I once heard of an individual, whom I had seen many times, who would travel all day for a single drink of fire-water. When he arrived at the trading post, he obtained and guzzled down a cup full of whiskey. When the poison had operated, he said, that he felt as if his head was going down his throat; and added, 'Whah! I wish my neck was a mile long, so that I might feel and hear the whiskey running all the way down!"
A certain Indian once teased a Mrs. F. for whiskey, which he said was to cure his "big toe," that had been badly bruised the preceding night. Mrs. F. said, "I am afraid you will drink it." He declared he would not drink it; and after much pleading, she handed him some; he took it, and looking first at his toe, and then at the liquor, alternately, all of a sudden he slipped the whiskey down his gullet, at the same time exclaiming, as he pointed to his toe, "There, whiskey, go down to my poor big toe."
- From 'The Life, Letters and Speeches of Kahgegagahbowh'
(or, G Copway, Chief Ojibway Nation); Published 1850
