The National tribune., 1893-02-16


~, to the Indians them
" selves The weather
was quite cold. but we found no difficulty in
going over from Fort Ellis to the site of an
Did fort built by the whites and thence to
Boulder Creek a tributary of the Yellowstone,
along which were encamped some 1900 savages
who had just come in from successful buffalo
hunt
The conical-shaped bnffalo-skin lodges dot
ted the stream for miles, and great herds of
ponies grazed on the dry grass which grows on
the plains in that region. This was before
many whites had moved in, and there was
good deal of Indian life to he seen in all Its
native wildness But few half-breeds resided
Rmong them though some men, like Pierre
Shane, were with them who could speak Eng-
lish, which was very necessary.
The agency buildings were surrounded by
stockade. and there was one feidpiece inside
which could he used when required against the
Sioux, who sometimes made inroads into this
country, and was kept always in readiness L
had seen many Indians before but had never
been in one of their villages as resident,
where / could observe all of their habits and
Customs
My tent was on the banks of the creek, and al
though the ice formed in the stream, which was
not deep. among the rocks and dry weeds, the
Indians had no hesitation about lying down III
the water and washing themselves every morn
*
bank. They felt the cold no more than so
many beavers and appeared thoroughly to en-
Joy the stimulating effects of the chilled water.
Their dark, brawny forms were shown to the
best advantage at these times, and although l
have no doubt they were excellent swimmers
they had no chance to show off this accomplish
Ment. The dark masses Of their hair they
shook out gracefully on coming ashore and
after drying themselves well went on about
their daily arocations being noble specimens
Of the Indian race.
The head man at that time among the Crows
was Iron Bull, who was between 40 and 90
years of age. He was resolute person, aud
bad been successful warrior for many years
Shrewdness among the red men pays as well as
il does among the whites. and Iron Bull owned
many ponies, and had plenty of buffalo meat;
for this was before the buffaloes had all been
killed Of. He knew the whole country from
the Wind River Mountains to the Missouri
River. and had accompanied many foray into
the lands OF the Sioux, where he made them
feel the power of his hand for evil. His daugh
ter had just died and he was almost inconsola-
bic in his grief. He burned his skin tent and
killed several CT his ponies in the excess of
his sorrow. This added to the fact that war
party had just returned from the Sioux coun
Try. where they had been unfortunate enough
TO have a Crow warrior killed, threw the whole
village into mourning. The body of Iron
and deposited with great pomp and ceremony
on raised platform, so that everyone could
see 1t. The Crow warrior who had lost his life
al the hands of the Cheyennes, though in the
Sioux country, was also disposed of according to
their customs. They had killed six Cheyenne
adults ana captured four children, who had
been tortured to death in the most horrible
manner
Through the livelong night they sang, the
squaws leading, and gashed themselves with
knives, at the same time tearing out great
handfuis of hair. and daubing pitch over their
faces, which il is the custom TO leave On until
il wears of. The songs are of the most doleful
description, and sound gloomy enough in the
darkness of the night. They had no one to
disturb them, however, having things their
own way. In the excess of their grief the
bucks cut off the first joint of their fingers,
and went about bleeding and in great pain.
There was plenty of buffalo-meat in their
lodges. and over 5000 robes, SO there was little
danger of their coming TO want; and it is safe
TO say that they fully realized their season of
grief and made the most of it.
The head men of these mountain braves
for there is another band called the River
Crows. who were not Representatives, Bears
Ear. Winking Eyes, Iron Bull, The Coat, White
Swan, and Blackfoot. On account OF the smoky
condition Of his lodge, one of them had a
severe case of infamed eyes, and on that &C.
count was called Winking Eyes, who was
said to be man of excellent judgment and
good hunter. He was a good friend of the
whites, which friendship he had manifested on
several occasions, when his services were USE
full. The whites as well as the Crow Indians
in an early day had wholesome dread of the
Sioux, or Dakotas. who were a very powerful
tribe, and on more than one occasion Joined
their forces against them.
The Crows have an undying hatred toward
the Sioux. and often go on long journeys into
The Sioux country and commit what havoc
they can, killing men, women, and children,
and taking what horses they find. This war
fare has been kept up for many years and the
country has been laid waste by them, so far as
they were able 10 do it, in a land which at best
had but few improvements. The cornfelds
were destroyed, together with the melon aud
squash vines
For weeks they waited for an opportunity
near some Sioux village, being concealed in
some underground bushes aud when least
expected swooped down, aud then in the dark.
ness departed, taking what scalpS they could
with them. They travelled great deal by
night, SO as not TO be discovered, leaving as lit
tle sign behind them they were able, so that
they could with difficulty be followed They
never on these expeditions built any fires fear
ing the flames or smoke would lead to their
discovery.
Sometimes they suffered great want and
hardship. They were exposed to all of the
yicissitudes Of the weather without shelter
and frequently had insufficient food They
did not take their dogs with them fearing they
would betray them, and passed over the c0un.
try like the veriest shadows. As matter Of
fact. the Indians OF North America have left
very little impress npon the land. They once
owned IT all, but were contented to hunt and
tsh over il, caring nothing for permanent
works. Their wars were carried on with terri
bic earnestness anc great cruelty. They spared
not, aud swept everything before them that il
was possible for them TO do. Rarely did they
burn anything, being afraid they would them
selves be discovered by the light
The annuity goods for the Crows had beer
received, and did not give universal satisfaction
TO the redmen, the Government at that tim,
believing it would be best to teach them 4
wear such clothing white men wore. Tn,
hats and coats they accepted readily enough al
d their custom, but the trowsers received singu
lar treatment and the stockings were sold Il
whoever would purchase them for mere song
The calico frocks FOR the squaws were also &C
eepted but they were poor substitute for TIA,
buckskin clothing worn by them in that rig
orous climate
Several assemblages or councils took plac
while the distribution was going on, but it wa
soon evident that they were in no hurry 70
the main meeting. and they pat it of, on on
pretext or another, as long as they could. Thi
was somewhat singular as there is nothing s.
dear TO an Indians heart as council wher