Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1916-12-29

were called Shoxhones: but there wa
another class. the most abject an
toriorn. who were called "Shuclsers
or root dsggers: these were %,
secret. solitary race. who kept In tn
most retired spots Of the mountains
lurking like gnomes In caverns an
/ elefts q the rocks and suDsisting 4
a great measure on the roots Of tn
earth: TO tais class Of the great snak
Indians belonged the tribe OF Pah
SHE -ass-up. which tribe was destroy
ed by the Arapahoes. az stated in Z
former paper.
The Shosh0nes. however, who. a.
has been observed. stiii had few
horses 10 ride and weapons 70 wear
were somewhat boider In their spirit
and more oren and wide In their
wauJerings. Ia the Autumn when the
salmon appear IN the Snake river a,
salmon Falls. I have seen hundreds
Of "Nickenps" near where Mr. Robert
Justice now lives. engaged in catching
and drying salmon for winter use. all
eaat of the mountains for Buffalo
robes. they also carried on quite "A
trade with tho Nez Perez and Una
tina Indians from west Of the Blue
mountains. swapping salmon for
HORSES. and when the fishing season
Is over. ali hands would break camp
and adjourn to Camas Prairie. there
20 continue their trading. horse rae
ing, Rambling and other sports which
are an actual necessity for the peace
and comfort Of "a real indlan.
have seen nt these gatherings on
camaa Prairie. as many aa ten thou
sand Indians. representing al least
twenty different tribes enjoying their
foyorile pastime Of gambling. horse
racing. and swapping whatever they
may have had. such as buffalo robes.
for dried salmon. the camas root and
another root 81 which tho Indian Is
very fond. called "Yamposs'.. as these
roots do not grow east OF the Rocky |
a Sioux or Cheyenne In
dian would give the best horse he I
for a small sack OF the /
'avorite bulb. the Indians doing the /
trading while the squaws gathered /
he roots aud procured the fire wood.
Hui the most lnveterate vice OF
hcse Indians IL their attachment for
which they pursue with a
strange and ruinous avidity; their
samrs are OF several kinds: one OF
heir favorites ls az follows; One
Il the company assumes the office
Il banker, and plays against the
'rowd. he takes small stone. or
,iccc OF bone made for the purpose.
lbout the size Of lima bean. which
20 shifts from one hand 10 the other
With great dexterity. at the same time
song adapted to the game. and
Witch serves 10 divert tho attention
Il the other gamblers. until. having
Igrced on tho stakes. he holds out his
lands and his antagonists win or
osc as no succeeds or falls In guess
ng In which hand ne holds the little
oker; all ths same Twhlte Man"
Matching dollars for a hundred dol
ars guess.
The sauaws are as much addicted
o gambling as the men. knew one
"a dame who became 80 addicted 20
he vice. she would stake the last
AZ on her mumified old carcass. and
shc lost would procure an old
gunny sack" 10 cover her nakedness.
nth she could prevail on some kind
earted white woman to stake her
pr another game.
Captain bonneville who visited this
ountry IN the year 1889. and was the {
rot white man TO east his eyes ON I
he Great Salt Lake. gives cherries I
ocount OF villagc OF these "shuck- ,
rs" or piggers which he saw there.
hey live SAYS he. without any fur
A'A RAhAthAARM ANNNN iAtN Ah'fNNfNNe Z 7
the seasons than sort OF break :
Gather. about three feet high, com {
osed OF sage brush and erected
-ound them Ia the shape OF half q
oon. Whenever he mot with them. 4
'wever. they had always ahrgc pack d
haif-starved dogs. FOR these ami /
ais In savage as well as civilized I
b. seem 10 be the concomitants OF a
.xgary, c
These doxs. Il must be allowed e
ere OF more use than the beggarly y
lrs q our villages ana cities. The b
dian children used them In hunt a
< small game % the neighoorhood c
.ch a. rabbits and ground SOUR r
Isl h which mongrci kind OF chase
~ acqult themselves with great q
edit. however. sometimes the Dix n
~ aspire 20 capture nobier game q
IA succeed In entrapping the ante =