The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-18

IN @ufcn tne trapplngs OF the uead were
buried with them, and sometimes In case
of chief his favorite horse. Sometimes
the grave of a great war chief was covered
with large slab-like stones thrown on by
each brave for certain period of time as
he passed the spot. The body was generally
buried in a sitting posture; four day fires
were lighted to lamp the departed
on his way, according to the sa-
cred numeral four among all In
dams. The Montauks, of Long Island.
and other kindred tribes buried their dead
in this way. The Mohawks of New York
dug large, round hole, in which the body
was placed in a sitting or upright posture.
Wampum and trapp.ngs and paint were
all put on the dead. This grave was COW
cred over with timber to support the earth
laid upon it, which they raised into a gen.
tie mound.
Thus the body was not pressed by the
clay. The Deiawares in New Jersey bur-
led their dead in pits and under rocks.
The Corolina Indians have an expensive
and prolonged ceremonial. The corpse is
first placed in q cane hurdle and
then. put in an clubhouse; where
it is kept carefully guarded for
that time the first living brave met by the
mourners Is robbed of his blanket.
In this the dead is wrapped and
then covered with two or three cane
mats. The coffin is woven OF canes fastened
at both ends securely. Then the corpse is
carried into the peach orchard and there
laid in q second hurdle. The family and
friends circle round. The medicine man
then pronounces an elaborate eulogy, re-
counting the valor. skill, patriotism, ex-
pioits and influence of the deceased. The
corpse is then carried by four palibearers,
selected from the young braves. from the
hurdle TO the grave, which is about six
tnn dr.Rvx and lob nNt i
end of the grave stands. deep driven
down, pine pitchfork. The bottom of
the grave il then covered with bark
The corpse ia then lowered very slowly
by two belts, with which the Indians carry
their burdens. A ridgepole is then laid
across the grave in the forks and then
rooted over with pitch pine logs. These are
covered over and over with bark, on which
the earth dug from the grave is thrown
and beaten down. Thus the BODY lies in a
vault. nothing touching it, practically
mummiiied by the embaimng pitch pro-
cess of the pine. After a time the body is
exhumed, the bones cleaned and laid in an
ossuary. The dead was spoken 10 by medi-
cine men, who sped him on his way. The
Saes and Foxes observe this manner of
burial IN their mortuary customs. The
Otoe aud Missouri tribes followed some
what this mode of burial with slight varia-
tions. The Indian women cut their hair off,
Then the relatives will dance tomahawk
to drive away the death spirit. 4 feast
is also furnished for the occasion. The
corpse, bound upon a horse or put into a
wagon. was taken 10 the grave. The grave
was covered over with logs and the BODY
untouched by earth.
The Pimas OF Arizona bury theirsdesd
by night. Sometimes after the graves are
dug the sick recover In that case
the grave is always left open till the per-
son dies. The place of burial is always. if
possible. in grove of mesquite trees The
body is tightly roped and drawn up double.