Conservative * 5
ancestors' remains in the sparkling well
water , which is considered healthy
merely because it is clear. "
Lucy Stone Blackwell , Boston , says :
"I am decidedly in favor of cremation.
On sanitary grounds alone , it seems to
me to be wholly desirable. "
THE GRAVE OF BLACKBIRD.
Last Resting Place of Washington Ir
ving's Famous Hero.
Omaha has , within her city limits , an
unknown , and uncared for historic spot ,
which , in a few decades , will be looked
upon with far more interest than it has
in the past , or is now. This spot , which
has been forgotten and neglected by the
city , is-the grave of the famous Omaha
chief and warrior , whom even Wash
ington Irving thought worthy of a
place in his writings. This chief lived
in the latter part of the last century ,
dying in 1792. In those days , accord
ing to Irving , the Omahas looked upon
themselves as the most powerful and
perfect of human beings , and consid
ered all created things as made for their
peculiar use and benefit. The leader of
this tribe , Blackbird , or Wash-ing-gun-
sah-ba , was a warrior of the highest
class. Early in life he had been taken
prisoner by the Sioux , where he had his
mettle tested. Under his leadership the
Omahas attained a reputation among
the other tribes that they never had
possessed before. The Pawnees , having
inflicted an insult upon an Omaha brave ,
Blackbird led his men against their
town , and slaughtered many of the in
habitants and burned it to the ground.
He also waged a fierce war against the
Otoes , until peace was affected by the
interference of the whites.
The Poncas had raided the Omaha
tribe , and carried off many of their
women and horses. Blackbird took the
field with the sworn determination of
eating up his enemy. So fiercely did
the battle rage that the Poncas began to
sue for mercy. A herald was sent out
with the pipe of peace , but he was shot
down by Blackbird. A second herald
shared the same fate. As a last hope
the Ponoa's chief then sent out his
daughter , arrayed in all her finery and
bearing the calumet of peace. Her
charms conquered. A treaty was made ,
and Blackbird married the herald. She
became his favorite wife , yet , neverthe
less , in one of his ungovernable fits of
rage , he killed her with a single blow of
his knife.
No sooner did he see her lying dead at
his feet than his anger left him , and for
three days he sat by her corpse , silent
motionless and tasting no food. On the
third day , his people began to fear that
he intended to starve himself to death
and entreated him to be comforted. He
paid no attention to their entreaties
and at last a warrior brought a little
child into his presence and placed it be
neath the chief's foot. This appeal
) rought him to himself , and , arising ,
10 made a speech to his followers , and
seemingly threw off his grief as easily
as he had taken it on. In 1793 , the
smallpox swept over Nebraska , and
Blackbird was one of its victims.
It was the dying command of Black -
) ird , that his tomb should be on the
summit of this hill , in which he should
je interred , seated on his favorite horse ,
; hat he might overlook his ancient do
main and behold the barks of the white
men as they came up the river to trade
with his people.
His dying orders wore faithfully
obeyed. His corpse was placed astride
of his war steed and a mound raised
over them , on the summit of a hill. On
the top of the mound was erected a
staff , from which floated the banner of
the chieftain and the scalps that he had
taken in battle. When the expedition
under Mr. Hunt visfrted that part of the
country (1802) ( ) the staff still remained
with the fragments of the banner , and
the superstitious rite of placing food ,
from time to time , upon the mound , for
the use of the deceased , was still observ
ed by the Omahas.
PLEASANT WORDS OF CHEER.
EDITOR THE CONSERVATIVE :
I will quote from one of your esteem
ed letters to me , several months since
"Your reward for the valuable work
which you are doing in forestry will be
rendered after you are dead. " The
Arbor Day monument to J. Sterling
Morton will be more enduring than any
which could be constructed of granite.
The Arbor Day edition of THE CON
SERVATIVE is a grand work , and is , and
will be , appreciated by thousands who
do not think to write you to that effect
I have often wished that I could reach
some of the multi-millionaires and se
cure even a moderate gift for practica
forestry work , as you suggest in your
first editorial.
My best wishes go out for your con
tinued health , long life , and enjoyment
of the trees which you are planting , or
causing to be planted , everywhere.
JOHN P. BROWN.
Oonnersville , Ind. , April 15,1901.
INVESTMENTS IN MEXICO.
THE CONSERVATIVE takes great pleas
ure in calling attention to the advertise
ment of the Geo. D. Cook Co. , of 288
La Salle street , Chicago , and 52 Broad
way , New York. The members of this
company have been known to THE CON
SERVATIVE for nearly a generation as
men of the first-class , as to integrity
and business ability. Those desiring to
invest in Mexico will do well , therefore
to confer with this corporation.
BLACK WALNUT VALUABLE.
Scores of old barns in Ohio have floors
and mangers of black walnut , put in
fifty or seventy-five years ago , when the
chief endeavor of the pioneer was to
clear the dense forests for crops. So
popular is black walnut furniture abroad ,
that English and French agents buy
even old barn timbers and fence-rails.
One of the few walnut groves left in
Ohio , was sold last month for export as
lumber. The largest tree , eight feet in
diameter at the stump , brought twelve
hundred dollars. In view of this fact ,
Arbor Day suggests more than a senti
ment ; it hints also at a financial invest
ment. Young people who plant walnut
groves or avenues may live to reap sub
stantial profits from the timber thereof.
Youth's Companion.
Information !
EVERY VISITOR TO
CDC
Pan American
exposition
Ought to go with all the necessary
information regarding :
fiotels ,
Rates ,
Railroads.
Special attention and rates given
to groups who intend visiting the
Exposition in a body.
All this information maybe had
by applying to
E. T. HEAD ,
CARE GENERAL AGENT
. NICKEL PLATE RAILROAD ,
Buffalo , lcu > york.
