Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-16
Picture Writing of the Indians

those Of the others. A portion OF the dele
cation before the President have eagle
heads, and wear what appear 10 be over
coats OF very loud check pattern, and
they are represented as associated with
an unknown fish OF elderly and whiskered
aspect which hangs on to the common
eye-line behind. Three little figures re-
milling the outlines Of hayricks, mean,
1t is said. houses like those Of the pale
faces. and express the desire Of the In
dlans to become civilized and live in such
domiciles.
The pictures of the Iroquois show the
greatest finish, and sometimes distinctly
resemble the object intended. In one is
a collection Of snakes. This personase
was the first overchief of the Irouuois
confederacy, and was a man of great
traditional fame. equally for military
charms he was proof against the attacks
or all animals, and in token of this he is
Drawn festooned with rattlesnakes, which
defend MIN on all sides, while he quietly
smoke ms pipe with a nonchalant air.
chiefs, handing the great chief the spear
swmbolizing authority over all the Iro-
quois This document records the con
federacy of the clans
Various tribal legends are nerne,uo+.d
IN these pictorial records One Iroouois
drawing, for instance, tells the story Of
the Stonish Giants. The latter were suo-
posed to have been great men the In
dams once encountered in some remote
loo Of history; giants whose clothing
was lmpenetrable to spears and arrows
me picture shows certain Indians exc:
cutting hurried rearward movement
pursued by two Of the giants. regardless
OF shower or arrows. 1t has been sur
missed that these mailed men were Vi
kings In armor. and there is now good
evidence for concluding that Norsemen
penetrated TO many parts Of this country
oefore the advent of Columbus.
y record Of buffalo hunt. appropriate
~ inscribed upon the interior skin OF
one of the animals in question, contains
a number of the signs generally used In
such descriptions. Magic was supposed
to be most useful accomplishment for
hunter. and several of the signs re-
late to it's practice. Others, again, are
more practical in their intent A. wavy
line, denoting air in motion, drawn from
the ear. means listening or attention,
and two such lines, one from each ear.
mean perfect attention and devotion
A dish OF water is drawn over one
figures head to symbolic the waters of
the clouds and power over them. A
circle surrounding the head denotes mi
raculous influence. A lodge and kettle
tell of PREPARATIONS for a feast. A mans
hand lifted to his mouth speaks Of eat
Ing. The human face crossed over means
the power Of killing: the serpent is an
emblem Of power and subtlety, and SO on
An inscription on a buffalo's shoulder
blade dates back to the time when Spain
made American conquest, and the bone,
with drawing complete. was found on
the plains in the Comanche county in
Texas. Here is recorded an incident in
the competition Of the white and red
races for the hunting Of the buffalo. A
mounted Indian kills with q spear a
Spaniard armed with a gun, in presence
OF the disputed buffalo itself, which, in a
piebald or semi-skinned condition, re-
CARDS the combat with an impartial ex-
preston. An elegant curl or shaving
by the side of the doomed Spaniard ex-
presses the circuitous route by which tho
Indian followed his enemy. There is
considerable distance between the two
extremities Of the horse. and indeed
the animal would seem to have a strain
OF dachshund blood. and the buffalo Is
capricfously adorned with insect-like an
tennae instead Of horns.