Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1922-11-20
INDIAN COLLECTION
REVEALS THE EARLY.
AMERICAN HISTORY.
EVERY STATE IN THE UNION Is
REPRESENTED lat THE loFFI.
GAL OPENING OF BIG NATION
Al MUSEUM IN NEW YORK.

Ht -
New York, Nov. 2D,--Eyery state in
the Union and ali the Americans
were represented today in the Off
cial opening OF the Museum OF the
American Indian, Heye foundation,
dedicated to Interpretation of the
life OF the aborigines OF the western
world
Within the walls of this great In
stitution the collections of which al
ready comprise nearly two million
speciments, II was announced today,
the mystery Of the origin of the red
man may be revealed through in.
tensive research. Such Is the hope
OF G.. G. Heye founder and director
Of the museum.
Members OF the cabinet, federal
officials Interested in Indian affairs,
governors of the different common
wealths, diplomats 'from the coun-
tries from which the collections were
drawn, and q distinguished company
OF citizens and scientists now in.
stalled in the splendid buildings at
broadway and 155th streets. The
structure is one of group which al
so includes the museum of the His
panic society, the American Numis.
matte society and the American Ge-
ographical society. A. l.. Hunting.
ton, who has done so much to de-
velop this center Of study of the past
was the doner of the site of the mu-
scum of the American Indian, and he
and other men of wealth contributed
to its building fund. Nearly every
state In the union has at least one
case in the museum devoted to relics
OF the Indians who once dwelt with
in its borders. The Indians who once
inhabited Manhattan island were
especially at home in the upper part
OF what is now the lnwood section
of New York City. A carefully pre-.
pared model represents the life
which they led in the rock shelters,
which remain to this day. Diminu-
tive figures, like marionettes, were
posed before representation of the
ancient rendezvous so realistically
that the early history and traditions
OF the Manhattoes seemed re.enated
BY far the largest collection of
sacred bundles in this country is de-
posted in the museum Among the
Indian tribes when boy found him
self approaching manhood he made
his way to a wild and lonely place
and prayed and tasted in the belief
that some guardian spirit would make
known to him vision The guardian
spirit which in his weakened condi-
ton he imagined directed him. told
him to prepare group of objects,
such as the skin of hawk, which
would make him fierce in attack, or
a swallows wing, to enable him to
dodge. ALI these objects, which were
supposed to give attributes to the
young warrior, were gathered in a
bundle and carried with him when
he went into battle.
One of the richest portions Of the
collection represents life in the south.
west. where Coronado sought the
mystic Seven Cities of Cibola. which
were said to be overlooking with gold
and treasure. The dream OF the con
queror was not realized, but there
are in the. museum many remarkable
carvings and ceramics from the an
cient settlements.
The visitors today saw many rare
ornaments in gold from various re-
gions of the country, illustrative OF
aboriginal art. For purposes OF
study they would have done as well
had they been wrought in copper
but since they are worth about $3.50
600 they are always in charge of spe'
cial guards and are heavily insured
as we'll
The collections from British Co
lumbia include food dishes as big
as modern bathtubs; a remarkable
whaling boat made from the trunk
of single tree, and many other ob
iects which shows the resourceful
ness and skill which was attained
by the Indians of the far north west
Alaska and the land OF the Eskimos
are represented by many fur gar
ments of great value and beauty. In
fact, the whole range of the western
world, rom the tropics to the poles
may be seen in relation to the man
ners and the customs of the aborig
ines.
One of the most ancient of the civ
ilizations was visualized by the fine
examples OF the art of the Mayas. {
race which disappeared before thu
Aztecs. In the division was shown
the finest pieces of incised potter,
OF Magyar origin known in scientific
circles, sacrifcial vessel used il
the worship Of the sun The objects
of this lost civilization were father
ed in Guatemala and British Hondu
ras.
A marvellous insight into the al
tistics beauty of the relationships o
the Aztecs was a shield of cedar in
laid with design OF turquois mosaic
IN which $4,000 pieces were used
This shield which is undoubtedly tn
best example Of mosaic work of tn,
kind .extal1t, probably was employed
in the worship Of the planet Venus
and carries a picture of prehistori
nUEEEN