They were at that time the happiest and most
wealthy tribe on the continent, regarded from an Indian standpoint;
but then the great plains were stocked with buffalo and wild horses,
and that fact alone warrants the assertion of contentment and riches.
No finer-looking tribe existed; they could then muster more than
ten thousand warriors, every one of whom would measure six feet, and
all their movements were graceful and elastic.
According to their legends, they came from the Pacific and encountered
the Algonquins about the head waters of the Mississippi, where they
were held in check, a portion of them, however, pushing on through
their enemies and securing a foothold on the shores of Lake Michigan.
This bold band was called by the Chippewas Winnebagook (men-from-the-
salt-water). In their original habitat on the great northern plains
was located the celebrated "red pipe-stone quarry," a relatively
limited area, owned by all tribes, but occupied permanently by none;
a purely neutral ground--so designated by the Great Spirit--where no
war could possibly occur, and where mortal enemies might meet to
procure the material for their pipes, but the hatchet was invariably
buried during that time on the consecrated spot.
The quarry has long since passed out of the control and jurisdiction
of the Indians and is not included in any of their reservations,
though near the Sisseton agency.
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