Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1921-11-23
Miss Florence. Mirns Writes
Again Of the Red Man.
Dear Advertiser:

,
Dear Advertiser:
If there be any virtue in rePititien,i
my Advertiser letters are of values
for once again am going to write
about the Indians. Lately have seen.
some very good looking ones with,
velvety skin and colorful shawls. Per-
haps it is because 1 am getting accus-
toned to seeing them, that they seem
more attractive and pleasant to look,
upon. The papoeises 1--we always In:
terested me with their big brown.
eyes. Only the other day saw on old.
Indian woman with fast greying:
hair in two long braids on either side,
of her head, wearing green and pur-
pie and red, and heavy copper ear
rings. 1t seems perfectly right that
an old person should wear colors In
nature the landscape is never SO COLI
orful as in autumn when the long life
of the year is drawing to close.
Several days ago the members OF
my public speaking class each pres
pared speech ON the Indians Of 0ksi
lahoma. 1t was exceedingly interest
ing to me to get some first hand
knowledge from them. 1t seems that
every year the Southern Oklahoma
Indians come tc' northern oklahomas
in the region OF Tonkawa, and have
time of feasting and dancing for
two weeks, camping with Their
friends. At this time each Indiall:
brings horse as gift to the friend
whom he is visiting. This year, how
ever, the Indians are said to be fs|
nancially embarrassed, as are maHg
people who are not of the red skinnesS
variety, so the feasting time has
been postponed. a q
There is one outstanding good
trait of the red man, which, howeVersl
he carries to the extreme, and thaa|
is his generosity. This is. also fres
quently true of children and of races]
in their childhood, this unthoughsed
lavish generosity, mean.
An Indian thinks that to be scalleda|
stingy is. the very worst insult
anybody could offer him. Theg
aoslaingsats all fesen.s sS-,s';ae
The Indian is very extravagant, with
no idea of economy or saving.
As is generally known, the Indian
mas very strong constitution and
great physical endurance. They are
swift of foot and for this reason
make good athletes.
Some of the older Indians still be-
lieve in the happy hunting grounds,
and among other superstitions have
a strong aversion to the kodak, be-
lieving that it contains an evil spirit.
They are not as vain as we, if hav-
ing ones picture taken may be called
form of vanity.
The young Indians tasted for
some time when they had reached the
age of manhood, and at the end of
this time of fasting and meditation,
$hey were named for the first animal
they saw, or for the first happening
which seemed like an omen. That
may account for the seemingly pc
culiar names. The following are
some which I found on an old map
of Tonkawa: standing Buffalo"
David Buffalo Head" Ramona
Eagle" "Alice Grey Hawk" and
"William Poor Horse" One famous
Indian from a northern tribe is
known as Chief Rain-in- -the-Face.
The Indian is lazy and incapable
if being used as a servant. He s
fond of whiskey, paying any price
for a quart. For this the white man is
responsible, since the Indian was
sober person till our ancestors land
ed on the shores of America and con-
verted the otherwise nutritious corn
into what the Indian termed fire
water"
Probably by every race on earth
and every nation the American gov
ernment government and people are
looked up to with more real admira-
ton than by the Indian. He is stole,
believer in himself and not copy
ist. In their estimation this is their
home, our stolen property.
FLORENCE MINIS.
Tonkawa, Oklahoma.
November II, 1921.