34 THE MENOMINI INDIANS [kth.ann.u 



wore blankets and subsisted almost exclusively by the chase. But 

 little hunting is done at this day, although deer, bear, and smaller 

 animals are abundant. This tribe has always beeu friendly to the 

 whites, and their reception of strangers is hospitable. Major Zebulon 

 Montgomery Pike, in his "Expeditious," mentions a meeting in Min- 

 nesota with Shawano and his band, who had gone hunting, and after 

 recounting the statements concerning the personal appearance of the 

 people, says: 



From my own observation, I had sufficient reason to confirm their information as 

 respected the males ; for they were all straight and well made, about the middle size; 

 their complexions generally fair for savages, their teeth good, their eyes large and 

 rather languishing; they have a mild but independent expression of countenance, 

 that charms at first sight ; in short, they would be considered any where, as hand- 

 some men. 1 



Charlevoix, after referring to the single village which he found, and 

 remarking that the nation was not numerous, says: "'Tis really great 

 pity, they being the finest and handsomest meu in all Canada." 2 It is 

 to be regretted that this statement can not. now be substantiated. 



Colonel Charles Whittlesey, in his Recollections of a Tour through 

 Wisconsin in 1832, says of the Menomini: 



In person they are a thick-set frame, less tall, and in hetter condition than most 

 Indians, aud at least equally indolent. The thief is not bo common a character with 

 them as with many other tribes. Their attachment to the United States has not 

 beeu exceeded by any Indian people. 3 



Mr Grignon, 4 whose authority regarding the Menomini is beyond 

 question, since he was himself connected with this tribe by blood and 

 was a life- long resident among them, remarks: 



The Menomonees were less warlike than the Sauks and Foxes; they, at least, did 

 not get embroiled in wars with other Indian nations as much as the other tribes 



. . . My grandfather remarked, that he regarded the Menomonees as the most 

 peaceful, brave, and faithful of all the tribes who ever served under him. This was 

 a high compliment, hut in my opinion richly merited. They have ever proved, as a 

 nation, friendly to the whites; and in the general Indian plot of Fontiae, in 1763, 

 the Menomonees alone kept aloof, and rendered signal services to Lieut. Gorrell aud 

 party at Green hay. 



Of the aggregate population of 1,035, 1,000 are reported as members 

 of the church, services being conducted by the Franciscan fathers; 

 while the two schools accommodate over 300 pupils, who are makiug 

 satisfactory progress in education. Drunkenness is the most serious 

 evil from which the Indians suffer, though the number of instances of 

 intoxication is not so great as on many reservations more favorably 

 situated for obtaining liquor. Crime is rare among the Menomini; 

 during the fiscal year ended June 30. 1802, only six criminals were con- 

 victed by the Indian court. This court, which is a model of its kind, 



1 Acct.of Expeds. ti> the Sources of the Mississippi, Phil'a, 1810. p. 83. 



2 Op. cit., vol. ii,p. 61. 



3 Recol. of a. Tour Through Wis. in 1832; in Coll. Hist. Soc. of Wisconsion for 1854, vol. i, 1855, p. 09. 

 4 Augustin Griguoii, Coll. Hist. Soc. of Wis. for 1856, vol. iii, 1857, p. 265. 



