Uses of Plants by the Hidatsas of the Northern Plains

Bibliography

419 appendix Frederick N. Wilson’s Comments on “The Hidatsa Earthlodge” Gilbert Wilson died in 1930 with much of his work unpublished. Over the years at Fort Berthold he and his brother Frederick had collected a great deal of information on earthlodges, particularly from Buffalobird-woman. Bella Weitzner of the American Museum of Natural History compiled and edited the Wilsons’ material for the museum, which published it in 1934. Prior to publication the amnh sent the proofs of the finished manuscript to Frederick Wilson for comment. He had worked closely with Gilbert and had drawn quite precise “blueprints” of several lodges as well as details of their construction. He thus knew more than anyone the details of Hidatsa earthlodge structure and construction . The amnh seems to have paid no attention to his comments and corrections at all. Because his observations and criticisms are, I think, significant, I have included them here. Notes and Comments on the Galley-proofs of the Manuscript of The Hidatsa Earthlodge by Gilbert L. Wilson Arranged and Edited by Bella Weitzner After reading this paper, there seemed to be so many conflicting and contradictory statements to account for or to reconcile that I hardly know where to begin. I shall make no attempt at a critical analysis, as that is beyond me; and as far as arranging and coordinating the material is concerned , Miss Weitzner deserves the highest praise, as I can understand the terrific labor involved. There is however a certain feeling of uncertainty or confusion arising from all these apparently irreconcilable statements, and I think a little additional matter might 420 appendix be put in at the proper place to obviate this, as it seems to me that these discrepancies are more seeming than actual. Before going into any detailed suggestions, I should like to make a few general remarks which may be taken for what they are worth. The older Indians had no great familiarity with precision instruments , and so could not be expected to be very accurate in giving measures from memory, and these measures and numbers should be taken as approximate, rather than as precise, in many instances. Familiar as we are with measures, most of us are hopelessly inaccurate in estimating measures and distances. As to accounts of the early travelers, from my own experience I can say that appearances are often deceitful, and that many of the dimensions and details of lodge construction were accepted only after making actual measurements. After looking over all the source material at hand, and many early accounts, we must, I think, accept the twelve post conical lodge, of about 40 ft. diameter as the norm, and all others however common as special types or variations. Certainly the whole subject becomes clearer, if this is done, and any departure from this becomes merely a matter of individual preference, or possibly in the case of the flat-roof lodge, a matter of custom, for keepers of Ceremonies and for dances. Both Buffalo-bird-woman and Hairy Coat gave me the distinct impression that, while there were many flat-roof lodges in the villages, they were not so numerous as to be common, and that, while there was apparently no restrictions as to their use, and any one might build them still those that had them were more apt to be among the most influential members of the community . These were more likely to be the Chiefs, the Keepers of Ceremonies , or any important and influential member of the tribe. Just as with his more advanced brother the whiteman, the location of the lodge and its size and finish no doubt did much to proclaim his position and importance. appendix 421 In comparing several early accounts (the few available to me), as well as the drawings and prints, the conical lodge is everywhere in evidence, and is, even in the often inaccurate descriptions and drawings, quite unmistakable. This convinces me that it is the normal type, and that the flat-roof lodge is a further improvement or development of this, different only in the smoke-hole construction and arrangement; in all other ways conforming to the same design. To take an example from our own region here, we might liken the winter lodge and its associate “twin” lodge to our summer cottage at the lake; the conical lodge to our permanent home, and flat-roof lodge to the mansion...