Page:Historical and Biographical Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania, Containing a Concise History of the Two Counties and a Genealogical and Biographical Record of Representative Families.djvu/35

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES a rare thing for a maiden to reach the age of fifteen without being appropriated by some buck.

Courtship and marriage were not attended with much ceremony or delay. When a buck cast its eye on a maiden he went to the father and offered a price for her, usually in ponies. The main ceremony consisted in the settlement of her value between the contracting parties, the after-ceremonies of the medicine man being brief and simple. Yet these unions were seldom broken except by death.

In moving from place to place the squaws, as usual, had all the work to do. The wigwams and household goods were made into large bundles and packed on the backs of the ponies, or on “sweeps” made of poles lashed to each side of the animal and connected behind with crosspieces. The squaws also carried some of the burdens, while (he bucks stalked ahead smoking their pipes. When a halt was made for meals the ponies were not unloaded, except at night, sometimes there were spare ponies enough to permit the squaws to ride, but only after the bucks had been provided with a mount. Riding or walking, the squaws carried the papooses on their backs. All rode astride, with but a blanket beneath, and no bridle was used, the animals being guided by slaps on the side of the head or by words. On arrival at a suitable location it was the duty of the squaws to unload, erect the wigwams, cut the firewood and perform all the heavy work without assistance. When their work was over they retired to the depths of their skin robes, simply removing their clothing, with the exception of the skirt, while the warriors retained only the breechclout.

COSTUMES

Indian dress in the earlier times was exclusively made of skins. Great taste was shown in the manufacture of these costumes, which were trimmed with fur, and ornaments made of fish scales, shells, beads, colored grasses and feathers. The designs were beautiful and artistic, and the material thoroughly finished. Indian tanned skins have always, even to the present day, commanded high prices.

After the coming of the whites cloth began to be used by the squaws in the manufacture of clothing: the brighter the colors the more popular the pattern—red being a favorite. The squaws dressed in the gayest costumes (heir tastes could devise: beautifully worked and beaded moccasins, soft deerskin leggings, richly decorated and fringed with the brightest colored beads, ornaments and pendants; and their plump busts and arms were almost covered with the many strings of ornaments, shells, beads and stone pendants. In winter an extra skirt was worn, and furs wrapped around the neck and head.

Warriors, old and young, were most particular as to their appearance. Their hair was pulled out by the roots after the age of puberty had been reached, and but a “scalplock” was allowed to grow. To (his was fastened a plume of feathers or horsehair. Nose and ears were pierced for rings; the bodies were left bare to the waist, with many handsome belts of wampum thrown across the shoulder. The face and body were profusely painted with colors made from clays and simple woodland flowers, and a belt around the waist bore the knife, warbag of charms, and other tools of the chase or warfare, and served to hold the leggings up. Through this belt was passed the ends of the breachclout, made of linen or Other cloth, in early times of skin. It was eight or nine inches wide and nearly a yard long, and the manner of wrapping it around the body denoted the clan or tribe to which the wearer belonged.

Moccasins of many kinds were worn, and in all cases the ankles were covered to protect the feet from snakebites and thorns. On long expeditions a fringed skirt was worn to protect the body from bushes and briars, the leggings being then exceptionally heavy. The difference between the hunters and the warriors on the warpath consisted in the lack of paint on the faces of the former and the lack of clothing of the latter. On marauding expeditions the warrior greased himself all over to make the hold of his adversary insecure.

There was general pride in the skill of the hunter and the achievements of the warriors. The taking of the first scalp by a young warrior was an occasion of special excitement and rejoicing. The return of a party from the warpath or a hunting expedition was always attended with a public reception in the village: but after the expedition ended the lazy life of the heroes began, and when winter set in they had nothing to do but lie around until the spring should come, smoke their pipes and relate their deeds of prowess. On bright days they sometimes got up a little excitement over a game of football or a footrace; occasionally there was a dance or a feast, but as a rule the winters were passed in idleness. Smoking was their chief comfort under all conditions.