the Caddoan, which embraces also the Arikara, Wichita, and Caddo tribes. The four tribes of Pawnees called Grand, Republi PAW- can, Topage, and Skidi, originally hunted from the Niobrara River south to the Arkansas. In modern times they had their villages on the Platte,, west of the present site of Columbus. The Arikaree or Ree Indians were once a large branch, dwelling always to the north, while the Wichita and Caddo tribes were always to the south, in historic times. The following paragraph on the character of the Siouan Indians is from a sketch by W. J. McGee, in the Reports of the Bureau of Ethnology: CHAR "They were ceremonious among themselves and crafty toward enemies, tactful diplomatists as well as brave soldiers, shrewd strategists as well as fierce fighters; ever they were ACTER skillful readers of human nature, even when ruthless takers of human life. Among some of the tribes every movement and gesture and expression of the male adult seems to have been affected or controlled with the view of impressing spectators and auditors, and through constant schooling the warriors became most consummate actors." (Vol. 15, pp. 169-170.) "The best developed industries were hunting and warfare, though all of the tribes subsisted in part on fruits, nuts, berries, tubers, grains, and other vegetable products, largely wild, though sometimes planted and PURSUITS AND FOOD even cultivated in rude fashion. The southwestern tribes, and to some extent all of the prairie denizens and probably the eastern remnant, grew maize, beans, pumpkins, melons, squashes, sunflowers, and tobacco, though their agriculture seems always to have been subordinated to the chase." (170.) In their manners and customs' the Indians were very different from the white people, and for this reason were not understood by the whites. An interesting thing in which this is true was their idea that the greatest man is the one who gives away the most things. On this account the chiefs were almost always very poor men. The history of the relation between the Indians and settlers is one long account of petty troubles. In early times, before the Civil War beTWEEN gan in 1861, there seems to have been RELA- BE INDIAN SET- AND no general hostility toward the settlers. Histories of counties are full of the details of Indian scares and of the stealing of cattle and horses, and some loss of life, too, is recorded. On the other hand it may be said that the Indians were ill treated, not by the 1 Chief implements and weapons: stone, wood, bone, horn, and antler. Domestic utensils; wood, crude pottery, basketry, bags and bottles of skin. Aboriginal apparel: breech clout, moccasins, leggins, and robe, usually of dressed skins. Lodges: (prairie tribes), earth lodges for winter, buffalo skin tepees for summer. Horses: of Spanish origin. The new enterprise of catching wild horses made a great difference with the way of living. Amusements: races, wrestling, games of chance; sports of boys, making bows and arrows, play hunt, etc.; of girls, dolls, play-houses, etc. Organization of tribes very complicated. Property regulations: definite and strictly observed; common land; much individual possessions in other things, but a great deal of entertainment of friends in the family lodge. Tepees belonged to the women. Food was not owned in common. peaceable settler, but by the rougher class of men who always stay on the frontier. The Indians resented any personal injury and took vengeance upon all white people alike. Considering the savage nature of the Indians, one might readily expect more deeds of cruelty than there really were. Settlers kept themselves ready to meet such bands of Indians as tried to do any damage. Reports of cattle thieving were sufficient to bring together hundreds of armed men. Punishment was not delayed, and probably this explains, to some extent, the usually good behavior of the savage tribes. A marked change was apparent as soon as the Civil War began. The Indians became more hostile. While it lasted, not only did they attack and murder small parties and raid settlements here and there, but the spirit of enmity ing the caused many bands of savages all through War the Northwest to combine in attacking settlements. One of the most notable raids was made August 7, 1864, upon the pioneers of Nebraska. At about the same hour of the day all the homes except two along a route of two hundred miles were surrounded and burned. The inmates who could not escape were killed, and their provisions and goods were carried off. The outbreaks did not cease when peace came, although the unusual hostility of the Indians during the war was generally attributed to the influence of (b) Dur Civil 1 History of Nebra ka (1882), 991, where the tradition of the battle is given on the authority of an old French trader, Mont Crevie. 2. History of Nebraska (1882), 967-8. white men who favored the South. A writer says Since that in the neighborhood of Lincoln County the attacks of Indians continued for five years. Nebraska became a state comparatively little trouble has arisen, because the limits of their reservations have become too narrow, and the Indians themselves have improved. Even up to a very recent date, however, Indian outbreaks have annoyed the northwestern frontier. The so-called Indian War of 1890-91, like almost all the previous conflicts with Indians, began by the OF 1890-failure of the United States to keep its promises. The starving condition of the Indians was only aggravated by the blunders of agents who did not understand how to deal with them. The fighting that occurred may be truly said to have been due to the policy of the government.' WAR 1891 The earliest account of the mode of life of the Indians of the plains is found in the Spanish accounts. One of these descriptions is found at the end of Chapter III. of the book. AUTHORITIES ON II. Neb. State Hist. Soc Pub., especially I, 47-49, 73-85; II, 133-166, 246-48; III, 125-190, 279-286; IV., 30-50, 134-140, 160-191, 281-233. On Indian Treaties: U. S. Statutes at Large, VII., (Indian Treaties); IX., 949; X., 1038, 1013; XI, 729; XIV., 667, 675; XIX., 29, 192, 287, etc. Hist. of Neb. (Chicago, 1882), 55–57, and at various places. This book contains an immense amount of valuable history. Some of the county histories in it are based on the personal knowledge of the writers. It must not be depended on altogether, because it is frequently inaccurate. 1 Further reading upon the history of special tribes upon the relation between the government and the Indians may be made in Mrs. Jackson's "A Century of Dishonor". Mrs. Helen Hunt Jackson, A Century of Dishonor, Chap. V., The Sioux; Chap. VI., The Poncas; Chap. VII., The Winnebagoes. On classification, see No. Amer. Rev., 110: 45, 55, and General Colby in State Hist. Soc. Pub., III, 144–5. SUGGESTIVE TOPICS AND QUESTIONS. 1. Is the government justified in its method of making treaties with the Indians? 2. Is the plan of reservations successful? REVIEW. What can be said of the kinds of Indian treaties? What was the first reservation in Nebraska? Which tribes were related to each other? Where was the first home of the Siouan tribes? Show how the Omahas arrived at their present location. Which tribe is most closely related to the Omahas? What caused the Indians to move westward? Name the tribes related to the Pawnees. Name the tribes of the Pawnees that inhabited the Platte Valley. Describe the character of the Siouan Indians. What do you think of their idea of a great man? Describe the relations of the whites and Indians during the war. What can you say of the treatment of the Indians by the government, and why? Ought Indians to be made to give up their land? |