Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-07-14
ASSEMBLY OF INDIAN TRIBES
The Transmiasisaippi Exposition to Have
Notable Exhibit

| Tho Transmiasisaippi Exposition to Hsvo =
Notable Exhibit
Omaha, July S.-Congress has just
| set apart n special fund of $4,000 to
be expended in creating Mt Omaha the
rarest chronological exhibition ever Mt
tempted in this or any other land. Sit
uated In the heart of the great Amer.
can Union, within easy reach OF all
the remaining great Indian reserva-
tions, 1t has been possible here, at
comparatively slight expense, to gather
upon the Exposition grounds show
which would be possible nowhere else
In America.
Sioux from the Dakotas, Omahns and
Winnebagos from Nebraska, Sacs and
Foxes from Iowa, Chippewas from
Minnesota, Kickapoos from Kansas,
Mandans from North Dakota, Crows.
Blackfeet, Cheyennes and Flatheads
from Montana; Sheepeaters, BannockS
and Nez Perces from Idaho; iakimas
from Washington. Utes from Colorado,
Arapahoes and Shoshones from Wy
oming. PIutes from Nevada, Zunis,
Moquis, Navajos and Apaches from
Arizona and New Mexico, Diggers and
Mojaves from California, Umntillns
from Oregon, and representatives from
Indian Territory and Oklahoma or
Greeks, Chickasaws. Chocktaws, Semi
noles. Cherokees. Osnges, Otocs, Tonk-
awas, Kiowas. Comnnchcs. Poncas,
1owas, Quapaws, Delawarcs, knws
and other tribes and remnants Of
tribes congregated in their wickiups,
tents, tepees, wigwams and cabins,
pursuing their usual avocations and H.
Illustrating their dances, religious rites
and savage customs, make up show
unlike anything ever before presented.
Delegations from every tribe in the
Union will be on the grounds at one
time or another during the Exposition.
Each type will he exhibited In appro-
prite costume with weapons, utensils,
Industrial appliances, ceremonial OBJ
jects, burial structures and handiwork.
Their games, their solemn festivals,
their peculiar customs and their nat
ural surroundings will be reproduced.
In connection with these illustrations
of savage life. OF aboriginal habits and
customs and the paraphernalia Of the
plains. mountains, lakes and forests.
sheir homes. exhibits Of their indus
trial advancement. their school work
and other Incidents of their slow but
sure movement toward civilization and
enlightenment will be prominent.
The Indian Department at Washing
ton has placed at the disposal OF the
Exposition Its facilities office force and
field employees for making up this
notable exhibit. The Indian Congress
is undoubtedly the strongest, most
original and most interesting feature
OF the Exposition. 1t is the last op-
portunity of seeing the American In
dian as savage, for the government
work now In progress will lift the saw
age Indian into American citizenship
before this generation passes into his
tory and the onward march Of Ameri-
can civilization and American indus
try will wipe or the maps Of the Unit
cd states the Indian reservation and
wipe or the face of the earth the res
ervation Indian.
Captain W. \. Mercer. U. s. A., has
been detailed to take charge Of the In
dian Congress and his plans are SO far
advanced as to make the assembling
OF the Indians only n matter of the
short time necessary TO transport them
TO Omaha. The captain has engaged
men who have lived among the Indians
for years TO arrange contests, tournn-
mcnts and daily program Of rare fca-
lures. Professor James Mooney Of the
Bureau Of Ethnology will make II re-
markable exhibit of Indian hcraldry,
the result Of years of study and re-
search.