600 THE GEORGE CATLIN INDIAN GALLERY. 



will be seen that they saved, in a humane manner and worthy of warriors of better 

 caste, the lives of ten unarmed and unoffending enemies. 



Office of Indian Affairs, Saint Louis, Mo., April 10, 1844. 

 Sir: Permit rne to introduce to you the bearer, No-ho-mun-ya (Roman Nose), an Io way brave. 

 Roman Nose, in company with Shon-ta-yi-ga (or Little Wolf), in October last defended and rescued 

 from impending death by a party of his own nation, ten Omahaw Indians, consisting of four re- 

 spected chiefs, braves, and squaws, under circumstances highly flattering to their bravery and hu- 

 manity. 



I would recommend that a medal be presented to No-ho-mun-ya (Roman Nose) as a testimonial of 

 his meritorious conduct on the occasion referred to. Medals from the Government are highly es- 

 teemed by the Indians; and if bravery and humanity are merits in the Indian, then I think Roman 

 Nose richly merits one. His character in every respect is good. 



A notice by the Government of meritorious acts by the Indians has a happy tendency in making a 

 favorable impression in reference to the act that may be the cause of the notice. 



I have presented Little Wolf with a medal that was in the office. On receiving it, he very deli- 

 cately replied, that " he deserved no credit for what he had done — that he had only done his duty, 

 but was gratified that his conduct had merited the approbation of his nation and his father." 

 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, 



W. H. HARVEY, 

 Superintendent Indian Affairs. 

 To his Excellency John Tyler, President of the United States, Washington City. 



I concur with Mr. Harvey in thinking this Indian chief entitled for his bravery and humanity to 

 a medal. 



J. TYLER, 

 President United States, Washington City. 

 June 8, 1814. 



Medal delivered accordingly to Mr. George H. C. Melody, for the chief. 



T. HARTLEY CRAWFORD. 

 June 8, 1884. 



Okee-wee-me (the wife of the Little Wolf) is the mother of the infant pappoose called 

 Corsair. This child is little more than three months old, and slung in the cradle on the 

 mother's back, according to the general custom practiced by all the American tribes, 

 and furnishes one of the most interesting illustrations in the group. 



All tribes in America practice the same mode of carrying their infant children for sev- 

 eral months from their birth upon a flat board resting upon the mother's back, as she 

 walks or rides, suspended by a broad strap passing over her forehead, or across her breast. 

 By this mode of carrying their children the mothers, who have to perform all the slav- 



other ten consisting of the well-known and much-loved chiefs, Big Elk, Big Eyes, and Washkamonia, 

 one squaw, and six young men. This party was on a visit of friendship, by special invitation from 

 the Ioways. When they arrived within ten miles of this post they were seen and conversed with 

 by the son-in-law of Neu-mon-ya, a chief of the Ioways, who undertook to bring the tobacco and 

 sticks to the Ioway chiefs, as is the custom of Indians when on a begging expedition. This young 

 man proved treacherous, and failed to deliver his message to his chiefs, and gave information of the 

 approach of the Omahaws to a man who was preparing to go on a war party. He and two-thirds 

 of the nation started out to murder their visitors, and were only prevented by the timely assistance 

 and interference of the Little Wolf, or Shon-ta-yi-ga, and one other Ioway, whose name is the Roman 

 Nose. 



" This man (the Little Wolf) interfered, as he says, and doubtless he tells the truth, because he con- 

 sidered it treacherous and cowardly to strike a brother after having invited them to visit their na- 

 tion. Such treachery is rare indeed among the wildest North American Indians, and never occurred 

 with the Ioways before. I met him and Jeffrey, the Ioway interpreter, together with two other 

 Ioways, guarding the Big Elk and his party on to my agency, in a short time after this occurrence 

 took place. 



" I cannot close this communication without expressing my sincere thanks to the Little Wolf and 

 his comrade for their good conduct; and I most respectfully beg leave to recommend them to the 

 kind attention of their great father, the President of the United States, and all gentlemen to whom 

 this paper may be shown. 



"W. P. RICHARDSON. 



"Great Nemahaw Sub- Agency, October 23, 1813." 



