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 Omaha 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 Co urt, 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 foster 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 Omaha, 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 pre serve 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 Omaha, 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 Tillage Of The Omaha. (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 Omaha, 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, re turns to within 900 yards of its starting-place, FO that for 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 be hold 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.
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.
