Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 127, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 May 1910 — “EVIL-SMELLING ONES.” [ARTICLE]

“EVIL-SMELLING ONES.”

Translation of the Name Winnebago and the Origin of the Tribe. The name Winnebago, which is translated generally as evil-smelling ones, has many plausible theories of origin. Charlevoix in 1720 Offered the following in explanation: "They seated themselves on the border of a kind of lake (Lake Winnebago?) and I Judge it was there that living on fish, which they got in the lake in great plenty, they were given the name of Puans, because all along the shore where their cabins were built one saw nothing but stinking fish, which Infected the air. It appears at least that this is the origin of the name which the other savages had given them before us and which has communicated Itself to the bay.” Again, Shea states that the Jesuit relations explain their Algonkin appellation as referring to their “coming from the ocean, or salt water, which the Indians style fetid water.” The latter explanation, in connection with their supposed origin on the Atlantic Beaboard, seems to the writer to be the most plausible, says Alanson Skinner in the Southern Workman. In 1908 we found a body of the eastern Cree living on the shores of James And Hudson’s bays known to the rest of their people as Winnebagowug for this very reason. The Wisconsin Winnebago are prepossessing in appearance, tall and finely proportioned. The men dress precisely like their white neighbors, with the exception of moccasins and the scalp lock, both of which are commonly worn by all above middle age. For dances and all festal occasions, however, they possess roach hair headdresses, beaded skirts and clouts, buckskin leggings and other paraphernalia. The worilen, who are often exceedingly pretty and graceful, generally dtess in a very primitive costume. Their luxuriant dark hair is wrapped In a bit of broadcloth, bearing beaded patterns at either end, and from the middle of which long' and beautiful Woven bead chains or streamers depend. Necklaces consisting of poundß upon pounds of beads are about the neck. The ears of the older women

btfve usually some half dozen perforations in the outer rim of the cartilage, from which depend .earrings made of Canadian 5-cent pieces swung on silver chains. The waist or upper garment is of silk or calico,, and is often covered with German silver buckles or brooches of native, make. About the wrists engraved German silver armbands, also of Indian make, and often in considerable numbers, may be seen. The fingers are loaded with native rings. Instead of a sHirt, a single piece of broadcloth, . beautifully ornamented with silk ribbon is folded once about thhe body and held in place by a woven yarn sash. Ornamental leggings of broadcloth peep out below this, and mocasins, unique because of a great beaded flap falling forward over the toe, complete the costume, which is certainly very pretty and tasteful.