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 Mandan, 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 Minataree and Ahnahaway.
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 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, practicing 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 Mandan, brought among them by the employees of the fur
company. All the tribes along the river suffered more or less, but none
approached so near extinction as the Mandan. 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 com posed the nation prior
to the advent of that terrific disease.
The survivors took refuge with the Arickaree, 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
Arickaree and Maudan to Washington in 1874:
List of illustrations
1006. Wa-Shú-Na-Koo-Rá.
Rushing War Eagle.
The present head chief of the Mandan, a man noted for kindliness and
benevolence. Age, 43; height, 5.7¾; head, 24¾;
chest, 38½.
1005. Me-Ra-Pa-Ra-Pa. Lance.
Head soldier or brave. Age, 38; height, 5.8; head, 22½|;
chest, 38½.
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, 21½;
chest, 37¾.
884. Charles Papineau. Interpreter,
Born in Montreal in 1820. Has lived in the Mandan country since 1839. Speaks
Arickaree, Crow, Sioux, Gros Ventre, Mandan, French, and English.
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.
