Rocky Mountains, 363 



VII. — Of the Indians inhabiting the section of country last 



described. 



This country is exclusively inhabited by savages, no other 

 beings of the human family having fixed their abode within 

 it. They consist of the following tribes and nations, whose 

 numbers, places of residence, and mode of life, will be sub- 

 jects of consideration as far as our knowledge of them ex- 

 tends. 



The Otoes, or, as they are called in their own language, 

 the Wah-tooh tah-tah, reside in a permanent village of dirt 

 or earthen lodges, on the south bank of the river Platte, 

 about fifty miles from its confluence with the Missouri, and 

 thirty miles south westwardly from the Council Bluff. The 

 principal remnant of the old Missouries, who have become 

 extinct as a nation, have their residence with the Otoes. In 

 the course of the last winter, whilst these Indians were ab- 

 sent from their village, on their winter hiint^ their town was 

 partly burnt by the Sauks, which misfortune induced them to 

 take up a temporary abode upon Salt river, a few miles from 

 their former residence. But it was generally supposed that 

 they would return again, and rebuild their town. The name 

 of their principal chief is Shongo-tonga, or Big Horse, Pro- 

 bable number of lodges, one hundred — of persons, fourteen 

 hundred. The Otoes and Missouries are esteemed a brave 

 people, and are friendly towards the Americans. They are 

 at war with the Sauks, Foxes, Sioux, Osages, latans, and 

 other Indians west of the Missouri. A small band of the 

 laways resided for some time with these Indians, but not 

 being able to harmonize with them, lately returned to their 

 old village on the river De Moyen, of the Mississippi. Their 

 principal chief, usually called Hard Heart, being dissatisfied 

 with the conduct of his' tribe, remains with the Otoes. 



The Omawhaw, or as it is commonly written, the Maha 

 nation, exultingly boast that they never have killed an Ame- 

 rican, On the contrary, they have ever been very friendly, 

 and still hold the Americans in the highest estimation. Un- 

 der the influence of their present principal chief, Ongpatonga, 

 or the Big Elk, they never go to war except in the pursuit 

 of a predatory war party, in consequence of which, the tra- 

 ders have given them the reputation cf being cowardly. But 

 the history of this people shows that they have been as am- 

 bitious of martial renown, and have acquired as large a share 

 of it as any of their neighbours. They formerly resided in 



