Coo-coo-chee's Cabin

Its frame was constructed of small poles, of which some, planted upright in the ground, served as posts and studs, supporting the ridge poles and eave bearers, while others firmly tied to these by thongs of hickory bark formed girders, braces, laths and rafters. This frame was covered with large pieces of elm bark seven or eight feet long and three or four feet wide; which being pressed flat and well dried to prevent their curling, fastened to the poles by thongs of bark, formed the weather boarding and roof of the cabin. At its western end was a narrow doorway about six feet high, closed when necessary by a single piece of bark placed beside it, and fastened by a brace, set either within or on the outside as occasion required. --The Indian Captivity of O. M. Spencer