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.pdf/36

 COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES whether h alf asleep in the wigwams, or loll­ ing in the sunshine outside. Their pipes were made o f corncobs, clay, stone or wood, and upon them were expended all their taste and capacity fo r decoration. GOVERNMENT

T h e Indian government was distinctly social­ istic in character. In the wigwams and vil­ lages. with the w arriors and hunters, between the young and old, in all situations o f life, there w as perfect equality; in their character and conduct were seen a strong sense o f inde­ pendence, a great aversion to anything that savored o f caste or subjugation. T hey gloried in their native liberty, and fo r one to show a feeling o f superiority w as an effective barrier to all further success. A chief being asked if his tribe were free, replied: “ W hy not, since 1 m yself am free, although their ch ie f?" The chief o f a tribe w as not a ruler but a coun­ selor; he could neither make peace nor war, and except as others were guided by his ex­ ample he iiad no control o f tribal affairs. A brave was chosen w ar chief upon his own merit as a w arrior, after having demonstrated exceptional bravery or sk ill; the village chief w as selected as one possessing administrative ability, commanding address and great elo­ quence. and well versed in the traditions of the tribe and their relations to neighboring tribes. Possessing these distinguishing traits o f character and influence enough to be chosen leader, it was c<iuaUy necessary for each to maintain his standing as a hunter and warrior. F o r purposes o f consultation, and as a place to assem be the chiefs and braves, a council house w as usually built near the center of the village. There all met on an equal footing to determine questions o f common interest; the calumets or pipes o f peace and w ar were placed side by side, the choice o f each to be made by the signal taps of the war club. There the Indian w arriors gave vent to bursts o f native eloquence, fo r which they were so justly fa­ mous. Although an Indian seldom spoke under ordinar)- circumstances, when he did break the silence he said something o f import. It w as at these councils that opportunity was affordc<l to acquire that popularity and influ­ ence which would promote the speaker to posi­ tion and authority.

G reat Spirit was ruler over all, and that spirit w as an Indian. Manitou w as 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 S p irit; that they possessed all knowledge, and were under the special care of their creator. T licir traditions were vague, but their religious sentiments were clear. They had no fixed days or manner o f worship. T hey believed in a future state o f reward and punishment tn the "happy hunting grounds’* beyond the g ra v e; that all who did well would be happy, but all who did ill would be mis­ erable; (hey justified their barbarous outrages and savage w arfare, their cruel torture o f 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.' W hat principles o f religion they had they followed close y. T hey believed in a good spirit and an evil one, and a number o f lesser deities that were active in managing the affairs of the universe. T o these they made sacrifices to avert calam ity, to secure blessings and suc­ cess, and in the w ay o f thanksgiving for bene­ fits received. T hey also believed firmly in pun­ ishment and reward in this life. T heir medicine men, who had the care of (he sick and were in charge o f all religious feasts and observances, were held in great re­ spect as possessors o f supernatural powers. B y the practice of their magical arts they were supposed to have close relations with (he Great Spirit. T heir medicines, made from roots and herbs, were in their use surrounded with ail m ystery possible, and all the arts of the conjurer were solemnly practiced. Indian burials were conducted with as much form as any of thclr ceremonies. In the grave with the corpse were buried the rifle and trap­ pings of the w arrior 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 o f 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 fo r a year, being aftcrw'ards at liberty to m arry again. FEASTS AND SPORTS

REI.ICION

T he regular times for feasts were when the Personal pride was the controlling influence green com could be first used, when the first in the Indian’s religion. He hclicvcd that the game of the season w as killed, and when a vie-