The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-11-24
QUEER PRODUCT
OF CIVILIZATION
AMONG INDIANS

While the Ute Indians were drawing
public attention recently to their land
seeking expedition. the Crow Indians near
by were having their yearly fair at Crow
Agency. Mont, writes l.. A. Meacham In
Leslie's Weekly. II was a horse -rac cling
contest, an exhibition of farming and
garden products, and n friendly visit all
In one. The affair was great success.
Everything was In charge OF the Indians,
For six days the agency teemed with
excitement. Some 5000 Indians. Crow,
Sioux and Cheyenne. were camped on the
bank OF the Lille sBig Horn river. The
streets were crowded with young men
riding their ponies at full speed, their
heads tied in bright silk handkerchien'
topped by wide-rimmed. high crowned
black hats.
Squaws in gay striped blankets and
beaded mocassins rade about in new top
buggies, driving fine teams with heavily
mounted harness Other squaws slipped
into the store. often carrying babies on
their backs. Every one IN he CROWD OF
aborlgines was happy. rroe with his
money and ready Tor the keenest enjoy
ment.
The most interest was centred in the
races. In the, past lew years the indians
have improved wonderfully their breeds
of horses until they have some very fine
ones. The start was made from q stand
still, and each took his place in line walt
Ing for the signal. Except I'm ono race tie
Indians rode bareback. and there - is
never a tumble Their bodies ware hait
nude, their faces painted. and they wo:e
gay handkerehiefs over their hoads.
The relay races were two-IHile heats.
with four horses for each msfl. The stsiLs
for the change were the centre OF excite
ment as- the riders rushed in fell frar,
IL on. One relay race was with saddles.
and necessitated changing OF saddle
and blanket Like flash they we've loos-
cned and thrown TO the other horse, the
cinch slipped through and twisted around
the pomalel of the saddle, and the start
was made.
Twice the strap slipped from the horn
and there was fearful tumble of saddle
and rider once cinch slipped. and the
pretty sorrel paused I'm his headlong chase
for a spirited buckins and pitching exhi-
btion. But the rider was not TO be dis.
mounted. quick pull of the girth at the
saddle-horn. and few sharp swings of
the quirt. and he was even again, with
fair chance at one OF the purses The
boy however who stopped 10 cinch his
grth and was a little behind won first
place
The old buffalo hunters. with their
knees gripping their ponies, and their
bows and arrows swung over their shoul-
ders. reminded the onlookers that the past
was not far away. Their nude limbs
were painted in creepy, snake-like de-
sings. contrasting with the color of the
horses. Schoolgirls I'm blue and red dress
es got in line for their half-mile dash.
and looked as determined as their brother
racers
After the girls race. the father Of the
winners took the Two parading up and
down the track, singing a song of praise
to them. The criers were Reno scouts.
who represented their war days with
bead brides and wolf skins, the scout
sign, around the horses necks. Between
races there were native songs, stories and
jests, much soft drink and eating, and a
good -natured time