THE RED MEN OF IOWA.

In 1829 the Winnebagoes were estimated to number 5,800 souls; in 1837 their population was reported to be 4,500, nearly one-fourth of the tribe having been carried away the previous year by small-pox. In 1855 the tribe had diminished to 2,754. Contact with our civilization seems to have wrought only misfortune and disaster to this once proud and independent tribe. The large amount of money annually paid them by the government attracted about them many mercenary white traders and liquor-dealers, and they were subjected to the temptations usual under such circumstances. Many of them became dissipated, and in consequence of the mortality induced by drunkenness, sickness and disease, we find them, in 1855, diminished, as stated above, to 2,754. When the Winnebagoes first became known to the whites, they were described as of good stature, noble and dignified bearing, and as having straight black hair, piercing black eyes, and superior mental capacity. Contact with civilization seems not to have improved them, either mentally or physically.

Jonathan E. Fletcher, who was United States agent, and resided among the Winnebagoes for several years while they occupied the "Neutral Ground," in Iowa, has imparted to us much information respecting their manners, customs, religion and traditions. They were not inclined to wage war against other tribes, as were the Sacs and Foxes. Only the taking of life was considered by them as just and sufficient cause for war. No warrior was compelled. to serve, but all entered as volunteers. Each war-

On the death of a Winnebago, the relatives, if able, dressed the corpse in a new suit, and with the male adults usually buried a pipe and some tobacco. In the burial of a warrior, his war-club was deposited in the grave. The graves were dug on elevated dry ground, and usually from two to four feet deep. It was their custom to place some protection over the grave, generally setting poles so inclined as to meet at the top over the remains. The graves of chiefs and distinguished men among them were sometimes enclosed with pickets. The graves were made east and west, and the coffin placed with the head toward the east. Sometimes the dead were buried in a sitting posture, but always with the face looking west, and the head and chest above the surface of the ground. Sometimes they deposited their dead on scaffolds after the manner of the Sioux. This they did especially when the ground was frozen to avoid the labor of digging. They frequently placed white flags at the head of the grave. They never practiced incineration of the bodies of their dead. It was the usual