The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-03-24
The Digger Indians
Of California.

The passing of the Digger Indian of
California removes from the mountains,
at least, many interesting scenes IN
which these Indians figured, the burns
and dances being the chief things for
which these. the lowest of all Indian
tribes are noted.
Personally the Digger must be Tar
removed from Goodness, it the Ola
maxim is true They are not "bronzeo
Apolos of the wood
But snort OF stature, plain of mien,
And lacking all the sculpturai graces'
They still were part OF every scene,
And song and science seek their traces.
Some of these traces are well-Worn
stones in whose followed recess they
pounded acorns and berries OF the
manzanita for the flour of which their
bread is made. This is baked on not
stones after being rolled up in blrch
leaves.
Their dance halls were made OF Dark
and boughs, and inside was raised
ring of earth, round which their WIG
evolutions took place. From the pores
that went up outside fiuttered rags
not es ensigns or pennants, but Simply
to keep the devil off. Seven DUCKS
and seven squaws dance furiously I'll
tired, when others take their place, the
music being bowling chant.
The punishment for murder commit
ted by one of their tribe Is meted out
this way: The tribes are called togetner
and sit in a circle, while one OF their
number usually an old man, SPEAKS
in low tone. The murderer Is not
bound, just stands up surrounded py
Indians to prevent his escape one snot
is fired at him by a chosen Indian, and
as the Indian falls seven of them take
him and throw the still writhing body
on a fire prepared in the center OF .he
gathering, the squaws moving around
in the circle with outstreched arms
reckoning with their fingers in the air.
Then the wall for the dead commences,
not for the murderer, but for his vic
tim.
The custom of burning clothing,
blankets, jewelry, baskets, furs, horses
dogs and provisions is still continued
once a wear. usually late in September,
and the time after midnight, when the
star "Pocataloo,'' or North Star, is in
q certain position in the heavens. Inc
smoke of these articles burnt, they be-
lieve. forms into the same article Tor
the use of their friends in the land CT
spirits. They burn the best of every
thing they possess; nothing is too good
to sacrifice to the departed
The Indians come from American
Valley, San Juan and Pixies Peak IN
Butte County, Cal, also Strawberry
Valley. all localities where the most
of them are now. to New York Fiat IN
the county of Yuba. They do not care
for white peoples presence, SO IL was
unobseryed. We sought the vantage
ground of a tall, pine-shaded hill over
looking the flat the hour Il midnight
AS the moon came over the pines II
sent brilliant shafts of light across the
snow-capped peaks in the distance Inc
warm night air was fragrant with the
breath of pine and fir and the scent Oh
burning resinous boughS from the
smaller camp-fires dotted here ana
there over the valley. A larger fire was
burning in the center of pine grove,
and a semi-circle of poles were around
IT. These poles were hung with baskets
of all kinds. all sorts of clothing, most
w American make, furs and SKINS OF
bears. fox raccoonS, California mons,
lynx. squirrel. wild cats and deer. Inc
smaller poles were hung with Strings
Of beads and wood earrings; also trl-
angular pieces of stone with hoies cut
in. used as charms, necklaces or pone
made from the spine of small animals,
strung on string like small rings, max
ing a unique and valuable collection,
too much so to burn. Baskets OF Dread,
wild meats and flour We're lald at the
foot of these poles Soup was made or
some of this and filled the waterproof
baskets they use.
Near this big fire was the grave OF
The wife of one Indian Over it was a
unique figure with basket for hat,
earrings in its cloth-covered head, and
belt of beads and buttons. This cloth
covered figure held the bones exhumei
and put in of the squaw. In front OF
it. in red mourning robes, was the sec
ond wife, shrieking and wailing and
rocking her body to and fro, now and
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