Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 August 1893 — They Ate Grasshoppers. [ARTICLE]

They Ate Grasshoppers.

Salvador Chuugalognsh and Beaor» Marcelina Blaoktooth were among thn witnesses exutnined in tbe action begun by ex-Governor Downey to remove thn Indians from a portion of Warner's Ranch, says the San Diogan-San of California. Both are very old. Mm. Blackbooth could not give her exact age, was able to romember the tjmu when Captain Warner’s bouse was burned down, and that a big fight between thn Indians and white men occurred about that time. Shu nlso remomlHtrs that produce raised by the Indians was packed on burros to tbe old mission in tbe valley hero, which, it may be said, was long before tbe boom. Tho Indians then had bows and arrows and crooked sticks to fight with. The white ma*. had gnus. In answer to i line of queai ions froou Senator White, attorney for Governor Downey, Mrs. Blaoktooth 1 art her said, through an interpreter, that grasshoppers were one favorite article of diet with the ludlans in old times. To catch the ogil* hoppers in biU-of-fare quantities the Indians first dug holes in the ground; the* they set firo to the grass, and the hoppers, to escape the fire, fell into the holes, where they wore captured in large numbers. The grasshoppers were usually roasted before they were eaten. “Well, tbe Indians still catch and ease grasshoppers, do they not ?” asked Senator White. “Not much now,” was the stoical a*ewer. “Why not ?’’ asked tbe Senator. “Because there are not now many rasshoppers to eat," explaiaed the aged, witness. Rats also appeared to have bee* m\ favorite side dish with tbe Indians. T<*< facilitate tho capture of the rodent# tha grass wus usually burned off the ground In the summer and fall.