Page:American Anthropologist NS vol. 1.djvu/169

 142 AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST [s. s., i, 1899

They number now about 11 50 on a reservation adjoining the Omaha in northeastern Nebraska.

The historic Sauk and Fox were well represented by a large delegation from Oklahoma and a smaller party from the band now living in Iowa. These two tribes, calling themselves respec- tively, Sdgiw&k and MilskwdkiAk, names of somewhat doubtful interpretation, are practically one people, speaking closely related dialects of one language and having been confederated from a very early period. They were prominent in every Indian move- ment of the lake and upper Mississippi region from the beginning of the French and Indian war until their power was broken by the result of the Black-hawk war in 1832. Their territory lay on both sides of the Mississippi, in Iowa and northern Illinois/ hav- ing the cognate Potawatomi and Kickapoo on the east, the Winnebago and Dakota on the north, and the Iowa on the west. With all of these, excepting the Dakota, they maintained a friendly alliance. Keokuk, in Iowa, derives its name from a noted friendly chief of the Black-hawk war, and Anamosa in the same state commemorates an heroic mother of the tribe who swam the Mississippi with her infant tied upon her back to escape a massa- cre in which nearly two hundred men, women, and children of the Sauk fell by the bullets of 1600 American troops. The younger daughter of Anamosa accompanied the delegation.

The Sauk have always been agricultural, and they wear the turban and characteristic moccasin of the eastern tribes. Their beaded work is especially beautiful, and like the Winnebago they weave fine mats of rushes with which they cover the framework and carpet the floors of their long, round-top wigwams. They brought with them sufficient of these mats to set up several wig- wams, which are entirely different in shape and structure from the conical tipi of the plains tribes. In person they are tall and strongly built, with faces indicating thoughtful character and firm will. With proud conservatism they hold fast their forms, legends, and complex social organization, and are today probably the

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