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/36

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES whether half asleep in the wigwams, or lolling in the sunshine outside. Their pipes were made of corncobs, clay, stone or wood, and upon them were expended all their taste and capacity for decoration.

GOVERNMENT

The Indian government was distinctly socialistic in character. In the wigwams and villages. with the warriors and hunters, between the young and old, in all situations of life, there was perfect equality; in their character and conduct were seen a strong sense of independence, a great aversion to anything that savored of caste or subjugation. They gloried in their native liberty, and for one to show a feeling of superiority was an effective barrier to all further success. A chief being asked if his tribe were free, replied: “Why not, since 1 myself am free, although their chief?" The chief of a tribe was not a ruler but a counselor ; he could neither make peace nor war, and except as others were guided by his example he had no control of tribal affairs.

A brave was chosen war chief upon his own merit as a warrior, after having demonstrated exceptional bravery or skill; the village chief was selected as one possessing administrative ability, commanding address and great eloquence. and well versed in the traditions of the tribe and their relations to neighboring tribes. Possessing these distinguishing traits of character and influence enough to be chosen leader, it was equally necessary for each to maintain his standing as a hunter and warrior.

For purposes of consultation, and as a place to assemble the chiefs and braves, a council house was usually built near the center of the village. There all met on an equal footing to determine questions of common interest; the calumets or pipes of peace and war were placed side by side, the choice of each to be made by the signal taps of the war club. There the Indian warriors gave vent to bursts of native eloquence, for which they were so justly famous. Although an Indian seldom spoke under ordinary circumstances, when he did break the silence he said something of import. It was at these councils that opportunity was afforded to acquire that popularity and influence which would promote the speaker to position and authority.

RELIGION

Personal pride was the controlling influence in the Indian’s religion. He believed that the Great Spirit was ruler over all, and that spirit was an Indian. Manitou was the name most generally given the Great Spirit. The Indians believed that they were the first of the human race created; that they sprang from the brain of the Great Spirit; that they possessed all knowledge, and were under the special care of their creator. Their traditions were vague, but their religious sentiments were clear. They had no fixed days or manner of worship. They believed in a future state of reward and punishment tn the "happy hunting grounds’ beyond the grave; that all who did well would be happy, but all who did ill would be miserable; they justified their barbarous outrages and savage warfare, their cruel torture of men. women and children, upon the precept of "blood for blood," and among themselves, as one of their famous chieftains said, they let each individual "paddle his own canoe." What principles of religion they had they followed closely. They believed in a good spirit and an evil one, and a number of lesser deities that were active in managing the affairs of the universe. To these they made sacrifices to avert calamity, to secure blessings and success, and in the way of thanksgiving for benefits received. They also believed firmly in punishment and reward in this life.

Their medicine men, who had the care of (he sick and were in charge of all religious feasts and observances, were held in great respect as possessors of supernatural powers. By the practice of their magical arts they were supposed to have close relations with (he Great Spirit. Their medicines, made from roots and herbs, were in their use surrounded with ail mystery possible, and all the arts of the conjurer were solemnly practiced. Indian burials were conducted with as much form as any of their ceremonies. In the grave with the corpse were buried the rifle and trappings of the warrior or hunter, his pipe and tobacco, and sufficient provisions and parched com to last him on his journey to (he happy hunting grounds of the future life. There was no common place of burial, each grave being located in the forest or on the hills, to suit the wishes of the surviving friends. When an Indian or his squaw died (he survivors would remain in mourning for a year, being afterwards at liberty to marry again.

FEASTS AND SPORTS

The regular times for feasts were when the green com could be first used, when the first game of the season was killed, and when a vie-