NYYM_scrapbook_191

having a special desire to commence our visit as far north as the Winebago Tribe of Indians; fearing that the boats would be impeded on account of the low stage of water in the Ohio river, it seemed most advisable to take the north- ern route--for accordingly travelled by land to Cleaveland, thence by Steam Boat to Detroit, and by land across the State of Michigan to the mouth of the St. Josephs River, here we took Steam Boat over Lake Michigan Sixty miles to Chicago; after waiting one day in this place we departed by Stage for Galina and Dubuque, cross- ing the State of Illinois a distance of one hundred and eighty miles. We reached the latter place in safety, though much fatigued with our journey, the roads being dry and dusty, and the weather exceedingly warm: we arrived in Dubuque early on first day morning, and the following evening procured a conveyance to the Winebago Indians. On second day morning we left in a waggon; travelling in a north westerly direction about one hundred miles across a beautiful prairie country to Turkey River--on third day afternoon while stopping for some refreshment about twenty five miles distant from the Indian villages, then came to the house five or six Indians in a state of intoxica- tion (having procured their whiskey at a shop near by); they were very noisy, calling for whiskey &;c. and greatly annoying those peaceable settlers. The next morning after leaving for the agency we fell in with a number of companies most of whom were intoxicated; some of them carrying whiskey on thier ponies to their villages. On fourth day of the week and 29th of ninth month 1842, we reached the mission for the Winnebego Tribe of Indians, and took lodging with the Sub. Ag- ent David Lowry; where we were kindly entertained by him and his family, and every facility in their pow- er afforeded us for conferring with the Indians; as well as a readiness to furnish such information as was desired. Winnebago. Tribe of Indians. This Tribe is located north west from Iowa Territory, and west of Prairie du Cheine, on lands called the neutral ground. They are located on different parts of this land in settlements called villages; thier principal one called the School Band is near the sub Agency of David Lowry on Turkey River, and about one hundred miles north west from Dubuque, and within four or five miles of Fort Atkinson. They number all together about Two Thousand--these Indians live in rude lodges or Wigwams as they are sometimes called, built in the usual indian style, by forcing forked sticks into the ground for posts, into the forks of which they lay poles for plates and ribs, preparatory to covering them with oak bark: the sides are either made of bark--mats made of flags--or skins, fastened to the plates and extending to the ground. These wigwams are from ten to twenty five feet in length, and about ten feet wide--the inside of the building is fitted up with a sort of frame work on each side, made of poles two feet high and about three feet wide; intended for a sort of bedstead, on which they fasten skins or mats, where they lounge and sleep--leaving a space through the centre--four feet wide--at cash and there is an apperture or door. The fire is built in the centre, the smoke escaping through a hole in the top. There are not unfrequently as many as three or four families amounting to twenty persons or more, occu- pying one of these miserable hovels--when about their homes they live principally upon soups made of wild fowl and venison, turnips and potatoes: they also eat an abundance of boiled corn;--some corn bread is used, and a very little wheat flour;--There is no regular order as to the time or manner of taking their meals; some are seen eating their soup outside the wig- wam. Some are eating while sitting on thier beds, while others are engaged in different pursuits: and should any person of another family happen to come into the lodge when he neede food, he would freely partake without invitation as he would of his own. The dress of the men consits mainly of blankets; all of them wear the waist cloth, some wear moccasins and leggings; and a few wear a calico frock or skirt--the head is more generally uncovered, a few however use a turban. The dress of the women consists of a broad cloth skirt and blanket--some of them wear moccasins and leggings,