USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > The Cincinnati miscellany, or, Antiquities of the West, and pioneer history and general and local statistics, Volume I > Part 30
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Nor must I omit saying, that the sobriety and correct demeanor of the Indians, and the mod- est deportment of the squaws, merited the high- est commendation.
At the commencement of each dance, or, to borrow our own phraseology, each 'set dance, a chief first arose, and began to sing the word, "YA-WO-HAH!" with a slow, sonorous, and strong syllabic emphasis, keeping time with his feet, and advancing round the house; directly, another arose, and then in regular succession, one after the other, rising, and singing the same word, and falling in the rear, until all the In- dians had joined in the dance; next the Squaws at a respectable distance in the rear, in the same manner, by seniority, arose, and united in the dance and the song. Now the step was quick- er and the pronunciation more rapid, all singing and all dancing, while Jim, the blind musician, struck harder and faster with his gourd, on the undressed decr-skin; thus they continued the same dance for more than one hour, without ces- sation !
The Indian boys, who did not join in the dance amused themselves the meanwhile dis - charging heavy loaded muskets through the a- perture in the roof the reverberations of which were almost deafening. Taken altogether, to the eye and ear of the stranger, it seemed like frantic festivity.
Tall Chief, who was confmed to his bed, by indisposition, felt it so much his duty to join in the dance with his people, that he actually left his bed, notwithstanding it was mid winter, came to the Council House, and took part in the dance as long as he was able to stand.
About the 'noon of night,' Hard Hickory invi- ted Mr. D. and myself to accept a bed at his residence; to this proposition we readily assen- ted. Here we were not only hospitably provi- ded for, but entertained in a style which I little anticipated. Even among many of our white inhabitants, at this early day, a curtained bed was a species of luxury not often enjoyed-such was the bed we occupied.
Shortly after our arrival at the house of this Chief, Mr. D. retired; not so with our friendly host and inyself-while sitting near a clean, brick hearth, before a cheerful fire, Hard Hick- ory unbosomned himself to me unreservedly .- Mr. D. was asleep and the chief and I were the only persons then in The house:
I will select 'Unum e Pluribus.' Their 'Doc- tor,' as he was called, wore very long hair, and Hard Hickory told me, among other things, from the nape of his neck, to the termination of that it was owing chiefly to him, that this feast
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was now celebrated : that it was in part to ap- pease the anger of the Good Spint, in conse- quence of a dream he lately had ; and as an ex- planation he gave me the following narration :
"He dreamed he was fleeing from an enemy, it was, he supposed, something supernatural; per- haps, an evil spirit; that, after it had pursued him a long time, and for a great distance, and every effort to escape from it seemed impossible as it was just at his heels, and he almost exhaus- ted; at this perilous juncture, he saw a large water, towards which he made with all his re- maining strength, and at the very instant when he expected each bound to be his last, he be- held, to his joy a canoe near the shore; this ap- peared as his last hope ; breathless and faint, he threw himself into it, and of its own accord, quick as an arrow from the bow, it shot from the shore leaving his pursuer on the beach !"
While relating this circumstance to me, which he did with earnestness, trepidation and alarm, strongly expressed in his countenance, he took from his bosom something neatly and very care- fully enclosed, in several distinct folds of buck- skin. This he began to unrol, laying each piece by itself, and on opening the last, there was enclosed therein, a Canoe in Miniature!
On handing it to me to look at, he remarked, thatno other person save himself and me, had ever scen it, and that, as a memento, he would wear it, as "long as he lived."
It was a piece of light wood, resembling cork, about six inches long, and, as intended, so it was, a perfect model of a canoe.
This chief, being now in a communicative mood, I took the liberty to inquire ofhim"when thev intended to burn their dogs?" for I began to fear I should miss the express object which I came to witness.
After giving me to understand that "the Red men did not care about the pale faces, being present at, nor, if they chose, join in the dance, but burning their dogs was another thing-this was offering sacrifice to, and worshipping the Great Spirit; and while engaged in their deto - tions they objected to the presence and interfe- rence of the whites: yet, as I had never been present, and coming as the friend of Mr. D., who was a good man, he would tell me they' would burn their dogs soon to- morrow morn- ing."
The night being now far advanced, he point- ed to the bed and told me to sleep there; but that he must go to the Council House, to the 'dance, for his people would not like it, if he would stay away, and wishing me, good night, he withdrew.
Anxiety to witness the burnt offering almost deprived me of sleep. Mr. D. and I, therefore, rose early and proceeded directly to the Council House, and though we supposed we were carly, the Indians were already in advance of us.
The first object which arrested our attention, was a pair of the canine species, one of each gender suspended on a cross! one on either side thereof. These animals had been recently strangled-not a bone was broken, nor could a dis- torted hair be seen! They were of a beautiful cream color, except a few dark spots on one, naturally, which same spots were put on the other, artificially, by the devotees. The Indi- ans are very partial in the selection of dogs en- tirely white, for this occasion; and for which they will give almost any price.
) will suffice for both , for they were par simules.
First-A scarlet ribband was tastefully tied just above the nose; and near the eyes another ; next round the neck was a white ribband, to which was attached something bulbous, con- cealed in another white ribbond ; this was placed directly under the right ear, and I suppose it was intended as an amulet, or charm. Then ribbands were bound round the forelegs, at the knees, and near the feet-these were red and white al- ternately. Round the body was a profuse dec- oration-then the hind legs were decorated as the fore ones. Thus were the victims prepared and thus ornamented for the burnt offering.
While minutely making this examination, I was almost unconscious of the collection of a ·large number of the Indians who were there as- sembled to offer their sacrifices.
Adjacent to the cross, was a large fire built on a few logs; and though the snow was sever- al inches deep, they had prepared a sufficient quantity of combustible material, removed the snow from the logs, and placed thereon their fire. I have often regretted that I did not see them light this pile. My own opinion is, they did not use the fire from their Council House; be cause I think they would have considered that as common, and as this was intended to be a ho- ly service, they, no doubt, for this purpose, struck fire from a flint, this being deemed sacred .
It was a clear, beautiful morning, and just as the first rays of the sun were seen in the tops of the towering forest, and its reflections from the snowy surface, the Indians simultaneously formed a semicircle enclosing the cross, each flank resting on the aforesaid pile of logs.
Good Hunter who officiated as High Priest, now appeared, and approached the cross; array- ed in his pontifical;robes, he looked quite respect- able.
The Indians being all assembled -- I say Indi- ans. (for there was not a Squaw present during all this ceremony-I saw two or three pass out- side of the semi-circle, but they moved as if de- sirous of being unobserved,) at a private signal given by the High Priest, two young chiefs sprang up the cross, and each taking off one of the victims, brought it down, and presented it on his arms to the High Priest, who receiving it with great reverence, in like manner advanced to the fire, and with a very grave and solemn air, laid it thereon-and this he did with the oth er -- but to which, whether male or female, he gave the preferenee, I did not learn. This done, he retired to the cross.
In a devout manner, he now commenced an oration. The tone of his voice was audible and somewhat chaunting, At every pause in his dis- course. he took from a white cloth he held in his left hand, a portion of dried, odoriferous herbs, which he threw on the fire; this was in- tended as incense. In the meanwhile his audi- tory, their eyes on the ground, with grave as- pect, and in solemn silence. stood motionless, listening attentively, to every word he uttered.
Thus he proceeded until the victims were en- tirely consumed, and the incense exhausted, when he concluded his service; their oblation now made, and the wrath of the Great Spirit, as they believed, appeared, they again assembled in the Council House, for the purpose of perform- ing a part in their festival, different from any I yet had witnessed. Each Indian as he entered, seated himself on the floor, thus forming a large circle; when one of the old chiefs rose, and
Now for part of the decorations to which I have already alluded, and a description of one with that native dignity which some Indians
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possess in a great degree, recounted his exploits [ this occasion, no ardent spirits were permitted -- as a Warrior; told in how many fights he had dancing and rejoicing-caring not, and, proba- bly, thinking not of to-morrow. been the victor; the number of scalps he had taken from his enemies; and what, at the head As I rode from the Council House, I could not but ejaculate with Pope : of his braves, he yet intended to do at the 'Rocky Mountains;' accompanying his narration with energy, warmth, and strong gesticulation; when he ended, he received the unanimous applause of the assembled tribe.
This meed of praise was awarded to the chief by 'three times three,' articulations, which were properly neither nasal, oral, nor guttural, but rather abdominal. Indeed I am as unable to describe this kind of utterance, as I am, the step in the dance.
I have seen some whites attempt to imitate the step, and heard them affect the groan or grunt, but it was a mere aping thereof. Thus many others in the circle, old and young, rose in or- der, and proforma, delivered themselves of a speech. Among those was Good Hunter; but he
"Had laid his robes away, His mitre and his vest."
His remarks were not filled with such bombast as some others; but brief, modest, and appropri- ate: in fine, they were such as became a Priest of one of the lost Ten Tribes of Israel !
After all had spoken who wished to speak, the floor was cleared, and the dance renewed, in which Indian and squaw united, with their wonted hilarity and zeal.
Just as'this dance ended, an "Indian boy ran to me, and [with fear strongly depicted in his ceuntenance, caught me by the arm, and drew me to the door, pointing with his other hand towards something he wished me to observe.
I looked in that direction, and saw the appear- ance of an Indian running at full speed to the Council House ; in an instant he wasin the house, and literally in the fire, which he took in his hands, and threw fire'coals and hot ashes in va- rious directions, through the house, and appa- rently all over himself! At his entrance, the young Indians, much alarmed, had all fled to the further end of the house, where they remain- ed crowded, in great dread of this personification of the Evil Spirit! After diverting himself with the fire a few moments, at the expense of the young ones, to their no small joy he disap- peared. This was an Indian disguised with an hideous false face, having horns on his head, and his hands and feet protected from the effects of the fire. And though not a professed 'Fire King,' he certainly performed his part to admiration.
During the continuance of this festival, the hospitality of the Senecas was unbounded. In the Council House, and at the residence of Tall Chief, were a' number of large fat bucks, and fat hogs hanging up, and neatly dressed. Bread also, of both corn and wheat in great abun- dance.
Large kettles of soup ready prepared, in which maple sugar, profusely added, made a promi- nent ingredient, thus forming a very agreeable saccharine coalescence. And what contributed still more to heighten the zest -- it was all im- pune (Scot free.)
All wereinvited, and all were made welcome; indeed, a refusal to partake of their bounty, was deemed disrespectful, if not unfriendly.
This afternoon, (Feb. 2d,) I left them enjoy- ing themselves to the fullest extent : and so far as I could perceive, their pleasure was without alloy. They were eating and drinking : but on
"Lo, the poor Indian, whose untutored mind, Sees God in clouds, or hears Him in the wind; His soul proud science never taught to stray, Far as the solar walk or milky way; Yet simple nature TO HIS HOPE has given, Behind the cloud-topt hill an humbler heaven, Some safer world in depth of woods embrace'd Some happier island in the wat'ry waste. ** *
* * * *
And thinks, admitted to that equal sky, His faithful dog; shall bear him company."
A Court Scene in Georgia.
A friend of mine has recently returned from an excursion into the - circuit of this State He tells me that, while in the county of -, he strayed into the Court house, and was pres- ent at an arraigment of a man by the name of Henry Day, who was charged with attempting to kill his wife, Day was a pale little man, and the wife was a perfect behemoth. The in- dictment being read, the prisoner was asked to say whether he was "guilty or not guilty." He answered: "there's a mighty chance of law- yer's lies in the papers, but some part is true. I did strike the old lady, but she fit me powerful- ly first. She can swear equal to little or any thing, and her kicks are awful. I reckon what you say about the devil a moving me is pretty tolerably correct, seeing as how she moved me. I've told you all I know about the circumstan- ces, mister. I gi'n 'Squire Jones there a five dollar bill, and I allow he'll takeit out for me." 'Squire Jones then rose and said that he had a point of law to raise in this case which he thought conclusive. It was an established rule of law that man and wife were but one; and he should like to know if a man could be punish- ed for whipping himself; he should be glad to hear what the solicitor general had to say to that. The solicitor general answered that he thought that his brother Jones had carried ths maxim a little too far; men had often been pun- ished for beating their wives. If a man wera to kill his wife, it would not be suicide.
Here 'Squire Jones interposed, and defied the solicitor generai to produce any authority to that effect. The solicitor general looked at "Green and Lumpkin's Georgia Justice" for some minutes, and then observed that he could not find the authorities just then, but he was sure he had seen the principle somewhere, and he called on the judge to sustain him. In the enthusiasm of counsel on the point, they forgot to offer any evidence as to the guilt or inno- cence of Day in the premises. The Judge, like- wise oblivious of the fact, proceeded to charge the jury. He told them that man and wife were one. He remarked, that, in either event, the man was legally bound to suffer; and therefore, come as they would, Day was undoubtedly guil- ty. He would not decide whether if a man kill his wife it was murder or suicide. He was not prepared to express an opinion on that point, it was a very delicate one, and he had no idea of committing himself. (Some one here observed that he was mighty fond of committing others.) He then called up the bailiff, a tremendous look-
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ing cracker, wearing a broad brimmed hat, with { crape. (I never saw a man south of latitude thirty-three that did not wear a white hat with crape) and proceeded to admonish him that the jury were very much in the habit of coming in drunk with theis verdict, and that, if it hap- pened in this case,he would discharge the prison- er and put the punishment upon him. cut down, if not done last month, and placed out of the way, their stems being of no orna- ment after flowering. Hyacinths, Tulips, and Crocuses, may still be potted the early part of this month to flower in the house. Hyacinths, in glassos, must be guarded against frost, and kept in the sun during the day. This depart- ment being mostly attended to by ladies, the pleasure derived by them will naturally be some inducement to pay strict attention to their flowers. I would caution them against leaving their glasses in the window on a mild evening, for frequently this month the weather will change twenty or thirty degrees in one night, breaking the glasses and disturb their equanim- ity, and mar the pleasure anticipated-creating a distaste for flowers, all of which may be avoid- ed with a little trouble .- Enquirer.
The bailiff gave a significant glance at the Judge, and replied that other people besides the jury came into court drunk, when some peo- ple were drunk themselves! The jury then re- tired, and so did my friend; the next day he re- turued and found matters in statu quo, except that Day and his wife bad made up, and were discussing the merits of a cold fowl and a quart of beer, and now and then interchanging kiss- es, despite the frowns and becks of the officers. The Judge, clerk and sheriff had been up all night, and looked wolfish; and the bailiff was seated on his white hat at the door of The jury room, and this indicated that he swallowed the concentrated venom of a thousand wild cats .- The mostawful curses, oaths and sounds pre- ceeded from the jury room ; some were roaring like lions, some crying like children, mewing like cats, neighing like horses, &c.
At last a short consultation was held at the jury room, between the foreman and the bailiff, whereupon the latter, putting his hat one sided on his head, came into the court room, and ad- dressed the Judge thus: "Mister, Tom Jakes says the. jury can't agree about this man, and if you keep him (that is Tom Jakes,) without grog any more, he'll whip you on sight." The judge appealed to the bar if this was not a contempt of court; and "Green and Lumpkin's Georgia Justice" having been consulted, it was finally decided that, as it was a threat addressed to the Judge as a private individual, and to "whip him on sight," and not on the bench, it was not, un- der the free and enlightened and democratic principles of Georgia Legislation, a contempt of court. This being settled, the judge directed the bailiff to say to Tom Jakes, the foreman, the jury should agree if they staid there through eternity." The bailiff retired and so did my friend-but he gives it as his opinion, from the frame of mind in which he left all parties, .he jury and bailiff are there still.
The Flower Garden for January.
BY T. WINTER, OF CINCINNATI.
In this department, there will be but little to do this month. Should the weather be open, remove roses and ornamental shrubs, at the same time watch them well to prevent the frost from injuring their roots. It would be advisable to plant no more bulbs in the open ground this sea- son, as the probability is the roots would rot, instead of striking root. Protect your beds of bulbous roots from heavy rains and severe frosts, and your flowers will be the finer in their bloom the coming season. Manure may be strewed over your beds and borders, and in mild weath er tuin them ovor to mellow the soil. Dahlias, the last of this month, should be examined, and if mouldy, dried in the sun and re-packed.
THE PARLOR .- If attention be paid to your Camellias at this season, by watering and syrin- ging occasionally, it will be a great benefit, and make their buds swell better, and your plants more vigorous. Exotic plants should be water- ed with caution, their pots kept clear of decayed leaves, otherwise your plants will get sickly, languish and die. Chrysanthemums should be
A Court Martial in 1812.
The following is a literal copy of the original report of a Court Martial, held at Buchanan's Blockhouse, in Darke county, Ohio, soon after the commencement of the last war.
"BUCHANAN'S BLOCK HOUSE, July 8, 1812.
A Court martial ware held agreeabel to gen- aral orders and proceded to the tryell of W- M- a privet of Capt. B-s companey who stands charged as folows.
Ist. For offering to fight a dewel with one or more of the men.
2nd. For profene swaring and blaspheming.
3rd. For cocking his gun, and thretning to shute his fellow soldiers.
4th. For destroying some of the camp equip- age.
5th. For disabedience of orders.
wnen the folowing wltnisses was examened and declare on oth as folows.
B- S -- states that the prisner ofered to take the musill of Mr. Shofes gun in his mouth and to put the musill of his oan gun in Mr, Shofes mouth and fyer and that he did in the wost aw- full manner swere and blasspheme and swere that hee would sheut the first that would offer to take him or too come neer him and that hee allso bid defyence to all millitarey athority and would not submit to any comand of the oficers the prisent to the 5th charg held giltey.
J- M -- states that the prisner ofered to fight Mr, Shofe with their guns and tuk up his gun and swore that hee would sheut him if hee would come neer him and further agrees with the foorgowing witness.
George Shofe states that the prisner tuke said Shofes gun and thretned to sut one of men for betting the droum and afterwards threw the gun on the ground the gun was taken up and found loded and further the witness agrees with the foorgowing witnesses.
N-A-states that the sed prisner when or- dered undr gard went up on the left of the Blockhouse and got his gun, and after Mr. Shofe tukc the gun from him and handed hir to sed A- he found the gun loded with pouder an cocked and furthr the witness agrees with the faorgowing witnesses.
J- B- forthermore, saeth that the prisner sade hee wood load his gun and Mr. Shofe shold lode his and step five steps and fire nothing more diferent from the foorgowing witness saeth.
G -- J -- saeth that on the day following that the prisner sade hee disregarded all officers and law.
J- H -- states that sed prisner after the gard
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were ordered to confinement ran upon the left | the lots of that street. When Pearl street and got his gun and the sed H- saw him load hir with pouder and aperd to be prepairing to lode hir with ball and furtherer the witnesses sayeth not.
the cort after hering the witnesses and duly daliberating on the testemoney unanemously pronounce him gilty and centace the prisner to be find in the sum of twenty five dollars and be confined for the tarm of twenty days and put on fitege for the same tarm and put on half rations for the last ten days.
President Capt G- B- Members Capt W-V- Lieut. J- C- C-
Judg advocat Ensign D- S-
The Commandant ei the detachment feels an impression on his mind that the honorable board have acted consistent with their duty in every respect and he feels for the prisner now convic- ted of the crime berein stated and after cons'd- ering the foorgowing sentence remits one half of the fine inflicted the other parte of the sen- tence he concures in and hopes it will be a cau- tion to the prisner and that he will not treate his superiors with contempt or and impunity and at the expiration of his confinement he wil returne to his duty as a faithfull soldier, ordering that the foregoing be read on public parade.
July 18th 1812
J- H -- Lieut Col Com. [ Dayton Journal.
Old Times in New Orleans.
A friend has politely furnished us with a ven- erable file of the New Orleans Gazette, bearing date of the year 1807. We clip the following curious and interestng extract.
Here is an advertisement dated July 23d, 1307 that will create a smile among steamboat cap- tains :
"For Louisville, Kentucky, THE HORSE BOAT, John Brookhart, master. She is completely fitted for the voyage. For freight of a few tons only (having the greater part of her cargo engaged) apply to the master on board, or to
SANDERSON & WHITE.
We are told, by a gentleman who remembers the circumstance well, that the said horse boat used up between a dozen and twenty horses on the tread wheel, before she arrived at Natchez. He never heard of her arrival at Louisville, and is under the impression that the trip was aban- doned somewhere in the vicinity of Natchez .- St. Louis Reveille.
Early Roads and Pathways of Cincinnati.
In the infancy of the city, there was but little communication maintained between the hill and bottom, so far as keeping roads for wheeled ve- hicles, and hardly more for horses. Even at a later date, wagons would stall going up Walnut street, opposite to Liverpool's, now Miltenber- ger's corner. On Main street, from Front to Lower Market street, then many feet below its present grade, from Johnston's store, No. 49, to Lower Market street, boat gunwales were laid as foot ways, part of the distance, and the citi- zens walked, in very muddy weather, upon the rails of the post and rail fences, which enclosed
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