The Elbert County tribune., 1911-02-24
Hopes to Interpret Odd Indian
Designs Worked.
New York Woman is Sent on Long
Visit to AborIgInes Of Southwest
by American Museum Of
Natural History.

New York.-Miss Mary Lois Kissell.
trip among the Indians of the south
west. where she will study basketry
on its native heath, is the first woman
ever sent out by the American Mu-
scum of Natural History for purposes
of original research. Hitherto men
only have been employed to penetrate
the wilds and the deserts in Its be-
half. But now 1t has come to a crisis
and q woman fills the void. The mu-
scum has a fine collection OF Indian
baskets. They are of all shapes and
sizes and uses. covered with intricate
designs in significant colors. Some OF
the facts of their construction are
known. but the scientists are aware of
many mysteries which await solution.
Mere man"-even a scientific man
cannot get at these secrets. He tries.
and the taciturn old squaw mutters:
Me no know" Mere man discovers
that the Indian woman is bound by
rules of religious observance not to
discuss her work with men. Even the
braves of the tribe do not know how
the beautiful designs are executed.
and the white man IL doubly help
less.
1t Is Miss Kissell's enthusiasm. COM
bined with her knowledge of textiles
and handcraft that has won her place
In the museum. 1t is said that she
even lighted a glow OF enthusiasm In
the cold scientific souls of European
museum directors. She was abroad
last summer cleaning what she could
about basketry from collections there.
In Munich she asked such illuminat-
ing questions about how some baskets
were made that the veteran scientist
saw new light on his subject.
We'll. WELL" he cried. delighted, the
old Joy of discovery in his heart
who would have thought baskets
meant 30 much? Well know more
when you come again. madame"
Feminine scientists, as a class, are
full of enthusiasm, Miss Kissell has
found. and also they sometimes see
things which masculine science over
looks. For instance. congo expedi-
ton brought back a curious little cap
made by some tribes of that region.
The minute Miss Kissell saw 1t she
recognized 1t as Irish crochet lace.
done in straw. The sight thrilled her
woman's heart. Irish crochet in the
Congo! How was 1t done7 The men
of the expedition looked blank enough
when questioned. What. indeed, was
one stitch or another to them? 1t
seemed as II the secret would remain
untold. when 1t developed that the ex-
plorer's wife had been with the party.
why. yes" she said in surprise. II
know all about It, of course. i sat
with the women for hours and watch
ed them do It,"
Miss Kissell's field will be the Pima
speaking tribes of Arizona. the largest
encanpment being near Tucson. but a
trip of sixty miles further down to-
ward Mexico may be necessary. She
will go alone. fearing nothing and
trusting to her beads and mirrors to
carry her through in safety.
Now woman Is going to try her
hand at ferreting out these secrets.
Feminine intuition and an inborn nat
ural understanding OF squaw psychol-
ogy are expected to accomplish much.
For the rest Miss Kissell will depend
on making friends with the papooses.
ut will take time, of course" said
Miss K1ssell. ito get them to regard
me In friendly way. shall stay in
one village long enough to feel ac-
Quainted. Then shall take my knit
ting work maybe and go to spend the
afternoon with ono of my neighbors.
Two or three others will drop in. and
wen all sit and chat as we work. I