History buffs learn about buffalo hides, other prairie skills

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

JEFFERS -- Well over a hundred historical buffs chose the road less traveled Saturday, enjoying demonstrations and hands-on activities on prairie resources at the Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site.

Visitors came from as far away as the Twin Cities to learn about buffalo hides, cords, string and rope made from rawhide, sinew and plant fibers.

Windom Area Historical Interpreter Tim Smith scraped to the bottom skin layer on a buffalo hide with a stone bound to an elk antler with rawhide much of the day.

After scraping the hide with stone, the next step Native Americans did was to rub buffalo brain matter on the hide along with a round, flat stone to tan the hide.

"It was challenging," admitted Smith.

He got help from Lower Sioux Agency site technician Sara Sanders who found the stone on the Jeffers site while doing an area search after a controlled burn.

She said rawhide easily stretches when it is wet and becomes very hard when it dries, making it a good material to use to attach a stone to an elk antler.

Sanders said the next step in the process is to smoke the hide to keep it from shrinking if it becomes damp.

Smoking will turn the hide to a desired color, depending upon what type of wood is used and how long it is smoked.

"Creosote from the wood gets inside the hide fibers and keeps it from shrinking," said Sanders.

She said the hides were obtained from a Waseca man that sells all types of animal parts.

Eventually, a teepee will be made from the hides.

It will take a long time.

"We want to do it very gradually, so visitors can help and learn. The whole process will be educational," said Sanders.

Minnesota Historical Society member Craig Putnam of South Haven, Minn. spent much of his time learning about processing natural fibers.

"I saw the Jeffers exhibit in the state newsletter and was interested," he said.

He and interpreter Mary Talbott worked on cordage, making rope from twisting small, natural fibers.

They worked with swamp milkweed and dogbane, aka bitterroot and Indian hemp, that naturally grows on the prairie.

"We collected swamp milkweed on a flood plain area of a swamp creed bed. There was tons of it," said Talbott.

Putnam said the Jeffers site is one of his favorites.

"I like to stop in here or Pipestone if I'm in the neighborhood," he said.

Talbott said the Jeffers site is a great place for star gazing.

"There are few lights around. It's almost like you can reach out and touch the stars," said Talbott.

The Jeffers site will host family day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 30. Visitors will not be charged admission and can pack a travois, throw an atlatl and take part in a scavenger hunt. Call 507-628-5591 for more information.