The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-09-27

red brothers had forgotten the use Of
signs in their travels. but as 1 was
lettering about the hills in Siskiyou
county a few weeks ago 1 came across
a genuine indian sign" such as had
not seen for dozen years or more.
1t was simple little sign in appear
ance. but 1t was full of meaning to
those who could read it. A long stick
with one end stuck in the ground. the
other leaning and pointing up the
road. The stick was elevated at an
angle of only about ten degrees from
the ground and was supported on a
stone. 1t told some Indian that his
friend had been along there and had
gone ahead in the direction pointed
out by the stick. 81
1 marveled at it. but on investigation
found that the Indians of California
still use signs to convey intelligence
to each other. 1 found that among the
Cocopahs, Cohuillas, Pimas and Yu-
mas the sign is as much in use as ever.
While travelling in San Bernardino
county some months ago came across
a peculiar grouping of stones, and at
once saw that some Indian had left a
sign, SO that all other Indians might
know that water was to be found in a
certain direction. The stones were
lying in a complete circle. and in the
center was q long, triangular stone,
with the sharp point Indicating a spe-
cific direction: The sign was plain to
one versed in such things. and in order
to see If the same sign was universal,
for l had seen it elsewhere, I followed
the direction pointed out by the long
stone and found a little spring.
This arrangement of stones I had
often seen in dozen different places
in the middle west, and as a variant
which was also found in California, 1
have seen a mound OF stones, similar to
a miners monument, with a pointed
stone resting on top, pointing toward
water. In many parts of the country,
TN
fornia and Arizona, the question of wa
ter supply for travellers is one that re-
quires serious consideration, and I have
known men to pass within few hun
dred yards of water without knowing
it. because they could not read Indian
signs. The sign was in plain view,
and was placed there because the In
dams recognized the necessity of tell
ing all who came along that they could
find water. True, there was not big
1t, but to the Initiated it was equally
plain. There is not a trail in all the
southwest that runs near a spring that
does not have the sign openly displayed
have even seen instances where the
water was so far from the regular trail
that special signs have been made to
show where it is. I remember one in
stance among the Shoshones where
with an extra long nat stone on top
toward the spring. After 60
ing in this direction for some distance
came up IN another similar monument,
and before I got to the spring I found
Ave distinct monuments showing the
way.
Sometimes, however, these circles may
not mean water at all, and then it is
necessary to understand the intricacies
If the Indian mind to understand just
what he is driving at. 1 remember once
when I was hunting on the Republican
liver I came across circle of buffalo
skulls, which attracted my attention be-
cause of their peculiar arrangement. |
sixteen skulls were set in semicir-
lie, with their noses pointing down the
liver. In the center of the circle was
4 skull on which were painted Sc red
ines. Near the skulls were two small |
sticks placed upright in the ground, and |
It the top of each stick were tied two |
bundles of hair. A Pawnee Indian was |
With me, and told me that Sc Pawnees |
lad camped there. They had made a |
aid against camp of Comanches con- |
aiming 16 tents. or lodges, and had ia |
ten four scalps. They We're now re- |
urning home down the river To the /
observer this arrangement of |
kulls and sticks would have given no 1
more impression than the idea that |
omeone had been amusing himself by /
laying with these buffalo skulls. To |
he Indian the arrangement was a COM
'lete story.