324 
FOREST AND STREAM 
the barrel? are forced forward an eighth of an inch by the 
pin on which the barrels hinge being an escentric. The 
lever is on the side, and if wo mistake not, the guns have 
a solid fore end, the whole giving groat strength. Mr. 
Dougall’s guns looked remarkably handsome, but we had 
no opportunity of handling them. Alex. Henry, of Edin¬ 
burgh, is an exhibitor of some very fine rides and shot 
guns, also of some lance guns for seal and walrus shooting. 
Messrs. E. M. Roily & Co. and C. Lancaster, of London, 
both exhibit cases of handsome guns. 
Iu fact this department of the Great Exhibition is fairly 
fascinating to the sportsman, and with all there is to he 
seen in the way of novelties and guns of exquisite work¬ 
manship, alone well worthy of a visit. One, however, is 
by no means sufficient, and our description of American 
guns and rifles and, possibly, those of some English makers 
omitted, must be left tor another letter. There, is nothing 
in the way of improvements in gun making that is of more 
convenience to the sportsman than the snap fore piece now 
aiiached to fine guns by all makers, "With it the gun is 
taken apart most readily, and the old pin which sometimes 
requires so much patience and the use of a screw driver be¬ 
fore the barrels could be removed from the stock, is entirely 
done away with. There are other novelties still unde¬ 
scribed to be noted in our next. 
OUR CENTENNIAL, LETTERS—NO. 4. 
THE DRESS A.ND HOME-LIFE OF TUB INDIANS. 
T HE immense resources of the National Museum (Smith¬ 
sonian) have been drawn upon to furnish a proper 
representation of the social life and arts of the Ameri¬ 
can Indians. Something over fifty wire aborigines— 
mostly without heads, and hence scalpless—stand in orderly 
array in a dozen glass cases in the Government Building, 
wearing the costumes of various tribes from Greenland to 
Mexico. Except the Eskimos, all the tribes represented 
are from west of the Missouri, for not much remains but 
stone implements, of Eastern nations, so long is it since 
they disappeared or assumed the habits of civilization. 
The effort has been to make it a typical display of Indian 
art, and the costumes are all deftly wrought of skins. 
There is a general resemblance throughout, and a descrip¬ 
tion of one will serve for many. Take the wax figure of 
Red Cloud, for instance, which stands stiff and straight 
with its back to a post as though its prototype were about 
o be burnt. The face is a good likeness of a Sioux, broad, 
at and sleepy,-hut without an atom of kindness in the 
small, brown, watery eyes. Supposing this were Red 
Cloud, Chief of the Ogallala Sioux, standing in propria 
persona, you would observe that he wore upon his head a 
skull cap of buck-skin supporting two thin horns, made by 
whittling down buffalo horns, which stand straight up and 
have tassels of red hair on their tips. The cap is trimmed 
with tufts of white hare’s fur and lines of black and white 
beads; it ends behind in a bunch of eagle quids. His 
hair is combed into one lock at each side which hangs 
nearly to his waist, and is bound with a black ribbon 
(sometimes with a strip of fine mink’s fur, or something of 
the sort). The eyebrows are partially plucked out, and 
ibe face is scrupulously clean of heard and ordinarily not 
painLed. Around his neck is a necklace of grizzly’s claws 
—tTophies of the chase, and from a brass ring through 
each of his ears hang thirty DentalwM shells strung in 
five rows with a piece of Haliolis at the end. Over his 
broad shoulders is a shirt of buck-skin which doesn’t in 
the least fit him, and lias very tight sleeves, below which ills 
nut sewn together at the sides. At the lower edges of the 
garment the skin of a leg of the buck hangs down almost 
to the ground, and is fringed at the edges. For want of a 
real medal, one of yellow, red and green beads is em¬ 
broidered on his breast. Little rosettes of flattened porcu¬ 
pine quills also ornament his shirt front, and, besides 
au epaulet-band, bands of head-work three inches wide ex¬ 
tend more than half way down both the front and back of 
the shirt, meeting on the shoulder. This band is patterned 
in heads of several colors, and from its outer edge depends 
a friuge of scalp-hair, any deficiency in space being sup¬ 
plied by mink-fur or horse-hair—black, white, yellow, and 
green—which he replaces by human locks when he is 
fortunate enough to secure a scalp. The chiefs thin hut 
tough legs are encased iu tight leggins flaring out over the 
instep into long fringed ends which flap about his feet as 
he walks. The breeches have no seat in them, bul are 
held up by a thong tied to the belt on the outside. They 
are usually ornamented by lines printed on the buck-skin, 
or by bead-work, and sometimes have elaborate fringes on 
the outside seams. His moccasins are plain, tight-fittiug, 
and their shape is a distinguishing mark of the tribe. 
Such is the ordinary dress of the Sioux warrior. Some¬ 
times, however, it is much more elaborate in its ornament¬ 
ation, an immense amount of work being put upon it. 
I have seen suits among the Utcs that could not be bought 
for less than $100 in gold. They were really very hand¬ 
some, and the braves and maidens who wore them appre¬ 
ciated this fully, and were careful of them. 
In general the women do not dress as well as the men, 
because they are not allowed the time or material for it; 
nor do they seem so vain as most of the young braves. 
Their usual dress among the tribes between the Missouri 
and the Great Colorudois a sort of loose, sleeveless tunic 
of buck-skin, or, nowadajs, brown cloth, belled about 
the waist with a broad belt so disposed as to sustain the 
abdomen. On gala days they have more or less finery, 
and the daughters of a wealthy chief often present a very 
fine apptarauce. Some of the women’s garments shown 
will excite the envy of their fair sisters who have a taste 
for the picturesque. None of ihe clothing is so delicate in 
and workmanship, however, as the council robes of the 
chiefs, which trail upon the ground, and are ornamented 
iu the highest style of Indian art. When he wears this the 
councillor also dons a crown of eagle feathers, from which 
a double row of feathers hangs down to his heels. He 
feels his official position at such times, and comports him¬ 
self with so much dignity as to offset a large amount of 
the squalor and brutality of his ordinary life. 
Among the curiosities of dress, the woven garments 
from Alaska are worthy of the most attention. They are 
in the form of sacks wilh long sleeves and hoods, and 
present the same appearance either side out, looking like a 
continuous garment of fur. But in handling them you 
discover that they are woven of strips of skin—hare’3 usu¬ 
ally—wilh the fur on, and a wrap of strings of buck-skin, 
or strips of cloth. They are very closely woven, and make 
au exceedingly warm and handsome garmeut. Several are 
shown. From these northern regions where the necessity 
of keeping warm has urged to groat ingenuity in securing 
the result, come cloaks, also hooded, made of the breasts 
of loons, or ol' gulls and grebes sewn together. A sur¬ 
prisingly beautiful cloak results. Sometimes they are 
lined with down or hare’s fur. About 100 skins are re¬ 
quired for one sack. The downy skins of young water- 
birds arc cut into strips and woven into blankets which are- 
much more flexible Ilian even a heavy woolen blanket 
would he. The celebrated water-proof suits of tlie Aleu¬ 
tian Islands are also here. These are made from a large 
intestine of the sea-lion which furnishes a strip of semi¬ 
transparent gut about eight inches in diameter and several 
feet long. These strips are sewn together round and 
round until a coat is made; the hood has a puckeriug- 
string which draws it close around the neck and face; the 
wrists are tight. The wearer seats himself in his kyak, 
which is a hide canoe having a hole in the deck only large 
enough for a single man to luck himself into, and fastens 
the skirls of his water proof coat to the rim of the round 
hole in the deck. JNo water can then get in, oven if he 
he rolls over and over in the water, as these daring canoe- 
men are said often lo do. 
Two years ago Prof. F. W. Putnam found iu the caverns 
of Kentucky, among other human remains, some well- 
preserved moccasins or sandals “neatly made of finely 
braided aud twisted leaves of rushes,” aud cloth woven of 
the same material. These sandals seemed to be unique; 
there was no record ol any such articles existing among 
any people that could be found except that the peasants of 
Spain used to make shoes out of a certain grass abundant 
there. There is, however, in one of the eases here a sort 
of lialf-hoot made ol bark by the natives of Alaska, who 
seem to have worn it as a stocking inside their seal skin 
boots; and saudals of -agave fibre which Dr. Edward Pal¬ 
mer procured among me Diegueuos Indians of Southern 
California that closely resemble those found in llie Ken 
lucky caves. Hats of grass are also shown, and mats and 
cords of “babicbe” from the McKenzie River— babiehe 
being a kind of hempen fibre. The finest specimens of 
such work, however, are the conical baskets from South¬ 
ern Arizona, some of which are woven so closely as to 
hold water. They are made by the Pi mas and Papagos 
chiefly, who excel’iu this work, even constructing boats of 
basket Woik which do not require pitching. These South¬ 
ern people make the best of woolen cloth also, and some 
splendid Navajo blankets in bright colors are exhibited. 
These blankets were formerly woven on their own rude 
looms, but the Government has now given many of them 
better looms, facilitating the work. Still a really tine 
blanket is worth about $75. The Pimas of tbe Gila Val¬ 
ley weave a coarse cotton cloth also, upon a loom which 
they roll up like a bundle of sticks, and hold firmly 
between the toes while operating. 
Space forbids further description of this interesting de¬ 
partment which those in charge have so well and fully 
illustrated. Several cases are devoted to the pottery and 
culinary apparatus of the Indians, in clay, wood, and stone. 
Other cases contain implements of tbe chase, particu¬ 
larly a fine lot of bows and arrows, the latter wilh stone 
points; tools for the preparation of skins, etc.; and horse 
trappings, braided whips, lariats, etc. There is also a 
model of a sweat-house, and photographs of the lodges 
and villages of various tribes. One case contains a large 
variety of wampum and other shell money, among which 
are the Detdalium shells which pass as currency among the 
Northwestern tribes. Of any oue of these objects very 
much of interest might he written. Take the single item 
of snow spectacles, for instance, designed by the hyper¬ 
borean lo keep oil the ever-present glare which would boon 
produce blindness. Some oE these spectacles are merely 
thin pieces oE cedar fitted to the nose and eyebrows, and 
tied round the head, having a very narrow slit to peek 
through. But there are half a dozen modifications and 
improvements intended to reduce the reflection of the 
snow, and increase the comfort of the wearer. Finally 
there everywhere appears evidences of the decorative art 
of the redmen, that of the Mexicans attracting attention for 
for its superiority, and its symbolic character, while the 
huge carved doorposts of the Alaskans, two specimens of 
which are present, and which recently have been figured 
in an illustrated newspaper in this city, are the most con¬ 
spicuous objects in the vicinity. 
-■*<*•- 
—We acknowledge the receipt of an invitation to attend 
the opening reception of the Racquet Court Club ai their 
new club-house, Sixth avenue aud Twenty-sixth street, 
which, unfortunately falling on our busiest day, we were 
uuable to enjoy. The opening of the new club-house, 
which is devoted largely to the healthful aud stimulating 
game of racquets, may be said to almost mark the intro¬ 
duction of the game to the young men of this country. 
That it will rapidly become popular is beyond doubt 
The officers of the new club are as follows:— 
William li. Travers, President; Rutherford Stuyvesant, 
Vice-President; W. Watts Sherman, Treasurer; M. Mor¬ 
gan, Secretary. Governing Committee—William R, Tra¬ 
vers, Rutherford Stuyvesant, Edward La Montague, A. 
Wright Sanford, Charles G. Francklyn, Henry L. Burnett, 
John A. Lowery, William Watts Sherman, Mathew Mor¬ 
gan, George S. Bowdoin, Roland Redmond, Isaac Bell, Jr., 
Edward G. Field, Frederic Bronson, Henry C. Babcock, 
James V. Parker, Charles E. Strong, William P. Douglass, 
George P. Wetmore, Louis L. Lonilard, James Curphey, 
Carnelius Fellows, David Lydig.and Thomas R. Fisher. 
Racquet Court Committee—E. La Montague, R. Stuyve¬ 
sant, David Lydig, H. C. Babcock, and E. G. Field. Gym¬ 
nasium Committee—Frederick Bronson, Isaac Boll, Jr,, 
Roland Redmond, and A. W. Sandford. House Commit- 
tee—Henry L. Burnett, IV. W. Sherman, J, Curphey, C. 
J E. Strong, and M. Morgan. 
Lady Salmon Anglers. —Gentlemen need not hope to I 
bear off alone all the honorable trophies to be won in the ■ 
angler’s profession, We have taken repeated satisfaction I 
in calling their attention to illustrious examples of ladies’ ■ 
skill in handling a BalmOn, notably the lady Dufferin, wife I 
of his Excellency, the Governor General of Canada, who is 1 
a peeress in her own right to the title of leading female ex- j 
pert of America. Nevertlieless.it is gratifying to know I 
that this rare acquisition, with its enviable honors, is not 1 
confined to the New Dominion. We mentioned, a wliilel 
ago, a niece of Daniel Webster, now residing in Washing-1 
ton, who inherits her father’s dexterity in the use of the 
fly-rod, and there are several ladies of our acquaintance 1 
who would possibly not blush to be mentioned in the same 1 
category, did wc feel at liberty lo mention their names. I 
However, there is our talented correspondent, Miss Sara J. | 
McBride, of Mnmford, N. Y., who is already known, not! 
only as a dexterous fly-tier of enviable reputation, hut a 1 
lady who studies angling as a science as well as a pastime. I 
And there is a little lady living in San Francisco, Cal., 1 
who shall he nameless in deference to her sensitive modesty "1 
—a princess of the blood, wilh lineage direct from a | 
long line of ancestors who have been anglers, inheriting ■ 
the divine gift herself. Her father is known to the public I 
under the pseudonym of “Podgeis,” the gentleman who B 
first presented Mark Twain aud Bret Harte to the coterie I 
of Utorateurs and -to the public; but tbe cabalistic word * 
Podgors is rather a password.to the hearts of intimate I 
friends, than a clue to recognition by most readers of the I 
present generation. Of this young wood-nymph, her 
father says. “The lust time we were out, she landed 35-1 
salmon in one morning’s fishing that weighed 700 pounds I 
in the aggregatel How is that for a girl of 18 years?" I 
The echo is the response. And now this brave lady and® 
her father have already undertaken a summer angling tour,.M 
extending from California to Maine! First they went to 1 
the headwaters of the McCloud and Sacramento rivers, ■ 
where the trout run from 3 lo (5 lbs., and the salmon from* 
10 to 30 lbs. in weight. We shall hear of their success® 
betimes. Next will follow a few days’trout fishiog at j 
Ogden, Utah, and in Weber River, Bear River, aud other* 
streams on their way to the cast. Their objective point is I 
the Wilderness of Maine, where the quality of the fish will I 
be tested, and compared with those of the Pacific Slope. I 
What u creditable performance Ibis will be! How it will J 
stimulate some men, and eclipse the boasted exploits of I 
others! And why should not our women share with us 1 
these enobling and health-giving pleasures, thereby quali-J 
fyiug themselves to assist the work of restoring the pliysi-| 
cal standard which belonged to the generation of their* 
grandmothers hut is lost in the present? 
IP* §¥*> 
—Owing to unavoidable causes the printing of the Forest* 
and Stream Hand-book for riflemen has been delayed far J 
beyond the lime intended. It is uow in press, however, 
and will be issued the latter part of Ihip week without fail, I 
Orders can be addressed to the publishers, Messrs. J. B. 
Ford & Co., or lo this office. 
—The Indians are improving by long range practice, I 
having recently wounded two soldiers of Gen. Crook’s! 
command at Prairie Dog Creek at a distance of 600 yards. 1 
The International Matches.— The final competition 1 
or places on the Centennial team was shot last week, aud | 
he twelve men who are to form the team and reserve were 1 
elected in the order of their scoreB, being the highest ag- I 
;regule in the second and third couipetit'.ous. as follows:—■ 
2d Compel*!!. 3d Compel,'n. Total. H 
•W B. Farwell.435 4ffl SM ■ 
L.vSfc..41.4 43U S43 I 
T. S. Dakin.401 444 S35 ■ 
(j VV. Yale. 423 404 827 ■ 
L C Bruce.3Ul 420 811 1 
J." A. Staffer. m *» I 
B. Fulton.®nS I 
<J. K. Uverbaugh.WO gjg I 
A. Anderson.- 393 401 797 I 
H. S. Jewell.391 4UJ i.»3 ■ 
N. YVaabburn.3S3 381 701 I 
Messrs. Dakiti, Yale, Bruce, and Fulton were members I 
of last year’s team. Of tbe new men tbe Times says:— 1 
“Col. Willard B. Farwell, tbe foremoat man iu the team, is a native of J 
Massachusetts, and forty-lhruu years of age. Be was for many years* 
managing ediLor of the Alla California in t?an braucteco, but is al. prea-* 
mil euguml In tlie manufacture of machine guns. ■ 
'\Mr? Frank llyde is an agent for Remington’s sewing-machines, and l 
a resident of Ilion, 2s, Y. „ , _ . , . .__ J 
‘•Mr, L. Weber was bom in Buffalo, and has been 
ill I, Li- Hi;u» r»uo uo>u *** —--- -- . 
he greater part of his life, but is uow connected with, au insurance c 
>any 
•Col. J. A. Shaffer is a resident of Chicago, and manager of a Health 1 
rt Company. He is thirty-six yeurs of age, and served as uemfl 
jlonel with tlie Second Battalion Illinois Volunteers during the war,* 
ceivine a commission as Brevet Colonel at its close. 
“Mr Charles E. Overbaughia connected with Sharp s Rifle Company,* 
id is a native of Greene couuty, in this State. J 
“Lieut. Andrew Anderson is a resident of West Ilobokon, N. J.v* 
here he is iuiercsted in the real estate boainess. Be has jnst received* 
s discharge from the Fourth Regiment New Jersey National Guard,* 
s term of service having expired, I 
“Mr. Nathan Washburn was born in Hartford, Cmm,, where he con-* 
Qiiea to reside, and is engaged iu tbe manufacture of car wheels. 1I$-| 
about forty-live years of age, . , . T „ ■ 
“Major Herberts. Jewell is the senior partner of the Arm of JcwelLJ 
rothers. flour merchants of Brooklyn, and is also Inspector or Kuieji 
racilco in the Fifth Brigade of that city.” 
Tlie team held a 
Ul LUUh . 
auc mam uulu a mooting at the Hoffman House on Wed- 
tesday, preliminary to appointing a captain. . ■ 
Mr. G. S. Schermerhorn, Jr., Secretary of the National, 
title Association, has received a letter from Mr. P. B.1 
Valuer, of Sydney, Honorary Secretary of the New Soutltl 
Vales Rifle Association, informing him of the prepara— 
t .... ... . i , i... .1.,. n :ii.,.,y„ n r.F A no i pul In in -imn in r.hfl 
Y Hlco J.VIUW XVe&UUltlt-HJLl, turo*tun* & -“*”• , /-V ■ 
ions rmute by Iherilleinen of Ausiralia to 30m m the Gen~| 
euuial International Match, Mr. Walker states that thej 
euuuu luieruauuuai maun. JU*. .. ...ivv 
ommiltee appointed by the council of his association to, 
lake arrangements for sending a team to America, in con-, 
unction with Victoria, decided oil May 0th that the New 
Joutb \Vi.les “five" should proceed to Sau Francisco by. 
teamer, leaving June 30th, and may therefore be expect- 
U here about the begiuiiinfi fit August. Tim wnicr tuUfs 
ue 
to 
m-_ 
JW 
by 
