Communication.CANNIBALS
It has long been a
controversial question; whether any of the North American
tribes of Indians were actually Cannibals? But now,
it appears to be confirmed that one, at least, among them,
are justly entitled to that description - - The
Winnebagoes, we are told (& from a source that cannot
well be questioned) are so addicted to the eating of human
flesh, that no traders will venture among them, thro' fear
of being killed for the sake of their carcases. This
brings to the writer's mind a story that was told him at
Vincennes, upwards of twenty years ago, by a lady bred and
born in the place, possessing strong talents and a correct
mind. She said, that while a girl of 12 or 13 years,
hearing a party of savages (the nation to which they
belonged not now recollected) had arrived on the opposite
bank of the Wabash, with some Indian prisoners whom they
had surprised or taken in battle, curiosity prompted her
and some companions to cross the river. On their
arrival they found the prisoners had been killed, and
their limbs put into kettles over the fire. They
waited for the result -- when the flesh being sufficiently
boiled, and the broth, of course, sufficiently strong, the
savages devoured the former and sipped the latter with
evident satisfaction. |
How to cite this
article: "Communication: Cannibals," Western Spy (Vincennes, Indiana
Territory), 8 Feb. 1812, p. 3, available
at http://history.hanover.edu/texts/1811. |