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Story
June 20, 1894
The Hartford Herald
Hartford, Ohio County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
Colonel E. K. Grimshaw, a retired army officer, explains that Native Americans take scalps as war trophies similar to soldiers capturing flags, not out of cruelty. He describes the gruesome process from his frontier experiences and notes the scalp's supposed magical powers.
Clipping
OCR Quality
100%
Excellent
Full Text
Taking Scalps.
[St. Louis Globe-Democrat.]
"Indians do not take scalps through cruelty," said Colonel E. K. Grimshaw, a retired army officer, "but just as civilized soldiers fight for flags of the enemy as trophies and proofs of prowess in war. During the years I spent on the frontier I was forced to witness many such sickening scenes. The scalp is taken by making a rough circle of slashes around the skull, and then tearing off the broad patch of skin and hair by main force. It is a dreadful operation and one never to be forgotten by those who have once seen it. The scalp is supposed to contain many magical powers and is cured with the greatest care by him who takes it."
[St. Louis Globe-Democrat.]
"Indians do not take scalps through cruelty," said Colonel E. K. Grimshaw, a retired army officer, "but just as civilized soldiers fight for flags of the enemy as trophies and proofs of prowess in war. During the years I spent on the frontier I was forced to witness many such sickening scenes. The scalp is taken by making a rough circle of slashes around the skull, and then tearing off the broad patch of skin and hair by main force. It is a dreadful operation and one never to be forgotten by those who have once seen it. The scalp is supposed to contain many magical powers and is cured with the greatest care by him who takes it."
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Historical Event
Biography
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Misfortune
What keywords are associated?
Scalping
Native Americans
Frontier Warfare
Trophies
Magical Powers
What entities or persons were involved?
Colonel E. K. Grimshaw
Indians
Where did it happen?
Frontier
Story Details
Key Persons
Colonel E. K. Grimshaw
Indians
Location
Frontier
Story Details
Colonel Grimshaw recounts witnessing scalping on the frontier, explaining it as a trophy practice akin to capturing flags, detailing the method and cultural beliefs in its magical powers.