Tahan, Out of Savagery Into Civilization: An Autobiography

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AN amazing story that reads like romance, and yet is true. Arthur C. Parker, State Archaeologist of New York, writes the introduction and vouches for the trustworthiness of the narrative. Mr. Parker followed Tahan's trail through the West and had from the lips of the Indians with whom Tahan lived and from captives with whom Tahan bunked in tepee and barracks, confirmation of the story. Tahan is the Indian name of the Rev. Joseph K. Griffis, a Presbvterian clergyman, former pastor of the South Church of Buffalo. His father was a hunter, trapper and scout, famous many years ago on the frontier under the soubriquet of California Joe, companion of such men as Kit Carson and Buffalo Bill. Tahan's mother was an Indian woman of the Osage tribe, and was killed by a Kiowa war party. The boy was brought up among the Kiowa Indians, and the story of his boyhood is vastly interesting. He took part in Indian sports, was initiated into Indian mysteries, and in time himself became an Indian warrior. He served as scout and interpreter for United States troops, deserted, was captured, sentenced to death, and escaped. Years after this episode, a Christian and a minister, Mr. Griffis was able to obtain an official pardon for his military offense. In his development out of savagery, Mr. Griffis first found friends in the Salvation Armv in Canada. Arrested with other Salvationists, he was sent to prison, where he learned to read and write. He became an officer in the Salvation Army in Toronto. His phenomenally alert mind and habits of industry in self-education presently qualified him for the ministry. After serving as assistant pastor and engaging in rescue mission work, he was admitted to the Presbyterian ministry in which he has had commendable success. His style is vivid and colorful. His observations on racial differences and life in general are shrewd and thought-provoking.

Mr. Parker states: "It is difficult to believe that the cultured gentleman whom one knows as Joseph K. Griffis, the friend of the scientist and literary critic, was once a be-feathered warrior who was the most reckless bareback rider that ever rode a bronco or trotted off with a herd of cattle that didn't belong to him; who was the most prized captive, the most honoured too, among the Kiowas, Comanches and Apaches, for his ability to plan successful raids."

CONTENTS
I Parentage—Mother's Death
II First Recollections
III My Foster-parents
IV The Indian Woman As A Mother
V First Lessons
VI The Indian Girl's Training
VII The Indian Boy's Sports
VIII The Indian Girls' Games
IX How We Took Care Of Our Bodies
X Moral Code—Marriage Customs
XI The Marriage Of Zepkhoeete And Tsilta
XII The Orders Of Warriors—A Warrior's Joke
XIII What Prayer Meant To Us
XIV Our Ideas Of Creation And Of The Origin Of Our Tribe
XV Our Ideas Of The Continent And Civilization
XVI The Injustice Of History—The Massacre Of The Washita
XVII The Beginning Of A Tribe
XVIII Choosing A Medicine Man
XIX My Brother Friend And Buckskin
XX I Become A Warrior—Efawhahcho Dies
XXI Adventures
XXII Our Visit To The Creeks—My Horse Race
XXIII My Marriage
XXIV My Enlistment—In The Barracks
XXV Service As Scout And Interpreter
XXVI Scouting In The Southwest—Death Of Buckskin
XXVII My Desertion And Capture
XXVIII In Chains Under Sentence Of Death
XXIX Escape—Death Of Nacoomee
XXX On The Way To Civilization
XXXI With A Gang Of Outlaws
XXXII On The Tramp
XXXIII Jerry, My Pal
XXXIV My Prize Fight
XXXV With Men Of The Underworld
XXXVI Death Of Jerry
XXXVII I Me