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!
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 neigh boring Algonkin 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 u 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 Maukato, and constantly roaming with the Western
Algonkin. Early in the present century they numbered about 1,500, and were
involved in wars with the Osages, Omaha, 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 Iowa in 1862, upon the death of Nau-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 Otoe, Pawnee,
Kickapoo, Pottawatomie, and Sac and Foxe on one side, and the Snake, Crow,
Cheyenne, Arapahoe, Comanche, and Kiowa 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, 5.8½; head, 22 7/8; chest,
47½; weight, 193.
388-9. Mah-Hee. Knife.
Third chief of the Iowa. When young, lived in Missouri, but afterward removed to
Kansas. Enjoyed the confidence of the whiles 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, 50; height,.
5.10; head, 22¾; chest, 39½;
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 reinstated by another agent. Age, 50 years; height, 5.8½;
head, 22; chest, 41½; weight, 179.
390. Ki-He-Ga-Ing-A. Little Chief.
Fifth chief of the Iowa. 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, 22¾; chest, 43; weight,
192.
387. Kra-Ten-Tha-Wah. Black Hawk.
Was sixth chief of the Iowa. 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 188?, aged 65; height, 5.10; weight, 170.
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.
