The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1931-05-29
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lows: ITO perpetuate the memory OF
any remarkable warriors killed in the
woods, must here observe that every
Indian traveller as he passes that way
throws a stone on the place.
In the woods we often see innumerable
heaps Of small stones in those places,
where, according to tradition, some Of
their disgruntled people were either
killed or buried" Each heap is in
creased, he goes on to say, as last
ing monument in their honor.
No discussion of Indian memorial
observances would be complete with
out a description Of the strange Gus
toms Of the Assiniboin, Mandan, and
some other tribes:
These people did not inter their
dead, but placed them on scaffolds
or in trees. In time the bones Of the
deceased were all that was left, and
these, perhaps, fell on the ground as
the scaffolds or platforms, weather
beaten and old, gave way. The rela-
tives gathered and buried the bones.
all but the skulls, and these they
placed sin a circle in the plain" says
Father De Smet, speaking of the AS
siniboin, with the faces turned
toward the center. They preserve
these with care. The Indians call
the cemetery the village of the dead.
They visit it at certain seasons Of
the year, to converse affectionately
with their deceased relatives and
friends"
Many travellers Of the early days
have observed and commented on
these circles Of skulls, and we are
given pictures Of them in many Of the
old volumes II is only natural that
such a strange custom should be mis-
understood. Some of those early OBJ
servers did not realize what real af-
lection prompted the preservation OF
these relics Of the dead, and hence
we read the scornful note that "sev-
eral skulls were kicking about on the
ground"
Catlin observed this same custom
among the Mandan, and goes on TO
tell US that each skull was placed on
a bunch Of wild sage, which was re
newed as often as necessary. There
is scarcely an hour in pleasant day,
but more or less Of these women may
be seen sitting or laying by the
skull Of their child or husband, talk
ing to it in the most pleasant and en-
dearing language that they can use
Gas they were wont to do in former
days. and seemingly getting an aD-
swer back"
one to us, but to the Indians it was
natural and common observance. In
deed, to the white men who knew
these people well, their strange ideas
grew less fantastic, and Catlin re-
marked, as he noted the Mandan wom-
en- visiting" with the skulls of their
loved ones, "There is something ex-
ceedingly interesting and impressive
in these scenes" Indeed, they recall
TO US the famous vault under the
Capuchin convent, where the bones
Of monks who have died are used to
make patterns on the walls, and the
skulls stand in rows. Travellers have
remarked that the monks who showed
them these strange designs appeared
to know many of the skulls, and could
relate their names and something of
their histories. 1t was noteworthy,
also, that they had no horror of the
grim vault. but looked forward serene
" to their own time of departing,
when their skulls also would help TO
decorate the walls. and some later
brother Of the order would name them
and tell their stories.
So it is with the Indians. Not all
Of them, of course, regarded death
without dread, but surely those OF
whom we have been reading did not
recoil at the unavoidable step. True
to their beliefs, they went out brave
ly. The Happy Hunting Grounds" OF
the Plains people beckoned; the Un-
derworld Of the Pueblos waited for
their return. And they believed with
firm conviction that they would know
about the memorial ceremonies, and
be able to share, with the beloved Iv-
ing. in the rites.
Whether we agree with them or not,
1t was a pleasant sort of faith. And
although our own beliefs have gone I'm
a far different direction from theirs,
sometimes. still we unite once year
to recall the virtues and to honor the
memories Of Those who-have-gone-be
fore.
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