Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1840-11-24
From the Saturday Courier.
SKETCHES OF AN INDIAN CHARAC.
TER, &c.
CONTINUED from Coastiag Journal in a bark
canoe On Lake Michigan, in 1897
INDIAN SUPERSTITION

On hill overlooking Mequito cove, is tbs bu
background. noticed some iecsnt graves, with
low frame over them constructed of split eeda-,
and roofsd with kind Of ruls shng s-At the
head OF the grave n small aperture is cut, 20 al
low the spirit Of the dece assd to pass fssely in
and out. Near the spot it is customary for the
friends to burn sugar, honey, Of aromatic herbs,
ths essence or gas which is evolved being deem
ed TINS proper food for spirits while they luger
near the place oIsepullure, and before their inal
exltto The happy hunling grounds of ths blest,
far away beyond the setting sun. The tsprit
birl,' here over this romantic and hallowed SPOT,
is wont during the still night to pour forth the
iupernl lay; strains Of melancholy music are
heard by the natives, tbs Inoufnful rsquem Of the
souls of departed braves. The spirit bird de.
scends only low enough in ihs air TO be heard it
is nsver seen, nor doss it rest foot upon tree
or slrth-yet viii it remain the live long night,
floating above tbs consecrated spot, and warole
nots9 of uncsasoing melody, TO mings ia unison
with Eolian harmony and celestial song.
In one Of the wigwams, Ne found girl very i'll.
She was evidoltly in the last stags off fatal fe-
yer. Her friends had reased to employ natural
remedies TO arrest ihs disease, and tha Medicine
men were preparing TO try thsir power. When
this is the case, there is but littls hopes natural
llOui9 utO hoSAS~AOuS ohN q ukSNFy
invoked. Tho incantation is utlerd in a wild
and solemn chant, expressive Of grief and despair,
and inspiring feelings of peculiar awe and solem-
nifty. The incarnation but rarely proves success.
ful in exercising ths bad spirit from the body of
the unfortunate patient. The pean asesnd5 in
yain to opropitiato ths relentless power, and the
bowling Of sorcerY is doomed to cease with the
breath of the dying victim.
| have wondered at this strangs suparstitions Of
these peopls. Some of them bsautiful AMI in
teresting, conforming to original ard primitive
habits Of thought and experience, anl originating
in the beclouded reason of unsnlightened human
ity, yet manilesting deep, crnfding sense of de-
psndence upon higher power.
Some time ago VIC were driven ashore in
storm. We saw smoke at littls distances, AMI
behind sandhill, where it vas placed to shield
it from the wind, we found a wigwam. After
covering our things in the canoe, and making all
safe, we took shelter With tbs Indians. An old
man told Us we must bring our canoa and things
over the hill, and ihe young men would help us
that there would be drsadfhl storm and no
canoe could live in the laks Hs said he had
been on the beach early in tbs morning, and had
seen the storm spirit. He thus described it. 1t
Is embodied in the shape Of female, with long
hair flowing over the neck and souldeB. 1t
hoates upon the waves, with ths body erect and
the head thrown back. Ii commences blowing
with the mouth, and making whistlng noise,
which grows louder and louder, and the gale in
crsases. Presently water is spouted profussly
from the mouth and uostrils-tho spray is thrown
up from the heaving pillow, and the storm RACES
IN its fury. Nor does it subside until the potent
spirit of the storm. satisfied With the sport Of
bursting clouds and the tempests rage, chooses
to sock her cave in the depths Of tho lake.