Chapter IV: Pawnees

1. ARICKAREES.

The Arickarees, Ricarees, or Rees, as variously written, call themselves Sa-nish, or Tanish, meaning "the people," a common form of expression among Indians to indicate their superiority. They were originally the same people as the Pawnees of the Platte River, their language being nearly the same. That they migrated upwards along the Missouri from their friends below is established by the remains of their dirt-villages, which are yet seen along that river, though at this time mostly overgrown with grass. At what time they separated from the parent stock is not correctly known, though some of their locations appear to have been of very ancient date, at least previous to the commencement of the fur-trade on the Upper Missouri. At the time when the old French and Spanish traders began their dealings with the Indians of the Upper Missouri, the Arickaree village was situated a little above the mouth of Grand River, since which time they have made several removals, and are now located at Fort Clark, in a former village of the Mandans.

The cabins or huts of the Arickarees and other stationary tribes are built by planting four posts in the ground in the form of a square, the posts being forked at the top to receive transverse beams. Against the beams other timbers are inclined the lower extremities of which describe a circle, or nearly so, the interstices being filled with small twigs, the whole thickly overlaid with willows, rushes, and grass, and plastered over with mud laid on very thick. A hole is left in the top for smoke to pass out, and another at the side for a door. The door opens a few steps distant from the main building on the surface of the ground, from which, by a gradual descent through a covered passage, the interior of the hut is reached. The door is of wood, and the aperture large enough to admit a favorite horse to the family circle, which is often done. These buildings are located within fifteen or twenty feet of each other without any regard to regularity.

They cultivate considerable land, each family separating its little farm from their neighbors' by rush fences. Corn is their principal dependence, of which they raise considerable quantities. The work is done entirely by the women, the primitive hoe being their only implement. They generally have quite a surplus, which they trade to the Dakotas and to the fur companies.

The Arickarees are quite expert in manufacturing a very serviceable kind of pottery, neatly shaped, and well adapted for cooking purposes. They are of clay, hand wrought, but not glazed.

At the present time they number 900, and are associated with 600 Gros Ventres and 420 Mandans at the Fort Berthold agency on the Upper Missouri, where 13,000 square miles has been set apart for them as their reservation. They have 500 acres under cultivation, and are receiving considerable assistance from the Government in the way of improved implements. Many houses are being built, and the more progressive Indians are abandoning the old mud-lodges for them.

_List of illustrations._

1042. KU-NUGH-NA-GIVE-NUK. _Rushing Bear._

Head chief; age, 56; height, 5.8-1/2; head, 22-3/4; chest, 39-1/2.

1044. E-GUS-PAH. _Bull Head._

Age, 57; height, 5.4-1/2; head, 23-1/4; chest, 42-1/2.

1043. CHE-WA-KOO-KA-TI. _Black Fox._

Son of Black Bear, a great chief of the tribe. Age, 23; height, 5.5;
head, 24; chest, 36-1/4.

717. BLACK BUFFALO.

718. LONG KNIFE.

2. KEECHIES.

The Keechies, of whom there are now only a small remnant of about 90 in the Indian Territory, affiliated with the Wichitas, Wacos, and Tawacanies; were originally from Texas, and are supposed to be the Quitzies of the Spanish authorities of 1780. Even at that time they were a small tribe, numbering about 100 warriors. After the admission of Texas, were placed on a State reservation, where they remained undisturbed until 1859, when their presence became so distasteful to the settlers that it became necessary to remove them. Land was leased from the Choctaws and Chickasaws, and the Keechies settled on it, building their villages of grass houses along the Canadian River. The breaking out of the civil war set them back, just as they were beginning to prosper, compelling another remove for safety. In 1867 they were restored to their lands again, and since then have progressed rapidly in civilized pursuits. Like the Wichitas and Wacos, they are of the same stock as the Pawnees.

_List of illustrations._

411. KNEE-WAR-WAR, (front.)

412. KNEE-WAR-WAR, (profile.)

3. PAWNEES.

There is but little definite knowledge of the early history of the Pawnees, although they are among the longest known to the whites west of the Mississippi. Marquette notes them in his map, 1673, as divided into various bands. They are supposed to be the Panimaha of La Salle's voyage in 1688. At the time of Lewis and Clarke's visit, in 1803, their principal village was on the south side of the Platte. Pike, in 1806, estimated the population of three of their villages at 6,233, with nearly 2,000 warriors, engaged in fierce combats with neighboring tribes. In 1820, three of the four bands into which they have been for a long time divided resided on the banks of the Platte and its tributaries, with a reservation on Loup Fork, on the ninety-eighth meridian. Were then estimated at about 10,000 souls, living in earth-covered lodges, and much devoted to the cultivation of the soil, but engaging regularly every season in a grand buffalo-hunt. The Delawares, in 1823, burnt the Great Pawnee village on the Republican, and these Pawnees, becoming much reduced in numbers by small-pox soon after, sold all their lands south of the Platte, and removed to the reservation on Lou Fork. The means were provided, and many exertions made to place them on the high road to prosperity; but their inveterate foe, the Sioux, harassed them continually; drove them repeatedly off their reservation, and despoiled their villages. This warfare and disease soon reduced them to half their former number. In 1861, they raised a company of scouts for service against the Sioux, and a much larger force under the volunteer organization, incurring in consequence an increased hostility from their enemies, who harassed them so continuously, that in 1874 the chiefs in general council determined upon removing to a new reservation in the Indian Territory, lying between the forks of the Arkansas and Cimarron, east of the ninety-seventh meridian. Their removal was almost entirely effected during the winter of 1874-'75.

The Pawnees now number in all 2,026, and yet retain the subdivision into bands, as follows: The Skeedee (Pawnee Mahas, or Loups), Kit-ka-hoct, or Republican Pawnees, Petahoweret, and the Chowee or Grand Pawnees. There are also living on the Washita, a small band of affiliated Wacos and Wichitas, sometimes called Pawnee Picts, who are undoubtedly an offshoot of the Grand Pawnees. They are under the care of the Friends; have well-organized day and industrial schools, and are well supplied with implements and means to carry forward a systematic cultivation of the soil.

_List of illustrations._

530-2. PETA-LA-SHA-RA. _Man and Chief._ CHOWEE.

Reputed head chief of the Pawnees, though really chief only of his
own band, the _Chowee_. His claim was based partly on the fact of
having been the first signer of their treaty of 1857. Being a good
Indian orator, and of dignified bearing, he was generally awarded
the first place in their councils, and led off in speech. In 1820,
it is said that he put a stop to the custom, then prevalent among
the Pawnees, of offering human sacrifices, but only by a display of
great courage. In 1825 he visited Washington with a delegation of
his tribe, and attracted much attention by his fine presence. Has
always been friendly to the whites and in favor of the advancement
of his tribe in civilized habits, although very slow himself to
adopt new ideas. He died in the summer of 1874 from an accidental
pistol-shot. Had but one wife, and she survives him.

533. LA-TA-CUTS-LA-SHAR. _Eagle Chief._ SKEEDEE.

At present the oldest, and consequently the head chief of the tribe.

534. LA-ROO-CHUK-A-LA-SHAR. _Sun Chief._ CHOWEE.

A son of Peta-la-sha-ra and head chief of the Chowee band; also a
leader in the councils. Height, 5.9; head, 22; chest, 36-1/2.

535. TUH-COD-IX-TE-CAH-WAH. _Brings Herds._ SKEEDEE.

Height, 5.10; head, 22; chest, 42.

543. TU-TUC-A-PICISH-TE-RUK. _Gives to the Poor._ SKEEDEE.

A soldier or policeman of the Skeedees. Height, 5.9; head, 22-1/2;
chest, 42.

545. SQUAW OF TU-TUC-A-PICISH-TE-RUK. SKEEDEE.

548. LA-HIC-TA-HA-LA-SHA. _Pipe Chief._ CHOWEE.

One of the signers of the treaty of 1858.

{ LA-ROO-CHUK-A-LA-SHAR. _Sun Chief._ See No. 534. CHOWEE.
{
{ ARU-SAW-LA-KIT-TOWY. _A Fine Horse._ SKEEDEE.
{
528. { SKI-AR-RA-RA-SHAR. _Lone Chief._ CHOWEE.
{
{ SE-TED-E-ROW-WEET. _One Aimed At._ SKEEDEE.
{
{ COT-TA-RA-TET-GOOTS. _Struck with a Tomahawk._ SKEEDEE.

{ TE-RAR-A-WEET. _Stopped with the Horses._ KIT-KA-HOCT.
{
{ Height, 5.7; head, 21-1/2; chest, 37. A soldier of his
{ band.
{
{ LA-SHARA-CHI-EKS. _Humane Chief._ KIT-KA-HOCT.
{
{ One of the four chiefs of his band, dresses well; is
{ pleasant in manner, and of progressive tendencies.
{ Height, 5.10; head, 22-1/2; chest, 36.
529. {
{ AS-SON-OO-COT-TUK. _As a Dog, but yet a High
{ Chief._ KIT-KA-HOCT.
{
{ One of the four chiefs of his band. Height, 5.8;
{ head, 22; chest, 35.
{
{ LA-SHARA-TU-RA-HA. _Good Chief._ KIT-KA-HOCT.
{
{ Head chief of the band. Height, 5.7; head, 22-1/2;
{ chest, 39.
{
{ LA-SHAROO-TOO-ROW-OO-TOWY. _Difficult Chief._ KIT-KA-HOCT.
{
{ One of the soldiers and head men of this band.

552-3. GROUP OF FOUR BROTHERS OF THE KIT-KA-HOCT BAND, viz:

LA-ROO-RUTK-A-HAW-LA-SHAR. _Night Chief._

LA-ROO-RA-SHAR-ROO-COSH. _A Man that left his Enemy lying in the Water._

A noted brave. Height, 5.10; head, 23; chest, 39.

TEC-TA-SHA-COD-DIC. _One who strikes the Chiefs first._

Second chief of his band, and one of four noted brothers (see No.
552), pre-eminent in their tribe for bravery in war and wisdom in
council. Height, 5.8; head, 23; chest, 39.

TE-LOW-A-LUT-LA-SHA. _Sky Chief._

A chief, and a brave leader of his band, taking the first place in
war or peace. Was killed by the Sioux in the massacre of the Pawnees
in 1873, while hunting buffalo in the valley of the Republican.

BAPTISTE BAYHYLLE, or LA-SHARA-SE-RE-TER-REK. _One whom the Great
Spirit smiles upon._

United States interpreter, French half-breed.

550-1. NIGHT CHIEF AND THE MAN THAT LEFT HIS ENEMY LYING IN THE WATER.

554-5. BAPTISTE BAYHYLLE.

560. TE-LOW-A-LUT-LA-SHA. _Sky Chief._

The same as in No. 552, No. 4.

{ COO-TOWY-GOOTS-OO-TER-A-OOS. _Blue Hawk._ PETAHOWERAT.
{
558-9.{ TUC-CA-RIX-TE-TA-RU-PE-ROW. _Coming around with
{ the Herd._ PETAHOWERAT.
{

556-7. PERRUS-KITTY-BUSK. _Small Boy._ SKEEDEE.

575. LOO-KIT-TOWY-HOO-RA. _On a fine Horse._ PETAHOWERAT.

576. LUH-SA-COO-RE-CULLA-HA. _Particular in the Time
of Day._ KIT-KA-HOCT.

577. LA-ROO-CHUK-A-RAR-OO. _The Sun Coming in._ CHOWEE.

578. SE-RAR-WOT-COWY. _Behind the one that strikes first._ SKEEDEE.

579, 585, 607. CAW-CAW-KITTY-BUSK. _Little Raven._ SKEEDEE.

580. AS-SAU-TAW-KA. _White Horse._ PETAHOWERAT.

581. LOOTS-TOW-OOTS. _Rattlesnake._ SKEEDEE.

582. KE-WUK. _Fox._ KIT-KA-HOCT.

583. KE-WUK-O-WE-TE-RAH-ROOK. _Acting a Fox._ SKEEDEE.

584. KIT-TOOX. _Beaver._ KIT-KA-HOCT.

586. AS-SOW-WEET.

592. AS-SOW-WEET AND SAWKA. _White._ CHOWEE.

589. TER-RA-RE-CAW-WAH. PETAHOWERAT.

Died in 1875; the oldest chief in the tribe. Very prominent in his
day as a brave warrior.

591. CAW-HEEK. _An Old Man._ KIT-KA-HOCT.

{ LOO-KIT-TOWY-HIS-SA. _On a Fine Horse._ SKEEDEE.
593.{
{ ARE-WAUKS. _A Male Calf._ CHOWEE.

594. LOOTS-TOW-OOS. _Rattlesnake_, and squaw. SKEEDEE.

595. E-RAH-COT-TA-HOT. _In the Front of Battle_, and squaw. SKEEDEE.

Alias Jim Curoux. A steady worker, and wearing citizens' dress.

596. A-RUS-SAW-E-ROOT-COWY. _A Nice Horse._ SKEEDEE.

597. CU-ROOX-TA-RI-HA. _Good Bear._ SKEEDEE.

598. TIT-TOWY-OOT-SE. _Beginning to go to War._ SKEEDEE.

Alias Johnson Wright. A civilized Indian.

599. KE-WUK-O-CAR-WAR-RY. _Fox on the War-path._ SKEEDEE.

Alias Fat George. Assistant carpenter at the agency.

600. CAW-CAW-KE-REEK. _Crow Eyes._ PETAHOWERAT.

601. KEE-WEEK-O-WAR-UXTY. _Medicine Bull._ SKEEDEE.

602. TEC-TA-SHA-COD-DIC. _One who strikes the Chiefs
first._ KIT-KA-HOCT.

603. LE-TA-CUTS-A-WAR-UXTY. _Medicine Eagle._ SKEEDEE.

604. TA-CAW-DEEX-TAW-SEE-UX. _Driving a Herd._ SKEEDEE.

605. US-CAW-DA-WAR-UXTY. _Medicine Antelope._ KIT-KA-HOCT.

606. TER-RA-HA-TU-RIHA. _Good Buffalo._ PETAHOWERAT.

608. SIT-TE-ROW-E-HOO-RA-REEK. _Seen by All._ SKEEDEE.

609. LOO-KIT-TOWY-HIS-SA. _On a Fine Horse._ SKEEDEE.

610. PAW-HOO-CUT-TAW-WAH. _Knee-mark on the Ground on
Stooping to Drink._ SKEEDEE.

611. SQUAW AND PAPPOOSE.

523, 567-8. THE VILLAGE OF THE PAWNEES.

Situated on the Loupe Fork of the Platte River, about 100 miles west
of Omaha. It was divided into two parts, the Skeedees occupying one
part by themselves, and the other three bands jointly in the other.
The entire village accommodated about 2,500 people. Each lodge was
capable of holding several families; they were formed by erecting
several stout posts in a circle, forked at the top, into which cross
beams were laid, and against these long poles were inclined from the
outside toward the centre; all was then covered with brush, and
finally with earth, leaving a hole at the apex for the escape of
smoke, and a long tunnel-like entrance at the base. This village is
now (1876) entirely destroyed, and the Indians removed to the Indian
Territory.

524, 569. A MUD LODGE.

In the Pawnee village, showing the tunnel-like entrance. (See No.
523.)

537-9. SCHOOL BUILDING on the Pawnee reserve, on the Loupe Fork,
Nebraska.

573-4. GROUPS OF THE HEAD MEN of the tribe.

525-7. GROUPS OF INDIAN CHILDREN (attending the boarding-school on the
reservation).

The first shows the younger children of the primary classes, and the
two latter numbers the older and more advanced scholars.

570-2. GROUPS OF CHILDREN in their every-day attire, which consists
principally of the covering with which nature first clothed
them.

536. A GROUP OF YOUNG SQUAWS in the village.

541-2. AGENCY BUILDINGS.

540. NATIVE PAINTING ON A BUFFALO-SKIN.

A biography, or narration of the principal events in the life of a
prominent chief, by the means of picture-writing.

547-9; 561-6; 587-90; 612. MISCELLANEOUS PORTRAITS OF PAWNEES without
information as to name or history.

4. WACOS.

742. LONG SOLDIER. (Front.)

743. LONG SOLDIER. (Profile.)

5. WICHITAS.

744. ASSADAWA. (Front.)

745. ASSADAWA. (Profile.)

746. ESQUITZCHEW. (Front.)

747. ESQUITZCHEW. (Profile.)

748. BLACK HORSE.

165, 167. BUFFALO GOAD. (Front.)

166, 168. BUFFALO GOAD. (Profile.)

Was one of the great delegation of chiefs from the Indian Territory
in 1872, among whom were Little Raven, Little Robe, Bird Chief, &c.
He impressed all as being a man of more than usual ability and
dignity.