Caddo Indians in Montgomery County, AR
The Arkansas archaeological Society in 1976 published a booklet entitled An Induction to Caddo Gap. The booklet stated
that very little archaeological research in th Ouachita Mountain region has been published and most of what has been documented was
produced before 1940. However, unpublished reports, private collections and Arkansas Archaeological Survey records indicate the region has been occupied for many thousands of
years.
In the booklet in the section entitled "history of Archaeological Work in the Ouachita Mountain Region" Ann Early of Arkadelphia stated that Paleo-Indian cultures inhibited portions of Arkansas before 8000 B.C. No definite archaeological site has yet been verified in the ouachita Mountain region, but surface collections from the upper Caddo and Ouachita Rivers have included a few fluted points of lanceolate shaped spears. It is likely they inhabited this area then.
Beginning around 8000 B.C. and lasting perhaps until 300 B.C., the Archaic cultures of hunters and gatherers who used stemmed dart points, notched river pebbles, ground axes, and a variety of chipped stone artifacts identified as knives, scapers and drills flourished in this area, according to Ann Early.
Dr. John Thomas Greer's "Essay of the Caddo River Watershed" (1985) stated that the first settlers of the Caddo region in the Archaic Period dated form 900 to 1000 B.C. In the 1920s S.D. and S.P. Dickinson found a type of chipped, double-bladed axe, typical of of the Fourche Maline culture of appoxiamately 100-800 B.C. This find was made at Buttermilk Springs in the area of Collier Creek. However, V.L. Huddleston dated the site of Brushy Creek in the 1920s at 1000 B.C. to the first century A.D. and identified it as part of the Marksville Culture. Huddleston said that culture was followed by Cole's Creek culture, characterized by its pottery and mound burial technique with the corpse in a flexed position.
Schambach, according to Ann Early, stated that after 300 B.C. the character of the material culture of peoples living in southwest
Arkansas changed. Thick undecorated pottery with bone and later clay tempering was manufactured. New styles of dart points and
chipped stone tools appeared and some new artifact were found -- such as chipped stone 'axes' and 'spades', boatstones, and clay pipes. The general
term for these cultural manifestations is Fourche Maline. The evidence accumulated so far indicates that the mountain region was occupied by
substantial numbers of people, and that new systems of social organization and making a living most likely were developed. These
systems differed from the previous Archaic life styles. Quarrying of novaculite and argillite along the upper Caddo Ouachita drainages for the
manufacture of the tools continued (Bond, 1971).
Ann early stated that at some time between 800 and 1000 A.D., a new cultural completely developed, representing a way of live based upon the cultivation of corn and other domestic plants. These societies were organized around a series of religious and socio-political beliefs which included the construction and maintenance of ceremonial centers containing temple and burial mounds. These centers did not appear to have been villages, of compact communities. The population was, instead, dispersed along river and creek valleys in small hamlet of farmstead residential sites. New styles of pottery were made, and engraved and incised decorations on finely made, highly polished potter bowls, jars, and bottles became common. Tiny, finely flaked arrow points have been found in sites, indicating that people were using bows and arrows for hunting and warfare.
However, Ann Early continued, the date of the first Caddo occupation of the Ouachita Mountain region is unkown. Asingl phase of occupation has been identified, on the basis of the appearance of certain types of pottery vessels and clay pipes, which has been given the name Mid-Ouachita. The principal component of the Adair site, some thirty miles northeast of Caddo Gap, Was that of a Mid-Ouachita phase ceremonial center.
Dr. J.T. Greer stated in his essay that Tom collier's discoveries in 1925 and Dickinson's excavations in 1927 established a new culture in this area in 1400. Shell tempered pottery was found by Dickinson along Collier Creek and Buttermilk Springs. However, some evidence exists which could suggest that this group of Indians was not of the ten tribes of the three-group confederation known as the Caddo. prior to DeSoto, however , the inhabitants of the region believed that they had "received the title of the land from the gods" (Lyon: 1952). The name Caddo is derived from French "Cadodaquois" of the eighteenth century and refers to the "Great Chiefs" of the Kadohodacho, the Caddo Indians, who may not have come into the valley proper until the late 1700s (Greer). This differs from the findings of Dr. Swanton from the Smithsonian, along with Colonel John R. Rordyce on the DeSoto Commission in 1939, who thought to Tula Indians to be Caddo Indians. (In 1541, DeSoto referred to the Indians in the area of the Caddo Gap region as Tulas.)
Historians still do not completely accept the fact that Caddo Gap was the site of the historic meeting of DeSoto and the Tula Indians. The DeSoto Commission formed in 1939, studied teh for narratives about DeSoto's stay in Arkansas. All speak of DeSoto's stay at the "hot streams" at a place named Tanico, and of a battle with the Tula Indians a short way (three days' march by the entire army) to the west/southwest. The DeSoto Commission felt that Tanico must be the area of the present-day Hot Springs, and That the Tula Indians encountered by DeSoto were in Caddo Gap..." Assuming that Tanico was near the present town of Hot Springs -- and there are no other sizeable hot springs in this vicinity -- a trail upstream to the southwest would probably have led up Big Mazarn Creek to the Caddo River just below Caddo Gap. Here the Caddo breads through a narrow opening in the in the novaculite stone ridge, and on the up-stream side the valley widens out and there are many signs of an Indian village including several mounds. This was probably the site of Tula."
De La Vega, a Peruvian who reported the DeSoto expedition, wrote that the Tula encounter occurred on a plain or level area between two rivers. Dickinson contended that eh level plain at Caddo Gap between the Caddo River and Collier Creek would fit that description. Huddleston described these Indians as having a "...cradle board deformation of the skull with a low, flat forehead" (Huddleston: 1943). Dickinson noted that their long pointed heads were "...deformed in infancy by binding" and that the adults "..had their faces tattooed, even extending the decoration over the lips" (Dickinson: 1980).
By the early 1800s most of the Indians in the area of the Caddo had migrated to Texas, and after a series of treaties (1818, 1820, 1824, 1833, 1835, 1843) and Quapaws were moved through the Caddo River region to the Red River Valley in Louisiana and later to Oklahoma. By 1859, there were evidently no Indians living in the area (Herdon: 1922).
Martin Collier, one of the oldest settlers in Montgomery County arriving soon after War of 1812, became friends of the Indians living just north of the Gap. His great-great-grandson, Argus Dutton, told how Martin made friends with the Indians. It seems Martin was somewhat of a musician. He played the fiddle, and the Indians, hearing the music coming from the Collier homestead, were lured to the "heavenly sound."
Today the statue in Caddo Gap commemorating DeSoto's 1541 visit and the mascot of Caddo Hills School District -- the Indian -- are lasting memorial to the first inhabitants of Montgomery County. Students on the Caddo Hills campus and amateur and professional archaeologists continue to find artifacts and evidence of early Indian villages up and down the Caddo River Valley.
Compiled By Mary Beth Jackson
Montgomery County, Our Heritage
Sesquicentennial Committee
pg 354-355
Interesting Bits of Information about the Caddo Indians
- The Caddo Indians ar the principle southern representatives of the great Caddoan linguistic family, which include the Wichita,
Kichai, Pawnee, and Arikara. Their confederacy consisted of several tribes or divisions, claiming as their original territory the whole
of lower Red River and adjacent country in Louisiana, eastern Texas, and Southern Arkansas.
- Caddo is a popular name contracted from Kadohadacho, the name of the Caddo proper, as used by themselves.
- Chevalier de Tonti, a French explorer, called them Cadadoquis, M. Joutel, historian La Salle's exploring party, called them
Cadaquis, and John Sibley, Indian agent at Natchitoches, called them Caddoes. They wer called Masep by the Kiowa,
Nashonet or Nashoni by the Commanche, Dashai by teh Wichita, Otasitaniuw (meaning "pierced nose people") by the Cheyenne,
and Tanibanen by the Arapaho.
- The number of tribes in the Caddo Confederacy can not now be determined. Only a small number of the Caddo survive, and
the memory of much of their tribal oranization is lost.
- Many Caddo lost their lives to Small Pox.
- All the tribes of the Confederacy spoke the Caddoan language. However, the Adai differed from all the others and was very difficult
to speak. The Caddies had a very convenient way of communicating with each other adn wiht other tribes, through the medium
of a sign language. Their tribal sign was made "by passing the extended index finger, pointing under teh nose from right to left."
When they wanted to accuse some one of telling a lie, or falsehood, they did that "by passing the
extended index and second fingers separated toward the left, over the mouth".
- The Caddoes were cultivators of the soil. They planted fields around their villages in corn, pumpkins and vegetables that
furnished their staple food. They would not allow idleness; there was always something to be done, and those who would not
work were punished. They worked hard in their fields when the weather was good, but when the cold rain fell and the north
wind blew they would not come out of their houses. Yet they were not idle; they sat around the fire employing themselves with
handiwork. It was then that they made their bows and arrows, their necessary clothing and tools with which to work. The
women worked making mats out of reeds and leaves, and pots and bowls out of clay.
- The Caddo also hunted and fished for a living. There is evidence that they ate bear, buffalo, fish, deer, raccoon, turkey, and
many other creatures.
- Each group of the Tejas Indians was apparently under the command of a great chief
called Xinesi. Each tribe had a chief or governor called a Caddi, who ruled within the section of country occupied by his tribe,
no matter whether it was large or small. If large, they had a sub-chief called Canahas. The number of sub-chiefs depended on
the size of the tribe ruled by the Caddi. The number ranged from three to eight. It was their duty to relieve the Caddi and to
publish his orders. One of these gave orders for preparing the chief's sleeping place while on the buffalo hunt and the war-path,
and filled and lighted his pipe for him. They also frightened the people by declaring that, if they did not obey orders, they would
be whipped and punished in other ways. There were other sub ordinate officers called Chayas, who carried out orders issued
by the Canahas. There were petty officers under the Chayas, called jaumas, who promptly executed orders. They whipped all
the idlers with rods, by giving them strokes over the legs and belly. When the Caddi wished to have a council meeting, the
Canahas had to summon the elders.
- Eight or ten families often lived in one dwelling, and cultivated the land about it in common. It appears that the food supply was kept in common,
The mistress, who must have been the mother of the chief, for she was aged, had charge of all the provisions, for that is the
custom, that in each cabin, one woman holds supremacy over the supplies, and makes the distribution to each, although there
may be several families in the cabin.
- If the house and property of one of the tribesman were destroyed, all the rest of the tribe joined in helping provide him with a new home.
- The Caddo lived in two kinds of houses, the grass thatched, and earth covered. The grass houses were conical in shape, made
of a framework of poles covered with a thatch of grass. They were grouped around an open space which served for social and
ceremonial purposes. Arranged around the walls inside of the house were couches covered with mats, that served as seats
during the day and as beds at night. In the middle of the house was the fire, which was kept burning day and night.
The earth houses were erected by constructing a frame, probably in the form of a low dome of very stout poles upon which
were placed smaller ones at right angles. These in turn were covered with brush and cane, and then with sage grass on which
was placed a heavy coating of earth.
- The Caddoes wore very few clothes during the early period as reported by Joutel. During the winter months they covered
themselves with animal skins. They hung these skins around their bodies reaching about half way down their legs. During the
warm months nearly all of them went without clothing.
They loved ornaments such as beads, ear-pendants, and ear plugs. At festive times they did not
lack for ornaments such as collars, necklaces, and amulets, which resembled those the Aztecs wore.
- If a man wanted to marry, he took the maiden of his choice the best and finest present he could afford. If the father and mother
gave their permission for her to receive the gift, it meant that the man had their consent to take her. However, she was not
taken away until notice was given to the Caddi. If the woman was not a maiden, all that was necessary was her consent to
receive the presents. Often the agreement was made only for a few days. At other times they declared it binding forever. Only
a few of them kept their word. When a woman found another man who was able to give her better things she went with him
and there was no punishment for this conduct. Few men ever remained with their wives very long, but they never had but one
wife at a time.
- If a Caddo is killed in battle, the body is never buried, but left to be devoured by beasts or birds of prey, and the condition of
such individuals in the other world is considered to be far better than that of persons dying a natural death. This practice
resembles that of the ancient Persians who threw out the bodies of their dead on the roads, and if they were promptly devoured
by wild beasts they esteemed it a great honor, and if not, a terrible misfortune.
- Not much is known about the religious beliefs of the Caddo, but the early writers tell us that they believed in a "great spirit,"
known under the name of Ayanat Caddi, or as Ayo-Caddi-Aymay. Their ceremonial leader "had a house
reserved for the sacrifices, and when they entered therein they behaved very reverently, particularly during a sacrifice. They
never sacrificed to idols, but only to him of whom they said that he has all power, and that from him came all things. Ayimat
Caddi, in their language, signifies the great captain. This was the name he gave to God. In spite of these remarks there is
evidence that the Caddo and their relatives worshipped a number of minor spirits and powers. "Their gala dresses bear two painted suns; on the rest of the body
are representations of buffalo, stags, serpents, and other animals." "It even appears that they thought everything
in nature had some sort of spirit or power, which could be prayed to, reasoned with, and led to assist the supplicant, so they
'solicited the deer and buffalo, that they should allow themselves to be slain; the maize, that it would grow and let itself be eaten;
the air, that it would be pleasant and healthful.
Links
More links later.
Interesting Bits of Information about the Caddo Indians
- The Caddo Indians ar the principle southern representatives of the great Caddoan linguistic family, which include the Wichita, Kichai, Pawnee, and Arikara. Their confederacy consisted of several tribes or divisions, claiming as their original territory the whole of lower Red River and adjacent country in Louisiana, eastern Texas, and Southern Arkansas.
- Caddo is a popular name contracted from Kadohadacho, the name of the Caddo proper, as used by themselves.
- Chevalier de Tonti, a French explorer, called them Cadadoquis, M. Joutel, historian La Salle's exploring party, called them Cadaquis, and John Sibley, Indian agent at Natchitoches, called them Caddoes. They wer called Masep by the Kiowa, Nashonet or Nashoni by the Commanche, Dashai by teh Wichita, Otasitaniuw (meaning "pierced nose people") by the Cheyenne, and Tanibanen by the Arapaho.
- The number of tribes in the Caddo Confederacy can not now be determined. Only a small number of the Caddo survive, and the memory of much of their tribal oranization is lost.
- Many Caddo lost their lives to Small Pox.
- All the tribes of the Confederacy spoke the Caddoan language. However, the Adai differed from all the others and was very difficult to speak. The Caddies had a very convenient way of communicating with each other adn wiht other tribes, through the medium of a sign language. Their tribal sign was made "by passing the extended index finger, pointing under teh nose from right to left." When they wanted to accuse some one of telling a lie, or falsehood, they did that "by passing the extended index and second fingers separated toward the left, over the mouth".
- The Caddoes were cultivators of the soil. They planted fields around their villages in corn, pumpkins and vegetables that furnished their staple food. They would not allow idleness; there was always something to be done, and those who would not work were punished. They worked hard in their fields when the weather was good, but when the cold rain fell and the north wind blew they would not come out of their houses. Yet they were not idle; they sat around the fire employing themselves with handiwork. It was then that they made their bows and arrows, their necessary clothing and tools with which to work. The women worked making mats out of reeds and leaves, and pots and bowls out of clay.
- The Caddo also hunted and fished for a living. There is evidence that they ate bear, buffalo, fish, deer, raccoon, turkey, and many other creatures.
- Each group of the Tejas Indians was apparently under the command of a great chief called Xinesi. Each tribe had a chief or governor called a Caddi, who ruled within the section of country occupied by his tribe, no matter whether it was large or small. If large, they had a sub-chief called Canahas. The number of sub-chiefs depended on the size of the tribe ruled by the Caddi. The number ranged from three to eight. It was their duty to relieve the Caddi and to publish his orders. One of these gave orders for preparing the chief's sleeping place while on the buffalo hunt and the war-path, and filled and lighted his pipe for him. They also frightened the people by declaring that, if they did not obey orders, they would be whipped and punished in other ways. There were other sub ordinate officers called Chayas, who carried out orders issued by the Canahas. There were petty officers under the Chayas, called jaumas, who promptly executed orders. They whipped all the idlers with rods, by giving them strokes over the legs and belly. When the Caddi wished to have a council meeting, the Canahas had to summon the elders.
- Eight or ten families often lived in one dwelling, and cultivated the land about it in common. It appears that the food supply was kept in common, The mistress, who must have been the mother of the chief, for she was aged, had charge of all the provisions, for that is the custom, that in each cabin, one woman holds supremacy over the supplies, and makes the distribution to each, although there may be several families in the cabin.
- If the house and property of one of the tribesman were destroyed, all the rest of the tribe joined in helping provide him with a new home.
- The Caddo lived in two kinds of houses, the grass thatched, and earth covered. The grass houses were conical in shape, made of a framework of poles covered with a thatch of grass. They were grouped around an open space which served for social and ceremonial purposes. Arranged around the walls inside of the house were couches covered with mats, that served as seats during the day and as beds at night. In the middle of the house was the fire, which was kept burning day and night. The earth houses were erected by constructing a frame, probably in the form of a low dome of very stout poles upon which were placed smaller ones at right angles. These in turn were covered with brush and cane, and then with sage grass on which was placed a heavy coating of earth.
- The Caddoes wore very few clothes during the early period as reported by Joutel. During the winter months they covered themselves with animal skins. They hung these skins around their bodies reaching about half way down their legs. During the warm months nearly all of them went without clothing. They loved ornaments such as beads, ear-pendants, and ear plugs. At festive times they did not lack for ornaments such as collars, necklaces, and amulets, which resembled those the Aztecs wore.
- If a man wanted to marry, he took the maiden of his choice the best and finest present he could afford. If the father and mother gave their permission for her to receive the gift, it meant that the man had their consent to take her. However, she was not taken away until notice was given to the Caddi. If the woman was not a maiden, all that was necessary was her consent to receive the presents. Often the agreement was made only for a few days. At other times they declared it binding forever. Only a few of them kept their word. When a woman found another man who was able to give her better things she went with him and there was no punishment for this conduct. Few men ever remained with their wives very long, but they never had but one wife at a time.
- If a Caddo is killed in battle, the body is never buried, but left to be devoured by beasts or birds of prey, and the condition of such individuals in the other world is considered to be far better than that of persons dying a natural death. This practice resembles that of the ancient Persians who threw out the bodies of their dead on the roads, and if they were promptly devoured by wild beasts they esteemed it a great honor, and if not, a terrible misfortune.
- Not much is known about the religious beliefs of the Caddo, but the early writers tell us that they believed in a "great spirit," known under the name of Ayanat Caddi, or as Ayo-Caddi-Aymay. Their ceremonial leader "had a house reserved for the sacrifices, and when they entered therein they behaved very reverently, particularly during a sacrifice. They never sacrificed to idols, but only to him of whom they said that he has all power, and that from him came all things. Ayimat Caddi, in their language, signifies the great captain. This was the name he gave to God. In spite of these remarks there is evidence that the Caddo and their relatives worshipped a number of minor spirits and powers. "Their gala dresses bear two painted suns; on the rest of the body are representations of buffalo, stags, serpents, and other animals." "It even appears that they thought everything in nature had some sort of spirit or power, which could be prayed to, reasoned with, and led to assist the supplicant, so they 'solicited the deer and buffalo, that they should allow themselves to be slain; the maize, that it would grow and let itself be eaten; the air, that it would be pleasant and healthful.
Links
More links later.