Arapahoes

Arapahoes, a North American tribe, identified by some with the Gros Ventres of the early French writers; they are a chief member of the western division of the Algonquin family, although classed by some ethnologists with the Dakotas. Their original domain lay towards the western verge of the prairies between the South Platte and Arkansas rivers, within the limits of Colorado; but in this State their memory survives only in "Arapata" county named from them. A few have moved north and (still lead a nomad life in the territory of Montana; but most of them have been removed with their Cheyenne allies to a reserve in the northern part of Indian territory north of the Canadian river. In 1820 they were estimated at 10,000; but since then they have been reduced. to less than half that number. Physically they are a fine race, typical "Prairie Indians," tall, of coppery complexion, high cheek bones, massive jaws, large nose, and very long, straight black hair. Their language is a very marked variety of the Algonquin, from which it diverges greatly, the differences being apparently due to Dakota influences. The national name, which means "tattooed," is variously written, Arapaho, Arrapaho, Rapaho, etc. The best accounts of this nation are given by W. Blackmore in The North American Indians, and by Fisher in The Arapahoes, Kiowas, and Comanches.