The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-12-15

west. We stopped and entered, treading
on our dresses and knocking our hats of,
and found a large crowd Of Indians inside.
Au around the inside were platforms
three or four feet high made of poles.
which were used for shelves, tables and
couches during the day. and for beds at
night. The floor was about thirty feet
in diameter. IN the center the remains
of a small fire smoked sullenly. Around
the edge in a large circle sat the con-
gregation, and>at one side the musicians.
Inside the circle two old women, who
seemed TO be the star performers, We're
stepping slowly around, apparently draw
ing some precious influence from the
smoke and passing it TO different individ-
uals in the circle. They seemed convuls-
ed b. some inward emotion, as they were
shaking from head to foot as they passed
to and fro. Those in the circle were keep
ing time to the music by sesturing with
the hands. arms aud bodies. The must
clans untiringly beat the tom-toms and
sang their mcnotonous though rather
pleasing song. This. We We're told, was
good luck service, and closed with
dance IN the dance only six or seven
persons took part. agitating them in some
singular manner around the fire, postum
ing, gesturins and uttering most peculiar
cries. Some Of the suits We're of buck
skin and very handsome, though one
mans dress consisted only of a tall black
hat and a pink calico shirt.
COAANCHES.
The Comanches are the most numerous
of all The tribes on the reservation, and
number about thirteen hundred. In past
warfare with the Kiowas they were al
ways the dominant tribe, and still hold
themselves above the Iliowas and do not
treat them as equals. They will not learn
or speak the Ilsowa language, therefore
the Kiowas are compelled 10 learn Com
anche in order that the two tribes may
converse. Even in the schools the chill
dren cannot agree so the children of the
two tribes are sent TO different govern
ment schools, the Comanche school being
at this point one mile from Lawton, and
the Kiowa school at Rainy Mt, few
miles from Hobart. The Riverside school
at Anadarko is attended by the children
Of the Wichitas. Caddos and remnants of
other tribes These three are the only
government schools on the reservation,
though there are five mission schools.
three at Anadarko, one at Cache creek,
and one day school at Fort Sill military
post.
The Comanches are a pleasant, good
natured people, always joking and laugh
ing among themselves and seldom quar-
reling They have great respect for
authority, and are much more easily con-
trolled than the Kiowas.
This is greatly due to their chief, Guam
all Parker. whose mother was a captured
white girl from Texas and became the
wife of the chief, Quanah's father. Guam
an seems a men peculiarly suited to lead
the Indian toward civilization. His af-
fections are divided between the white
people and the Indians, and in trying to
bring the indians into the white mans
road he has to use the utmost tact. IL
he goes a little TOO fast, before they have
grasped the situation, they accuse him OF
being "a white man. Therefore it takes a
fine diplomacy to keep in touch with them
and at the same time draw them into har-
mony with their white brother.
He has a home about twenty miles west
of here. a large two-story house of twelve
or fifteen rooms. with a wide pogch on
three sides of it. lie has appropriate
furniture in every room, and several
wives distributed about the house. only
three. + believe now. He is extremely
hospitable and his wives are fair cooks
lie has good farms surrounding his house,
which is on slight elevation and com
mands fine view OF his cultivated fields,
his we'll stocked pastures, and his thrifty
peach orchard.
Some OF the Comanche young men are
fine looking, and as rule are neater and
more particular in their dress than the
women You have no doubt seen these
Comanche beaux on the streets of Law
ton during the past few months. They
are not unconscious Of the curiosity and
admiration they attract, though apparent
iy quite SO.
The men often dress each others hair,
taking the greatest pains with their work.
The little braided scalp lock is neatly tied
and ornamenleG and the rest of the hair
is drawn back of the ears, and twisted
with bright colored worsteds and long
strips OF FUR. hanging in front of the
shoulders 10 the waist The parts are
then outlined with bright colored paints,
red being the favorite.
With tweezers they remove their eye
brows and every sign Of a mustache OF
beard. then brighten up their countenance
with paint. put on their gayest costumes
and make a very handsome appearance
Most of the Comanches have houses, OF
which they arc quite proud. and which
they usually keep in good order though
not as neat as one could wish. May Of
them have handsome buckskin suits laid
away for grand occasions. such as Gras'
Payment and Big July. (as they call the
Fourth OF july1. when there is usually "A
gathering of an the Indians and white
people M a spot between the sub-agencv
and the military post. where "a race track
is laid out and the Indians ~t.n their
horses. the youug Indians run foot races
and the program usually closes with
mule race. The children are ho-ne from
the schools for the vacation. mounted on
prett1 ponies. and dressed in their gayest
costumes Of velvet. satin or buckskin
A common ard amusing sight is am old
chief on horseback in green or yellow
buckslzin ssit. holding "A bright silk para
sol over his head and tanning himself
with handsome Fan.
In the evening there is usually an
Apache dancss ar The fort Tho head dress
ana costumes IN this dance are elaborate.
The music and strange cries are weird
and haunting tie dancing and posturing
Fantastic aud impressive. and rs they cir
Gle aroCia the FIRE in The center their bod
@ shining with pe-sprratiea in inc re.s
81 the huEe bonfire q looks ike d ga -ra