Howdy, Soon after passing the City of the Rocks(Idaho?), 49er Reuben Cole SHAW visits a Blackfoot Indian village (maybe near where Idaho, Nevada & Utah meet?) and writes: "Late in the afternoon[ August 2, 1849] we struck a pleasant valley, through which a fine mountain stream was flowing, and by following its course we reached the village of the BLACKFEET Indians near nightfall. They had selected for their summer camp a beautiful natural park, which was surrounded by high wooded hills, while the grassy little valley, with its low, scattering oaks, gave it the appearance of an orchard, as often seen among the hills of New England. "As we came abruptly into their village, the frightened women, children, and most of the dogs went scurrying down the creek and were out of sight in a jiffy. Neither was there a man to be seen. But the General[guide], calling to them in their own tongue, brought out from their wigwams several old men, who were soon on friendly terms with all of us. The dignified old Chief welcomed the General in a cordial and friendly manner, treating him as an old friend and inviting him to his lodge, where they ate, smoked, and talked for many an hour. "The Chief gave us permission to form our camp near his village, and assured us that we need entertain no fears about being molested by his people during our stay, but the Geneal cautioned us to keep a sharp lookout for our property, and gave us to understand that the Blackfeet Indians were never too young nor too old to steal from the white man:-).... "On the morning of August 3rd[1849] the Indian camp was all astir. We saw no women or children about the village the night before, but that morning they were at home, dogs and all. The Chief visited our camp early, accompanied by two squaws carrying deer skins, which they spread on the ground, forming seats for the General and the members of his mess. The Chief, by special invitation, was to breakfast with the General. "Four other dignified old Indians were strolling around our camp and seemed deeply interested in the preparations for breakfast. They readily accepted an invitation to eat with us, and we feed them from our choicest stores. They ate with ravenous appetites and appeared capable of stowing away a vast amount of food, but never seeming to have quite enough. "Breakfast being disposed of, the old Indians tooks us through the village, which was composed of about 25 lodges; but, as it was a summer camp, many of the wigwams were temporary affairs, a number of them being made by leaning poles against branches of trees, while skins of wild animals formed the covering. Others were constructed by placing poles in a circle around trees and covering with brush, while, hanging on the body of the trees, in the center of the lodges, there were oval-shape shields about 20 inches long and a half-inch thick.They were made of green buffalo hide, and, to secure the proper thickness, two pieces were skillfully glued together. After being thoroughly dried, they were absolutely ARROW-PROOF. We also noticed spears, six to ten feet long, made of red cedar and barbed with flints. They were prefectly straight and neatly finished. There were also bows, quivers containing arrows, moccasins, belts, and many other articles dear to the heart of an Indian. "The Chief's place of abode was of a different order of architecture, it being constructed of poles about 20 feet long, which were set at an angle, forming a cone about 15 feet in diameter at the base. It was covered with finely-dressed buffalo and deer skins, which, being artistically ornamented, gave the Chief's home a very novel and interesting appearance; but we received quite a shock on noticing the uncomfortable and filthy condition of the interior. The lodges and cooking of these Indians were all exceedingly filthy and quite repulsive..... "We were surprised to hear one of the old Indians speaking in English. He informed us that he had sometime previously made a journey with white trappers down the Columbia River to the Pacific, where he spent two years and then returned to his tribe. I think the old heathen made application to every man in our company for whiskey, and, thoough he failed to obtain the coveted article, had excellent success in begging tobacco."TO BE CONTINUED. Next we visit with the Indian Ladees:-), Part 2 will be along - probably tomorrow, Bob Norris in Dallas <BNorris166aol..com>