March n, 1899] 
FOREST AND STREAMo 
180 
Nesodaro's Bear Story. 
Mr. L. O. Armstrong introduced Nesodaro. Mr. 
Armstrong said Nesodaro has given it as his impression 
of New York city (and there are those who agree with 
him) that the tepees are too high and the peo|)le loo 
many. 
Nesodaro hails from the Stoney Indian Reserve, in 
■ western Alberta, and his hunting grounds are the world's 
white roof-tree, north, west and south of Banff along the 
backbone of the Rockies. Mr. Armstrong opened a 
map to point out to the Indian his home. He ran his 
finger along the line of the railroad till he came to Mor- 
ley, and then north to the Bow River. "There you arc, 
Nesodaro," he said. "You live on this streani emptying 
into the Bow-What's-Its-Name, Ghost River?" 
"Oh, yes," said Nesodaro, pleased to hear the name. 
"Me come down that movmtain," and he placed his 
dusky forefinger on a nearby elevation shown on the map. 
"That's Minnewaukan," said Mr. Armstrong, and again 
Nesodaro's face lit up and he said: 
"Oh, yes, me come down there." 
"Now," said the agent, "you're no more a lost child. 
You know where you Hve, though I doubt if you'd ever 
get back there unless we took you. It's a good many 
moons' travel on foot." 
I asked Nesodaro how many cubs he had ever seen 
with an old bear. He mistook my question and answered 
"Fifteen," and the crowd of ignorant city people who 
had jammed into the tepee laughed. Nesodaro laughed 
himself, good-naturedly, and turning to a little boy who 
was struggling in his father's arms much as if he ex- 
pected to be thrown to a wild beast to be devoured, 
reached out his hand and stroked him, whereat Young 
America gave such a start that, as Fred Moody ex- 
pressed it once, he had to jump backwards to get into 
his skin again. 
I explained my meaning and Nesodaro said: 
"Some bear, three; some bear, two; no see four." 
A White Bear and Black Sheep. 
Nesodaro says caribou and moose are pretty scarce in 
his hunting grounds. He has killed six of the former 
and ten of the latter animals. Elk are fairly numerous, 
while mountain sheep and goats are "too many." 
There are two kinds of sheep, according to his state- 
ment, the black sheep and the white sheep. He pointed 
to some brownish martin fur trimming on his clothmg 
to show the color of the black sheep, and to his smoke- 
tanned buckskin blouse to show the color of the other, 
which was evidently the well-known bighorn. He says 
the black sheep are found "west Red Deer River, west 
Saskat'wan, west Old Man River." 
It seems just possible that the black sheep referred to 
may be the Oris stoni, and if so the fact is of great ni- 
terest. as indicating a southern range of this sheep on the 
eastern flank of the Rockies considerably below the sup- 
posed limit. . 
Nesodaro says he has killed a white bear. It was a 
small animal, and though weighing only about 20oIbs 
it was very fat. He killed it in the "low winter" and sold 
the hide for $11. It had eyes "black as hair," 
The Birch Bark Tepee. 
Mr. C. C. Farr, who was with the Hudson Bay Com- 
pany fifteen years, and who has been around the head 
waters of the Ottawa for a much longer period, _ is a 
mine of interesting information on all matter pertaining 
to game or wild life. He saw me looking at a bark 
tepee and said that the Indian name for it was asohah- 
gan. and that the specimen came from Lake Animampis- 
"^ had to get one of them for the show," he said,_ "and 
I went to an Indian named Peeshahbo and told him to 
give me his. Peeshahbo said: 'How the blazes am I 
going to live for the rest of the winter?* I said: '0\\ 
man, ye'll make a new one.' 'But I can't peel any bark.^ 
says he. 'Never you mind,' says I, 'I've got to have it, 
and with that I took it, and here it is." 
Mr. Farr explained that the bark tepees are used by the 
Indians on their winter hunting trips. They are made 
in summer from the bark of large birches, sewed to- 
gether in sections measuring about 3 by 12ft. The pole 
framework of the tepee is erected and the bark bent 
around before it has dried, so that it will take the proper 
shape. The free ends of the bark sections are protected 
and kept from splitting by light strips of wood, one on 
either side, which are attached by sewing. Seven of these 
3x12 bark sections are used in the construction of the 
asohahgan. When the Indian moves his camp the sec- 
tions are made into tight rolls, for convenience _m carry- 
ing In erecting the tepee the bottom section is put in 
place first, and two of the rolls are commonly required 
to reach around. Afterwards the other sections _ are 
wound around the cone-shaped framework up to withm 
a short distance of the peak. The top is left open for the 
escape of smoke. The upper sections lap over the lower, 
shingle fashion, and all the seams run diagonally with 
reference to a vertical line, in such a *vay as to shed water 
perfectly. . 
The sewing is done with wattup. Wattup is made 
from the roots of spruce trees, pulled out by the women 
and boiled till softened. The brown bark covering is 
rubbed ofif and the roots split into suitable sizes for 
sewing. Wattup will keep for years and is tougher than 
moosewood. When wanted for use, all that is necessary 
is to throw it into water, and it becomes pliable and 
easily worked. 
Bark and Wattup. 
The Kippawas use birch bark and wattup for all con- 
ceivable purposes, from making their canoes to the con- 
struction of miniiekwakan pots, which are oval-topped 
affairs finished with rectangular bottoms, and used for 
holding berries or sewing materials, or even, at times, 
when pitched along the seams, as water vessels. The 
French word for minnekwakan is corceau. Willie Paul- 
son has a birch bark bat that is a work of art, both in 
ensemble and detail. 
In constructing their canoes, the Indians use two kinds 
of bark. 'The heaviest goes into the bottom and is called 
bottom bark, and the lighter bark is side bark. As Mr. 
Farr remarked,- "the words carry the significance, do ye 
see?" On these nortiiern waters of the Ottawa great 
canoes, up to 35ft. in length, are still used. The four ahd 
a half and five fathom canoes arc commoner. The Rob 
Roy, made by old Amah, chief of the Kippawas, is the 
king of the lot, with her six fathoms to the wet. The 
mention of Araab made Mr. Fart: reminiscent. 
Indian Dress. 
"Twenty-six years ago," said he, "1 first saw his old 
wife. She was dressed in tartan plaid, with a belt and 
tomahawk at her waist, and a beaded hood on her 
head. On her legs she wore metassc, or leggins. Be- 
fore the Indians came in contact with the white man 
they used to weai' for their winter dress woven rabbit- 
skin garments. The clothing was made on the same 
•principle as the rabbit-skin robes so popular in the 
Klondike at the present time. The Indians of the Tem- 
iscamingue and Tcmaganis region cut rabbit skins into 
strips and twist them, and then net them together ax- 
actly as they make a fish net. With a dirty blanket un- 
derneath and a rabbit-skin robe on top they will sleep 
out in the open very comfortably with the thermom- 
eter 40 degrees below zero. ~ The Indian name for the 
robe is assaybeekwan, meaning a netted covering." 
From Caribou to Clothing in Quick Time. 
While we were talking Paulson passed again, and Mr, 
Farr called attention to his buckskin suit. "That skin 
was a live caribou two weeks ago," he remarked. 
"You know, the Indians don't wear those things back 
in the woods. But I had to rig 'em out in fancy style 
for this show, so I told Willie to get some buckskin 
clothes, and he went out and killed two caribou and had 
their hides nicely smoke-tanned and made into coat and 
pants in short order. Every man can be his own tailor 
in that country, if he has a good squaw to do the work." 
Live Wild Birds. 
Prominent among the live creatures to be seen at the 
Garden, and attracting much attention from visitors, are 
a number of cages containing wild birds, among which 
may be mentioned quail, pheasants and several species of 
wildfowl. The cages are notieablc for being well built 
and commodious, much better suited for the exhibition 
of these birds than anything previously seen at such 
shows. Each one is provided with a water tank suffi- 
ciently ample to allow the birds to swim and bathe. 
Among the wildfowl are black and white domesticated 
swans, Canada geese and snow geese, European shel- 
drake and widgeons, mallards, teal, and a cage of beau- 
tiful wood ducks and mandarin ducks. 
It is to be noticed that in this exhibit the foreign spe- 
cies are almost as numerous as are the native ones. • The 
birds all seem in excellent condition and are, of course, 
greatly admired by all visitors. 
It is to be regretted that neither Mr. Wilton Lock- 
wood, of Boston, nor Mr. Timothy Treadwell, of Long 
Lsland, should have sent cages of their birds to this show, 
Their collection.?, as seen at other .shows, are remarka- 
bly full and very interesting. It certainly seems as if it 
Avould be worth while for more people to pay atten- 
tion to this question of domesticating wildfowl. When 
we recall the fact that persons enthusiastic in matters of 
this sort have succeeded in getting certain wild grouse, 
wild ducks and wild geese to breed regularly in confine- 
ment, it would appear as if only time, study and care 
were required to- induce certain sorts of wildfowl to breed 
in confinement as freely as do our domestic species. 
Trade Exhibits. 
E. T. Du PONT De NEMOURS & CO. 
Stand 49 contains the exhibit of the firm of E. I. Du 
Pont De Nemours & Co.. Wilmington, Del. It is sit- 
uated in the gallery to the left of the Madison avenue en- 
trance. It contains a very complete displav of the dif- 
ferent kinds of powders manufactured by the company, 
snorting, military and blasting, together with samples 
of the crude materials from which the black powders 
are manufactured. All are most attractively arranged 
and exhibited. Powder kes^s in variety of size and color 
displav the manner of identification and shipment. There 
are also samples of smokeless powder for shotgun and 
rifles and cannon poAvder. A most interesting oart of 
the exhibit is the model of a cannon charge for the 
I3in. aruns used in the naw. Standing on end. the pow- 
rier charge measures 6^ft.. the proiectile 354ft. more. 
The charsre of nowrler weights 2Tolbs. and the projec- 
tile i.ioolbs. Mr. Pierre Gentieu is in charge. 
HAZARD POWDER CO. 
Stand .51 contains the exhibit of the Hazard Powder 
Co., 44 Cedar street. New York. In the exhibit are sam- 
ples of all kinds of ooAvder manufactured b.v this com- 
nanv. with also samples of the crude material from which 
the black po^^'der.q are made. There is also a samole of 
the rompanv's Blue Ribbon shofsrun powder. Mr. B. 
H. Norton is in charge. The exhibit is most attractively 
arranged. 
LAFLIN & RAND POWDER CO. 
Stands Nos. 52. '13 and =iA are occupied by the Laflin 
& Rand Powder Co., 99 Cedar street. New York. It 
catches the eye from any oart of the Garden, the large 
models of the 12, 10 and Sin. breech-loading cannon be- 
ing full size and verv conspicuous. These are sectional 
models, about i6ft long, and show the monster guns 
snlit leng-thwise. The bore, breech-loading mech.qni,sm. 
rt^c. are made apoarent to the eve a^ a .sflance. The full 
size dummy projectiles rest in the bores, with their re- 
soective dutnmv loads of 2.c;o. 140 and 7_=;Ibs. of powder 
placed in the chambers in proper manner. Several tar- 
p-ets made bv Mr. W. M. Thomas, with the Laflin &■ 
Rand smokeless powders, testify to their worth and to 
the skill of the rifleman who could nerform so well at 
.=;ooyds. Samples of their new sporting rifle smokeless, 
for rifles and pistols built for the use of black powders 
are also a part of the company's exhibit. Mr. Ed. Tay- 
lor, wise in the lore of what powders are made of and 
what they will do when made, is in charge. 
UNION METALLIC CARTRIDGE CO. 
The Union Metallic Cartridge Co., Bridgeport, Conn.,, 
occupy spaces from No, 5S to 59. Their exhibit is ap- 
parent from any part of the Garden, for its size and sim- 
ple, yet rich, elegance. It is in the form of a lone arch, 
made of mahogany, the pillars of which are shelved and 
walled with clear glass, so that all the varieties of rifle 
cartridges, sporting and military, are readily seen by the 
eye at a glance. There are alt calibers, with all kinds of 
powder charges and all kinds of bullets. The ammuni- 
tion for machine and rapid-fire guns is also in evidence. 
There arc glittering primers by the bushel, and wads, 
shells and shotgun ammunition in general of all sizes, 
the 28 and 24gauge nitro shells being a special novelty. 
Mr. W. M. (U:M. C.) Thomas and Mr. J. J. (U. M. C.) 
Hallowell are in charge. 
LEROY SHOT AND LEAD WORKS. 
The Leroy Shot and Lead Works. 261 Water street. 
New York, occupy Stand No, 60. There are displayed 
.samples of all kinds and sizes of shot, most artistically 
arranged. There are sizes from the robust bullet down 
to the fine sizes of shot used by bird collectors and nat- 
uralists, 
SHOVERLING, DALY & GALES. 
Messrs. Shoverling, Daly &_ Gales, of 325 Broadway, 
New York, have a very attractive display of sportsmen's 
goods, the main features of which are the Daly guns, 
many of which are highly and richly finished, and a quite 
full line of the celebrated Marlin rifles and shotguns and 
Bristol steel rods, fishing tackle and golf goods. The 
Borchardt pistol-carbine is a very interesting part of their 
exiliibit. Mr. G. R. Schneider is in charge. 
BRIDGEPORT GUN IMPLEMENT CO. 
The Bridgeport Gun Implement Co., Bridgeport. 
Conn., occupy Stands Nos. 64 and 65. Their exhibit is 
confined to golf implements and loading blocks for shot- 
gun ammunition. Their space is neat and attractive. 
Mr. A, L. Taylor is in charge. 
THE INTERSTATE ASSOCIATION. 
Stand No. 72 is where the Interstate Association is in 
evidence. Mr. Elmer E. Shaner, the able manager, oc- 
cupies and transacts business in it in his leisure moments. 
THE U. S. CARTRIDGE CO, 
The U. S. Cartridge Co., of Lowell, Mass. occupy 
stands Nos. 73 and 74. It is most attractively furnished 
in Oriental style, carpets, divans and comfortable chairs 
making up the furnishing. It is in one of the choice 
parts of the Garden, commanding a view of everything 
worth seeing, and is presided over by Mr. C. W. Dim- 
mick. 
PETERS CARTRIDGE CO. AND KING POW- 
DER. CO. 
The Peters Cartridge Co. and the King Powder Co., 
of Cincinnati, O., have stand No.^ 75, It is neatly fur- 
nished, more with a view to receiving and entertaining 
the many friends of the company than with a view to 
displaying the company's wares. There are visitors 
therein constantly. Mr. T, H. Keller is the gentleman 
in charge. 
PANTASOTE CO. 
Ill stands Nos. 76 and 77 the Pantasote Co.. of 29 
Broadway, New York, holds forth. Their specialty is a 
tough, water-proof cloth, resembling leather in the qual- 
ity of its toughness, which is manufactured into shooting 
suits, tents and camping outfits, sailors' wear, etc. Mr. 
W. L. Bratton is in charge. 
SAVAGE ARMS CO. 
The Savage Arms Co. occupy stand No. 79. It con- 
tains a complete display of the Savage military and sport- 
ing rifles. An iron plate, bearing the profile of an In- 
dian, the outline of which was punched with soft-nosed 
bullets, which pierced the S-i6in. plate as if it were made 
of cheese, bears testimony to the accuracy of the rifle 
and the skill of Mr. A. Savage, the inventor of it and 
the marksman who made the wonderful target. Mr. H> 
S. Wells is in charge. 
TATHAM BROTHERS. 
Stand No. 82 is occupied by Tatham Brothers, of 82 
Beekman street. New York. Their exhibit contains a 
full line of drop and chilled .shot, numbering from 24 
to the ounce to 162, 304 to the same weight. The whole 
is displayed in elaborate variety. Mr. F. M. Foye is in 
charge. 
PARKER BROTHERS. 
Parker Brothers, of Meriden, Conn., in stand No. 83, 
display a full line of the shotguns which they manufac- 
ture, from the $50 grade up to the highest priced ones, 
.srems of finish and elegance. Mr. L. Parker and Mr. 
"J. R. Hull are in charge. 
THE CLEVELAND TARGET CO, 
The Cleveland Target Co., Cleveland, O., display a 
ma,gautrap in stand No. 84. Its workings are patiently 
and intelligently illustrated by Mr. Charles A. North, a 
brother of Mr. Paul North. 
VON LENGERKE & DETMOLD. 
Messrs. Von Lengerke & Detmold, 318 Broadway, 
New York, display an elaborate variety of Francotte 
guns, Mauser self-loading pistols, Stevens rifles and pis- 
tols, and Wuesther dry plates and photographs made 
with the plates. Also they exhibit a full line of fishing 
tackle, the special pride of John Wright. Mr. Gus Grieff • 
is in charge most of the time, though Mr. Justus Von 
Lengerke gives the exhibit much personal attention. 
Their space is always crowded with visitors. 
The E. C. and Schultze powders, of course, constitute 
a prominent feature of the exhibit. 
REMINGTON ARMS CO. 
The Remington Arms Co., 315 Broadway, New York, 
