New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-14
INDIAN HER4LDRY.
AN INTERESTING EXHIBIT TO BE MADE BY
TIE GOVERNMENT AT OMAHA.


THE GOVERNMENT AT OMAHA.
The investigation Of the North American
Indian along lines which have received but little
attention heretofore will be Of special interest to
the student Of ethnology and form an attractive
part OF the great Indian exhibit at the Trans
Mississippi and International Exposition next
year. The result Of a thorough inquiry into
what has proven a complete system of heraldry
in use among certain Indian tribes for ages.
with its signs and symbols mysterious signif-
canoe and monies, handed down from gen.
Grafton TO generation. marks a new departure in
the line Of chronological research. The Indian
exhibit contemplated by the United States Gov
eminent at the Omaha Exposition in 1898 Is
being prepared by James Mooney, representa-
tive OF the Bureau Of Ethnology OF the Depart
ment OF the interior. Mr. Mooney has devoted
many years 10 a careful study Of the American
indian along the line Of sacred traditions re-
ligious ceremonies and symbolic signs Of her
aldry. Mr.. Mooney is a white man Of scholarly
attainments and adopted member OF the
Kiowa- pachc Indians, a noma1ic tribe living
IN the southwest part OF the United States He
was admitted to full membership in the tribe
several years ago and has spent the greater
part OF the time every year with them, while
quietly pursuing his investigations without eX-
It is the result OF the knowledge Of traditional
lore and symbolic language acquired in con-
ncction with Indian tribal affairs which Mr..
Mooney proposes to depict in an interesting
manner at the Trans Mississippi Exposition.
Mr Mooney had charge Of the installation OF
the Indian exhibit at the Nashville Exposition,
and he wishes to have more space devoted to
that feature Of the Government exhibit at the
Trans Mis- sissippi Exposition than was given TO
II at Nashville.
one Of The main features OF Mr. Moneys in
Ycstlgations will D, reproduction, historically
correct In ali its details of the last great coun-
e. OF the ,rlal.amat"d tribes Of the KiowIs ard
Apaches. held in June. 1861 The encampment,
which 1T the time the council was held covered
a circle of country ten miles IN extent will occu-
pv about four acres Of ground az the Exposition.
The cucampment will consist OF 30 'epees. In
this camp thu tepees II the Indian families arc
arranged in a great circle facing toward the
centre, Tho trpees are close together and pre-
sent an unbrokcn line ut all points, eXcep, at the
east where a wide space is left FOR an entrance
Each ,opce Is marked ~ the emblem Of the SUBJ
division of the tribe TO which It's owner belongs
and those subdivisions are grouped about the
circle in the order OF their precedence. In front
81 each tcpce is erected pole, on which are
suspended the shield and other war impl- nents
~ the occupant Of the topee. each shield bein;
.mbla2oned with the hcfadic device q its
owner. In the centre % the great circle formed
bv the teures stan Is the medicine lodge or tenn
plo which shelters the carved image or idol
typl,al Of the sun. This lodge faces the east
ana back Of IL stands the tepce II the priests or
medicine men ard a small tcpee in which the
dancers are purified before entering upon the'r
energetic dcvotons.
After the confidence Of The Indians hal been
secured sufficiently to allow the models Of the
fences d, be- made Mr. Mooney was obliged 10
secure thu services Of one or NOR" Indians IN
each Of tho six subdivisions into which the tribe
was divided in 1861 Tho subdivisions were
these: Re-. Elk, Iiowa proper Biz Shields
Kiova- Auachc and Ela x Boys. This work
was final, accomplished ard the models are
NOW being made. y number are completed ana
by III. time th. Exposition opens the idIl NUM-
Der will be ready for exhibition
Mr. Mooney has correct reproductions OF the
shields and heraldic devices which were us,u IL
Ills celebration under the old regime IheSe
roprod,etions embrace the many different KINDS
~ decorations. the significance Of the device us
ORIGIN and the ceremony accompanying IT'S CON
.ocr,tlor. The complete system Of heraldry OF
those Indians has been formulated, the s'sn'h-
cameo of which has thrown light upon the carly
history Of tn, tribe and affords one means Vi
,r,cir,, the travels ami origin Of this branch OK
the human race.
DISPOSED TO SHY.
mi ,,t.i,..,, Nous