Archeological Discoveries Related to Lacrosse History

Taken word for word from the Brampton Conservator



   Recent discover, by a local amateur archeologist, of a wonderfully preserved tepee cover, found in an Indian
mound site not far from Brampton, sheds an interesting light on the history of lacrosse, according to the findings
of a combined conclave of archaelogical authorities and members of the Excelsiors Lacrosse Club executive. Strangely
enough, the discovery tends to discredit the modern belief that box lacrosse is recent development of the game.
According to the picture-writing on the heavy skins which form the cover of the ancient tepee, box lacrosse was common
amongst the Indians of Ontario long before the arrival of the white fathers. Although a few of the characters on the
skins are illegible by reason of the length of time the big tent was buried in the moist earth of Chinguacousy Township,
the majority of them are still defined, and have been deciphered by authorities of Indian lore.

   The skins, sewn together with rawhide thongs, carry what must have been a complete history of lacrosse, from its first 
development as the leter-tribal sport of the Indians, to the period of which the tepee was erected. Fragments of bone, 
several skulls and peculiarly shaped weapons or implements or implements were found resting under the hides which formed
the covering. Archeologists who viewed the site of the "find" believe that some sort of conclave had been held in the huge
tent, and that a general mell, in which all members of the convention were mutually slain, took place, with the result that
the tepee was abandoned, or that the entire site was covered with earth in entombment as a record or warning for future
generations.

   The inscription over the doorway of the tepee appears to have been "Little Chief Gawgs", or, according to a more modern
presentation of the name, "Prince George". After experiencing some difficulty in interpreting the sign-writings, the joint
committee which made an investigation of the discovery came to the conclusion that the council which customarily sat in 
this tepee was known as the "Ola". This body appeared to have governing powers over the conduct of the inter-tribal lacrosse
matches, which were, in many respects, far different from the lacrosse games of the present day.

   Taken from the pictures on the tepee-cover, a brief history of the game, rendered as accurately as possible in modern English,
reads as follows: "Many, many moons ago, Chief Rus-Ka-Lee saw that the braves of his tribe were waxing soft with too much eating
and not enough battles. There were no other tribes near at hand, so Chief Rus-Ka-Lee bethought himself of a game which woule take
the place of battle as a means of keeping his men strong and vigorous. At last he chose 14 men of the tribe, and gave them light 
wands, and ordered them to fight in the open space before the tepees. They went forth and battled many hours, buat, as the wands
were light, neither side conquered. The tribe, angered that no decision was reached, began to throw stones and sticks. One squaw,
not finding any stones or sticks at hand, threw her husband's medicine pouch, which was caught on the end of a stick by one of the
braves. Perceiving that the pouch was valuable, the brave began to run away with it. The other braves, also noting the value of the
pouch, chases him, and tried to knock the pouch from his stick."

   "Chief Rus-Ke-Lee noted this incident, but thought nothing of it at the time. On the next day he ordered that 14 more braves,
seven on each side, march forth to the open space before the camp, and gave them heavier clubs. On this occation, one group of
seven soon vanquished the other group. One man was killed and several were injured. The tribe discussed the affair over its
evening meal, saying "that was a good game". Chief Rus-Ke-Lee noted the feeling of his tribe, but decided that the size of the 
clubs must be reduced, as he could not afford to have any of his braves killed when they wew not insured."


   "He then thought of the incident of the pouch, and was further inspired to add thongs to the lighter wands, that the players
of this new game might more easily catch the pouch. Instead of a pouch, he decided, some smaller object must be used. He gave
orders, on the morrow, that a small ball be made, and that the wands used by the players in the first game be woven with thongs,
to form catching and throwing sticks".

  
   "Many of the elders of the tribe noted these changes with disapproval, remembering that, when this heavier, straight clubs
had been used, there had been great sport and much bloodshed. They went to Chief Rus-Ke-Lee and said "you are spoling the game",
so Chief Rus-Ke-Lee turned them over to the groups of seven men, and had them burned to death."


   "In the third game, the young men rushed wildly about with their new sticks, carrying the ball, or throwing it to their mates,
until all were exhausted from wounds. They turned to Chief Rus-Ke-Lee and said "we are not getting anywhere, we do not know what 
to do with the ball when we get it". So Chief Rus-Ke-Lee bethought himself again, and ordered that two posts be put up at either
end of this ground before the tepees, and told each group of young men to try to put the ball between these posts. They said "o-ka"
and went forth to try the game again. When they were again exhausted from wounds, they came before Chief Rus-Ke-Lee and said "now 
you have got a thing."


  "For many moons the tribe practised this new game under the leadership of two braves called Mo-Tom and Mus-Tom. A council called
the "Ola" was formed, and braves from other tribes were told of this game. Some of them came to play against the braves led by Mo-Tom
and Mus-Tom, but, as they were soon exhausted by wounds, they ceased coming. The braves of Mo-Tom and Mus-Tom were dejected about this,
and war-parties set firtg and captured braves to play against the braves of Mo-Tom and Mus-Tom. Many of these braves died of wounds
on the space before the tepees, but many more ran away and could not be caught by the tribe of Rus-Ke-Lee, so that Mo-Tim and Mus-Tom 
were again cast down."


  "Other, chiefs of the tribes of Rus-Ke-Lee put their heads together and built a wooden stockade about the space before the tepees.
Then they sent forth their war-parties again, and captured more braves, who were put into the stockade with the braves led by Mus-Tom 
and Mo-Tom, and their played the game of lacrosse until the captured braves had been disabled."

   
   This letter reference, it is believed, indicates the birth of lacrosse.

   "For many moons the braves practiced, until they became so fierce and strong that they were led to the stockade by thongs about their
 necks. They were chained in their tepees and fed raw meet, and struck over the head with light clubs, to harden them for their games."


   "In the meantime, other tribes had gathered groups of braves who were hardy enough to dare the warriors of Mo-Tom and Mus-Tom. The "Ola"
or council governing the game was expanded by the addition of chiefs of other tribes, until Chief Rus-Ke-Lee had little to say at the
council, and retired from it, wrapping himself in his blanketand speaking to no one but the scribes."


   "At last, all of the tribes banded together against the "Ola" saying "why should you get all the wampumn and fun", and fell upon the 
council, slaying each member of the council, and heaping earth upon the "little Chief Gawge" to bury the "Ola" from the sight of man."


   This last passage of the picture writing was, apparantly, added to the pictures on the tepee cover just before it was heaped with earth,
asd the technique of the picture differed from that of the earlier inscriptions. The committee investigating the discovery has hazzarded
the opinion that, after the massacre of the "Ola" the tribes began to play the game amongst themselves, until the tribe of Chief
Rus-Ke-Lee was wiped out, with the exception of Mo and Mus.