The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-10-03
INDIANS ON THE TRAIL
The Methods Used by the Red
Men to Communicate.
SIGNS THAT SPEAK VOLUMES

Sticks and Stones Have Language of
Their Own and Serve to Indicate Di-
rection, Departure, Intention, Warn
ING, Claim or Demand.
AS time has passed and civilization
has changed Indian conditions, I was
under the impression that our red
brothers had forgotten the use of
signs in their travels, but as l was
lettering about the hills in Siskiyou
county some time ago / came across
q genuine Indian sign such as l had
not seen for a dozen years before. 1t
was simple little sign in appearance,
but it 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 stone. 1t told
some Indian that his friend had been
along there and had gone ahead in the
direction pointed out by the stick.
marveted at it, but on investiga-
ton found that the Indians of Califor-
mia still use signs to convey intelli-
gence to each each. 1 found that
among the Cocopahs, Cohuillas. Pimas
and Yumas the sign is as much in use
as ever.
While raveling in San BernardinC
county later on l came across a pecu-
liar grouping Of stones, and at once
saw that some Indian had left sign
hof oil iUhf
that water was to be found in q GER
tain direction. The stones were lying
In complete circle, and in the center
was q long triangular stone with the
sharp point indicating a specific direc-
ton. The sign was plain to one versed
In such things. and in order to see if
the same sign was universal, for had
seen It elsewhere, followed the direc-
ton pointed out by the long stone and
found little spring.
This arrangement of stones I had
often seen In a dozen different places
In the middle west and as a variant
which was also found in California.
have seen a mound of stones similar
to miners monument, with pointed
stone resting on top, pointing toward
water. In many parts of the country
especially in the desert parts of Cali
fornda and Arizoha, the question of
water supply for travellers is one that
requires serious considerat ton. and |
have knoyn men to- pass within q few
hundred yards Of water without know
ing it, because they could not read In
dian signs. The sign was in plaiI!
view and WAS placed there because the
Indians recognized the necessity of tel
ing all who came along that they could
find water. True. there was not big
board set up with Water" painted or
1t, but to the initiated it was equally
plain. There is not trail in all the
southwest that runs near a spring thai
does not have the sign openly display
ed. / have even seen instances where
the water was 50 far from the regular
trail that special signs have been made
to show where it is.
Sometimes, however, these circles
may not mean water at all, and thel
it is necessary to understand the intri
"ecies of the Indian mind to understanc
Just what he Is driving at, | remem
Der once when I was hunting on thl
Republican river came across a circle
Of buffalo skulls, which attracted my
attention because Of their peculiar ar
rangeinent. Sixteen skulls we're set ii
down the river. In the center of the