Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1900-02-01
THE ISLAND OF GUAM.
of Dress. Manners 0Ad
Customs of the la rIs -Slsinncd
Natives.


originally. in great part, from The
same stock. they have inherited all
OF the virtues and few OF the vices of
these people. There is in the blood of
these people a considerable proportion
OF Spanish. South American and Amer
lean stock, the last being due to the
whaling vessels that used to frequent
the island in large numbers to obtain
fresh water and to recuperate their
crews. 1t is not at all unusual TO
hear English spoken. even in the in
terror of the island. and. in fact. it IS
quite as common as Spanish. In per-
sonal appearance the natives resemble
the Filipinos, though of greater stat
ure and more robust, while the hair is
not SO bristling and porcupineike,
and brown or even blond hair is oc-
casonal evidence OF the mixture of
races. The intelligence. as Indicated
by their faces. is much more marked
t}an in the natives of the Philippines.
The women. when young. have WELL
rounded figures and an excellent car
rage. which redeems to Il great eN-
tent their shortncSs of stature ard
consequent tendency to duiupiness.
In my long walks about .Agama | have
noticed Ilany that We're ve:'y cumaelN,
and some that We're decidedly pretty.
As they age they do not become un.
duly fat. OF later ON repilsively hag-
gard. as is the case With so MANY 1roo-
ical natives.
Their dress is neat and clean. and in
their personal habits they are mod
est and tidy. Fer the women the
costume consists of short chemse,
or jacket. with low neck and short
sleeves. This is made of white, ma
teral of varying degrees of fineness.
For more ceremonial occasions it is
embroidered around the neck and
upon the sleeves. and is sometimes
bordercd with lace. 1t fits closely TO
the stayless figure. Upon occasions
of the greatest Importance an eiabo-
rate jacket Of the beautiful and rN-
renSive iuna cloth. With flowing
sleeves and wide COLLAR. is worn over
,hr chemise. With this is worn skirt
on vari-colored- calico or cotton stuff,
generally OF some bright hue. The
feet are usually bare. small heelleSs
slippers Of colored leather being occa-
sicnally seen. The hair is drawn back
from the forehead into a knot. and
hats are never Worn. In church u
white cloth is worn as a veil over the
head.
he men dress simply and comforts
ably generally in suits of white drill
ing such as are common all through
the east. The Filipino custom of wear-
ihe white shirt with long and flow
| ing tails is in favor among the poorer
| natives.
AS to the mental and moral char
acteristics of our new citizens. all that
| We know so far is of Il favorable
nature. They are cleanly, intelligent
and peaceable. The great ma jorit, of
them can read and write. and every
village has its school for instruction
in the elementary branches. They are
modest and very courteous in their de-
pertinent, and invariably touch their
hats to us when we pass them. and are
| most generous to visitors. The host
who should receive visitors without
offering them some refreshment dur
ing the call is considered very INSULT
ing to the guests. while it is equally
rude for the guest to refuse the prof
fered rcfreshment. They seem to be
very light hearted, and are fond Of
music and dancing. while their great
est amusement is cock fighting-the
tax upon which was one of the prin-
cipal sources of revenue to the former
government of the island. They are
not at all fervent in their religion
and about all of the churchgoing and
devotion is confined to the women.
! Perhaps. however, they are eNcusa bile
in this. for the Spanish priests who
have been here have not set Il good
example. being cruel and oppressive
lot. The native priests are of far
higher and better character. and are
much more respected.
The worst trait, however. of the citi-
zen Of Guam is incidence. Nature is
so provident. and so warm and smiling
here, that little effort is required to
sport life and provide sustenance for
the family. To pay a native by the
day or in advance is fatal error in
deed. for he will work until he has ac-
cumulated few dollars. then buy his
wife a new skirt. lay in u supply of
canned goods at the store. some tobac-
co and tuba (cocoanut RUM. and then
retire to Il life of aii1uent ease for as
many months as the money and sup
plies hold out.
INVESTIGATION is very rare Men and
women alike smoke cigars and pipes,
and nearly everyone has the unsightlv
habit OF chewing the hetel nut The
native cigar is an object of wonder TO
the newcomer. 1t is made from the
whole leaf of the native tobacco.
which is of most excellent flavor. but
very strong and green, rolled into a
cylinder about eight inches long, and
wound about with threads of fiber to
keep it from unwrapping.
With the example Of American en-.
ergy and industry: with advanced ed
ucation. and with the influences of
progress: with strong and just gov