Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-03-18
OUR Masque
to be Held in Bozen1an IN June Will
Reveal Mythologis of Crow Indians

DIR. LOWE. OF the same university, is
giving valuable assistance In the writing
Of the MasQue. and Mr.. w. Wildschut, of
Billings. Montana. representative of the
New York Museum OF Art, will contribute
a collection of Indian relics to he exhibited,
1t is the purpose of those In charge OF
the production TO make Montanans familiar
with primitive art and legend native TO
the state" and their efforts should receive
the encouragement TO which they are en-
titled. Miss Donaldson writes that the
Masque may also be produced some time
this summer in Yellowstone Park, which
will increase its educational value by
: awakening the interest of tourists. who
4 come from all over this country and from
foreign lands as we'll, in Indian art and
legend.
| have never seen any Crow music given
by cur numerous writer's on Montana In
dams. 1t would be interesting to learn
whether their music is like that of the
Siouian stock, from which 1t is said they
sprung. l recently saw Ii stated that the
Crows are of Welsh origin. Then do they
retain any songs which bear a resemblance
TO primitive Welsh music?
Ii is unfortunate that none OF the true
Indian music is TO be given. 1t was from
the Sioux that | learned there was real
melody 10 their songs. They did not seem
TO be particular in what key they should
be sung. 1t was on the Texas deck of a
Missouri steamboat that | discovered mel
ody in Indian songs, given by a half dozen
young warriors of Sitting Bulls band,
when on their way to Standing Rock
Agency. That night we would tie up in an
enemy's country: but whether that fact
led to the singing | do not know, nor If
II were n love or a war. song. 1t might
have been an ode to the setting sun, as the
river down which we drifted was blood red
from the reflection of the clouds which an
nounced the departure of the orb of day.
The music was slow and dignihed, and as
these red men sang. they occasionally
swung half round on their heels, the near
est to dancing afforded by the limited
space at their command. Their voices were
rich and full, and in marked contrast to
the shrill notes of the boys on the lower
deck. who took up the melody in another
key.
Should a Blackfeet Masque be given, as
is planned. ii will be unnecessary to go
without the state TO secure appropriate
music, as much of the original has been
preserved. / have heard it said that some
of their songs are really beautiful. judged
by modern musical standards. None of
them can be worse, in my estimation. from
a musical standpoint than our popular
jazz, which is certainly primitive enough
in type TO satisfy the musical cravings of a
Hottentot.
This idea of presenting the Indian leg
ends, etc, is rot entirely new here in Mon
tana. A few years ago the University of
Montana gave a similar production, EN-
bodying the traditions of the Flatheads.
| witnessed il and could make but one
criticism. 1t was too long. However, 1t
taught the people of this state that the So
called Flatheads are not Flatheads but
Selfish.
Undoubtedly the exhibition promised of
Indian relies will be very beautiful, as the
! Crows seemed to have possessed the artistic
talent in a marked degree. Their buffalo
robes were always held to be superior to
4 tN.n1a uA1I ~ nthAr srfhAC both an o0annnf
of the manner in which they were dressed
and also the embroidery which decorated
them. | heard of an army officer and his
wife who hung the walls of their quarters
built of logs, with embroidered Crow robes.
The effect was said to have been extremely
fine as well as unique.
A pitiful story comes from Livingston,
Of a ten year old Hyde Park girl who
nearly lost her life while attempting to
save that of her baby brother, whose cloth
ing was enveloped in flames, due to the
breaking of a gasoline lamp. a pipe at
tached to the bowl of the lamp having
broken, the lighted gasoline fell on the
baby, who was walking underneath 1t. The
little girl first extinguished the flaming
clothes of her brother, then managed to
carry him to another room. In doing this
she, herself, was badly burned, and later
taken TO a hospital. The baby died, but
this fact was not made known to the de-
4 NOttu Si0ltls Edfu IL WIS MiillnE W
endure the suffering due to her burns, be-
cause she had been the means Of saving
the baby's life. This child was q heroine
who should receive some form of recogni-
tion from this, her state.
The Garden Club Of Butte, Mrs. T. A.
Carney, president, has outlined fine pro-
gram for the ensuing season. Children are
to be encouraged to undertake gardening
more than heretofore. by their being of
fered a larger number Of prizes. The pro-
lection of birds is likewise to be empha-
sized. 1t will observe the National Garden
week, and will aid in giving the flower
show.
To the question propounded in Liberty
not long ago: In what American city is
there no living green thing?" the reply
was: In Butte, Montana" This might
have been true a number of years ago; but
the Rocky Mountain Garden club has
changed all that and today, during its brief
summer, no more beautiful gardens can be
seen in the state than those Of Butte.
of its former condition, | well recall
taking a stroll one day with a resident OF
the Copper City when she stopped short
and stood as If hypnotized before n house
where a window box held q few struggling
pansies. Then turning to me with a tri-
umphant air she exclaimed. Look there
will you. And they say that nothing will
grow in Butter" With this remark the
spell was broken and she was able to move
on.
A loyal citizen of Butte, noting the ques-
ton and reply of Liberty, wrote: MANY
thanks for the compliment. We know that
you were not referring to ve~getatlon-facts
deny that. We agree that no green people
exist In Butte-we are all sophisticated"