Hutchings' Illustrated California Magazine (Volume 3)(April 1859) (7 pages)

HUTCHINGS’ CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE. Atmost evory Californian, who has passed tho precincts of any commercial city of the State,.is more or less familiar with the manners, habits, customs, and peculiarities of the California Indians, especially in particular sections; but as those differ in form and character, among the different groups of tribes, even in districts adjoining each other, we may, perhaps, present several interesting facts, which, although known by some, are not known by others; and which, in either case, will be at once recognized as faithful pictures of Indian life around us. As these Indians are simply men and women, and without doubt the lowest in morality and intellectual ability on this continent, the generous reader, however philanthropical in his intentions and benevolent in his wishes, must not expect us to paint them as heroes, or portray them as angels, for they are neither. Yet, without the prejudice arising from so unfavorable first impression and confirmed by the observation of years, we shall endeavor to b8 just; allowing the reader to be the judge, when we have finished our task. According to the report of Col. T. J. Henley, Superintendent of Indian affairs for California, from the most reliable information that could be obtained, the number of Indians in the various counties of the State is as follows: in San Diego and San Bernardino, 8,000 ; in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz, 2,000; in Tulare and Mariposa, 2,500; in Tuolumne, Calaveras, —San Joaquin, Alameda, and Contra Costa, 4,100; in Sacramento, El Dorado, and Placer, 3,500; in Sutter, Yuba, Nevada, and Sierra, 3,500; in Butte, Shasta, and Siskiyou, 5,500; in Klamath, Humboldt, and Trinity, 6,500; in Mendocino, Colusi, Yolo, Napa, Sonoma, and Marin, 15,000. In addition to those mentioned, the number of Indians collected and now residing upon the Reservations, is: Klamath, 2,500; Nome Lackee, 2,000; Mendocino, 500; Fresno, 900; Tejon, 700; Nome Cult Valley, (attached to Nome Lackee,) 3,000; King’s River, (attached to Fresno,) 400. Making the total number of Indians in California, about 60,600. By those who are tho best informed concerning them, an opinion has been expressed that, since the discovery of gold, the Indians in this State have been almost decimated ; as, unfortunately, they have cultivated all the vices, and become possessed of many of the diseases, without practicing any of the virtues of the whites. Lewdness and liquor have been the destroying angels of the race; and the cause, with but one or two exceptions, of all the Indian wars that have been known here. We speak not at random, however much it is to be deplored, for we have the facts before us. With all their failings, it cannot bo denied that the California Indians are an interesting people. ‘Their appearance, even, next to the feeling of pity or disgust, is provocative of mirth. Who, for instance, can meet an Indian in the public street, or by the way-side, habited as he generally is in the cast-off garments of the whites, without a smile of mirth imperceptibly stealing across the countenance. Perhaps his brawny and chocolate colored body ia covered with a solitary white shirt, (or chemise, as they are not very particular) ; and his matted and heavy black hair is surmounted bya somewhat dilapidated though fashionably built hat; these two articles constituting his “full dress.” Clad in a greasy old silk dress, or dirty cotton gown, by his side walks his squaw—an equally interesting object with himself—to whose face and arms soap and water appear to have long beon alicnated. Then, to ‘‘cap tho climax” of the picture, a youthful scion of the pair, who is a subject of equal sh ul rv, etilics SCENES AMONG THE INDIANS OF CALIFORNIA. cleanliness with his mother, and dressed like his fathor—minus the hat and shirt —carries 8 miniature bow and arrows. Who that can witness such a sight, even though they pity, and resist a smile? The amount of comfort the males are capable of enduring, very naturally allows tho females the opportunity of performing all tho labor of the camp, field, or foraging excursions, or of its going unperformed; for although their liege lords may be by their side, or within call, their natural gallantry is no obstacle whatever to such an arrangement being perfectly satisfactory; and in case of refusal on her part, the commencement of warlike demonstrations on his, is generally productive of acquiescence. This, however, is not always the case, as the following narrative will show: One bright May morning, when on a visit to Placerville, El, Dorado county, an old friend enquired if we would not like to witness an Indian mourning scene. Of course the reply was in the affirmative, and in afew minutes we were on the ground. As we drew near the spot, we could hear the mournful wailing cry, as it rose upon the air. Groups of Indians wero scattered around, some sitting, others walking, and one party of females were engaged in cooking. In an inclosure, formed of bushes on one side and the rude habitations of the Indians on the other, were from forty to fifty men and women. Here, three or four were sitting in a group; there, a similar number were standing up or moying about, with arms held up, now on this side, and now on that, and sometimes stamping with their feet; the faces of nearly all were hideously painted (black); but as the paint was mixed with water, when a tear rolled down, it left a lighter streak behind. All were wailing and weeping, because sickness and death were desolating their tribes, and making their camp-fires sorrowful and lonely. It was an affecting and melancholy scene. Outside, dogs were snarling and fighting and Indian children unconsciously at play. While these things were going on, the arrival of three Newtown Indians—each armed with an old musket or rifle, and one of them carrying a bottle of whiskey in his hand, from which numerous drinks were taken from time to time—created an unusual stir in camp. This event, while it illustrates some traits of Indian AN INDIAN WOMAN CARRYING ACORNS TO CAMP. character, brings us to the denouement of our narrative. The ringleader of the three, we afterwards learned, had obtained his wife from this tribe; but, as he had frequently beaten and abused her, she had lately sought the protection of her tribe, much to tho annoyance of her spouse, who, after some explanation, had been allowed Jt

HUTCHINGS’ CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE. Atmost evory Californian, who has passed tho precincts of any commercial city of the State,.is more or less familiar with the manners, habits, customs, and peculiarities of the California Indians, especially in particular sections; but as those differ in form and character, among the different groups of tribes, even in districts adjoining each other, we may, perhaps, present several interesting facts, which, although known by some, are not known by others; and which, in either case, will be at once recognized as faithful pictures of Indian life around us. As these Indians are simply men and women, and without doubt the lowest in morality and intellectual ability on this continent, the generous reader, however philanthropical in his intentions and benevolent in his wishes, must not expect us to paint them as heroes, or portray them as angels, for they are neither. Yet, without the prejudice arising from so unfavorable first impression and confirmed by the observation of years, we shall endeavor to b8 just; allowing the reader to be the judge, when we have finished our task. According to the report of Col. T. J. Henley, Superintendent of Indian affairs for California, from the most reliable information that could be obtained, the number of Indians in the various counties of the State is as follows: in San Diego and San Bernardino, 8,000 ; in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz, 2,000; in Tulare and Mariposa, 2,500; in Tuolumne, Calaveras, —San Joaquin, Alameda, and Contra Costa, 4,100; in Sacramento, El Dorado, and Placer, 3,500; in Sutter, Yuba, Nevada, and Sierra, 3,500; in Butte, Shasta, and Siskiyou, 5,500; in Klamath, Humboldt, and Trinity, 6,500; in Mendocino, Colusi, Yolo, Napa, Sonoma, and Marin, 15,000. In addition to those mentioned, the number of Indians collected and now residing upon the Reservations, is: Klamath, 2,500; Nome Lackee, 2,000; Mendocino, 500; Fresno, 900; Tejon, 700; Nome Cult Valley, (attached to Nome Lackee,) 3,000; King’s River, (attached to Fresno,) 400. Making the total number of Indians in California, about 60,600. By those who are tho best informed concerning them, an opinion has been expressed that, since the discovery of gold, the Indians in this State have been almost decimated ; as, unfortunately, they have cultivated all the vices, and become possessed of many of the diseases, without practicing any of the virtues of the whites. Lewdness and liquor have been the destroying angels of the race; and the cause, with but one or two exceptions, of all the Indian wars that have been known here. We speak not at random, however much it is to be deplored, for we have the facts before us. With all their failings, it cannot bo denied that the California Indians are an interesting people. ‘Their appearance, even, next to the feeling of pity or disgust, is provocative of mirth. Who, for instance, can meet an Indian in the public street, or by the way-side, habited as he generally is in the cast-off garments of the whites, without a smile of mirth imperceptibly stealing across the countenance. Perhaps his brawny and chocolate colored body ia covered with a solitary white shirt, (or chemise, as they are not very particular) ; and his matted and heavy black hair is surmounted bya somewhat dilapidated though fashionably built hat; these two articles constituting his “full dress.” Clad in a greasy old silk dress, or dirty cotton gown, by his side walks his squaw—an equally interesting object with himself—to whose face and arms soap and water appear to have

long beon alicnated. Then, to ‘‘cap tho climax” of the picture, a youthful scion of the pair, who is a subject of equal sh ul rv, etilics SCENES AMONG THE INDIANS OF CALIFORNIA. cleanliness with his mother, and dressed like his fathor—minus the hat and shirt —carries 8 miniature bow and arrows. Who that can witness such a sight, even though they pity, and resist a smile? The amount of comfort the males are capable of enduring, very naturally allows tho females the opportunity of performing all tho labor of the camp, field, or foraging excursions, or of its going unperformed; for although their liege lords may be by their side, or within call, their natural gallantry is no obstacle whatever to such an arrangement being perfectly satisfactory; and in case of refusal on her part, the commencement of warlike demonstrations on his, is generally productive of acquiescence. This, however, is not always the case, as the following narrative will show: One bright May morning, when on a visit to Placerville, El, Dorado county, an old friend enquired if we would not like to witness an Indian mourning scene. Of course the reply was in the affirmative, and in afew minutes we were on the ground. As we drew near the spot, we could hear the mournful wailing cry, as it rose upon the air. Groups of Indians wero scattered around, some sitting, others walking, and one party of females were engaged in cooking. In an inclosure, formed of bushes on one side and the rude habitations of the Indians on the other, were from forty to fifty men and women. Here, three or four were sitting in a group; there, a similar number were standing up or moying about, with arms held up, now on this side, and now on that, and sometimes stamping with their feet; the faces of nearly all were hideously painted (black); but as the paint was mixed with water, when a tear rolled down, it left a lighter streak behind. All were wailing and weeping, because sickness and death were desolating their tribes, and making their camp-fires sorrowful and lonely. It was an affecting and melancholy scene. Outside, dogs were snarling and fighting and Indian children unconsciously at play. While these things were going on, the arrival of three Newtown Indians—each armed with an old musket or rifle, and one of them carrying a bottle of whiskey in his hand, from which numerous drinks were taken from time to time—created an unusual stir in camp. This event, while it illustrates some traits of Indian AN INDIAN WOMAN CARRYING ACORNS TO CAMP. character, brings us to the denouement of our narrative. The ringleader of the three, we afterwards learned, had obtained his wife from this tribe; but, as he had frequently beaten and abused her, she had lately sought the protection of her tribe, much to tho annoyance of her spouse, who, after some explanation, had been allowed Jt