Year: 1876

lucn long, ana from q quarter OF an
inch to a half-inch in width, are
cut in the upper and lower parts of
the ear. In these holes are fastened
large brass rings, to which are at
tached turquoise beads, divided into
from five to ten longitudinal Sec
tions. In each section are from
three to five beads, fastened togeth-
er by means of buckskin and raw
hide. On the end of this earring
is the handsomest portion of a
mother-of- pearl shell. | have seen
as many as three of these articles
Of adornment in one ear. A neck
lace of the same material and fash
ioned in the same manner is worn
about the neck.


The only weapon carried by a
squaw is a knife, called media.
placed in a handsomely beaded case
and fastened to the waist belt. For
occasions Of ceremony and dances
the buckskin dress and leggings are
donned. These garments are gor-
geous with beadwork, the shoul-
ders and sleeves being covered with
beads in various devices represent
ing men and animals. The leg
gings have the same ornaments.
They are expert in the management
of horses, and at a distance it is
difficult to distinguish squaw
from a "buck," as their manner of
riding is identical, even to the in
cessant punching Of the ponies
sides with the heels and beating
the beast with a whip. In child
hood they play merrily as white
children, making mud pies, build
ing miniature lodges, and seeming
ly making the most of their time
against the hardships of maturer
years. AS a rule they all paint their
faces. One of their fashions is to
tattoo a small round spot in the
center of the forehead and a streak
down the center of the chin.


The age of womanhood is hailed
with gladness by the parents, and
is the occasion of rejoicing in the
form of a feast, to which are in
vited all the friends of the family.
On this great occasion the joyful
father of the girl gives away as
many ponies, robes and blankets to
his friends and the poor of the tribe
as his possessions permit. Now
the young girl is careful of her
personal appearance, as the "bucks"
will watch her. She adorns her.
self in garments of flaming colors.
paints in an extrayagant manner,
and powders her hair with sweet
smelling leaves. Polygamy is the
almost universal practice. There
are three modes of marriage. The
courtship of one form Of marriage is
conducted in a singular manner. A
young " buck" becoming enamored
of young squaw, waits a convent
ent time, when, approaching
stealthily, he wraps his blanket
around her, and then, holding her
in firm grasp, pours his tale of love
and devotion into her sometimes
UNIV illing ear. This being com
pleted, he goes to the father and
the price of the maiden is agreed
upon according to the young mans
wealth, one to three, and sometimes
more ponies are given for the girl.
This transaction being finished, the
girl becomes the warriors wife,
whether she said eyes" or "No.
There is one thing certain, how
ever, that while she remains with
him, she obeys him. The squaw
may leave her husband, or rather
she may be deserted by him, and
then going back to her family she
is ready to be bought again. There
seems no especial regard between
the "buck" and the squaw. In
view of this fact the Indian,
strangely enough, evinces a strong
affection for his children. Where
there is no love between man and
wife, you would not suppose this
could exist. 1t is nevertheless a
fact that the children are dearer to
an Indian than his horses. OF
course the squaws grow old fast,
and soon become ugly hags. At
this stage they are treated as an in
cumbrance. Old men, as well as
women, have been left frequently on
the prairie to die. A small store of
provisions to sustain life for a few
days is given them; this gone, death
by starvation follows. This, l am
told, is no longer practiced by the