,description of a ,journey and ,visit to the ,pawnee ,indians who live on the ,platte ,river1 a tributary to the ,missouri1 #gj miles from its mouth by ,brn4 ,gottlieb ,f4 ,oehler and ,david ,z4 ,smith1 ,april #bb-,may #ah #ahea1 to which is added ,a ,description of the ,manners and ,customs of the ,pawnee ,indians by ,dr4 ,d4 ,z4 ,smith4 ,illustration ,reprinted from the ,moravian ,church ,miscellany of #ahea-aheb ,new ,york1 #aiad ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,description ,,of ,a ,,journey ,,and ,,visit ,,to ,,the ,,pawnee ,,indians ,,who ,,live ,,on ,,the ,,platte ,,river ,a ,,tributary ,,of ,,the ,,missouri #gj ,,miles ,,from ,,its ,,mouth ,,by ,,the ,,brn4 ,,gottlieb ,f4 ,,oehler ,,and ,,david ,z4 ,,smith4 7,april #bb;d--,may #ahth #ahea47 ,having in the course of the winter written letters of inquiry to ,mr4 ,samuel ,allis1 teacher of a government-school for ,pawnee children1 and ,major ,barrow1 ,u4 ,s4 agent for the ,pawnees1 both residing at ,bellevue1 and having received letters from both1 of an encouraging nature1 we left ,westfield on the morning of ,april #bb;d1 on our intended trip4 ,br4 ,paul ,oehler accompanied us to ,weston1 in order to take the wagon back1 which was to convey us thither4 ,passing by the ,baptist mission station1 ,briggs' ,vale1 where we called in a few minutes1 we soon struck the prairie1 which we kept till our arrival at ,fort ,leavenworth1 about twenty-four miles from ,westfield4 ,this is a very pretty prairie1 undulating1 and at places quite broken1 with here and there a high bluff or mound1 rising above the surrounding country4 8,pilot ,bluff10 a few miles from ,leavenworth1 stands picturesque in the prairie1 and affords a beautiful prospect4 ,we passed a company of infantry in the prairie1 traveling from ,fort ,leavenworth to ,fort ,gibson4 ,the quartermaster at the fort1 ,mr4 ,ogden1 with whom ,br4 ,oehler was previously acquainted1 received us very courteously1 and gave us a letter of introduction to the quartermaster at ,fort ,kearney1 in case we should be obliged to go that way on our return home and need any assistance4--,fort ,leavenworth is eligibly situated on a high prairie1 near the bank of the ,missouri1 about #ce miles above the mouth of ,kansas ,river4 ,it is a place of considerable business1 in the way of furnishing military stores for the more western forts4 ,at the wharf a large storehouse has been built by the ,government for the purpose of depositing military stores4 ,the premises are kept in a very neat and cleanly condition1 and a large garden has been prepared near by1 for the soldiers to raise vegetables for their use4 ,after crossing the ,missouri on a horse-boat1 which is kept here at the expense of the ,government1 we proceeded towards ,weston1 situated about five miles above4 ,the first part of our road lay through the bottom1 in wet weather almost impassable on account of the mud1 but at present dry1 though rather rough4 ,the latter half of the road lay along the river1 on the side of the bluff1 which here comes close up to the river4 ,along the road1 we noticed many sugar-maple trees4 ,towards evening we arrived at ,weston1 a place of considerable trade1 having about #a1gjj inhabitants4 ,we had expected to wait at ,weston for a steamboat1 that had been advertised at ,st4 ,louis for the upper ,missouri1 but as she had at the latest dates deferred the time of her departure from ,st4 ,louis1 and the river was in a very low stage1 so that it was doubtful1 whether after her arrival here1 she could run up any further2 and hearing of a four-horse passenger coach1 running from ,weston to ,council ,bluffs in four days1 which was to leave early in the morning1 we concluded to take that1 ,april #bcrd4 ,early at four o'clock in the morning we started from ,weston in the stage4 ,leaving the river to our left1 we traveled upon the bluffs1 which here run close up to the river1 the bottom of the ,missouri being on the other side4 ,the country through which we passed is a broken country1 heavily timbered and with a rich soil4 ,at #h o'clock we arrived at ,bloomington1 a little village about sixteen miles ,n4 ,w4 of ,weston4 ,on account of the unusual number of passengers1 twenty-one in number1 the stage proprietor had to furnish an extra four-horse coach1 to accommodate all4 ,this being the place of breakfast1 the number rather took our worthy host by surprise1 and it seemed to give him no small anxiety to entertain so large a company4 ,however1 by #aa o'clock we had all breakfasted1 and were soon again in motion1 the road still continuing for about seven miles on the bluffs1 when we again descended into the bottom1 which widens here on this side of the river1 leaving the bluffs more to our right4 ,we now traveled over a very rich bottom prairie about seven miles to ,st4 ,joseph1 the road on both sides lined with farms4 ,the soil here is extremely rich1 though inclined to be wet in the rainy season4 ,st4 ,joseph is a thriving town1 laid out only a few years ago1 and numbers about #c1jjj inhabitants2 situated on a bluff on the right bank of the ,missouri4 ,here we were informed that ,major ,barrow1 the ,pawnee agent1 had left that very day in a boat on his way to ,st4 ,louis4 ,the drinking of intoxicating beverage is carried on to a great extent in these frontier towns1 and it is a common sight to meet with drunken men in the streets4 ,after an hour's rest at ,st4 ,joseph1 we resumed our journey for ,savannah1 our stopping-place for the night1 fourteen miles distant4 ,the roads being very dusty1 traveling by stage at present is rather disagreeable4 ,we passed through a fertile and well-timbered country1 with neat cottages and beautiful farms scattered on both sides of the road4 ,about sunset we arrived at ,savannah4 ,the country around this place is the prettiest that we have yet seen in the ,west4 ,the town is situated in a rolling prairie1 with some timber on all sides in view4 ,the whole prairie being occupied by the town and adjacent fields1 checkered off by fences into lots of a few acres each1 gives it the appearance of an old-country settlement1 though it was commenced only about fourteen years ago4 ,land here sells from fifteen to twenty dollars per acre4 ,the village numbers about #hjj inhabitants4 ,the houses are mostly one-story frame1 neatly painted white1 with brick chimneys1 surrounded by neat yards and grass-plots4 ,almost every house is furnished with a lightning-rod1 which struck us as something rather unusual in this western country4 ,the whole scenery around reminded us forcibly of the landscape around ,bethlehem1 ,pa4 ,in the village three churches1 all of brick1 have been erected1 belonging to the ,o4 ,s4 and ,n4 ,s4 ,presbyterians1 and ,campbellites4 ,the courthouse1 a brick edifice1 stands in the centre of the town1 in an open square4 ,a few days ago two destructive fires occurred in the village1 consuming a whole row of houses facing the square1 and destroying property to the amount of #bj1jjj dollars1 supposed to be the work of incendiaries4 ,we were detained here two days1 the coach from above1 in which we were to proceed1 instead of arriving on the evening of the #bcrd1 did not come in till the evening of the #beth4 #bfth4 ,at length1 after breakfast1 we were enabled to leave ,savannah and proceed on our journey4 ,our traveling company was very disagreeable1 being shockingly profane4 ,in traveling in these parts one might almost suppose that all the inhabitants were given to profanity1 and the name of ,god and of the ,savior is used in the most revolting manner4 ,as we traveled on the country continued more or less broken1 the timber becoming scarcer the further ,north we proceeded4 ,oregon1 through which we passed in the afternoon1 is a newly settled but thriving town1 with a tolerably populous neighborhood4 ,soon after leaving ,oregon we left the bluffs to our right and descended into a most beautiful bottom country1 bordering on the ,missouri ,river4 ,the bottom is about ten or twelve miles wide1 quite level1 bounded by a line of high bluffs to the right hand1 at the base of which our road lay4 ,about five or six miles off to our left a strip of timber 7the only to be seen7 from four to five miles wide skirted the river all the rest of the bottom1 and the neighboring high bluffs were one continued prairie4 ,the soil is splendid1 but all the most eligible sites are already occupied by settlers1 who hold their claims at enormous prices4 ,timber is very scarce1 and so is stone4 ,not a pebble is to be seen either on the bluffs1 or in the bottom4 ,the settlers are obliged to resort to ditching and mud-fencing4 ,this is done by digging two ditches in a line about six feet apart1 and piling up the sod and ground on the intervening space to form a wall4 ,at #d o'clock we arrived at ,jackson's1 thirty-two miles from ,savannah1 the end of our day's ride4 #bgth4 ,left ,jackson's after breakfast4 ,our company was very annoying to us1 on account of their shocking profanity1 but we were obliged to endure it with patience4 ,after continuing for several miles further through the above-mentioned rich bottom prairie1 we again ascended the bluffs to our right1 traveling all day1 mostly through hilly prairie1 timber being very scarce4 ,after a ride of about thirty miles we arrived at a little village named ,linden1 at #d o'clock1 ,p4 ,m4 ,here our driver informed us that his horses 7having traveled nearly forty miles to-day7 were tired and worn out1 and that he thought they could hardly travel any further4 ,after tea1 however1 he said that he would try and take us a few miles further4 ,we1 therefore1 proceeded till it was quite dark1 but there being a portion of the road before us rather dangerous to travel in the dark we stopped for the night at a post office1 where we were well accommodated with beds4 ,we were now in the ,state of ,iowa1 having crossed the line between that state and ,missouri a few miles back4 #bhth4 ,early at #d o'clock we were again stirring4 ,by sunrise we came to the valley or bottom of the ,nishnebottona1 which river we crossed on a wooden toll-bridge1 newly erected4 ,after breakfast we again struck the bluffs and traveled all day through an extensive prairie country1 broken1 very fertile1 but lacking timber4 ,the country here has been but lately settled1 but it would be more thickly inhabited if timber were more plenty4 ,this is all 8claimed10 and the claims are held at an enormous price4 ,to-day we saw many houses covered with prairie-sod1 on account of the scarcity of board timber2 the day previous we had already passed many houses1 the chimneys of which were made of prairie-sod1 which seems to be quite durable4 ,the further north we proceeded the scarcer the timber became along the water courses4 ,some of the streams run through the prairie with no timber lining them4 ,we had reached the end of our journey1 to within five miles1 when we took in a way-passenger1 a ,mormon1 who was from ,ohio1 traveling to see his brethren of the faith at ,kanesville1 a few miles above ,trading ,pt41 at the ,council ,bluffs4 ,we soon got into a conversation with him1 and1 thinking from our inquiries that we were inquirers after the ,mormon faith1 he proceeded to give us an account of their religious opinions1 telling us about the three apostacies from the time of ,noah to the time when the great prophet1 ,joe ,smith1 arose in #ahcj6 ,these three apostacies1 according to their opinion1 are3 #ast1 the general apostacy of all the nations of the earth to idolatry2 #b;dly1 the apostacy of the ,jews1 and #c;dly the apostacy of the different sects calling themselves christians1 etc4 ,about sunset we arrived at ,trading ,point1 the commencement of a continuation of bluffs on both sides of the river1 called 8,council ,bluffs40 ,on the opposite side of the river is ,bellevue1 the residence of ,mr4 ,allis1 who keeps a government-school for ,pawnee children1 and of the ,pawnee1 ,otoe and ,omahaw ,agent1 ,maj4 ,barrow2 there are also here two trading establishments1 and blacksmith-shops for the ,indians2 about a mile below1 on the same side of the river1 is the ,mission ,station of the ,general ,assembly's 7,o4 ,s47 ,board1 among the ,otoes and ,omahaws1 under the superintendence of ,mr4 ,e4 ,mc,kinney4 ,immediately after our arrival at ,trading ,point we had a conversation with ,mr4 ,allis1 who happened to be on that side of the river4 ,he told us that he and ,mr4 ,mc,kinney had been expecting our arrival1 and that the ,pawnees1 to whom he had mentioned our intention of coming to see them1 were anxiously awaiting us4 #bith4 ,during the night we experienced one of those sudden changes common to this country2 in the morning when we awoke the wind was blowing a gale1 and it was snowing very fast4 ,about #aj o'clock we thought we would venture to cross the ,missouri to the opposite side2 the attempt was accompanied with great peril to our lives4 ,the wind beat the water into the skiff1 the ferryman's hands became so benumbed that he could hardly pull the oars any more1 and by the combined effect of the gale and current we drifted about a mile below the usual landing-place4 ,mr4 ,allis stood watching on shore1 ready to help us1 and as soon as the skiff touched the bank he held to it1 and having fastened it he assisted us with our trunks up the steep bank4 ,having proceeded to his house1 we were glad to warm our numb limbs by the fire4 ,the provisions1 for the accommodation of ,mr4 ,allis' family and ,pawnee children1 are wretched1 right on the bank of the ,missouri4 ,the dwelling which is occupied by them was formerly a trading establishment and is almost in ruins4 ,the family1 besides ten or twelve ,pawnee children1 and several white children1 are obliged to live in one small room1 the only one hardly fit to be occupied1 about eighteen feet square1 which serves for parlor1 sitting-room1 and kitchen1 and a sleeping apartment for the children above4 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,allis are devoted missionaries4 ,they were among the first missionaries of the ,american ,board1 who nearly twenty years ago commenced a mission among the ,pawnees2 since the abandonment of that mission a few years ago1 on account of the hostile incursions of the ,sioux1 they have been laboring here at ,bellevue1 in a most exemplary manner1 for the improvement of the ,pawnee children in their charge4 ,government allows them the sum of #ejj dollars annually for the support of the school1 which1 however1 is barely sufficient to defray their expenses4 ,under the most discouraging circumstances1 combating with much sickness in the family1 on account of the location and dilapidated condition of the buildings1 they have still held out1 and toiled for the good of the children under their charge1 to whom they seem to have the same attachment as to children of their own4 ,they are both becoming considerably advanced in years and begin to feel the effects of their self-denying labors4 ,they are loth to surrender these interesting children to their heathen friends1 on account of the want of necessary provisions for their future advancement1 and are anxious that further efforts should be made for their benefit4 ,at the same time they are desirous of resigning their charge as soon as they can give them up into other hands1 who will seek their improvement4 ,government is unwilling to make any further provision for better buildings for the ,pawnee school here1 but would probably be willing to furnish the necessary means for the same in the ,pawnee country1 whither1 however1 ,mr4 ,allis is unwilling to go on account of the check they formerly received from the ,sioux4 ,after dinner ,mr4 ,allis accompanied us to the house of ,mr4 ,sharpee1 who has been extensively trading with the ,indian tribes in these parts for the last twenty years1 and who expressed his satisfaction at the object for which we had arrived4 ,he said that some of the ,pawnees had lately expressed their uneasiness lest we might not come1 but that he had given them the assurance that we would arrive in a few days1 and he was therefore the more rejoiced1 since what he had told them had now come to pass4 ,on our way to ,mr4 ,sharpee's we met several ,pawnees1 who1 when ,mr4 ,allis announced to them that we were the men whom they were expecting1 came up to us in the most friendly manner1 and taking us by the hand1 gave us a hearty shake1 saying3 8,lo-wa6 ,tapooska20 i4e41 8good10 or 8how do you do1 teacher40 ,we next proceeded to the ,presbyterian mission station1 about a mile distant1 where we were to make our stay1 till our preparations for visiting the ,pawnees should have been consummated4 ,the mission-houses are pleasantly situated on a high bluff facing the ,missouri ,river1 with a bottom prairie about a mile wide from bluff to river4 ,the level on which the houses stand extends about half a mile in the rear1 with a gradual ascent1 till it meets another line of bluffs rising still higher4 ,the houses were originally enclosed by pickets1 which1 however1 are decaying and falling down1 and it is probably the intention of the missionaries to remove them altogether1 as such fortifications1 though they may guard against depredations of the ,indians1 still have a tendency of creating prejudices on their part4 ,our reception at the mission was very cordial1 and we had reason for thankfulness to the ,lord in providing such kind friends for us4 ,the superintendent of this mission is the ,rev4 ,e4 ,mc,kinney1 who previously to his commencing the mission among the ,otoes and ,omahaws1 had been laboring among the ,creeks and ,choctaws4 ,they have at present about thirty-five children and youth in the institution1 ,otoes and ,omahaws1 and a few ,puncaws and ,pawnees4 ,on our introduction to the children1 the ,pawnee children pushed themselves in advance of all the rest1 in order to be the first in shaking hands with us1 thinking they had the best right to us1 who were going to visit their people4 ,the two tribes1 the ,otoes and ,omahaws1 among whom this mission is located1 are still1 like all the western prairie tribes in their originally savage state1 not having as yet1 like the eastern tribes of ,indians on the ,north ,american continent1 made any advancement in civilization1 until within a few years having lived remote from the good as well as the evil influences of the whites4 ,the greater part of the year they roam1 like the other prairie ,indians1 over the extensive prairies on this side of the ,rocky ,mountains1 chasing the buffalo1 which is the same to them as the seal is to the ,greenlander4 ,their proximity to the whites1 however1 and the facilities afforded them for obtaining intoxicating liquors1 during the short time that they remain at their villages1 has latterly had a demoralizing and degenerating effect upon them1 and the counteracting influence of the gospel seems as yet to have made no visible impression upon any of them4 ,still the missionaries1 who are laboring here1 are sowing the seed in tears1 trusting to the promise of our ,lord3 8,cast thy bread upon the waters1 for thou shalt find it after many days40 ,and surely1 when we look back at the labors of our first missionaries among the heathen1 and consider how the ,lord eventually crowned their toils1 who will doubt ,his ability and willingness to do the same thing at the present day1 when even the heathen tribes are begging to have missionaries among them--an instance of which we witnessed at a council1 which ,mr4 ,mc,kinney held with a delegation of the principal chiefs of the ,puncaws1 a tribe of wild ,indians living about #aej miles up the ,missouri1 who had come to ,council ,bluffs expressly for the purpose of soliciting missionaries4 ,the following is a speech which the principal speaker made to ,mr4 ,mc,kinney3 8,my ,father1--,i wished to see you a long time already4 ,i am now here4 ,my heart is glad that ,i can now at length behold your face4 ,my heart is now as clear as this pleasant and bright day4 ,i see you do a great deal for these children here1 and ,i wish you would do something for my people4 ,i am a fool1--,i have no sense1-but you have knowledge4 ,you have the words of the ,great ,spirit1 and ,i wish you therefore to come to us1 and teach us40 ,besides these1 it is reported by traders1 that the ,sioux 7,soos71 a powerful tribe numbering about #be1jjj souls1 living ,north of the ,puncaws1 and other tribes to the ,north are also anxious to have missionaries among them4 ,what a wide field for missionary labor6 ,and still we must hear the remark so often made by christians in the ,east1 so painful to our ears3 8,there is no use in having missionaries among the ,indians-no good can be effected among the ,indians--better send the missionaries who are laboring among the ,indians1 and appropriate the funds spent for missions and schools among them1 to some other heathen field40 ,from what we have witnessed on our excursion to ,council ,bluffs1 and our subsequent visit to the ,pawnees1 we confidently express the opinion that we can nowhere expect heathen nations1 with the contracted ideas that these people have of the nature of the gospel1 to be more anxious to have missionaries among them4 ,and we cannot otherwise than denounce expressions like the above1 as not breathing the spirit of our ,lord and ,savior1 who has enjoined the command upon his followers to 8go and preach his gospel to every creature40 ,furthermore1 from what we have seen and heard1 we firmly believe that the ,lord is preparing a wide door for the preaching of his gospel among the ,western and ,north ,western prairie tribes1 and the ,macedonian cry is ringing in the land3 8,come over and help us60 ,we solemnly put the question to such objectors to our ,indian missions3 ,where lies the fault that so little has been done in latter years by the ,brethren among the ,indians8 that our missions among the ,indians have been stagnant--yes1 we may truly say1 retrograding for so many years8 ,shall it be attributed to the ,indians1 who1 as we have seen1 are truly anxious to receive the gospel8 ,or shall we admit1 that the blessed gospel of our ,savior has not that power over the ,indians that it has over other nations8 that there is a deficiency in the gospel in not being able to subdue the obdurate heart of the red man8 ,shall we doubt for a moment the incapacity of the ,lord in blessing the faithful preaching of his word with the outpourings of his ,spirit8 ,or is there a deficiency in the plan of salvation that ,indians should be excluded from the glorious privileges of the same8 ,or have we forgotten the history of our first missions among them1 the piety and consistent christian lives of our first ,indian converts1 their persecutions from their heathen brethren1 and their sufferings even unto death for the sake of the gospel8 ,if we wish to find where the fault lies we must look for it in our own hearts4 ,there it is4 ,there is a lack of that missionary spirit which actuated our forefathers6 ,there is a lack of that ,spirit of our ,savior1 who in his missionary capacity to a world of sinners has set us a pattern to follow4 ,we have sadly degenerated1 and the spirit of the world has taken a powerful hold upon our minds2 and it is meet for us all seriously1 earnestly1 prayerfully1 to cry3 8,turn us unto thee1 oh6 ,lord1 and we shall be turned2 renew our days as of old60-- ,in order to make our visit from ,bellevue to the ,pawnees1 it was necessary that we should be well supplied with provisions1 as the ,pawnees were at present very much straitened for the necessaries of life4 ,these ,mr4 ,mc,kinney kindly volunteered to furnish us with1 besides sufficient extra to make a small feast of cracker and coffee for the chiefs of each village4 ,mr4 ,allis was recommended to us by all as the best interpreter1 and on account of his acquaintance with the ,pawnees1 and having their good will1 it was altogether an advantage to us to secure his kind offices1 which he was willing to afford4 ,mr4 ,sharpee promised to furnish us two mules1 and ,mr4 ,reed1 the farmer at the mission1 gave us the use of his light two-horse wagon4 ,thus before the close of the week our arrangements were made to commence our journey to the ,pawnees the following ,monday1 ,may #eth4 ,sunday1 ,may the #dth4--,we were both called upon to take an active part in the meetings to-day at the ,presbyterian mission4 ,as it is very unusual for any adult ,indians to attend these meetings on the ,lord's day1 the exercises are conducted altogether in the ,english language4 ,in the forenoon there is ,sunday school for the children of the institution4 ,at about #b o'clock1 ,p4 ,m41 there is public preaching1 which1 besides all at the mission1 ,mr4 ,allis and his ,pawnee children1 and some of the white families from ,bellevue1 attend4 ,in the evening there is a meeting in which a discourse is addressed particularly to the ,indian children1 but which is attended by all4 ,in these evening meetings different scripture truths are presented to the children in a simple narrative style1 and not only the children themselves1 but also those employed in the mission1 seem to be very much interested in these instructive meetings4 ,in the afternoon br4 ,oehler1 in company with ,mr4 ,reed1 the farmer of the mission1 visited the village of the ,omahaws1 about four miles distant4 ,their village being similar to those of the ,pawnees1 we will refer the reader to a subsequent page for a description4 #eth4--,a considerable part of the forenoon having been spent before the mules were caught on the prairie and brought in1 and ,mr4 ,sharpee promising1 if we would wait till the following day1 he would accompany us to the ,pawnees1 in order to inquire of them whether any of their young men had stolen a horse he had lost a few nights ago1 ,mr4 ,allis and ourselves determined to wait for him1 as he had an extensive knowledge of the ,indians1 and of travelling on the 8plains10 as the large prairies are here called1 and might on that account be of great service to us4 ,an under-chief of the ,loup ,pawnees1 by the name of ,gatarritatkutz 7,big ,axe7 was also waiting1 in order to accompany us4 #fth4--,at length we were ready to commence our journey from here to the ,pawnees1 about #i o'clock1 accompanied by the best wishes of our kind friends at the mission1 and with the encouraging ,daily ,word3 8,i will make an everlasting covenant with you1 even the sure mercies of ,david10 7,is4 #ee3c7 with the ,doctrinal text3 8,there is one body and one spirit1 even as ye are called in one hope of your calling3 one ,lord1 one faith1 one baptism1 one ,god and ,father of all1 who is above all1 and through all40 7,eph4 #d3d-f47 8,in doctrine and in practice one1--,we'll love and serve the ,lord alone2--,with one accord sound forth ,his praise1--,till we shall see ,his face40 ,the ideas of leaving the abodes of civilization1 and travelling1 unarmed and unguarded by a competent force of men1 in the land of numerous savages1 had a tendency to cause every dependence upon an arm of flesh to vanish1 while we could put our confidence upon the all-powerful arm of our ,savior1 in whose cause we had undertaken this journey among wild untutored barbarians1 and who watches over his people everywhere4 7,ps4 #aci47 ,our course to-day was ,n4 ,w4 and ,w41 taking the great road travelled by the emigrants1 on leaving the ,bluffs for ,oregon1 the ,salt ,lake1 or ,california4 ,the road was very dry and dusty1 and the wind coming from the ,west blew the dust in our faces1 by which we were very much incommoded4 ,after leaving ,bellevue1 and ascending the bluff1 which brought us on the level of the high prairie1 a beautiful prospect presented itself4 ,before us1 as far as the eye could reach1 was the wide prairie extending to the horizon2 on our right were clumps of timber skirting both banks of the ,missouri1 bounded by the bluffs on the other side of the river1 with the ,mormon settlement of ,kanesville1 beautifully spread out before us1 situated in one of the valleys between the bluffs about six or eight miles distant1 beyond the river2 on our left1 in the middle ground1 lay the valleys of the ,great and ,little ,papilion1 with the ,omahaw village1 like a cluster of potatoe hills1 situated on the opposite bank1 near their confluence1 with here and there a clump of timber along both streams1 while far away in the distance could plainly be distinguished the valley of the ,platte1 with the timber1 growing on its numerous islands4 ,after proceeding some five miles in the prairie1 we met a large train of ,oregon emigrants1 who1 by some interested person1 had been induced to turn about1 in order to take a road1 which would lead them to another ferry on the ,elkhorn river1 7a branch of the ,platte17 and although ,mr4 ,sharpee represented to them that the road they had been travelling was the better1 still his representations were of no avail1 and they preferred to travel a route #ae or #bj miles further than ours1 and much worse bridged across the mudholes4 ,a large company of wild ,indians 7,omahaws7 was hovering on horseback around the train1 watching a favorable opportunity to steal something1 or perchance1 should a beef stray some distance from the rest1 7a good opportunity for which was given by their turning back again17 to drive it behind a bluff and slay it4 ,the sight of a large train of #bj or #cj wagons1 travelling in long single file1 with four or more yoke of oxen or cows attached to each1 is really picturesque2 and we had frequently the opportunity on our journey of beholding such a long line of white-covered wagons1 presenting1 at a distance of several miles1 a beautiful appearance4 ,during the day we passed several trains1 destined for ,oregon1 ,salt ,lake1 or ,california4 ,in the ,oregon trains we observed many cows yoked in teams1 besides numbers of them driven along loose2 milchcows commanding a high price in ,oregon4 ,when the sun had nearly reached the western horizon1 we arrived at our camping ground1--a small clump of trees on the ,great ,papilion1--a spot generally selected by the emigrants1 at the end of the first day's travel1 west of the ,bluffs4 ,the animals in our train1 consisting of a horse1 a pony1 belonging to our ,pawnee friend1 and two mules1 were first driven to the water1 of which they stood in great need4 ,the horse was then hobbled1 i4e41 a rope tied around both forelegs1 so short1 as merely to enable it to get along slowly to graze1 and to hinder it from straying too far away4 ,the pony and the two mules were secured by means of a rope about #cj feet long1 tied around the neck of each1 and dragging behind them1 so as to facilitate the catching of them again on the following morning4 ,we then pitched our tent for the night1 and having built a fire1 proceeded to prepare some coffee1 which was peculiarly acceptable after a fatiguing day's travel4 ,our store of provisions consisted of about a bushel of ship crackers1 a boilt ham1 and some molasses in an ,india rubber flask1 all of which were provided by our kind friend1 ,mr4 ,mc,kinney4 ,we had hardly camped before the trains commenced pouring in for the night1 and even late in the night they continued to arrive1 so that by morning the place was covered with tents and wagons1 and swarming with people1 horses1 mules and cattle4 #gth4--,at an early hour we were again moving1 in order to reach the ,elkhorn ,ferry before any of the trains should take the precedence1 whereby we would have been detained4 ,we had first to cross the ,papilion on a bridge1 and as it was very narrow1 and the road leading to it very steep1 we were obliged to unharness the mules from the wagon1 lest they might1 by pushing one another1 precipitate the wagon and themselves into the stream and mud below4 ,the wagon was then pulled across the bridge by hand4 ,ascending the opposite hill1 we were again on the high prairie4 ,before us1 twelve or fifteen miles distant1 could be discovered the timber of the ,elkhorn1 which we expected to cross before noon2--to our right we could yet perceive the timber of the ,missouri1 and the ,old ,council ,bluffs1 where formerly there was a fort for the protection of the traders2--and to our left the timber of the ,platte4-- ,arrived at the ,elkhorn1 we saw a considerable number of ,pawnees1 who all appeared glad at our coming to visit them4 ,here we learnt that a slight affray had taken place the day before1 between some ,pawnees and a train of emigrants4 ,the readers of the ,miscellany have perhaps read of such cases in the newspapers1 headed3 8,depredation of the ,pawnees 7or some other ,indians7 upon a train of emigrants10 and the like1 where the blame is generally attached to the ,indians4 ,i think it is due to the ,indians to state here that the fault does not always lie with them1 but very often with the whites4 ,the road of the emigrants lies through the country belonging to the ,indians2--their hunting-grounds are traversed by the long lines of white-covered wagons1 and the buffaloes1 the principal subsistence of the ,indians1 are thereby chased away to more distant and more secluded pastures1 perhaps to regions where it would be unsafe for them to hunt1 on account of other tribes inimical to them2 and they have thereby been reduced to poverty and want4 ,for all these privations they have been promised presents1 as a compensation1 from our ,government1 but thus far they have received nothing4 ,so when the emigrants are passing through their country1 they frequently apply to them for tobacco1 or some other small presents4 ,it seems that in the above instance1 while the ,pawnees were hovering around the train1 they were refused a present1 and one of the men1 with the ox-whip1 struck an ,indian1 who came near1 which1 of course1 roused the feelings of the ,indians4 ,these accordingly drove off a beef or two1 which were then despatched4-- ,the ,elkhorn at this place is a deep and rapid stream1 about #bj yards wide4 ,two ,french halfbreeds are living here1 in order to keep a ferry for the emigrants4--,having passed over the ,elkhorn1 our road lay across a bottom prairie extending between the ,elkhorn and ,platte rivers4 ,we now turned off from the wagon road1 taking the village for our landmark2 without any track across the prairie1 and soon arrived on the north bank of the ,platte4--,the grass being somewhat more advanced in the bottom than on the high bluff on the opposite side1 where the village is situated1 the ,pawnees had turned their ponies to graze in the bottom1 watched by the women and children4--,many women were also engaged in digging for roots with their hoes1 provisions being at present very scarce among them4 ,we were soon surrounded by a crowd of young men1 women and children1 who by their smiling countenances seemed to bid us welcome4--,it is difficult to describe our feelings on the present occasion4 ,we were now in sight of the village1 where the people lived1 whom we had come to visit1 in order to give them the opportunity of accepting or rejecting the offer of having ,missionaries to live among them1 to lead them to the ,savior of sinners4 ,a wide stream1 over a mile across1 separated us from the object of our journey1 and could not be crossed without getting assistance from the very people1 for whose benefit we had come4 ,from the conversation of ,mr4 ,allis and ,mr4 ,sharpee with the ,indians there seemed to be some difficulty in getting help1 originating in a jealousy existing between the ,chief in our company and the principal ,chief of the village4 ,meantime it commenced raining1 and a strong1 chilly wind was blowing1 which forced us to wrap ourselves in our blankets4 ,in this perplexity nearly an hour was spent4 ,at length a messenger was despatched across the river to inform the principal chief of the village1 ,siskatuppe1 of our arrival1 with the request that he would send us some men to assist us to cross4 ,after another hour's patient waiting we were cheered by seeing the chief with about twenty men coming to our help4--,the ford of the river is only about four feet at the deepest places1 but what makes this river peculiarly perilous in crossing is the shifting quicksand at the bottom1 so that1 while crossing1 it is necessary to keep constantly moving2--for the moment a person stops he begins to sink on account of the uncertain foothold4--,our baggage was placed upon the backs of ,pawnees1 who immediately started off with their load4 ,the mules having been unharnessed1 and the harness placed in the wagon1 a long rope was tied from the end of the tongue of the wagon to each single-tree4 ,the ,pawnees then took hold of the rope1 while some pushed behind at the wagon1 and thus proceeded into the river4 ,mr4 ,sharpee kindly offered br4 ,smith his horse1 while he and br4 ,oehler each took a mule1 and ,mr4 ,allis borrowed a pony of the ,pawnees1 the mounted men taking up the rear4 ,a full half hour was consumed in crossing1 and passing over two islands on our route4 ,at length we reached the opposite bank1 where we were greeted by numbers of ,pawnees1 who were awaiting our arrival4 ,a difficulty which now presented itself before us was to get the wagon up the steep bluff1 the sides of which had become slippery by the falling rain4 ,to obviate this difficulty it was necessary to go nearly a mile down the river1 through their cornfields1 in the bottom1 to a place where it was not quite so steep as elsewhere4--,at length1 being arrived at the village1 we found1 in spite of the rain1 crowds standing around the chief's lodge1 to receive and to welcome the missionaries4-- ,having secured everything loose about the wagon that might be liable to be stolen1 and entrusted our baggage1 harness and animals to the care of the chief1 we entered the lodge of our host4 ,we were not a little surprised1 when we came in1 to find that it was a spacious apartment1 a description of which will be given at another time4 ,we had hardly reached the place when a young gentleman in the employment of the ,government arrived in company with the ,united ,states interpreter at ,fort ,kearney1 a black man1 who speaks the ,pawnee fluently4 ,they had travelled the whole distance1 without an escort1 alone2--,fort ,kearney being about #aej miles further up the ,platte river4 ,this young man was sent out to the different tribes of ,prairie ,indians1 the ,pawnees among the rest1 in order to invite them to attend a ,general ,council of ,tribes at ,fort ,laramie1 to be held about the beginning of ,september4 ,while ,mr4 ,allis and ourselves1 and the above-named persons from ,fort ,kearney lodged with ,siskatuppe1 the principal chief of the village1 ,mr4 ,sharpee put up at the lodge of the chief ,gatarritatkutz1 who had travelled with us1 and with whom he is accustomed to tarry whenever he comes to the village to trade4 ,after we had spent an hour in drying our clothes1 smoking1 and conversing with some of the chiefs and braves1 a messenger arrived from ,mr4 ,sharpee1 inviting us to be present at a feast of coffee and crackers1 which he had prepared for the chiefs1 during which he intended to make inquiries respecting his stolen horse4 ,when we arrived ,mr4 ,sharpee informed us that1 as the principal men were now assembled1 it would be a convenient opportunity for us to hold a council with them4 ,we accordingly commenced by informing them of our object4 ,the jealousy between the chiefs1 however1 became apparent1 and after some consultation among themselves ,siskatuppe intimated that some of the chiefs were not present1 and as the business before us was of great importance to the whole band they ought also to be summoned4 ,it was1 therefore1 resolved immediately to adjourn to his lodge1 in order to receive our communications4 ,accordingly all the chiefs and braves having been assembled1 we were informed that they were now ready to hear us4 ,br4 ,smith then in a speech1 which was interpreted by ,mr4 ,allis1 informed them of the object of our visit4 ,hereupon ,siskatuppe made an address1 welcoming us in the kindest manner and hoping that we might send missionaries among them4 ,br4 ,oehler then1 in an address1 explained to them more particularly the object which missionaries have in view1 and that it was especially our present aim among them to find out whether they were desirous not only of having their outward condition bettered1 but of having the missionaries among them to teach them about a ,savior1 who came into this world to save us from our sins1 to preach whom was our first and principal design4 ,several other chiefs and braves then made speeches1 expressive of their satisfaction at our coming to see them1 and welcoming us to live with them1 promising us their protection2 so that we should in no wise be hindered by any of their people2 and that we might rest assured that our cattle and all other property which we might bring along with us should not be destroyed or molested by any one4 ,moreover1 they acknowledged that they needed instruction1 and that they would all be willing to listen to us4 ,we were very much pleased with the apparent earnestness with which these remarks were made1 and have no doubt that they made these promises in good faith4 ,before us were thus assembled the nobility of the village1--the chiefs and braves1 besides numbers of the common people1 at least #ejj in all1 sitting in solemn council4 ,what a spectacle for the humble missionaries of the cross6 ,here were the representatives of a village1 numbering at least #b1ejj souls1 deliberating upon the acceptance or rejection of missionaries1--holding a council1 unconsciously1 whether the time in the providence of the ,lord had at length arrived1 when they should again be instructed in the knowledge of the 8,unknown ,god10 whom they1 and their fathers and forefathers have worshipped1 though in great ignorance and superstition4 ,o1 how cheering to our hearts1 when we were not merely coldly permitted to make our abode with them1 so that they might derive from us some temporal good1 in supplying their wants when hungry and destitute2 but when we were hailed and welcomed among them as the 8,medicine men of the ,great ,spirit10 to have whom among them1 would better their outward condition1 and perhaps 7as we ardently hope and pray1 through the blessing of our ,lord17 make them a happy and christian nation4 ,of what vast importance may have been this solemn hour for these people8--the future1 we humbly trust1 will develop many happy results from the decision of this council2 but ,eternity alone may reveal1 that the happiness or misery of many a soul1 bought by the precious blood of ,jesus1 was connected with the results of this occasion6 ,our business with them being over1 the above-named young man1 in the employ of the government1 also made known to them that their ,great ,father at ,washington had invited them to a grand council of the different nations1 to be held at ,fort ,laramie for the purpose of defining the territories of the different prairie tribes1 who were also to receive presents there from him1 as a compensation for the losses which they have in later years sustained1 on account of the scarcity of the buffaloes1 occasioned by the great emigration to the far ,west1 etc41--at all which they expressed their great satisfaction4 ,after the crowd had somewhat dispersed1 a dish of soup1 made of hominy and beans1 was placed before us1 with two spoons1 made of buffalo horns1 in the dish4 ,having fasted since sunrise1 we could not complain of our appetites1 and the dish1 though not attractive in its appearance1 was soon emptied of its contents4 ,we then prepared some coffee1 and having supped1 gave our chief and his family a feast of the remaining coffee1 with some crackers and slices of ham4 ,we had hardly finished1 7much time was not consumed in washing our dishes17 when a messenger arrived1 inviting us to a feast1 which one of the chiefs had prepared for us4 ,when we arrived1 and had seated ourselves on mats around the fire1 7for there are no chairs in a ,pawnee lodge17 a dish of soup1 made of corn1 was again placed before us4 ,as our appetites had previously been satiated1 we could merely partake of a few spoonsful1 to please our kind host4 ,we had hardly entered into a conversation when an invitation came from another chief2--and so we were led from lodge to lodge1 till we had partaken of about a dozen feasts4 ,at last we returned to the lodge of ,siskatuppe1 and1 having wrapped ourselves in our blankets1 and laid ourselves down on mats on the ground1 were soon in the land of visions4 ,may #hth4--,early in the morning we were awakened by the shrill voices of the ,pawnee women1 who were engaged in cleaning up the lodge1 and collecting their hoes1 previous to their going out to the fields to prepare the ground for planting corn4 ,our breakfast being over1 and having had our animals brought from the pasture1 we1 together with the gentleman from ,fort ,kearney and his interpreter1 started for the upper village1 distant about #be miles1 accompanied by our old friend ,gatarritatkutz and another ,pawnee4 ,our road was again for several miles across the high prairie4 ,we then descended into the bottom prairie of the ,platte1 travelling about five miles in sight of the river1 when we made a halt near the stream in order to prepare dinner4 ,the situation here pleased us very much1 as very suitable for a mission station1 should the ,pawnees be permanently located where they at present reside4 ,the timber on the islands in the ,platte is very easily obtained here4 ,the prairie bottom is from two to three miles wide1 gently ascending to the bluffs1 and extends about ten miles along the ,platte1 before the bluffs again approach the river4 ,a mile or two from where we took our lunch a beautiful spring of never failing water gushes forth from the bluff4 ,after dinner1 having permitted our animals to graze a while1 we proceeded on our journey1 travelling partly on the high prairie1 after ascending the bluff1 and partly in the bottom4 ,at a certain place1 as we were travelling along1 we noticed1 that our ,pawnee friends rode aside to a spot1 where their attention seemed to be rivetted upon something on the ground4 ,inquiring what it was1 they informed us1 that at that place about nine or ten months ago1 a ,sioux chief had been killed by the ,pawnees4 ,it seems1 he had made a hostile incursion upon the ,pawnees1 with a company of his people1 and having found some squaws engaged at work in their fields1 he had killed them4 ,the ,pawnees1 irritated at this unprovoked attack1 immediately made up a party1 who hotly pursued their enemies1 and1 the horse of the ,sioux chief being wearied1 and not able to keep up with the rest1 he called to his men3 8,stop not for me1 but save yourselves2 ,i shall die fighting40 ,his pursuers soon came up with him and killed him1 fighting bravely4 ,the spot where he had been killed still presented the marks of ,indian barbarity2 stones1 arrows1 and small pieces of the skull1 which had been cleft by their tomahawks1 lying around1--the bones having been carried away with the carcass by the wolves of the prairie4 ,we turned away in disgust from a place1 which had been the scene of such a barbarous atrocity1 praying only the more fervently to the ,lord1 that the passions of these poor people might be softened down by the all-subduing influence of ,his blessed gospel1 through the happy effects of which alone1 we have been made to differ4-- ,as we were approaching the upper village we observed sentinels standing on the highest bluffs1 posted there1 it seems1 to watch the approach of any strangers4 ,the first that we observed was at a distance of five miles from the village4 ,in the bottom prairie1 numbers of ponies1 the property of the village1 were grazing1 watched by women and children4 ,as we approached the village1 young men and boys joined our caravan1 and when at last we arrived there a dense crowd of children surrounded us1 eager to see the visitors of their village1 so that it was necessary for a chief to come to our aid1 who opened a way through the immense throng for our wagon to proceed on to the lodge1 where we were to put up4 ,we were here1 as well as at the other village1 struck with the large proportion of children1 a circumstance not generally observable among ,indians4 ,mr4 ,allis informed us that visiting them a few months previous 7the smallpox having appeared among some of the ,indian tribes7 he had vaccinated about #a1ejj under #ad years of age 7in a population of hardly #f1jjj72 the last time that the whole tribe had been vaccinated1 having been #ad years ago4 ,the village stands on a rising ground1 about three miles from the river1 and consequently the same distance from the nearest timber4 ,in a valley near by flows a beautiful stream1 from which the people of the village are supplied with water4 ,the lodge1 where we were to remain1 was the medicine lodge of the village1 and just as we entered it we found a company of about a hundred men engaged in dancing a medicine dance1 in order to propitiate the ,great ,spirit1 to grant them prosperity in the approaching buffalo-hunting season1 and protection from their enemies4 ,their naked bodies were painted in the most grotesque manner1 their hair and weapons plumed with eagles' feathers1 and thus armed with bows and arrows1 spears1 and shields1 they were dancing to the beat of the drum1 intermingled with songs4 ,their yells rent the air1 while the very earth seemed to shake under their feet4 ,after we had sat in the lodge a few minutes1 a dense crowd of two or three hundred children filling up the space at the entrance1 whose curiosity was probably more attracted by us than by the dancers1 a chief came forth from the dancing party1 with a whip in his hand1 at sight of whom the children made for the door1 but as it took some time before the crowd could get out by the narrow opening he commenced plying his whip most unmercifully on the naked backs of the poor children till the entrance was cleared4 ,we were then informed that on account of our arrival1 out of deference to us1 they would now dance outside2 if1 however1 we wished to look at them while dancing1 we were welcome to come out and see them4--,after a little while we went out and looked at them for some time1 while they were engaged in these religious exercises4 ,our hearts melted1 and our eyes filled with tears at the thought of the benighted state of their minds1 living without ,christ1 and without hope4 ,we were not long engaged in these mournful reflections1 when a messenger arrived inviting us to a feast4 ,we followed the messenger1 who led us to a lodge1 which we entered4 ,our host1 who had prepared a feast for us1 was no other than the chief of the ,grand ,pawnee ,band1 and principal chief of the whole ,pawnee nation4 ,he received us in a very warm and affectionate manner1 embraced us1 and welcomed us among his people4 ,his name is ,asseruregarrigu2--he seems to be extremely old1 on the verge of the grave1 yet1 in spite of his great age1 is still very much respected by his nation4 ,after being invited to sit down on mats1 a dish of green corn soup was placed before us1 which was very palatable4 ,the old man complained1 that the corn had not been sufficiently boiled1 as he had ordered it to be put over when he heard of our arrival1 and had been anxious to be the first to welcome us by a feast4-- ,our repast being finished1 we were yet invited to several feasts prepared by the chiefs of the village1 whereupon we returned to the medicine lodge4 ,in the evening a council of the chiefs and braves was called1 in order to inform them of the business upon which we had come to visit them4 ,we were received in the most cordial manner1 embraced by several of the chiefs1 and after informing them of our object the principal chief of the ,pawnee tribe1 aforementioned1 made a reply to the following effect3 8,it appears to me this evening as though ,i had been dead a long time and had suddenly to-day risen from the dead1--so glad am ,i to hear the news that teachers are willing to come among us1 in order to live with us and instruct us4 ,we shall welcome you among us1 and the chiefs will see to it1 that your property and cattle shall be protected2--,i hope you will come soon to live with us4 ,i am now a very old man1--,i must soon go hence2 therefore come soon that ,i may behold the missionaries living among my people before ,i die40 ,speeches to a similar effect were then made by ,leezikutz1 chief of the ,republican band1 ,terrericawaw1 chief of the ,topages 7pronounced ,tuppay7 band1 and two or three other inferior chiefs1 which were all interpreted2 and finally a chief named ,lalogehanesharn 7or ,fatty1 as he is called by the whites1 from his corpulence1 something very unusual among wild ,indians7 closed by making a long appeal to the chiefs1 delivered in a very loud and sonorous voice1 exhorting them to keep the promises which they had just made4 8,don't cheat10 said he2 8don't act deceitfully4 ,you have now promised these men that if they come to live among us you will take them under your protection1 and will always restrain your people from molesting their property4 ,remember this1 and now since you have made these promises1 see to it that you also keep them40 ,the council then dispersed1 not1 however1 before several chiefs had again embraced us1 whereupon we laid ourselves down in our blankets upon the mats in the lodge for repose4 ,may #ith4--,after breakfast we were invited to the principal chief's lodge1 to attend a council which had been called for the purpose of listening to the invitation sent to them by the ,president of the ,united ,states through the above-mentioned agent1 to attend a general council at ,fort ,laramie4 ,the ,pawnees declared themselves satisfied with the offers of government1 and several speeches were then made expressive of the prospect that ere long the condition of their people would be bettered1 especially since they might now indulge the hope of soon having teachers among them to give them instruction4 ,during the council a severe thunderstorm was passing over1 and while the chief1 ,fatty1 was speaking1 after a loud peal of thunder3 8,see10 said he1 8the ,great ,spirit is pleased with us this morning and expresses his satisfaction by speaking loudly to us660--,at the close we were yet invited to partake of a feast with them4 ,a large dish of corn-soup was brought in and set before the chiefs2--the medicine man then came forward1 and1 taking a spoonful of the soup1 went to the fire1 and making a small hole in the ashes he poured it in4 ,after putting the spoon back again into the dish he returned to the sacrifice at the fire1 which was blessed thrice by holding both hands over it2 then1 turning round to the assembly1 and fronting the chiefs1 looking up to heaven1 he stretched out his hands thrice in silent benediction1 and then returned to his seat4 ,the dish was then passed round1 each person partaking of a mouthful or two of the soup4 ,the council being over1 and the thunderstorm having somewhat subsided1 towards noon we started on our return1 the object of our visit to the ,pawnee villages being now fully accomplished4 ,we had now only to retrace our steps1 as that was the nearest way for us to travel4 ,we prepared our coffee and lunch at the same beautiful spot1 where we had halted yesterday4 ,in getting a fire1 however1 to boil our coffee1 we had considerable trouble1 the matches in our pockets being damp1 and the grass and wood being all wet from the rain1 which was yet falling4 ,but at last our ,pawnee friends succeeded in finding some dry rotten wood1 which1 by means of paper and powder1 we succeeded in igniting4 ,in the evening we arrived at the ,lower ,village1 where we staid over night at ,siskatuppe's lodge4 ,may #ajth4--,towards morning a very heavy thundergust passed over the village1 and the water came pouring into the lodge1 from the small opening above 7which is made to let out the smoke71 and the shrill voices of the women1 who seemed to be scolding one another while engaged in cleaning up the water1 disturbed us considerably in our slumbers4 ,in the morning the ,pawnees informed us that the ,platte was rising2 we1 therefore1 hastened to get ready for travelling1 and crossed the river without much difficulty1 in the same manner as at the first time4 ,arrived at the opposite bank1 we made a present of some tobacco to our ,pawnee friends1 for assisting us in crossing the river4 ,a large company of ,pawnees followed us1 who intended going to the ,omahaw village in order to trade for corn4 ,when we arrived at the ferry of the ,elkhorn1 a heavy gust was threatening to overtake us1 and we had hardly crossed1 secured our baggage1 and got into the hut of the ferrymen1 when a furious hailstorm passed over us4 ,the rain having detained us so long1 that it was impossible to reach another camping ground by daylight1 we pitched our tent here for the night4 ,may #aath4--,during the night1 another gust passed over us1 but our tent kept us dry and comfortable4 ,one of the ferrymen1 who had arrived during the night from ,council ,bluffs1 informed us that the bridge across the ,papilion1 over which we had passed1 had been washed away by the high water occasioned by the heavy rains1 and that he had been obliged to swim the stream1 which had swollen to the size of a river4 ,we1 therefore concluded to take another route1 which would lead along a high ridge between the ,great and ,little ,papilion1 and strike the former opposite the ,omahaw village1 at the confluence of the two streams1 where we hoped to get assistance1 should we find any difficulty in crossing4 ,when we arrived at the place1 we found both streams very much swollen by the heavy rains4 ,collecting some wood together1 we made a fire1 and prepared our dinner1 while the party of ,pawnees1 who had followed us1 were busied in crossing the ,little ,papilion1 in order to get to the ,omahaw village4 ,after we had finished our meal1 and had come to the crossing of the ,great ,papilion1 preparations were made for getting our wagon1 baggage1 and ourselves on the other side and here we found ,mr4 ,sharpee1 who has travelled several times to the ,rocky ,mountains1 and was accustomed to meet with such exigencies as the present1 to be of invaluable service to us4 ,under his direction the tent-cloth was spread out on the ground1 upon which was placed the wagon-body4 ,the corners of the cloth were then laid over the body1 and around the whole a rope was tightly tied to keep the cloth firmly adhering to it4 ,thus a boat was soon constructed1 in which the forewheels and tongue were put1 and then launched in the stream1 with ,mr4 ,sharpee and ,mr4 ,allis on board4 ,a rope had previously been attached1 the end of which an ,indian took in his mouth1 and swam across1 the boat being drawn after him4 ,the contents being quickly taken out on the other side1 it was towed back again by the ,indian with ,mr4 ,sharpee still in it4 ,the second load consisted of the hindwheels with ,mr4 ,sharpee and br4 ,oehler4 ,meanwhile another ,indian had formed a boat of a buffalo-skin1 stretched out by sticks placed crosswise1 in which the baggage was all safely transported to the other side4 ,the animals were driven into the stream1 and forced to swim across4 ,finally1 the boat was brought over the third time1 and br4 ,smith and a lame ,pawnee man were taken to the other side4 ,when the boat had made this its last trip1 it had not leaked more than about an inch of water4 ,during the whole time1 while we were crossing1 the rain was pouring down in torrents upon us4 ,having now safely gained the other shore with all our effects1 and put everything in travelling order1 we proceeded about three miles farther1 when we came to a slough1 which had also been filled up by the rains4 ,it was impossible to ford it1 at the place where the road led across4 ,after reconnoitering a little1 we found a place where the water was fordable1 but with an almost perpendicular bank of about ten feet on the other side4 ,the mules having been unharnessed1 ,mr4 ,sharpee and br4 ,oehler took them across1 although they almost stuck fast in the mud4 ,mr4 ,allis and br4 ,smith then pushed the wagon into the slough1 thus forming a bridge for them to cross over4 ,all hands were then employed in pulling the wagon out of the mud up the bank1 till the end of the tongue reached the top1 to which the doubletree was then tied4 ,the mules being reharnessed1 and all the other available muscular power being applied in pushing up the wagon1 we finally succeeded in getting it up on the bank4 ,we had now yet two miles to travel1 in order to reach the ,presbyterian mission station at ,bellevue1 and were truly thankful that there were no more streams or sloughs to cross4 ,about sundown we arrived at our station1 and were heartily welcomed by ,mr4 ,mc,kinney and the ,mission family1 though our outward appearance was not very prepossessing1 our clothing being bespattered with mud1 from the various adventures of the day4-- ,on the #adth of ,may the steamboat ,el ,paso came up the ,missouri to ,council ,bluffs1 and on the morning of the #aeth we took passage in her down the river4 ,on the evening of the #afth the boat arrived at ,weston1 and in the afternoon of the #agth left there for ,kansas1 where we arrived at dark4 ,after breakfast on the following morning1 the #ahth1 we proceeded to ,westfield1 eight miles1 on foot1 where we arrived just as the congregation were leaving the church after the service1 which had been held by the national assistant1 ,frederic ,samuel--truly thankful to the ,lord to find all well at home1 after an absence of nearly four weeks4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,description ,,of ,,the ,,manners ,,and ,,customs ,,of ,,the ,,pawnee ,,indians 7,,by ,,br4 ,d4 ,z4 ,,smith47 ,,bands ,,or ,,clans4--,all the ,indian tribes are subdivided into bands or clans4 ,the ,pawnees have among them four distinct bands1 viz41 the ,loups 7pronounced ,loos71 the ,republicans1 the ,topages 7,tuppays71 and the ,grand ,pawnees4 ,each band has at its head a ,chief1 among whom1 however1 the ,chief of the ,grand ,pawnees1 ,asseruregarrigu1 is considered the ,principal ,chief of the whole tribe4 ,,villages1 ,,localities1 ,,former ,,missionaries1 ,c4--,the ,pawnees live in two villages at present1 both on the ,south side of the ,platte or ,nebraska river4 ,the lower village lies about #ej miles from ,bellevue1 and about #aj or #ae miles above the mouth of the ,elkhorn river1 the first important tributary of the ,platte from the ,north2 and the upper village is situated about #bj or #be miles above the lower1 nearly opposite the mouth of the ,loup ,fork of the ,platte1 the next branch of any consequence above the ,elkhorn4 ,both villages are situated on eminences1 so that the approach of an enemy can easily be observed1 and a sharp lookout is constantly kept in order to guard against any sudden surprise from a hostile force4 ,sentinels are constantly posted on all the surrounding heights1 who can immediately by signs1 known among the ,indians1 transmit intelligence in case of impending danger4 ,during the night1 sentinels are constantly perched upon the tops of the lodges1 to guard against any unexpected nocturnal attack4 ,when we were on our return1 and remained over night at the ,loup village1 a report1 probably a false alarm1 had reached there during the day1 that a large war-party of ,sioux had lately been seen near the head waters of the ,elkhorn river4 ,during the night sentinels were as usual posted upon the lodges1 a little more noisy1 however1 than generally1 yelling to one another and singing1 nearly the whole night4 ,upon our inquiring why the sentinels made so much noise1 we were informed that it was to let the ,sioux know1 should they be near1 that they might not expect to find them off their guard4 ,thus it will be observed that a certain kind of military organization is constantly kept up at each village1 rendered necessary by their wars with their enemies4 ,this unpleasant state of things can only be removed through the benign influence of the ,gospel1 when 8they shall beat their swords into plough-shares1 and their spears into pruning-hooks3 nation shall not lift up a sword against nation1 neither shall they learn war any more4 ,but they shall sit every man under his vine and fig-tree2 and none 40 7,mic4 #d3c1 #d47 ,as hinted in a note in a previous communication1 the ,pawnee villages are not located on their own land4 ,formerly the land on both sides of the ,platte river belonged to them4 ,but about the year #ahce they concluded a treaty with the ,united ,states1 in which they ceded to the latter all their territory on the ,south side of the river4 ,their villages were then situated about #aej miles further up the ,platte on the ,north side4 ,the missionaries of the ,a4 ,b4 ,c4 ,f4 ,m4 were then residing with them1 their mission stations being situated in the vicinity of these villages4 ,when the ,pawnees were at their homes1 which is only four or five months of the year 7the remaining months being consumed on their summer and fall hunts71 the missionaries were engaged in teaching such of their children as could be induced to attend school1 and in instructing the people in the truths of religion1 as well as they could according to their limited knowledge of the language4 ,about six years ago1 the powerful ,sioux made repeated incursions into the ,pawnee country1 and the strength of the latter being very much weakened by their frequent wars with their enemies1 they were obliged to succumb1 and at length forced to leave their former location on the ,north side of the ,platte1 and to remove to the ,south side1 nearer to the white settlements on the ,missouri river4 ,the missionaries1 too1 found it unsafe to remain1 and it was thought advisable to suspend their missionary operations among them4 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,allis are remnants of this noble band of missionaries1 and1 still cherishing the desire1 that these benighted but very interesting people might be enlightened by the gospel1 have1 while their fellow-laborers have long ago left for other fields of usefulness1 still lingered behind--and toiled on1 amidst many self-denials1 privations and discouragements1 in doing whatever lay in their power for the good of these ,indians4 ,lately the government has established ,fort ,kearney1 not far distant from their former villages1 which1 it is hoped1 will be a security against future incursions1 and prove a safeguard1 when our mission will once be established among them4 ,,language4--,the ,pawnee language is said to be altogether different from the languages of the surrounding prairie tribes4 ,the ,otoes1 the ,ioways1 the ,osages1 the ,kanzas or ,caws1 the ,omahaws1 the ,puncaws1 etc41 seem all to speak dialects of the same language1 the ,dakota2 while the ,pawnee language seems1 by its great difference1 to point back to the earliest periods of the residence of the ,indians in this country1 when a disruption may have taken place1 that formed them into a distinct nation4 ,,population1 ,,lodges1 etc4--,the lower village consists of about #hj lodges1 with a population of nearly #b1ejj2 and in the upper village there are between #adj and #aej lodges1 the population amounting perhaps to #c1ejj4 ,on approaching a village1 the lodges have the appearance of so many small hillocks1 of a conical form1 huddled up together in the closest possible manner1 with only narrow passages between for walking1 and the rest of the space filled up by pens1 formed of stakes1 for confining their ponies during the night1 to guard them from being suddenly taken off by a warlike party of another tribe4 ,the ,pawnee lodges are of a circular form1 large and spacious in the interior2 many of them being #ej feet in diameter4 ,three and sometimes four circular rows of forked trunks of trees are placed upright1 at appropriate distances from each other4 ,the row nearest the centre consists of only four such upright timbers1 about #ae or #bj feet high1 while the crotches in the more exterior rows are shorter and more numerous1 in proportion as the circumference is greater4 ,these forks or crotches support thick crossbeams1 upon which a frame of long poles is laid1 extending from the ground at the outer circumference of the lodge to the top1 leaving only an opening at the apex1 of about four feet in diameter1 to answer the double purpose of letting in the light1 and letting out the smoke4 ,upon the frame work of poles1 willow osiers are laid1 and the whole is then covered with prairie-sod from #ab to #ah inches thick4 ,immediately below the opening above1 a hole is sunk in the centre for the fire-place1 common to all the residents of the lodge4 ,from five to ten families1 generally related together1 have a common occupancy of one lodge1 governed by a head man1 who may be styled the lodge chief4 ,around the circumference of the lodge are recesses for sleeping1 partitioned off for each family1 resembling the berths on board of steamboats1 many of which are screened in front and on the sides by willow-twigs laid above each other1 tied fast to a frame1 which1 partly with the reddish bark on1 and partly white from having the bark taken off1 exhibit considerable taste in those who wrought them4 ,when thus ornamented with twigs1 a small opening about two by three feet is left in front to admit the occupants4 ,the bottom of the berth is raised about two feet above the ground by means of large hewn sills1 overlaid by thick willow twigs1 which are then covered with buffalo-robes4 ,the entrance of the lodge is always on the ,east side1 protected by a passage1 closed above and on the sides1 of about #ae feet in length--the door being a large buffalo robe1 or several sewed together1 hanging before the inner entrance4 ,on the side opposite to the door of each lodge1 a recess is reserved1 for depositing the skull of a buffalo1 surmounted by shields1 quivers of arrows1 spears1 bows1 skins1 feathers1 etc4 used for hunting1 for medicinal or religious purposes1 as the case may require4 ,in the intermediate space between the recesses and the fireplace1 mats1 about three by five feet1 made of rushes1 are laid1 at convenient distances1 for seats2 while an extra supply of them1 rolled up1 and set aside at different places in the lodge1 are reserved for extraordinary occasions1 as for instance councils or feasts4 ,,subsistence4--,what the seal is to the ,greenlander the buffalo is to the ,pawnees and other ,prairie ,indians2 and many of their songs1 in which reference is made to the buffalo1 show that this animal is held in high estimation among them4 ,it will no doubt be a difficult undertaking to wean them from an occupation1 which is at the same time a gratifying and exciting sport to them1 and which imparts to an individual who distinguishes himself in its pursuit1 a character of high standing among his tribe4 ,the great scarcity of the buffalo1 however1 of late years1 since the immense emigration to the far west1 has pinched them with want and hunger1 and it is evident that they cannot subsist much longer by depending mainly upon this animal as heretofore4 ,this circumstance1 though calling forth our warmest sympathies in behalf of their wretched condition1 may perhaps be the means1 in the hands of an ,allwise ,providence1 of shaking that tenacity and attachment so strongly developed in the ,indian character1 for long cherished customs1 and making them more pliable in adopting the arts of civilization4 ,their attention must soon be directed to agriculture and the raising of stock1 or they must starve4 ,while on the hunt1 in the buffalo country1 the ,pawnees generally have a good supply of fresh meat to subsist on4 ,that portion of their meat which is intended to be jerked1 in order to take home with them1 they cut into narrow slips1 and dry it over the fire1 without any salt1 where1 by the action of the smoke and sun1 it soon dries4 ,several slips are then plaited together1 when it is put away into a skin1 and reserved for future use4 ,the reason why no salt is added is probably1 first1 because it is a scarce article1 and secondly1 because anything that is salted and dried1 imbibes moisture in damp weather1 and sooner becomes rancid than meat dried without salt4 ,besides the buffalo1 as their main subsistence1 they raise some corn1 beans1 and pumpkins4 ,as they use no other agricultural implements than hoes1 their fields are not very extensive4 ,for suitable spots of cultivation they generally select the mouth of a ravine1 or any spot where1 by the washing of the rains1 the ground has become loose and mellow1 and consequently the sod may more easily be extirpated than in the prairies generally1 where the ground can only be prepared by turning the thick sod by means of a large prairie plough1 and three or four yoke of oxen4 ,their fields are not enclosed by fences or any other kind of protection4 ,having no other stock but horses1 which are constantly herded and watched during the day time1 and shut up in enclosures in the village during the night1 fences are unnecessary4 ,while absent from their homes1 their fields are subject to depredations from prairie wolves and deer1 which however no ordinary fence could restrain4 ,because these poor people have no other agricultural implements than hoes1 the spots which they are obliged to select for fields are often at great distances from each other1 and frequently from five to eight miles from their village4 ,when abroad1 to prepare and plant them in the spring1 and gather the corn in the fall1 they are often exposed to attacks of their enemies4 ,while the husband is watching from some neighboring eminence to guard against the stealthy approach of any hostile force1 the wive is engaged in the labor of the field4 ,with fear and trembling their field-labor is thus performed1 and many a one1 while so employed1 is suddenly fallen upon and killed by a marauding party of enemies4 ,when we visited them1 they particularly requested us 8to beg their ,great ,father1 the ,president1 that he should be so kind and again break up some ground for them1 as he had done in former years1 that they might be able to plant more corn40 ,we have brought in the petition of these destitute people before the proper ,department at ,washington1 and it is greatly to be desired that our benevolent ,government may do something for them in their wretched state4 ,as has already been remarked1 they were in an almost starving condition when we visited them4 ,the hunt had proved unsuccessful1 so that in the lower village they had no meat whatever1 and had to depend upon the little corn that they had raised the preceding year4 ,in the upper village they were also in a miserable condition1 for1 though they had yet a little dried buffalo-meat1 the ,sioux had during their absence on the hunt1 destroyed their village 7their present lodges had been rebuilt since their return7 and carried off a portion of their corn1 burnt another portion1 and thus very little remained concealed in the 8caches10 which are made in their lodges4 ,,hospitality4--,the ,indian has always been renowned for his hospitality4 ,this trait of character is noticeable among all the tribes4 ,thus the ,pawnees1 too1 though in actual want themselves1 showed their good will towards us by preparing for us the best they could afford4 ,one chief placed before us1 besides dried buffalo meat1 a small dish of marrow1 which by them is considered a great delicacy4 ,,labor4--,the more enlightened a people has become through the benign influence of religion1 and the cultivation of the arts and sciences1 the more the weaker sex attains to that rank in society1 which the ,creator intended for them2 but the more debased and sunk in heathenism a ,nation lies1 the more is woman enslaved1 and held in subjection4 ,so among the ,pawnees1 too1 the men are the lords1 who1 while they themselves are not disposed to do any work1 and generally consider it a shame to labor1 direct the women1 as inferior beings1 how everything must be done4 ,the females1 besides attending to the housework1 generally incumbent upon their sex1 are obliged to cut and carry all the fire-wood2 prepare the fields for cultivation with their hoes1 plant the corn1 weed it1 and finally1 when ripe1 gather it in2 and take care of the horses of their lords1 when not used by them4 ,the most difficult labor1 however1 that falls to their lot1 is the erecting of their lodges4 ,as the upper village had been burnt by their enemies during their absence1 the labor of rebuilding of course devolved upon the poor women1 and in the course of about two months1 when we visited them1 they had completed nearly #aej lodges4 ,when we observed that the nearest timber to the site of the village was two or three miles off1 and that they have no beasts of burden1 but that all the building material1 much of which is very heavy1 was carried so great a distance on the shoulders of the women1 it seemed almost incredible to us4 ,we noticed even girls of #ab to #ad years bearing baskets on their backs1 filled with wet turf1 to cover or repair their lodges1 which must have been very heavy4 ,thus early the females are trained to carry burdens 7either at home or while travelling71 which inures them to hardships1 but at the same time deforms them1 rendering them low and bent in stature1 and pitiable objects to the beholder4 ,while the men1 trained to no work whatever1 are erect1 tall and well-proportioned in their form1 and almost feminine in their features1 the women are short and low1 with stooping gait1 downcast looks1 harsh features1 and hair dishevelled2 and dirty1 ragged1 and filthy in their appearance4 ,such is a picture of heathenism6 ,have we not cause to be grateful for the benign influence of the gospel upon our land1 so that we are elevated far above such a miserable state of heathenism8 ,unto the ,lord be all the praise6 ,though it is generally a feature among heathen nations1 that it is considered a shame for the men to labor1 while all the work devolves upon the females1 still the ,pawnees seem not altogether indisposed to be instructed4 ,mr4 ,sharpee1 who has been acquainted with them and other ,indians in these parts for nearly #bj years1 told us that the ,pawnee men were unlike those of other tribes1 since they were willing to lay hold of a plough or any other farming utensil1 and only the instruction was wanting to make them industrious4 ,mr4 ,allis1 too1 who has been acquainted with them for the last #bj years1 and has lived among them a great portion of this period1 informed us that when the missionaries were formerly living among them1 several of the ,pawnees had already commenced the use of the plough4 ,the good beginning was1 however1 interrupted by their missionaries having to leave them4 ,,dress4--,the dress of the men consists in nothing but a small piece of cloth1 fastened around the middle4 ,this1 we observed1 was generally the only covering they had on1 when in their lodges4 ,when abroad1 they had a buffalo robe or blanket wrapped around them4 ,the females are more decently clothed than the men4 ,their dress consists of leggings1 generally made of scarlet cloth1 over which a piece of blue or brown woolen cloth is tied around the waist1 the ends lapping over each other and extending a little below the knees4 ,the upper dress consists of a shirt1 or short gown1 made of calico1 reaching to the middle4 ,over the whole a blanket or robe is slung1 above which1 on the back1 may frequently be discovered the black sparkling eyes of a little 8papoose0 peering forth4 ,,intoxicating ,,drink4--,it is somewhat remarkable that the ,pawnees are not so fond of 8fire water0 as other tribes1 who are fast dwindling away from the demoralizing and debasing effects of intoxicating drink4 ,nothing1 perhaps1 has aided more in diminishing the population of different ,indian tribes1 than spirituous liquors4 ,to the missionary it is always gratifying and encouraging to observe1 when a tribe takes a bold stand against the introduction of this destructive poison4 ,the ,pawnees allow none to be brought into their villages4 ,,burying ,,their ,,dead4--,on the highest mounds in the prairie1 we often observed little hillocks of earth1 which we were informed were the places of sepulture of their chiefs and others of their tribe4 ,a tall bush was frequently stuck in the ground1 to designate the spot4 ,we were also informed1 that among the ,pawnees and other wild tribes the cruel practice prevails1 when they are on their hunt1 and their old people get so feeble1 that they can no longer accompany them1 of leaving them behind1 and even burying them alive4--,in allusion to this fact ,mr4 ,allis1 pointing to their old and feeble chief1 addressed the other chiefs as follows3 8,i have learned that you intend to put aside your old chief1 because he is now feeble and sickly1 and perhaps you will even think of burying him1 when he can no longer follow you2 but ,i want you to take care of him4 ,he has been like a father to you4 ,when he was yet strong1 you know his kettle was always over the fire with plenty4 ,he has always been a friend of the whites1 and you ought to esteem him for the services he has rendered your nation1 and not to bury him before he is dead40 ,more might be added1 to show the wretchedness of their present state1 but we should fear to become too tedious4 ,sufficient1 however1 has been said to prove that these poor people need the assistance of missionaries to better them in their outward condition4 ,but1 when we consider their spiritual destitution--their ignorance1 darkness and superstition-- 8,shall ,,we whose souls are lighted ,with wisdom from on high1 ,shall ,,we to men benighted ,the lamp of life deny80 8,whosoever shall call on the name of the ,lord1 shall be saved40 ,but 8how shall they call on him1 in whom they have not believed8 and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard8 and how shall they hear without a preacher80 7,rom4 #aj3ac1 #ad74 ,in the face of all difficulties1 let us not be deterred from bringing the glad tidings of ,salvation to these benighted savages2 thereby perhaps paving the way for still more extensive operations among the aborigines of our country2 and thus1 by breaking unto them the bread of life1 proving the means of repairing1 in part1 the numberless wrongs inflicted upon this poor abject race1 by people who call themselves christians4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,transcriber's ,notes3 ,missing or obscured punctuation was silently corrected4 ,typographical errors were silently corrected4 ,inconsistent spelling and hyphenation were made consistent only when a predominant form was found in this book4 ,text that3 was in italics is enclosed by underscores 7italics74