Six Weeks in the Sioux Tepees: A Narrative of Indian Captivity
186
Six Weeks in the Sioux Tepees: A Narrative of Indian Captivity
186Paperback
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Overview
This is the first fully annotated modern edition of Six Weeks in the Sioux Tepees. June Namias’s extensive introduction and notes describe the historical and ethnographic background of Dakota-white relations in Minnesota and place Wakefield’s narrative in the context of other captivity narratives.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780806134314 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | University of Oklahoma Press |
| Publication date: | 04/15/2002 |
| Pages: | 186 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.43(d) |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
Six Weeks In The Sioux Tepees
A Narrative of Indian Captivity
By Sarah F. Wakefield, June Namias
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA PRESS
Copyright © 1997 June NamiasAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-8061-2975-4
CHAPTER 1
SIX WEEKS IN THE SIOUX TEPEES
IN June, 1861, my husband was appointed physician for the Upper Sioux Indians, at Pajutazee, or Yellow Medicine.
The first day I arrived in the Indian country, I well remember. It was on Sunday, and as I landed from the steamboat, I could not help exclaiming, "Is it here where I am to live?" for all I saw was one log hut and about six hundred filthy, nasty, greasy Indians, and I wondered if I was really at what was called Redwood. But I soon heard that the buildings were upon the hill, some 500 or 700 feet above the river. When I arrived at the Agency I was disheartened, low-spirited and frightened, for the buildings were situated on a high prairie, and as far the eye could reach, was a vacant space. I then felt as if I had really got out of civilization: but when on the following morning, I learned that we were going 30 miles further west, I was alarmed. We at last got ready, and a train of seven wagons, with many women and children started. We had in our wagons $160,000 all in gold, and we rode in great fear, for the Indians were grumbling all along the road because of the change in the administration.
Although I was nervous, I enjoyed that ride, for a more beautiful sight than that prairie, I never have seen. It was literally covered with flowers of all descriptions; the tall grass was waving in the breeze, and it reminded me of a beautiful panorama. It seemed really too beautiful for Nature's picture. After riding a few miles we began to meet with annoyances, in the way of sloughs. After leaving the Lower Agency, we traveled ten miles, passing through Little Crow's village, and I little thought then what I should have to suffer in that vicinity. When we arrived at the Redwood River, we all exclaimed, "What a romantic spot!" Very high hills enclose the stream, while huge rocks are thrown around in the valley, giving grandeur to the scene. After crossing the river, we came in sight of a house, used by Government as a school-house for the Indian children. The house consisted of two rooms below and one above. In this Mr. Reynolds and family were already established as teachers, and here also was kept the only hotel, after passing Fort Ridgely, going west. We only rested long enough to give our horses breath after ascending the high hills, and we were objects of much curiosity to the Indians while we remained, for they all gathered around to catch a glimpse of their new "Father" that had just been sent them.
Our ride over the remaining twenty miles was very unpleasant, for the sun was very powerful, beating down upon us in our open wagons. We got along very well until we would come to a slough and stick fast in the mud, when all would have to get out, and then putting two or three extra horses to the wagon, we would be able to extricate it. It was all novelty to us and we enjoyed it, however the poor beasts suffered. After riding a few miles we could not see anything but the road that looked like civilization. It seemed like a vast lake—not a tree or a shrub to be seen. Soon, however, we came to what the driver said was an Indian mound. I do not know whether it was such or not, but it was a very high elevation of land; and there, in the distance we could see our future home, which much resembled a fort, as flags were flying from many of the buildings in honor of our arrival.
We arrived at the termination of the road about three o'clock in the afternoon, and found we must go down and around very steep hills in order to get across the Yellow Medicine River. What a splendid sight was that, as we, after winding and turning in and round great bluffs, came out into the valley of the river. Here we found quite a large Indian village. The houses were all made of bark, and the squaws were cooking outside. It was really a pretty and a novel sight. The waters were rushing and tumbling over the many rocks, and the Indians, playing their flutes, made music quite pleasant to our ears. We found that we were to cross this river, and to ascend a hill 600 feet high, made it seem as if we were going up to some great castle, for we could see the tops of the buildings in the distance, and we all remarked that we enjoyed this as much as pleasure-seekers did their visits to the old castles and scenery on the Rhine. We reached the top of the hill without further inconvenience than having to walk nearly all the way. Very glad was I when we got to our home, for I was exhausted. I found that there were only five buildings there—four large brick, and one frame—and a small brick jail, in which to confine unruly Indians. The situation of the Upper Agency was beautiful, being at the junction of the Minnesota and Yellow Medicine Rivers. On the North side of our house was the Minnesota, and on the north side the Yellow Medicine River, being not more than eighty feet apart.
The first night passed there was one of horror to all, as we were ignorant of Indian customs any further than what we had learned from those who were camped around our town, and this night they were having councils and were talking, shouting and screaming all night, and we, poor, ignorant mortals, thought they were singing our death-song, preparatory to destroying us. Towards morning the noise lulled away, and we dropped to sleep, but not to sleep long, for soon came the tramp and noise of a hundred horsemen close to the house. The men all arose, prepared their arms, waited and watched, but no attack was made. What could be the trouble? [W]hy did they not make some manifestation? [W]hy were they silent—only that terrible tramping? At last one man, braver than the rest, went down, and, behold, ——— it was our own horses, which had been turned out. They had come up on the platform to get away from the mosquitoes. This gives, in the beginning, an idea of many Indian scares. Many times we were needlessly frightened, but at last came one that was real, as our friends and our country know to their sorrow.
We found that there were employed at the Agency, for the benefit of the Indians, a blacksmith, farmer, and doctor; also, that there was a school taught by a half-breed named Renville, who had been educated in Wisconsin, and had returned to his home, his teacher following him back and marrying him. They had many pupils, all Indian children. They professed to teach them all kinds of manual labor. The scholars were fed and clothed by [the] Government, the teachers feeding their own pockets more than they did the children's mouths. The hotel was kept by the farmer, and during our stay was a good house. We soon knew we could be very happy, although so far away from civilization. After being there a few days, we learned that three miles above us there was a missionary station, conducted by Dr. Williamson, a good Christian and an excellent man. How I learned to love his family; while there they were so very kind to us all. The old man had been among these Indians 27 years, and had educated and converted many of them. Girls and boys brought up by them were equal in learning to white children of the same age. I have employed women educated by the missionaries who could sew or cook much better than girls of the present generation can do. Many persons say the Indian cannot be civilized. I think they can, but did not know it until I lived among them. I usually, on the Sabbath, attended the Dakota Church, and was much interested in their services. Sometimes I would go to Mr. Riggs' Mission, which was situated about two miles beyond Dr. Williamson's, at a place called Hazelwood. It was a delightful spot, and the rides to the place I enjoyed exceedingly. The scenery around Rush Brook was grand. Enormous hills—almost mountains—were on every side of this stream, and when a person was at the top and commenced descending, they would tremble with fear for awhile, but at last they would entirely forget all danger, while looking at the beauties of the scene. Away down between the hills, among the brush, could be seen these wild men roaming in pursuit of game, while their wives and children bathed in the stream, and from the top of the bluff they looked like babes, the distance was so great. I often wondered what an Eastern person would think, to ride through those woods, as we did, unprotected. I usually, after the first few weeks, went with my little boy, alone, to Hazelwood, often returning long after the sun was down, and very often passing through the Indian camp, which about the time of payment consisted of about five thousand Indians. I never knew one to be cross, but on the contrary were very kind and pleasant. I often was stopped and asked to take a puff from their pipes, or canduhupe, as Indian women smoke all the time, only when they are at rest. When they cook they smoke. They have a long stem to their pipes, about two feet in length, and they will sit on the ground, mix their bread, and bake it, the pipe resting on the ground, the end in their mouths.
The first Independence Day I passed in the Indian country I passed in great fear. A messenger came from the Indian camp in the morning, saying that the Indians were coming down to make mischief; they were angry because some of their old employees remained whom they thought had defrauded them. We did not know what to do. There were only 15 men there at that time, and it would be useless to try to defend ourselves against thousands. Major Galbraith was absent, and Major Brown (the former agent) was very much alarmed. He proposed that we all should go to the jail and try to keep them off. In the mean time he sent his son on horseback to Fort Ridgely, a distance of 45 miles, for troops. I think all stayed in the jail for many hours, except Mrs. G——h. She said her cooking must be done, as we had invited all the mission people down for a Fourth of July party in the evening, and if she was to die it might as well be at home as any place else; and if we did escape we would all be rushing back for food. During the afternoon a friendly Indian arrived and said they had postponed their attack until Major G——— arrived, as they wished to ask some questions before doing anything; so we were contented and had our dance. The Indians, however, sent down quite a number to guard our buildings, and would not allow any person to go out or in without questioning them. We danced that night, every moment expecting a shot from some of our Indian guards; but when we had eaten our supper, and we had invited some of the Chiefs in, and they [ate] for the first time, ice cream, it seemed to calm them down, and they came in and witnessed our dance with great pleasure. I think the Indians all took a fancy to me at that time, for I gave them something of all we had, took them around, showed them our rooms all ornamented for the occasion. They all said that the "Tonka-Winohiuca waste," meaning the large woman, was very good. The next day Major G. came home, and they all came down, dressed up finely, for a council. They surrounded the Warehouse, which was a large, fortified building, on the West end of the Agent's house. The Agent took his interpreter, and went up to one of the upper windows and talked with them. They wished for food immediately, and wanted to come in and help themselves. He told them they could not come in. They then began to complain of the Farmer, or Christian Indians. Said they were allowed in, and they every week got food, when they only got it once a year, and if the Farmers would be fed by the white men, and try to be like the whites, they should not have any money at time of payment, for it all belonged to them. They got very saucy, kept firing their guns up in the air, and beating against the doors. At last the Agent told them how much flour he would give them. They refused the quantity, saying it would not make a taste for each. He did not tell them that was all, but such was the case. The provisions had not arrived. Just as they were threatening him, some teams came up the hill, loaded with flour, and he told them they might have all they had; this was accepted, but they soon demanded what was first promised them; then they were satisfied, and after dividing it they went away, contented. That is the only way the wild Indian can be kept quiet, by just filling them with food; for if before eating they feel like fighting, they eat so ravenously that they have to sleep, and then forget all during their slumbers.
This was all of any consequence that transpired during the first year of our stay The payment went off quietly, with the exception of a drunken Indian occasionally.
There were at Yellow Medicine, I believe, four trading houses, where were kept groceries and dry goods for the Indians, cheating the creatures very much. Indians would buy on credit, promising to pay at the time of payment. They have no way of keeping accounts, so the traders have their own way at the time of payment. All the Indians are counted, every person giving his name, each Band by themselves. At the time of payment they are called by name from the window to receive their money (which at the Upper Agency was only nine dollars to each person.) As soon as they receive it the Traders surround them, saying, you owe me so much for flour. Another says you owe so much for sugar, &c., and the Indian gives it all up, never knowing whether it is right or not. Many Indians pay before the payment with furs, still they are caught up by these Traders, and very seldom a man passes away with his money. I saw a poor fellow one day swallow his money. I wondered he did not choke to death, but he said "They will not have mine, for I do not owe them." I was surprised that they would allow such cheating without retaliation; but it came all in God's own time, for at the Trader's was the first death-blow given in the awful massacres of August, 1862. All the evil habits that the Indian has acquired may be laid to the traders. They first carried the minne-wakan among them. The Traders took their squaws for wives, and would raise several children by them, and then after living with them a number of years would turn them off. It was the Traders who first taught them to swear, for in the Indian language there are no oaths against our God or theirs.
The first year of our stay was comparatively quiet, the Indians, after they were paid leaving us for their homes far away, with the exception of those who were farmers, and were living near us as neighbors. And I will state in the beginning that I found them very kind, good people. The women have sewed for me, and I have employed them in various ways around my house, and began to love and respect them as well as if they were whites. I became so much accustomed to them and their ways, that when I was thrown into their hands as a prisoner, I felt more easy and contented than any other white person among them, for I knew that not one of the Yellow Medicine Indians would see me and my children suffer as long as they could protect us.
In the spring of 1862, the Agent, accompanied by my husband and others, visited the Indians living near Big Stone Lake, "Lac Traverse" and that vicinity. They found the Indians quiet and well contented with what was being done for them, and they seemed much pleased with their visitors.
Before leaving, Maj. Galbraith told them not to come down until he sent for them, as he had doubts respecting the time of payment. He had not been home many weeks when they began coming in, a few at first frightened by some murders committed among them by Chippewas. Not long was it before the whole tribe arrived and camped about a mile from the Agency buildings.
Here they remained many weeks, suffering from hunger—everyday expecting their pay so as to return to their homes.
After repeatedly asking for food, and receiving none of consequence, they were told by the interpreter, who belonged at Fort Ridgely, and who accompanied the soldiers to Yellow Medicine a few weeks before the arrival of the Indians, to break into the warehouse and help themselves, promising them that he would prevent the soldiers from firing upon them.
I think it was the fourth day of August, that the Indians commenced hostilities at Yellow Medicine. We were much surprised early Monday morning, to hear them singing and shouting so early in the day. Soon they came driving down the hill toward the Agency, dressed out very finely, and as we thought, for a dance; but we were soon convinced they meant mischief, as they surrounded the soldiers, while part of them rushed up to the warehouse and began cutting and beating the doors in pieces, all the while shouting, singing, and throwing their blankets around them like wild men as they were—driven more wild by hunger.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Six Weeks In The Sioux Tepees by Sarah F. Wakefield, June Namias. Copyright © 1997 June Namias. Excerpted by permission of UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA PRESS.
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Table of Contents
Contents
List of Illustrations,Editor's Acknowledgments,
Editor's Introduction,
Chronology,
A Note on the Text and Annotations,
Six Weeks in the Sioux Tepees,
Notes,
Selected Bibliography,
Index,