Page 442
THE RED MEN OF IOWA.
be to Wah-pa-tuck-e, and all other Musquakies, conclusive evidence that the debt was paid.
In the construction of their wigwams, or wick-e-ups, they still adhere, as a rule, to the models of their ancestors. They are made of several kinds of materials--some of bark, some of cotton drilling, and some of flags woven together in a peculiar manner, all stretched over a frame-work of poles. Some of their wigwams are large enough to accommodate from four to eight families. Their village on Iowa River now contains some thirty-five or forty of these structures. In many of them they retain the primitive method of building their fires in the center, the smoke passing out
through an opening left in the roof for that purpose. In some instances a chain is attached to the upper frame-work of the wigwam, by which the kettle for cooking purpose's is suspended over the fire. Notwithstanding the facilities for procuring lumber and other building material, they seem generally to prefer the rude wigwam of their ancestors. Their village is located on an open space of ground near Iowa River, and an excellent well near the center of the village supplies all of them with water for domestic purposes. Their houses and grounds are generally kept clean and in good order, this duty having been especially impressed upon the younger women who receive instruction in the industrial school which is maintained among them. In late years they have supplied their houses with many little articles of convenience, such as cups and saucers, plates and other table ware. They have kettles, ovens, pots and pans for cooking purposes.
The larders of the Musquakies are not so well supplied with the products of the chase as formerly. Boiled meats
Page 443
A LINGERING REMNANT.
and soups are favorite dishes with them, and they have also a partiality for pan-cakes and coffee. Corn is a favorite article of food, as it was with their ancestors. In the fall, before starting away on their winter hunt, the women shell the corn and prepare it for use upon their return. This is done by digging trenches in which the corn is placed and covered with brush and sticks. A steady fire is then kept up over the corn until it is thoroughly steamed. It is then taken out and well dried in the sun, after which it is stored away for use, generally in caves lined with bark, and made impervious to water, where it remains until spring.
Most of the men still retain in part the Indian costume of their ancestors, the blanket being indispenbable, winter and summer. They prefer the primitive moccasin, but a few of them wear shoes, and also hats, the latter usually decorated with a feather, indicative of the wearer's standing as a brave or as a hunter. About their village the women usually dress in petticoat and sack, but always take their blankets with them when they visit the neighboring towns. On such occasions they generally ride their ponies, and take their pappooses along, if they have any. In this case the pappoose is sometimes strapped in a basket to the back of an extra pony. Several families usually live together, occupying the same wigwam. As families they maintain amicable relations, and deny the practice of polygamy among them. The women are exemplary in their deportment, modest and chaste. Their children are kept under good discipline, and brought up to do strictly right, according to their views. If a child disobeys its parents it is punished by fasting, and not by the rod, as the exercise
