Year: 1875

III ~ but seldom that the uWellerS OF
Eastern cities have the good or i'll fortune
to behold genuine scalp dance in all the
unadulterated savagery and concomitant
barbarism, which characterize the pastimes
Of the gentle savage of the Western plains,
and for this reason an attempt will be made
to depict such an occurrence as witnessed
by the writer twelvemonth since on one
Of the desert plains Of Western Colorado,
near Denver. While on our way West,
stopping over at Denver, we were inform
ed that at some distance from the city
band Of Tabeguache Utes from Los Pinos
were encamped, and that having taken
some scalps while on buffalo hunt they
were in the habit of Willing away the after
noon in the amiable and instructing scalp
dance, performing it in style calculated
not only to amuse and edify the beholders,
but make them wish they we're Indians


We determined to be among the numbers
of those enjoying this rare spectacle, but
before starting out requested our informant
to give us the history Of the scalp taking
1t appeared that the band in question
had been hunting buffalo in the south fork
of the Platte, and one evening after most
successful hunt three strangers appeared
in camp, begging hospitality. They were
discovered to be Arrapahoes, and invited
to make themselves at home, which they
at once proceeded to do, gorging themselves
around the FIRE with collops of buffalo
meat Little did they imagine that their
entertainers were their mortal enemies, the
Utes, between whom and their people a
deadly feud had existed for years; little did
they surmise that this feast was to be their
last. After supper they asked their hosts
if they were Kiowas, and receiving an
affirmative answer seemed perfectly salts
fed that they had fallen amongst friends,
aud the evening passed away in friendly
conversation and hilarious glee, the recital
Of warlike deeds and Of mighty hunts.


Blankets were offered them, and before
long the whole camp was apparently buried
in slumber; not so, however, for Pe-ah, the
willy chief Of the band, taking into his conf.
dence few Of the young men who thirst
ed for the distinction of taking scalp,
proposed plan which involved the mur-
der Of their too con6ding guests, The
proposal was eagerly accepted, and about
midnight they stole quietly upon their
unsuspecting victims and surrounded them.
The chief gave the first blow with his
knife, and SO true was his aim that the
savage had hardly time to groan warning
to his comrades before his spirit winged
its way to the happy hunting grounds of
his fcrefathers. This was signal for the
attack, and the whole party precipitated
themselves upon the two other men, who,
Notwithstanding brave resistance, soon
perished beneath the repeated blows of
their savage antagonists. OF course the
whole camp was aroused by the noise of
the fray, and great was the rejoicing when
it was known that three scalps had been
taken from their inyeterate enemies, the
Kiowas, who for 50 long had triumphed
over the Ute; the children yelled, the
squaws gave vent to their most fiendish
glee in demoniac songs, and the warriors
congratulated each other on their warlike
conquest of three men With degree of
sagacity for which these braves are noted,
but which some evil.thinkiug person would
call cowardice, they at once determined to
leave the plains and betake themselves
once more to the vicinity of settlements to
recuperate after their noble achievements.
Denver was the point selected, aud pitch
ing upon a favorable locality they encamp-
ed some distance from the city. Their
first care was to preserve the scalps they
had taken, and for this purpose an elabo-
rate preparation was necessary. All su-
perfous skin and hair was removed by
shaving off with sharp knife, and the
inside surface was then rubbed by the
squaws with buffalo brains and ashes, with
a little salt added. After each application,
which was made several days in success
sion, they were stretched on willow frame
and allowed to dry in the sun. The dry
ing was accomplished within week, and
they were then ready to be handled with
impunity. The dance, our infor mant
stated, had been in progress several days,
and after this recital we were more anxious
than ever to see the performance.


Taking carriage we were soon far out
on the plain to the south of Denver, and
ere long the shouts and singing of the
Indians informed us that the dance was
in full blast. Passing small stream and
laboriously climbing sandy hill which led
to the table land, full view of the scene
burst upon our eyes. In the dim distance
to the west, partially obscured by rapidly
rising clouds, loomed up the ''great back
bone of the continent" /" the peaks Of Long
and Pike to the north and south rearing
their snow-capped heads to the very heav-
ems, while between the base Of this mighty
chain and our point Of observation rolled
grand and beautiful prairie, dotted here
and there with ranches, whose surround
ings Of outhouses, stables, corrals and
barns showed degree Of prosperity We
might hardly have expected to see. Com
plete the picture by the insertion of the
Indian encampnent with its yelling inhab-
itants, aud perhaps some idea may be
obtained Of the vision we beheld on reach