Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-04-28
ESKIMO WEAPONS.
Export Use Of Them by tho Natives o'
tho Tar North,

Export Use Of Them by tho Natives o'
tho Tar North,
To tho interesting collection on
curios gathered by Captains Edwards
and McDermott, United States in
spcctors cr luIs and boilers during
tho last few rctt, have lately been
adtcd II rur ,ryf weapons used by
the rsk;m ;p1 hunt aud chase,
and otne' 3t.urgs and relics, pre-
sentrd ty t.,us pcrsons in tho
Norlhwcst uuI ri:ss columbia.
lhc .sEba1, Weapons wero pre-
sonted TO the inspectors by tho
widow OF tho lGto Captain John NJ.
Olson, Of Astoria, master OF the
scalor Polar Bear, in accordance with
q request which ho expressed before
his death. The most interesting OF
these curios is spear with Il poi.
soned arrow head, which is the most
effective of all the weapons used by
the inhabitants of the ''land of the
midnight sun" Tho spear entire Is
about We feet LONG. 1t is made OF
wood. mounted with bone, in which
arc finely carved ell tho fantastic de-
signs characteristic Of tho Eskimos
in this line of work. Tho arrow is
made in thrco pieces, two parts wood,
and tho third. which is the head, OF
bone dipped in poison. Tho thrce
pieces arc held together by q leather
throng. but with u slight movement
of the hand these can be Olsen gagged,
leaving tho head. when it stri kes tho
animal, curved in its body in such
manner that il is impossible to dis
engage il without cutting the skin.
When the weapon is usod on whale,
seal or othor water animal, u hoater,
made of the bladder of u seal, is at
tachcd to tho end OF the spear so
that tho hunter may trace its course
and locate his game. The Eskimos
have II peculiar way of shooting
this weapon. The hunter holds in
his right hand, high above his head,
u short stick, or gun" with u notch
near the top, where tho end OF the
spear fits snugly. Taking aim at his
game he moves his RIGHT hand swift
ly forward, propolling tho spear
with lightning speed, and invariably
with unerring aim ~ the mark In
stances have been recorded where
hunter brought down his game at
fifty yards, anu one or two Alaska
story tellers, who have no fear ol
being discredited by tho rising gen
Grafton. say that animals have been
slain at 100 yards distance.
But all agree that the average
Eskimo is u marksman who never
fails to hit his mark, and who, when
so disposed, always provides plenty
for his family with his primitive
weapons. Sometimes to this speal
is attached rope of leather, one
end of which is securely fastened tt
the hunters arm. so that he ma.
keep hold of his game. But this il
only done On short distance shots.
A weapon used in hunting birds i
o tripodshaped spear. This i
thrown in the Same manner as tht
poisoned spear. The hunter sneak:
within distance OF his covey OF ptar
migan and other bir's and let's fl
with his weapon. J he be luck
three birds are tho reward OF hi
skill; if not, one or Two. The in
spcctors have weapons Of the abov
kinds of several sizes, but all use,
for the same purpose.
Among tho other articles are bel
and pair of leggins finely orna
mented with beads, made and worI
by tho Eskimos. and which thcy Sc
to curio.seekers for S25; also = waite
bag made of sealskin, larint, an
several varieties OF the well-know
, harpoon.
Next to the weapons, the skull {
Falouse Indian woman command
attention for several reasons. Ih
, principal one is because her skull
slaped wholly unlike that of th
common Pasouyc. and it is though
that she W.. I. perSon OF high degre
pro bablym princess, or at least
woman OF high birth. From til
$ earliest tina in tho recollection {
{ the Oldest nhabitant-who is still
, existencc-the palouse Indians hav
: continued the habit of their for
{ fathers of fattening the rear part
= tho Uranium of their female chiidre
Y OF low birth. This was done so the
. might be distinguished from tho higl
n born natives. This woman had fu
p back head, but low and retreatir
a forhead.
Sheridan Knowles.