Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-02-11
INDIANS ENTERTAIN.

The Indian village located in the
basement of the old Y NJ. c. A. build
i ing the past week was not as well pat
ronized as it should have been.
1t was planned largely for the ben
eft OF the school children and every
child in Wausau should have been
there. The dances and exhibit of
Indian curios were in themselves of
value in an educational way in giving
the children an insight into the lie
and characteristics of these interesting
| people. The Indian is fast disappear
| ing as race and a few generations
hence viii see him gone forever from
the continent, leaving behind him only
an inaccurate history of his life. The
Indians in Mr. Mumm's group were
pure blooded Winnebagoes, a tribe
which has perhaps had more to do with
the early history of this state than any
other nation. In the group were two
brothers, Dick Highnocker and Stand
ing Water, the latter having charge of
this band. Both are well along in years,
but show little evidence of their age.
The former is nearly seventy-one and
dances with the agility of the younger
members of his tribe. The other is
sixty-nine. Highnocker speaks but
little English, but Standing Water talks
iuently and unlike most Indians is not
averse to conversing with white people
He is fond of telling stories of the 10
ngs of his tribe and relates some tales
of warfare with the Sacs, Foxes, Me-
nomonees, Sioux, French and English
hundred years ago. One of these is
particularly interesting and shows that
the untutored Indian had a stronger
belief in a supernatural power than
has many of his white brothers. The
story briefly told runs thus: About 800
years ago the Sioux made war upon
the Winnebagoes, weaker nation
One of them visited the tribe, located
on the banks of lake Winnebago osten-
sibly on a friendly mission, but really
to spy upon their location, number,
etc. His movements were viewed with
suspicion and that night when he left
their village the Winnebagoes sent out
scouts
Presently several hundred canoe
loads of Sioux were seen crossing the
lake, but at that time the Great Spirit
came to the rescue of the Winnebagoes.
He caused a great storm to sweep over
the lake, the waves rolled high and
nearly every Sioux perished. Standing
Water is an interesting character. He
is medicine man and well versed in
Indian folk lore and spends much of his
time in teaching the younger Indians
dances and other tribal features. In
: aversation with him it developed
that an Indian has three names. One
is that of the Indian pronunciation, an
other its meaning in English and the
third an English name. Standing
Waters English name is John Crow.
He says there is an Indian living near
Nosinee of the name of Olcono who is
.wrsS
La years old Another died at Tomah
sixteen years ago, Cna-wa-chi-ka, aged
140 years. His sou, grand sons and
great grand sous were living at the
time of his death, all but the latter be-
ing grey haired.
The little band in the Y. M. g. A.
gave several kinds of dances and for
each different song was sung, the
tom-tom music was different and the
step was unlike that of the others. The
squaws participated in some and
showed their skill at basket weaving,
moccasin sewing and bead work max
ing. Mr.. Mumm has an interesting
collection of Indian curios and bead
work