History: Native American life in Cassia County ID
I wrote the following story for the Cassia County Museum. The article appeared in the South Idaho Press in August 2006
At the first of the 19th Century, Shoshone Indian woman Widzhebu, was picking berries along the Raft River with family members when an Assiniboin warrior kidnapped her.
Widzhebu, her 10-year-old niece and her two-year-old daughter were later taken to North Dakota. The niece managed to escape, and not long after an Assiniboin killed Widzhebu’s child. Widzhebu was forced to marry an Assiniboin warrior and made to care for the man’s child by his first wife.
Widzhebu eventually escaped and made her way 1,200 miles back home to Idaho.
“There was much rejoicing at her return,” said Keith Crane who recently oversaw the second Cassia County lecture series entitled “Indians and Cassia County”. Crane is an avid collector of Shoshone Indian artifacts.
Following Widzhebu’s return to Rafter River, she gave birth to a baby boy she named Pocatello. He later became known as Chief Pocatello, the namesake of the neighboring eastern city.
“He was a warrior. He led many people. He is a very important person to the Shoshone culture ,” Crane said.
Another famous person in Shoshone Indian culture is the famed Sacagawea. Thanks to Sacagawea, the Lewis and Clark expedition moved safely through the west. Native American tribes knew such a group wasn’t looking for a fight if a woman and child were traveling with it.
“The Indians knew they couldn’t be warriors,” Crane said.
About 35 people attended the lecture where Crane also discussed the Shoshone way of life in Cassia Country prior to white emigration. Crane displayed numerous arrowheads he’s found throughout Mini-Cassia.
Crane has studied the pre-white history of Cassia County for years.
“All I know of I have read and studied in archeology classes,” he said.
According to Crane, the Shoshone Indians developed a desert culture.
“They never made much pottery. They lived off the land,” he said.
The Native Americans made baskets out of willows. They ate berries and rabbits. Rabbit skin was often used for rugs.
And they left wandering coyotes alone.
“The Shoshone thought they had human qualities,” Crane said.
Native Americans relied heavily on rock. They often rubbed one against another making everything from cooking tools to weapons of war.
“There was really good workmanship. They did good with what they had.,” Crane said.
Life for Native American women transformed dramatically with the introduction of pots and pans taken from whites. It was material never before seen by Indian tribes.
“One of the biggest changes was the women getting steel kettles out of the covered wagons,” Crane said.
Crane also displayed his large arrowhead collection during the lecture.
“It’s more fun to find them than it is to have them. The thrill comes when you find them,” he said.
Crane has found many of his arrowheads in Heyburn.
“There was (an Indian) camp ground along the river for many many years,” he said.
Frenchmen’s Island is also a great place to search for Indian artifacts, Crane said.
Crane regularly teaches grade school children about the Native American communities in Cassia County.
“First graders don’t like to look (at artifacts), they like to touch them,” he said.
Crane loves taking his show on the road. He says it’s important to let people see the arrowheads rather than hiding them away in some research lab for only scientists to study.
Also check out the following Famous American Battles" "Quilting in Idaho" The Bonneville Flood in Cassia County The History of Shorthand WWII Women's Auxiliary Volunteer Emergency
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At the first of the 19th Century, Shoshone Indian woman Widzhebu, was picking berries along the Raft River with family members when an Assiniboin warrior kidnapped her.
Widzhebu, her 10-year-old niece and her two-year-old daughter were later taken to North Dakota. The niece managed to escape, and not long after an Assiniboin killed Widzhebu’s child. Widzhebu was forced to marry an Assiniboin warrior and made to care for the man’s child by his first wife.
Widzhebu eventually escaped and made her way 1,200 miles back home to Idaho.
“There was much rejoicing at her return,” said Keith Crane who recently oversaw the second Cassia County lecture series entitled “Indians and Cassia County”. Crane is an avid collector of Shoshone Indian artifacts.
Following Widzhebu’s return to Rafter River, she gave birth to a baby boy she named Pocatello. He later became known as Chief Pocatello, the namesake of the neighboring eastern city.
“He was a warrior. He led many people. He is a very important person to the Shoshone culture ,” Crane said.
Another famous person in Shoshone Indian culture is the famed Sacagawea. Thanks to Sacagawea, the Lewis and Clark expedition moved safely through the west. Native American tribes knew such a group wasn’t looking for a fight if a woman and child were traveling with it.
“The Indians knew they couldn’t be warriors,” Crane said.
About 35 people attended the lecture where Crane also discussed the Shoshone way of life in Cassia Country prior to white emigration. Crane displayed numerous arrowheads he’s found throughout Mini-Cassia.
Crane has studied the pre-white history of Cassia County for years.
“All I know of I have read and studied in archeology classes,” he said.
According to Crane, the Shoshone Indians developed a desert culture.
“They never made much pottery. They lived off the land,” he said.
The Native Americans made baskets out of willows. They ate berries and rabbits. Rabbit skin was often used for rugs.
And they left wandering coyotes alone.
“The Shoshone thought they had human qualities,” Crane said.
Native Americans relied heavily on rock. They often rubbed one against another making everything from cooking tools to weapons of war.
“There was really good workmanship. They did good with what they had.,” Crane said.
Life for Native American women transformed dramatically with the introduction of pots and pans taken from whites. It was material never before seen by Indian tribes.
“One of the biggest changes was the women getting steel kettles out of the covered wagons,” Crane said.
Crane also displayed his large arrowhead collection during the lecture.
“It’s more fun to find them than it is to have them. The thrill comes when you find them,” he said.
Crane has found many of his arrowheads in Heyburn.
“There was (an Indian) camp ground along the river for many many years,” he said.
Frenchmen’s Island is also a great place to search for Indian artifacts, Crane said.
Crane regularly teaches grade school children about the Native American communities in Cassia County.
“First graders don’t like to look (at artifacts), they like to touch them,” he said.
Crane loves taking his show on the road. He says it’s important to let people see the arrowheads rather than hiding them away in some research lab for only scientists to study.
Also check out the following Famous American Battles" "Quilting in Idaho" The Bonneville Flood in Cassia County The History of Shorthand WWII Women's Auxiliary Volunteer Emergency
HOME
Yahoo Quick Search
This page has been visited
times.
Yahoo Quick Search
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