New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-10
IN BRITISH COLUMBIA.
MRS. HARLAN l. SMITH MAKES \ STUDY
OF THE INDIANS
MAKING MoCCAsINs AND WEAVING BASKETS
THE CHEF OCCUPATION FOLLOWED
BY THE sQUAWS


when nv husband announced that he was or
dered 10 the North Pacific Coast 20 continue MS
investigations among the Indians living there. | in
sisted upon accompanying him writes MIS- Harlan
l. Smith OF Saginaw Mich. As had been with
him during his Investigations Of the oiiowa md
ians. and had always enjoyed camp liie ne khe"
/ would be no hindrancc to the work o. the eNpe-
ditlOn. and consented
My entire outfit consisted OF ess than one hun
dred mounds 20 I was able 20 check with X some
Of the materials to be used on the expedition We
have a small tent two rubber ana t"o h'aNy
woolen blankets. Few changes 81 Old clothes ana
extra heavy shoes FOR protection against th' torhS
and bushes have par o! Indian Inoccasihs 10
serve : slippers about camp. a piece 81 green
mosquito netting 10 keep Of the Insects and SOFT
hat that cannot hc injured boy rain. hut when
will not look harbaric on the cars MY heaNy
cloak can aIso be used Is an extra blanket Sewing
materials FOR repairing and my notebooks must
not be forgotten I also have camera
The trip across the continent was un"ventful.
In the interior are concal lodges somewhat re-
sembng the tepee in shape. while on the coast
large rectangular houses arc built O; heavy TIM
hers. These occupied ~ communal dwcliln--'
and frequently three or four families live In each.
The cracks between the timbers are not p'astered
and these spaces are convenient Tor lib" escape Of
the smoke from the fire which is built In the
centre OF the lodge. This fire ia used In COM
mon. all the families doing their cooking there.
"Our FIRST stop In the r. sion OF the clrcuidr
lodges at X umloops This Is in the grazing ana
mining region of the mountains The high ranges
be twcen here ana the cut off the moist winds
OF the Japan current. and make the region one OF
almost desert dryncss. The mountain torrents are
used ior irrigang tho small farms or ranches. rs
they are called I'm this region on The line OF the
Canadian Pacific Railroad travel is by stage. and
the fcur-horse wagon used FOR this purpose IL al
most az picturesque as the renowned Deadwood
stage coach Many OF the Indians are no~ living
in comfortable ,og cabins while few o. them
| build houses OF bark somewhat resembling in shape
| the tepee OF the plains.
"Outslde Of these houses are built scaolis. upon
| which are stored all kinds Of provisions. dried
| fish venson. etc The necessity for this kind Of
elevated storehouse IL easily understood after one
has beer IN the village few days and noticed the
great number Of dogs belonging TO each family.
"Formerly the houses 81 this region were made
! by digging a hole from - 20 80 feet IN diameter
and from 70 feet deep. from the edges
| OF which concal framework Of umOers vas
| erected This was covered. first with pocs. then
| with fir bouens and finally with dirt. In this cX
;rcrc,v drv region the dirt roof serves well ana
| is a great protection from cold in tho winter Tho
only entrance To sucn dwellings was through 4
hole left in the centre Of the roof through which
| they descended by means 81 ladder This lad
; der WAS made by cutting notch's FOR steps mo
tho Trunk u a tree and also groove I'm tn" back.
| a. n hold for tn. fingers. This doorway served
! ,lso as window and chimney the fire oeInS butt
! aln,oe, directly underneath tho opening. The Ind
! ,ors told mo that in odcn times he enemy often
covered this doorway IN the roof ana set hre 10 me
| lodge srnothcring all tho inmates
..Thcse lodges were called Kickun, houses hy M