Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1892-05-13
cANNtBAL8 M CANADA.


Horrible Feast. Of the Aborigines Of the
Northern British Columbia Coast.
Ten. Lyman Banks and John Hutchin-
son, two citizens OF Seattle, have returned
from two months cruise Of the northern
coast Of British Columbia, and they tell
some thrilling stories Of sights they have
seen and dangerous adventures they ex-
perienced during their cruise.
A reporter happened to meet Gen. Banks
on the street, and ut his request the gen
eral recited the story Of his most exciting
and interesting cruise He began his mar
ration as follows: I'VE started out full Of
great expectations and pleasant anticipar
tions, and we did not realize for moment
what trials we would have to 20 through.
and tell you at times it required q great
deal of western grit and push to get ahead.
Those who are acquainted with the diff
culties Of travefsing in summer coast
forest, with its thousands OF uprooted
trees and still worse upheaved founda-
tons, can perhaps readily imagine how
much greater hardship it was for us to
travel over three feet of snow on a level.
and occasionally strike drifts much deeper
and great deal too much tangle OF sal-lal
bush for snowshoes But to add to all our
difficulties, our half breed guide and the
two Indian packers refused to 90 with US as
soon as we had penetrated short distance
inland. We had just sighted some hills
which they said we could never pass over,
and they alleged that no human being had
ever succeeded in the attempt
"They strongly urged and prayed US not
proceed any further, but we had started
out with a determination to accomplish a
work and were not to be baffled so easily
in the beginning of our journey. So we
packed up couple of weeks rations and
an ak in our blankets, and shouldering our
Winchesters we pushed on alone. Oh.
what a journey it WASH I shall never for
get it as long as l live.
Where the snow was too soft and deep
we managed to make progress by crawling
on our hands and knees, and at times we
were obliged to lay down and roll to get
out of the snow. 1t was hard struggling
by day, but the snow made soft bed at
night. We canoed over three hundred
miles of our journey, and some Of it was
in very rough waters. But the most start
ling experience we had and the one that
would interest you most happened one day
just as we were running into cave to
avoid a storm. We got into the cave all
right enough, but imagine our horror and
disgust when we found ourselves in the
midst of the Nahwitti Indian tribe at their
cannibal orgies. Cannibalism is prohibited
by the dominion government, but only a
monthly visit from vessels and the nearest
port being miles away, they carry on the
horrible practice with impunity.
I've watched the heathens during the
day at long range, but under the assur-
ance of safety we ventured after while
into their circle at night and watched
them. ! can only describe the sight this
way: There was high fire of logs in the
center of the circle. which was constantly
attended by two men, and occasionally
there was an extra hiss and flash as some
uneaten fat was thrown on. The entire
tribe encircled the fire, dressed in blankets
of many brilliant hues. There were naked
dancers and a dozen or more lusty savages
with clubs in their hands beating an ac-
compartment to their wild songs and
dances, and the whole sight made wierd
scene that is not soon to be forgotten
Their feast consisted of the bodies of their
dead. They seldom kill strangers to fur
nish food for these horrible orgies, as they
were all the time quarreling between them
selves and generally had enough dead bodies
of braves to satisfy their appetites
Il had been told in Victoria of the posi-
bility of this, and warned that when wild
with the dance the braves rush out and
bite IA piece out of the first person they
come to. Now have no objection to be
eaten after am dead, but to be bitten by
one of those wild fellows would be as I'M
desirable as the bite of a mad dog, and lest
in their excitement they might forget their
promise of immunity, held my hand un-
der my overcoat and grasped 44-caliber
revolver that would have furnished rations
fitting the occasion.
''Our sense of security was not increased
by one of them making speech, noticing
our presence and berat ng the white mans
government for trying to deprive the poor
Indian of the pleasure of being canniba
occasionally especially if he only fed upon
his own dead.
1.-THE boys crawled behind the older PEG
pie and hid, men were bitten or simulated
it, and | was afterward shown sears where
they claimed to have been bitten. But We
were not molested. One brave, however
probably to test us, made dash in oul
direction, but others caught him anG
turned him another way. 1t was an al
night session. no one was allowed to leave
till through, which was O'Clock the next
morning. We had seen enough, though
and were glad to leave, We proceeded OF
our journey, and came back again without
any more exciting adventures. But
never in all my life put in such night a.
| did the time of those frightful orgies, ant
candidly confess | don't want to soor
again. Seattle Post Inteligencer.