“The incineration of the bodies of the dead was not practiced on this continent, even in the tropics; and is a rite unknown to the tribes of the United States.”
Although slightly disheartened, I continued my search for information, and was in consequence speedily rewarded. John McIntosh (The Origin of the North American Indians. New York, 1853. p. 164) states:—
“The bodies of those who die in war are burned, and their ashes brought back to be laid in the burying-place of their fathers.”
My studies in this direction, however, received the greatest impetus through Dr. H. C. Yarrow’s excellent “Introduction to the Study of Mortuary Customs among the North American Indians” (Washington Government Printing Office, 1880, pp. 49 to 59), which was kindly sent to me by the author, and from which I obtained much valuable information.
Dr. H. C. Yarrow affirms that cremation was performed to a considerable extent among North American Indians, especially those living on the northern slope of the Rocky Mountains; but also (as indisputable evidence proves) among the more eastern ones.
The Nishinams of California, the Tolkotins of Oregon, the Se-nél of California, and the Cocopa tribe on the Colorado River, practice cremation.
The Unotello Indians of Oregon also incinerate their dead. On Oct. 9, 1884, several of them got drunk at Lastine, Ore., and engaged in a bloody fight. One was cut to death, and two others badly slashed. The Indians burned the body of their dead comrade, and held a war-dance while the body was slowly consumed.
Mr. George Gibbs avers that the Indians of Clear Lake, Cal., burn their dead upon scaffolds built over a hole, into which the ashes are thrown and covered.
The Digger Indians have a queer custom; they mix the ashes of the dead with gum, and smear them on the heads of the mourners.
The Comanches also burn their dead.