The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-03-24
ESKIMO WEAPONS.
Export Use 81 Thorn BY the Nativss %
the Fer North.

the Fer North.
To the interesting collection Of
curios gathered by Capts. Edwards
and McDermott, United States In
spectors of Hulls and Boilers, during
the last few years, have lately been
added n number of weapons used by
the Eskimos in the hunt and chase,
and other articles and relics, pre-
sented by various persons in the
Northwest and British Columbia.
The Eskimos weapons were pre-
Scented To the inspectors by the widow
OF the late Capt. John NJ. Olsen Of
Astoria, Master OF the sealer Polar
Bear, in accordance with request
which he expressed before his death.
The most interesting OF these curios
is a spear with a poisoned arrow head,
which is the most effective of all the
weapons used by the inhabitants OF
the land of the midnight sun" The
spear entire is about five feet long. Ii
is made of wood, mounted with bone.
in which are finely carved all the fam
tastic designs characteristic OF the
Eskimos in this line of work The
arrow is made in three pieces, two
parts wood, and the third. which is
the head, of bone dipped in poison.
The three pieces are held together by
n leather thong, but with slight
movement of the hand these can be
disengaged, leaving the head, when ii
strikes the animal, curved in it's body
in such manner that IL is impossible
To disengage il without cutting the
skin.
When the weapon is used on whale
seal, or other water animal n floater
made of the bladder of seal, is at
tached to the end Of the spear, so
that the hunter may trace its course
and locate his game. The Eskimos
have n peculiar way OF shooting"
this weapon. The hunter holds i'm
his right hand, high above his head,
a short stick, or gun, with a notch
near the top, where the end of the
spear fits snugly. Taking aim at his
game, he moves his right hand swiftly
forward, propelling the spear with
lightning speed, and invariably with
unerring aim at the mark. Instances
have been recorded where hunter
brought down his game at fifty yards,
and one or two Alaska story tellors,
who have no fear OF being discredited
by the rising generation, say that
animals have been slain at 100 yards
distance. But all agree that the
average Eskimo is n marksman who
never fails TO hit his mark, and who,
when SO disposed, always provides
plenty for his family with his primi-
tive weapons. Sometimes 10 this
spear is attached rope OF leather,
one end OF which is securely fastened
to the hunters arm, so that he may
keep hold OF his game. But this is
only done on short distance shots.
A weapon used in hunting birds is
a tripod-shaped spear. This is thrown
in the same manner as the poisoned
spear. The hunter sneaks within dis
tance OF his covey Of ptarmigan or
other birds, and let's fly his weapon.
If he be lucky, three birds are the
reward of his skill; il not, one or
two. The inspectors have weapons
OF the above kinds OF several sizes,
but all used for the same purpose.
Among the other articles are a belt
and a pair OF leggings finely ornament
ed with beads, made and worn by the
Eskimos, and which they sell 10
curio seekers for 1926; also, a water
bag, made OF sealskin, lariat, and
several varieties Of the well-known
harpoOn.
Next to the weapons, the skull Of a
Palouse Indian woman commands at
tention, for several reasons. The
one is because her skull is
shaped wholly unlike that OF the
common Palouse, and il is thought !
that she was person OF high degree
probably "A princess, or at least
woman OF high birth. From the
earliest time in the recollection OF !!
the oldest inhabitant-who is still in |
existence-the Palouse Indians have |
continued the habit OF their fore
fathers Of fiattening the rear part OF
the Uranium Of their female children |
Of low birth. This was done SO that
they might be distinguished from
the high-born natives. This woman
had full back head, but low and
-etreating forehead. = [Oregonian.