Descriptive Catalogue of Photographs of North American Indians Part 12

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.

3. IOWAS.

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 or thirty 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 ill.u.s.trations._

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 Was.h.i.+ngton 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, p.a.w.nees, 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 b.a.l.l.s; 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 partic.i.p.ated 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.

4. KAW OR KANSAS.

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 the cession 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 Was.h.i.+ngton 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 p.a.w.nees, 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 a.s.signed 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 ill.u.s.trations._

397. LITTLE BEAR.

398. KA-KE-GA-SHA. (Standing.)

399. KA-KE-GA-SHA. (Sitting.)

5. MANDANS.

The Mandans, or Mi-ah'-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 that time they might have been considered a happy people. In their personal appearance, prior to the ravages of the small-pox, they were not surpa.s.sed 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 employes 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 friends.h.i.+p. They now number 420, living in dome-shaped earthen houses, like the p.a.w.nees, 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 Was.h.i.+ngton in 1874:

_List of ill.u.s.trations._

1006. WA-SHu-NA-KOO-Ra. _Rus.h.i.+ng 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.