Chapter 3

902.Ku-wás-chin-a-nia-ni.One who Walks Home.Yankton.

903.Ma-tó-i-wan-ká-a-má-ni.Bear that Walks Lying Down.Yankton.

904-5.Ma-tó-wa-yu-mni.The Bear that Turns Around.Yankton.

908.Ta-tań-ka-wá-kan.Medicine Bull.Yankton.

276.Ta-tań-ka-wa-ná-gi.Bull's Ghost.(Front.)Lower Yanktonais.

277.Ta-tań-ka-wa-ná-gi.Bull's Ghost.(Profile.)Lower Yanktonais.

278.Ma-tó-wi-tko-tko.Foolish Bear.(Front.)Lower Yanktonais.

279.Ma-tó-wi-tko-tko.Foolish Bear.(Profile.)Lower Yanktonais.

280.Ma-tó-noḿ-pa.Two Bears.(Front.)Lower Yanktonais.

281.Ma-tó-noḿ-pa.Two Bears.(Profile.)Lower Yanktonais.

270.Na-zu-la-tań-ka.Big Head.(Front.)Upper Yanktonais.

271.Na-zu-la-tań-ka.Big Head.(Profile.)Upper Yanktonais.

272.Í-sta-shá-pa.Black Eye.(Front.)Upper Yanktonais.

273.Í-sta-shá-pa.Black Eye.(Profile.)Upper Yanktonais.

274.I-chá-san-tań-ka.Big Razor.(Front.)Upper Yanktonais.

275.I-chá-san-tań-ka.Big Razor.(Profile.)Upper Yanktonais.

170.Wa-kań-dú-ta.Red Thunder.(Front.)

171.Wa-kań-dú-ta.Red Thunder.(Profile.)

172.Hav-ka-wash-ti.Good Hawk.(Front.)

173.Hav-ka-wash-ti.Good Hawk.(Profile.)

174.Pe-hań-sa-a-máni.Walking Crane.(Front.)

175.Pe-hań-sa-a-máni.Walking Crane.(Profile.)

176.Wanmdi-zi.Yellow Eagle.(Front.)

177.Wanmdi-zi.Yellow Eagle.(Profile.)

732.Hatona.Many Horns.(Front.)

733.Hatona.Many Horns.(Profile.)

734.I-ste-sá-pa.Black Eye.(Front.)

735.I-ste-sá-pa.Black Eye.(Profile.)

736.Ta-tan-ka-han-ska.Long Fox.(Front.)

737.Ta-tan-ka-han-ska.Long Fox.(Profile.)

908.Ta-tań-ka-wa-kań.Medicine Bull.

916.Ma-zá-o-zan-zan.

917.He-há-ka-ma-zú.Iron Elk.

919.Wanmdi-yań-ka.Great Eagle.

923.Hin-kan-dú-ta.Red Owl.

925.Cut Nose.

927.Ma-zú-kú-ta.Iron Shooter.

931.Tall feather joining.

932.Wa-kań-o-zan-zan.Medicine Bottle.

933.O-ta-dan.Plenty.

895.Chief with the Big War Bonnet.

244.War Dance.

815.General Sherman and Commissionersat Fort Laramie.

816.Commissioners in council, Fort Laramie.

817.Old Man afraid of his Horses, and group.

818-830.Miscellaneous groups about Fort Laramie.

831.Sioux burial.

832-5.Groups about Fort Laramie.

838.Indian delegation at the White House.

839-41.St. Mary's Mission, Kansas.

845.The Sergeant of the Guard.

A tribe of Indians of Dakota stock, inhabiting originally the interior of the State of the same name. Marquette in 1673 placed them on his map as the Pa-houtet. Some of the neighboring Algonkins called them Iowas—a name originally applied to a river, and said to mean "the beautiful land"—and others Mascoutin or Prairie Nadouessi. In their own tongue their name is Pahucha, meaning "Dusty Nose." They were famous as great pedestrians, being able to walk twenty-five orthirty leagues a day, and the names of many of their chiefs show that they prided themselves on their walking.

In 1700 they were on the Mankato, and constantly roaming with the Western Algonkins. Early in the present century they numbered about 1,500, and were involved in wars with the Osages, Omahas, and the Sioux, losing heavily. Later they became much decimated through the ravages of the small-pox and other diseases.

First treaty was made with them in 1815. In 1836 the tribe, numbering 992, were removed to the west bank of the Missouri, and from this time rapidly declined in numbers, many of them becoming vagrants in other tribes, and others killed themselves by intemperance. By 1846 had decreased to 700. In 1861 the tribe, now reduced to 305, ceded all their lands except 16,000 acres, which they subsequently, in 1869, shared with some of the Sacs and Foxes, their old friends.

Since the tribe has been placed under the charge of the Society of Friends they have improved somewhat, so that at the present time (1875), although reduced to 219 souls, they are all living in good houses on their fertile reservation in Southern Nebraska, and are raising much more than is needed for their own consumption. They have good schools, at which nearly one-fourth of the tribe attend, and nearly one-half of the whole number can read. They stand in the front rank of civilized Indian tribes.

List of illustrations.

385-6.Nag A-rash.British.

Became first chief of the Iowas in 1862, upon the death of Nan-chee-ning-a. Has always taken a prominent place in favor of civilization and the advancement of his tribe by education and work. Has made four visits to Washington and two to New York, the first being in 1847, when he travelled from Saint Joseph, Mo., to Baltimore in a wagon. Took part once in a great battle between the Otoes, Pawnees, Kickapoos, Pottawatomies, and Sacs and Foxes on one side, and the Snakes, Crows, Cheyennes, Arapahoes, Comanches, and Kiowas on the other, lasting from early dawn until dark. British shot 160 balls; 150 of the enemy were left on the field. Age, 68; height, 5.8-1/2; head, 22-7/8; chest, 47-1/2; weight, 193.

388-9.Mah-hee.Knife.

Third chief of the Iowas. When young, lived in Missouri, but afterward removed to Kansas. Enjoyed the confidence of the whites to a marked degree, and was mail-carrier for some time between the frontier posts and the agency. Was among the first to take the lead in settling down to an agricultural life. Has always been a hard-working man, but at one time was dissipated, and once, when under the influence of liquor, killed his father. Is a strictly temperate man now, but his rapidly-failing health will soon unfit him for his usual labor, and his example in the tribe as an industrious man will soon be lost. Age, 56; height, 5.10; head, 22-3/4; chest, 39-1/2; weight, 172.

391, 395.Tah-ra-kee.Deer Ham.

Was fourth chief of the tribe until October, 1876, when he was deposed for persistent interference with the business of the agency. He had been suspended before, but was re-instated by another agent. Age, 50 years; height, 5.8-1/2; head, 22; chest, 41-1/2; weight, 179.

390.Ki-he-ga-ing-a.Little Chief.

Fifth chief of the Iowas. Enlisted in the Northern Army and participated in the late war of the rebellion, serving two years. Was promised the position of a chief if he enlisted, and upon his return the promise was made good. Age, 43; height, 5.10; head, 22-3/4; chest, 43; weight, 192.

387.Kra-ten-tha-wah.Blade Hawk.

Was sixth chief of the Iowas. Died January 1, 1871, aged about 30 years; height, 6 feet; weight, 170 pounds.

392-4.Nan-chee-ning-a.No Heart.

Was first chief of the Iowas. Died in 1862, aged 65; height, 5.10; weight, 170.

921.A chief.

922.Group, comprising most of the above numbers.

The Kansas are an offshoot of the Osages, whom they resemble in many respects. In 1673 they were placed on Marquette's map as on the Missouri, above the Osages. After thecession of Louisiana, a treaty was made with them by the United States. They were then on the river Kansas at the mouth of the Saline, having been forced back from the Missouri by the Sioux, and numbered about 1,500 in 130 earthen lodges. Some of their chiefs visited Washington as early as 1820. In 1825 ceded their lands on the Missouri, retaining a reservation on the Kansas, where they were constantly subjected to attacks from the Pawnees, and on their hunts from other tribes, so that they lost rapidly in numbers. In 1846 they again ceded their lands, and a new reservation of 80,000 acres on the Neosho in Kansas assigned them; but this also soon becoming overrun by settlers, and as they would not cultivate it themselves, it was sold, and the proceeds invested for their benefit and for providing a new home among the Osages. The tribe in 1850 numbered 1,300; in 1860, 800; and in 1875 had dwindled to 516. Under the guidance of Orthodox Friends they are now cultivating 460 acres, and have broken more than as much again. They raised among other things 12,000 bushels of corn; 70 of them are regular church attendants, and 54 of their children attend school.

List of illustrations.

397.Little Bear.

398.Ka-ke-ga-sha.(Standing.)

399.Ka-ke-ga-sha.(Sitting.)

The Mandans, or Mi-ah́-ta-nees, "people on the bank," have resided on the Upper Missouri for a long time, occupying successively several different places along the river. In 1772 resided 1,500 miles above the mouth of the Missouri, in nine villages located on both sides of the river. Lewis and Clarke found them in 1804 100 miles farther up in only two villages, one on each side of the river; near them were three other villages belonging to the Minnitarees and Ahnahaways.

In the year 1833 these Indians were in their most prosperous state, industrious, well armed, good hunters and good warriors, in the midst of herds of buffalo mostly within sight of the village, with large corn-fields, and a trading-post from which they could at all times obtain supplies, and consequently at thattime they might have been considered a happy people. In their personal appearance, prior to the ravages of the small-pox, they were not surpassed by any nation in the Northwest. The men were tall and well made, with regular features and a mild expression of countenance not usually seen among Indians. The complexion, also, was a shade lighter than that of other tribes, often approaching very near to some European nations, as the Spaniards. Another peculiarity was that some of them had fair hair, and some gray or blue eyes, which are very rarely met with among other tribes. A majority of the women, particularly the young, were quite handsome, with fair complexions, and modest in their deportment. They were also noted for their virtue. This was regarded as an honorable and most valuable quality among the young women, and each year a ceremony was performed, in the presence of the whole village, at which time all the females who had preserved their virginity came forward, struck a post, and challenged the world to say aught derogatory of their character.

In these palmy days of their prosperity much time and attention was given to dress, upon which they lavished much of their wealth. They were also very fond of dances, games, races, and other manly and athletic exercises. They are also a very devotional people, having many rites and ceremonies for propitiating the Great Spirit, practising upon themselves a self-torture but little less severe than that of Hindoo devotees.

In the spring of 1838 that dreaded scourge of the Indians, small-pox, made its appearance among the Mandans, brought among them by the employés of the fur company. All the tribes along the river suffered more or less, but none approached so near extinction as the Mandans. When the disease had abated, and when the remnant of this once powerful nation had recovered sufficiently to remove the decaying bodies from their cabins, the total number of grown men was twenty-three, of women forty, and of young persons sixty or seventy. These were all that were left of the eighteen hundred souls that composed the nation prior to the advent of that terrific disease.

The survivors took refuge with the Arickarees, who occupied one of their deserted villages, but retained their former tribal laws and customs, preserving their nationality intact, refusing any alliances with surrounding tribes. The two tribes have lived together since then upon terms of excellent friendship.They now number 420, living in dome-shaped earthen houses, like the Pawnees, which are, however, being gradually replaced by log houses.

The following representatives of the tribe were part of a joint delegation of Arickarees and Mandans to Washington in 1874:

List of illustrations.

1006.Wa-shú-na-koo-rá.Rushing War Eagle.

The present head chief of the Mandans, a man noted for kindliness and benevolence. Age, 43; height, 5.7-3/4; head, 24-1/4; chest, 38.

1005.Me-ra-pa-ra-pa.Lance.

Head soldier or brave. Age, 38; height, 5.8-1/2; head, 22-3/4; chest, 38-1/2.

1007.E-sta-poo-sta.Running Face.

Young warrior, son of Red Cow, a "big chief," who was too old to travel, and this son sent in his place. Age, 23; height, 5.6; head, 21-1/2; chest, 37-3/4.

884.Charles Papineau.Interpreter.

Born in Montreal in 1820. Has lived in the Mandan country since 1839. Speaks Arickaree, Crow, Sioux, Gros Ventres, Mandan, French, and English.

The Missourias are a tribe of Dakota descent, living on the Missouri River, their name being one given them by the Illinois, and means the people living by the muddy water. They style themselvesNudarcha. Were first heard of in 1673, as the first tribe up the river which bears their name. Became allies of the French at an early day, and assisted them in some of their operations against other tribes. Were hostile to the Spanish and also opposed to the ascendency of English influence. In 1805, when Lewis and Clarke passed through their country, they numbered only 300 in all, living in villages south of the Platte, and at war with most of the neighboring tribes. They were affiliated with the Otoes, having deserted their own villages near the mouth of the Grand some time previously in consequence of their almost entire destruction by small-pox. Thetwo have ever since been classed as one tribe. In 1862 the combined tribes numbered 708, and in 1876 only 454. Since their consolidation with the Otoes their history has been the same as of that tribe.

List of illustrations.

481.Thrach-tche.True Eagle.

A full-blood Missouria, and nephew of Ah-ho-che-ka-thocka (Quapaw Indian Striker), a title gained by his bravery in battle against the Quapaws, and who was head chief. At his (Ah-ho-che-ka-thocka's) death, the hereditary successor, Good Talker, was assassinated by Shungech-hoy and others, when the line of descent fell on True Eagle, who became chief in 1860, and held the position of Missouria chief in the confederated Otoes and Missourias until 1874, when he resigned in favor of his nephew. Is now about 80 years of age, 6 feet in height, with a stout, well-proportioned frame.

503.Noch-pe-wora.The One they are Afraid of.

Is a cousin of True Eagle, and chief of the Eagle band of Missourias. Is of a mild, genial disposition, with but little force of character. Age, 45; height, 5.8-1/2; weight, 155; head, 22-1/2; chest, 35.

484-5.Wa-thock-a-ruchy.One who eats his Food Raw.

His father was of the Bear band of Otoes, and his mother of the Eagle band of Missourias. He inherited a chieftaincy among the Missourias, and succeeded to that position upon the death of his uncle, White Water, in 1868, when he took the name ofLod-noo-wah-hoo-wa, orPipe-Stem. Lacks force of character, but is of a mild disposition and well disposed. Is about 5 feet in height, and of a well-developed physical organization.

486.Muncha-huncha.Big Bear, orJoseph Powell.

Is a full-blooded Missouria. Succeeded his grandfather, Cow-he-pa-ha, as chief of the Bear band, in 1870. When a young man he lived much of his time among the whites. Possessing more than ordinary intelligence, he is at present the leading spirit of the Otoes and Missourias in the industrial pursuits of civilizedlife. These qualities have engendered much jealousy in the breasts of the older chiefs, who throw many obstacles in his way. Besides his good mental qualities he possesses a splendid physique. Height, 5.11; weight, 225; head, 23-1/2; chest, 42.

498.Black Elk.

The Omahas were one of the tribes noticed by Marquette in 1673, and by Carver in 1766, who found them located on the Saint Peter's River. They were divided into two bands, the Istasunda, or Grey Eyes, and the Hongashans, and cultivated corn, melons, beans, &c. In 1802, from a tribe numbering about 3,500, they were reduced to less than a tenth of that number by small-pox, when they burned their village and became wanderers, pursued by their relentless enemy, the Sioux. Lewis and Clarke found them on the L'Eau qui Court, numbering about 600. Since 1815 many treaties have been made with them, always accompanied by a cession of lands on their part in return for annuities and farming implements. In 1843 they returned to their village, between the Elkhorn and the Missouri, and made a peace with some of the Sioux, but their great chief, Logan Fontanelle, was killed by them not long after. Since then they have devoted themselves mainly to agriculture, and, under the fostering care of the Friends, are very much improved in their condition. In 1875 they numbered 1,005, depending entirely upon their crops for their subsistence, of which they have considerably more than enough for their own use. They have three good schools, which are largely and regularly attended. The older Indians are also abandoning their old habits and assisting in building for themselves upon forty-acre allotments of their lands.

List of illustrations.

885.Shu-dthe-nuzhe.Yellow Smoke.

A leading and influential chief among the Omahas, and a man of more than ordinary intelligence and executive ability. Holds his position by hereditary descent. Is well off, possessing a large number of horses and a very well furnished house.

465.Gre-dthe-nuzhe.Standing Hawk and squaw.

The oldest chief in the tribe, and consequently one whose words always command attention in their councils. This view represents him leading his pony, followed by his faithful squaw.

467.O-hun-ga-nuzhe.Standing at the End.

A brave, nearly nude, decorated with "war-paint" and astride a characteristic Indian pony.

468.Mo-ha-nuzhe.Standing Bent.

A policeman, or one appointed by the chiefs to preserve order in the village.

463.Gi-he-ga.Chief.

One of the nine chiefs who govern the tribe, holding their positions by hereditary descent.

469-470.Betsy.

A noted character among the Omahas, an exponent of women's rights. Has always accompanied the tribe on their annual buffalo-hunts, and participates in the chase with the men. Speaks three Indian languages, besides French and English.

457.Agency buildings.

462.The village of the Omahas.(1871.)

461.The village.Near view, showing lodges.

464.Gi-he-ga's lodge.

459-460.View from Blackbird Hill.

In Irving's Astoria is a short sketch of some of the romantic deeds of Wa-shinga-sah-ba, or Blackbird, a famous chief of the Omahas, who died in 1802, which concludes as follows: "His dominant spirit and his love for the white man were evinced in his latest breath with which he designated his place of sepulture. It was to be on a hill, or promontory, upward of 400 feet in height, overlooking a great extent of the Missouri, from which he had been accustomed to watch for the barks of the white men. The Missouri washes the base of the promontory, and after winding and doubling in many links and mazes in the plains below, returns to within 900 yards of its starting-place, so thatfor thirty miles, navigating with sail and oar, the voyager finds himself continually near to this singular promontory, as if spell-bound."It was the dying command of the Blackbird that his tomb should be upon the summit of this hill, in which he should be interred, seated on his favorite horse, that he might overlook his ancient domain, and behold the barks of the white men as they came up the river to trade with his people."The river has now changed its course, running far to the eastward, leaving at the foot of the hill a lake in the old bed of the river. The mound which was raised over the chief and his horse is now nearly obliterated, "yet the hill of the Blackbird continues an object of veneration to the wandering savage, and a landmark to the voyager of the Missouri."

"It was the dying command of the Blackbird that his tomb should be upon the summit of this hill, in which he should be interred, seated on his favorite horse, that he might overlook his ancient domain, and behold the barks of the white men as they came up the river to trade with his people."

The river has now changed its course, running far to the eastward, leaving at the foot of the hill a lake in the old bed of the river. The mound which was raised over the chief and his horse is now nearly obliterated, "yet the hill of the Blackbird continues an object of veneration to the wandering savage, and a landmark to the voyager of the Missouri."

472-476.Groups of school-children.

478.Eba-hom-ba's lodge.

479.Village scene.

477.A brave.

471.Indian carpenters building houses for the tribe.

The Osages were placed on the Missouri in 1673 by Marquette, who called them the Wasashe; were allies of the Illinois, and near the last of the past century had been driven down to the Arkansas. Coming in contact with the French, they became their firm allies, and joined them in many of their operations against Spanish and English and other Indians; in 1804, made peace with the Sacs and Foxes, with whom they had been at war, and settled on the Great Osage River. Their numbers were estimated then at 6,300. The usual succession of treaties ceding lands, and wars with neighboring Indians followed, reducing them very much in numbers, until the breaking out of the civil war, when 1,000 of them went South and joined the Confederacy. Treaties of 1865, 1866, and 1870 provided for the conveying of their lands in trust to the United States, and for their removal to the Indian Territory, where they have been placed under the care of the Society of Friends, and are now making rapid progress toward a self-supporting condition.They now number 3,001, of whom 323 are civilized, self-supporting mixed-bloods.

List of illustrations.

511.Joseph, Paw-ne-no-pa-zhe.Not Afraid of the Pawnees.

Governor or chief of the tribe. Was born on the Osage reservation when in Kansas, and when 12 years of age was placed in a Catholic mission, where he received a good English education. He still retains the old customs and habits of his tribe, however. Is a brave and warlike chief, but yet exerts all his influence to secure peace between his people and the whites. Is about 40 years of age, 6 feet in height, with a large and commanding physique; head, 22-1/4; chest, 41.

886.Shonga-sa-pa.Black Dog.

The youngest of the six principal chiefs of the tribe. Is 28 years of age, and was born on the present reservation. Is the descendant of a long line of chiefs, one of whom was principal in establishing peace between the Government and the wild tribes. With the governor, Joseph, he visited Washington in 1876 to adjust various business matters in connection with his tribe. Age, 28; height, 5.11-1/2; head, 22-3/4; chest, 38.

887.Grouprepresenting the governor and some of the headmen or councillors of the nation, as follows:

Joseph Paw-ne-no-pa-zhe.See No. 511.

Chetopah.

Died in 1876, aged 38. Was among the first to commence farming and to live in the white man's way.

Pa-tsa-lun-kah.Strike Axe.

Born on the Osage reservation in Kansas 45 years ago. Is one of the principal "peace chiefs," and also chief of one of the largest bands of the Osages, over whom he has unbounded influence.

Che-zhe-lun-kah.Big Chief.

Chief councillor of the nation, a man of good sense and much influence. Is the son of a chief; 45 years of age, and was born in Kansas.

Hard Rope.

Head war chief of the nation, and a man of considerable ability as an orator. Served as a scout under General Custer during the Indian war in the Indian Territory. Is now 50 years old.

513.Kah-he-ka-wah-ti-an-ka.Saucy Chief.

509.Nom-pa-wa-le.A Savage.

510.Ke-si-si-gre.A Distant Land.

512.Mah-kea-pu-at-see.One Who Reaches to the Sky.

888.Joseph and Black Dog.

889.Joseph, Black Dog, Ogeas Captain, and J. N. Florer.

The Otoes, calling themselves Watoohtahtah, were known to the French as early as 1673, under the name of Otontanta; were originally part of the Missourias, and, with the Iowas, claim to have migrated to the Missouri with the Winnebagoes. They have long resided on the south side of the Platte River, in mud lodges, confederated with the Missourias, who formed one village with them. The two tribes now number 457 souls. Under the care of the Friends, many are laying aside their Indian dress and habits, and learning to labor. In common with many other tribes, their annuities are payable only in return for labor performed, which exercises a most beneficial effect.

List of illustrations.

480.Ar-ke-ke-tah.Stand by It.

Is a full-blooded Otoe Indian. He was a leading warrior in his tribe, and during the early settlement of Nebraska, when an emigrant train had been attacked on Big Sandy Creek, and robbed of all they had by a party of Pawnees, Ar-ke-ke-tah, leading a band of Otoes, fell on them, and, killing the entire party, restored the goods back to the emigrants, for which he gained notoriety, and received papers commendatory of this and other valuable services rendered the whites. By being a man of deep scheming and cunning, he succeeded in gaining the position of head chief of the tribe, while on a visit to Washington, in 1854, whenthe treaty was concluded, in which the Otoes ceded to the Government the southeastern part of Nebraska. He was deposed from his chiefship in 1872, re-instated in 1873, but has been inactive as a chief since, and has lost his influence in the tribe. He is still living, about 65 years of age, and 5 feet 8 inches high, with square, well-built frame.

482, 492-4, 502.Shun-gech-hoy.Medicine Horse.

His father was an Otoe, and his mother a Missouria Indian. By hereditary descent he became, in 1854, head chief of the Bear band of Otoes, and being ambitious, worked himself finally into the position of head chief of the Otoes and Missourias. In 1874 he led a portion of the tribe away from their reservation, in violation of law and agency regulations, for which he, with five others, was arrested and confined for a time at Fort Wallace. In consequence, he became alienated from the agency and main part of the tribe, and lost his position as chief. Has features remarkably coarse; has a very stern, fierce disposition; is a deep schemer; would be willing to sacrifice almost any interest of his tribe in order to maintain a supremacy over them, and has been engaged in many stratagems of the kind. He is tenacious of old Indian customs, opposed to improvement that makes innovations thereon, and is a heavy clog on the tribe in their endeavors to advance in civilized pursuits. In stature, he is about 5 feet 9 inches, with a heavy-set, well-developed muscular frame; about 60 years of age.

487, 489, 490.Lod-noo-wa-inga.Little Pipe.

Is a son of Hick-a-poo or Kick-a-poo, formerly a prominent chief of the tribe. The chiefship had been hereditary through many successors, and after the death of Hick-a-poo, the present Little Pipe, in 1858, took his place. He was one of the followers of Shungech-hoy in 1874; was arrested and imprisoned with him, and has not since been recognized as a chief. He is of a mild disposition, well disposed toward improvement, but quiet and without much individual force of character. Has been under unfavorable influences, and therefore makes but little progress. He is about50 years of age, 5 feet 7-1/2 inches in stature, head 23 inches, chest 36, and weighs 155.

488.Pah-ho-cha-inga.Little Iowa.

Generally known by his more proper name of Baptiste Devoin, is a son of John Devoin, who is half French and half Missouria Indian. His mother is half Omaha, one-quarter French, and one-quarter Iowa Indian. He was partially educated at the Pawnee Mission, at Belleview, Nebr.; can read, write, and speak the English language tolerably well; also speaks Pawnee, Omaha, and French. He married into the Otoe tribe, and has been employed at Otoe agency in the several positions of teamster, farmer, interpreter, and miller, under former agents. In 1869, he was employed as interpreter for the tribe, and has continued in that office until the present. In height he is 5 feet 9-3/4 inches, head measurement 23-1/2 inches, chest 44 inches, and weighs 220 pounds. He is about 40 years of age, and quite corpulent.

495.Tcha-wan-na-ga-he.Buffalo Chief.

Is an Otoe Indian, though his grandfather belonged to the Iowa tribe. He was, when a young man, a self-constituted chief, leading a portion of the Buffalo band of Otoes, at a time when Sack-a-pie was chief, and at whose death he became the recognized head chief of the band, which position he held until 1874. He is still living; is about 80 years of age, in stature 5 feet 6 inches, and weighs about 160 pounds. He is of rather a mild disposition, though decided in his ways; concilitory to the whites, and has gained many friends among them.

497.Baptiste Devoin and Tcha-wan-na-ga-he.

The same as given and described in Nos. 488 and 495.

500.{

500.

{

E'en-brick-to.Blackbird.Op-po-hom-mon-ne.Buck Elk Walking.

The first is half Otoe and half Omaha; the second, who is represented sitting, is a full-blood Missouria.

501.{

501.

{

Insta-muntha.Iron Eagle.Ko-inga.Little Thunder.Op-po-hom-mon-ne.E'en-brick-to.

491.Little Pipe, with Missouria chief and interpreter.

496.Medicine Horse,Baptiste Devoin, and interpreter.

The Poncas were originally part of the Omaha tribe, to whom they are related. Lived originally on the Red River of the North, but were driven southwestwardly across the Missouri by the Sioux, and fortified themselves on the Ponca River. United for a time with the Omahas for protection, but have generally lived apart. Were so exposed to the forays of the savage Sioux that they were almost exterminated at one time, but after the treaties of 1817 and 1825 rallied and began to increase. Were estimated then at 750, which has remained their average number ever since. In 1858 sold their lands and went on a reservation near the Yanktons, but being too near their old foes, and not being able to raise any crops, were in 1865 removed down to the mouth of the Niobrara, where they now have three villages. Are still exposed to raids from the Sioux, retarding very much their progress toward a self-supporting condition. Efforts are being made to have them join their relatives, the Omahas.

List of illustrations.

517-518.{

517-518.

{

Ash-nom-e-kah-ga-he.Lone Chief.Ta-tonka-nuzhe.Standing Buffalo.Wa-ga-sa-pi.Iron Whip.Waste-co-mani.Fast Walker.

519.Wa-ga-sa-pi.Iron Whip.

521.Native drawing.

The Winnebagoes are a branch of the great Dakota family, calling themselves O-tchun-gu-rah, and by the Sioux, Hotanke, or the Big-voiced People; by the Chippeways, Winnebagonk—whence their common English name—a word meaning men from the fetid waters. The French knew them as La Puans (the Stinkers), supposed to have been given them in consequence of the great quantity of decaying and putrid fish in their camps when first visited by white men. With some others they formed the van of the eastward migration of the Dakotas, penetrating apparently some distance, but were forced back to Green Bay. This was some time previous to 1670, as the map of the French Jesuit missionaries, dated 1671, styles Green Bay the "Bayo des Puans," and the map accompanying Marquette's journal, dated 1681, notes a village of the "Puans" as near the north end of Winnebago Lake, on the west side.[A]

[A]Alexander Ramsey.

They were then numerous and powerful, holding in check the neighboring Algonkin tribes, but soon after an alliance of tribes attacked and very nearly exterminated them. Became firm friends of the French until the Revolution, when they joined the English; made peace with the colonists afterward, but sided with the English again in 1812.

In 1820 they numbered about 4,500, and were living in five villages on Winnebago Lake and fourteen on Rock River. By a treaty in 1832 they ceded all their lands south of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, for a reservation on the Mississippi, above the Upper Iowa, but here they became unsettled, wasteful, and scattered. In 1846 they surrendered this reservation for another above the Saint Peter's. This proved unfit, and they became badly demoralized, losing many of their number by disease, but were kept on it by force. In 1853 they were removed to Crow River, and in 1856 to Blue Earth, Minnesota, where they were just getting a start in civilized pursuits when the Sioux war broke out, and the people of Minnesota demanded their removal. Thus again they were put on the march, and this time landed at Crow Creek, on the Missouri, near Fort Randall, a place so utterly unfit, that the troops could not retain them on it. Out of 2,000 when taken there, only 1,200 reached the Omaha reserve, to which place they had fled for protection. They were then assigned a new reservation on the Omaha lands, and placed under the care of the Friends, and since then have prospered. At the time of their removal, in 1863, from Minnesota, many of the tribe who had taken up farms remained, receiving their share of the tribal funds. There were also lastyear 860 in Wisconsin, of whom 204 have lately joined those in Nebraska, swelling their numbers to 1,667. Nearly all of these now dress in civilized attire, and many of them have taken farms, their lands being divided into 40-acre allotments for the purpose, upon which they are building neat and comfortable cottages. There is an industrial and three day schools on the reserve, which are attended by one-sixth of their whole number. Their chiefs are now elected annually by the tribe, who in turn appoints a force of twelve policemen from the Indians to preserve order.

1080.Jno. M. St. Cyr.

A delegate representing the Wisconsin Winnebagoes. Has been to Washington three times. His mother was a relative of Little Priest, one of the most prominent chiefs of the tribe, and his father a Frenchman.

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