While we know our northern friends may not feel it, in the South, Spring is
here. So we thought we'd share a few of our gardening sites appropriate
for this time of the year. Along with gardening, there's grilling, and getting
ready to diet so that you can fit back into that bathing suit this summer!
The Crow, or, as they call themselves, Absaroka, meaning something or
anything that flies, when first known occupied the Lower Yellowstone and the
valleys of the Big Horn and Tongue Rivers, but roamed over much of the
surrounding country, carrying their incursions even to the plains of Snake River
and to the valley of the Green. Were originally one with the Minataree or Gros
Ventre, but separated from them, and were afterward driven from their territory
by the Ogalalla and Cheyenne, settling finally about the head of the
Yellowstone, dispossessing 'in their turn the Blackfeet and Flatheads. Are
divided into three bands, with a dialect peculiar to each, viz: the Kikatsa or
Crow proper, the Ahnahaway, and the Allakaweah, numbering in all, as estimated
in 1820, 3,250 souls. Obtaining horses at an early day, they became great
marauders. Irving writes of them in "Astoria:" "They are in fact notorious
marauders and horse-stealers, crossing and re-crossing the mountains (the Big
Horn), robbing on one side and conveying their spoils to the other. Hence, we
are told, is derived their name, given them on account of their unsettled and
predatory habits, winging their flight, like the crow, from one side of the
mountains to the other, and making free booty of everything that lies in their
way. In 1851, joined in a treaty with the United States giving a right of way
for roads to be built through their country. In 1868 a treaty was made, and an
attempt made to place all the Crow on one reservation, but without success
until 1875. They have been much exposed to incursions from some parties of Sioux
at their new agency on the Rosebud as well as at their former one on the
Yellowstone. "The Indians, full of war and revenge, have no thought to bestow
upon farming or other peaceful employment, especially as the best farming lands
of the reservation are most exposed to these hostile incursions. Six families,
however, have been induced to tend small farms, and have succeeded well. A mile
and a half of ditch, sufficient to irrigate several hundred acres, has been dug,
and it is hoped that another season will see at least a beginning made toward
the civilization of these 4,000 wild but always loyal Crow."
List of illustrations
940. Kam-Ne-But-Se. Blackfoot and squaw.
946. Kam-Ne-But-Se. Blackfoot.
The principal chief of the Mountain Crows; a splendid specimen of manhood,
standing 6 feet 2 inches in height and of very heavy frame; owes his position to
his bravery and success in fighting the Sioux, their inveterate enemies. He also
ranks high as an orator and councilor in the nation. ..The first picture, in
which he is represented in an elaborate dress of buckskin, was^made while on a
visit, with a delegation of his tribe, to Washington, in 1873; the other
represents him as he appears at his home on the Yellowstone, or in his natural
every-day garb.
941. Che-Ve-Te-Pu-Ma-Ta. Iron Bull and squaw. Photo
(off site)
One of the principal chiefs of the Mountain Crows.
942. Se-Ta-Pit-Se. Bear Wolf and squaw.
943. Perits Har Sts. Old Crow and squaw.
944. Kam Ne-But-Se. Blackfoot.
944. Eche-Has-Ka. Long Horse
944. Te-Shu-Nzt. White Calf.
945. Mukh-Pi-Tche.
945. Ella-Causs-Se. Thin Belly.
945. Pish-Ki-Ha-Di Ri-Ky-Ish. The One that Leads the Old Dog.
859. Group Of Crow Delegation to Washington in 1872, including Agent Pease and
the interpreters.
947. In-Tee-Us. He Shows His Face.
948. Mit-Choo-Ash. Old Onion.
949. Group Of Chiefs and headmen.
950. Group Of Squaws.
The last four pictures were made at the old agency of the Crows, on the
Yellowstone, near Shields River, in 1871. The following were also made at the
same place and time, and represent the old mission buildings (lately destroyed
by fire), in which the agent had his headquarters; their tents and manner of
living, and their mode of burial.
953. The Mission, or agency buildings.
952. Village Scene, showing new adobe houses built for the Indians,
Descriptive Catalogue, Photographs Of North American Indians. United States Geological Survey
of the Territories, 1877 by W. H. Jackson, Photographer of the Survey,
F. V. Hayden, U. S. Geologist.
