having a special desire to commence our visit as far north
as the Winebago Tribe

of Indians; fearing that the boats
would be impeded on account of the low stage of water in
the Ohio river, it seemed most advisable to take the north-
ern route--for accordingly travelled by land to Cleaveland,
thence by Steam Boat to Detroit, and by land across the
State of Michigan to the mouth of the St. Josephs River,
here we took Steam Boat over Lake Michigan Sixty
miles to Chicago; after waiting one day in this place
we departed by Stage for Galina and Dubuque, cross-
ing the State of Illinois a distance of one hundred
and eighty miles. We reached the latter place
in safety, though much fatigued with our journey, the
roads being dry and dusty, and the weather exceedingly
warm: we arrived in Dubuque early on first day morning,
and the following evening procured a conveyance to the
Winebago Indians. On second day morning we left
in a waggon; travelling in a north westerly direction
about one hundred miles across a beautiful prairie
country to Turkey River--on third day afternoon
while stopping for some refreshment about twenty
five miles distant from the Indian villages, then came
to the house five or six Indians in a state of intoxica-
tion (having procured their whiskey at a shop near
by); they were very noisy, calling for whiskey &c.
and greatly annoying those peaceable settlers.

The next morning after leaving for the agency
we fell in with a number of companies most of
whom were intoxicated; some of them carrying whiskey
on thier ponies to their villages.

On fourth day of the week and 29th of ninth
month 1842, we reached the mission for the Winnebego

Tribe of Indians, and took lodging with the Sub. Ag-
ent David Lowry; where we were kindly entertained
by him and his family, and every facility in their pow-
er afforeded us for conferring with the Indians; as
well as a readiness to furnish such information as
was desired.

Winnebago

. Tribe of Indians.

This Tribe is located north west from Iowa Territory

, and
west of Prairie du Cheine, on lands called the neutral
ground. They are located on different parts of
this land in settlements called villages; thier principal one
called the School Band is near the sub Agency of David Lowry
on Turkey River, and about one hundred miles north west from
Dubuque, and within four or five miles of Fort Atkinson.

They number all together about Two Thousand--these
Indians live in rude lodges or Wigwams as they are sometimes
called, built in the usual indian style, by forcing forked sticks
into the ground for posts, into the forks of which they lay
poles for plates and ribs, preparatory to covering them with
oak bark: the sides are either made of bark--mats made
of flags--or skins, fastened to the plates and extending to
the ground. These wigwams are from ten to twenty
five feet in length, and about ten feet wide--the inside
of the building is fitted up with a sort of frame work
on each side, made of poles two feet high and about
three feet wide; intended for a sort of bedstead, on which
they fasten skins or mats, where they lounge and
sleep--leaving a space through the centre--four feet
wide--at cash and there is an apperture or door.
The fire is built in the centre, the smoke escaping
through a hole in the top.

There are not unfrequently as many as three or
four families amounting to twenty persons or more, occu-
pying one of these miserable hovels--when about their
homes they live principally upon soups made of wild
fowl and venison, turnips and potatoes: they also eat
an abundance of boiled corn;--some corn bread is used,
and a very little wheat flour;--There is no regular
order as to the time or manner of taking their meals;
some are seen eating their soup outside the wig-
wam. Some are eating while sitting on thier beds,
while others are engaged in different pursuits:
and should any person of another family happen
to come into the lodge when he neede food, he
would freely partake without invitation as he
would of his own.

The dress of the men consits mainly of
blankets; all of them wear the waist cloth, some
wear moccasins and leggings; and a few wear a
calico frock or skirt--the head is more generally
uncovered, a few however use a turban.

The dress of the women consists of a broad
cloth skirt and blanket--some of them wear moccasins and leggings,