
other man nodded his head with such
vigor that it was plain the matter had
been a subject of modification to both,
and that they had consulted how
to bring the grievance to our notice
without hurting our feelings. The
Dakotas dislike much to say anything
not altogether complimentary, and we
knew the effort it must have cost to cx-
press themselves on this subject We
made smart bag OF rcd flannel. picked
out in black. When Cut-Foot strapped
it across his shoulders over his tidy uni
form, nc was genuinely happy.
Large bustlcs were worn among civ
ilized people when we went among the
Dakotas. hut we had to abandon them.
We would have had no Influence over
our charges if we had kept those
bustles on.
The dogs eaten by these people are
quite different from the dogs of which
they, like civilized peoples, make
friends and companions. They have
square. box-like bodies and heads, and
scarcely any tails. They seem to fat
ten rs readily as pigs. A small tepec
near the family tepec is put up for the
dog family. The flesh Of these dogs is
looked on as a dainty, and is eaten with
ceremony. and the women bring little
tin cups to take some Of it to the chill
drcn at home For one Of the weekly
dances in camp, one dog is considered
sufficient, but as many as forty are
killed for . great feast. The Odor OF
the stcwed dog is very unpleasant and we
had to throw open the windows, even
in severe weather, after the school
children had been RECALLED on that dish.
The Indian school at the agency was
kept by the agents pretty daughter.
She had often observed one of these
dogs that seemed to have more sagacity
than his fellows. He came every day
to school with the child who owned
him, and during the exercises he sat
beside her on the platform and joined
with the children in the games ut
recess. She said to the dogs master
one day: "Your dog is very fat"
YES" was tho boys answer; I'VE will
eat him next week."
One day there was q knock At our
camp schoolhouse door. One of the
children, little Amos Black-bull had
brought his dog. one of the edible vari-
ETY.. as a present to us, and had tied
him to the STEP OF course Amos was
thanked, but his present was not &C
cepted.
The Indian children, like white chill
dren, initiate life in their play. The
girls carry their dolls on their backs,
secured BY the shawl-for the smallest
maid likes . little shawl round her
shoulders, or thrown over her head.
When the dolly is supposed 70 be fret
full. the small mother shakes herself
from side to side. Is she has seen her
mother do to hush . real baby. Their
doll houses are tepees, constructed OF an
old rag, held down against the force OF
the wind. like the family tepee. BY turf
laid round the edge. Besides thiA the
dolls have what is known NJ . root
house in that severe climate. Il IL .
hole dug in the side Of hill. with .
projecting roof Of turf. in which arc
stored such provisions as would b
spoiled by freezing.
The Indian babies were alarmed BY
our white faces when first we went
among them. and the mothers were
mortified by their screams But with
the assistance of q spoonful Of sugar OF
a bit of hardtaclk. which they like as
much - white childrea do candy. We
were soon on good terms
The Dakotas. unless they have been
corrupted BY bad white men. are
strictly and literally truthful. One has
to be careful not to make mistake ip
talking with them. When they asked
how many sleeps" (ni9hts) before we
meant TO do any certain thing. We had
to be sure Of the number for fear OF
shocking them by not keeping our
word. One Is not allowed to change
ones mind about engagements,
either. On one occasion we had
gone the rounds of the camp
inviting all. old and young, to .
sort Of entertainments reception
we called st, for want Of another name.
On the day appointed was seized with
Q fever, and my sister decided that we