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BUSHNELL] VILLAGES WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI 11 
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the smoke could escape from the inside. In describing the appear- 
ance of the interior of such a structure it was told how— 
“ Around the fire in the centre, and at a distance of perhaps 2 feet 
from it, are placed sticks as large as one’s arm, in a square form, 
guarding the fire; and it is a matter of etiquette not to put one’s 
feet nearer the fire than that boundary. One or more pots or 
kettles are hung over the fire on the crotch of a sapling. In the 
sides of the wigwam are stowed all clothing, food, cooking utensils, 
and other property of the family.” When referring to the great 
feeling of relief on arriving at such a shelter in the frozen wilder- 
ness the same writer continued : 
“When one has been traveling all day through the virgin forest, 
in a temperature far below zero, and has not seen a house nor a 
human being and knows not where or how he is to pass the night, 
it is the most comforting sight in the whole world to see the glowing 
column of light from the top of the wigwam of some wandering 
family out hunting, and to look in and see that happy group bathed 
in the light and warmth of the life-giving fire . . . and no one, 
Ojibway or white, is ever refused admission; on the contrary, 
they are made heartily welcome, as long as there is an inch of 
space.” (Gilfillan, (1), pp. 68-69.) As a missionary among the 
Ojibway of northern Minnesota for a quarter of a century, Dr. 
Gilfillan learned to know and love the forests and lakes in the 
changing seasons of the year. and to know the ways of life of the 
Ojibway as few have ever known them. 
The structures just mentioned were of a circular form, with the 
ends of the poles which supported the bark describing a circle on 
the ground. Of quite similar construction were the larger oval 
wigwams, where two groups of poles were arranged at the ends in 
the form of semicircles, with a ridgepole extending between the tops 
of the two groups. Other poles rested against the ridgepole and so 
formed the sloping supports upon which the strips of bark were 
placed. One most interesting example of this form of primitive 
habitation was visited by the writer during the month of October, 
1899. It formed one of a small group of wigwams which at that 
‘time stood near the Canadian boundary, north of Ely, Minnesota. 
It was about 18 feet in length and between 8 and 9 feet in width. 
There were two entrances, one at each end, with hanging blankets 
to cover the openings. Within, along the median line on the ground, 
burned four small fires. Beautiful examples of rush mats, made 
by the women, were spread upon the ground near the sloping walls, 
these serving as seats during the day and sleeping places at night. 
Many articles hung from the poles which sustained the bark covering, 
as small bags and baskets, and many bunches of herbs. In one 
