Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-07-22
miscellaneous.
THE MEDICINE WORSHIP or THE IN
DiAhS.

In tie history Of the 0jibay nation, the
new work of George CONWAY, We iiud the
following legend Of tile origin Of The mcdi-
cine worship Of the Indians The reader will
be struck with the resemblance which this
Legend bears to the sesiptural account of the
fall ofo first parents;
"The origin Of the Indians belief in this
Medicine " orship is TO be found IN the fol
lowing traditional story which is usually re
lated to any one when about to join their elan.
received it myself upon passing the mystic
rious ordeal:
When Keshamonedoo made the red men,
be made them happy. The men were larg-
or. were hecter OF loot, were more dexterous
in games and lived to an older age than now
! lie forest aboundcd with game the trees
were loaded with fruit, aud birds who have
now black plumage were ,llessed with pure
white. The birds aud the fowls ate no flesh,
for the wide praries were covered with fruits
aud vegetables. The fish in the waters werc
large The Moncdoo from heaven watched
the blaze from the wigwams' fires. and these
were as countless as the stars in the sky
Strange v;sitants from heaven dcscer ded
every few days. and inquired Of the Indians
whether anything was wrong. Finding them
happy and contented, they return to their
high homes
These were tutelar gods. and they consult
e9 with the sages of the different villages
and advised aii not TO climb vine which
grew on the earth, and whose top reached
the sky. as it was the ladder on which the
spirit descended from heaven to the earth to
bless the red men.
| One Of these Grant spirits became intimate
with one of the young braves, who dwclt in
a calin with his grandmother. and favored
him with invitations to stroll with it among
the various villages around
The favor shown by this god to Che yonng
man produced a jealousy nmong his brethren.
aud during the absence of his distinguished
! friend the favored Que was much troubled
by his ueighbors who envicd him his stua-
] ton.
On one occasion. when this persecution be-
came inrnlerahe. he determined to leave his
country and ifpossibIc accompany the spirit
! to the skies.
4 The chief men had cnjoincd on all the duty
/ to refrain from any desire or any attempt to
ascend the vine whose branches reached the
heavens, telling them that to do SO would
< briug upon them severe penalties.
I he spirit. Ending the yong man quite
sad, inquired, learned the true caises Of his
sorrow, and taking him, re ascended
The old woman cried for his return moo
sis. be- re VAIN beige vain" My child
come back. come back.' He would not come
home, and the woman having adjusted all her
matters in the lodge, after night fall repaired
to the vine and began to ascend il.
III the morning the Indians found the lodge
she had inhabited empty aud soon espied her
climbing the vine. They shouted to her -
"Shay. nh wos, be- &c vain, nah je medi
moo ga yiesh! Halo, come back you old
witch You"
But she continued ascending, up--up--
mp.
A council was held 10 determine what M
ducement could be made to her to return
They could hear her snhling for her grand
son. IN. gal, wi,l,- bah nah no sis. Il will
yet see my child
CONSERVATION and fear filed the hearts Of
tho nation, for one of their number was diso-
Leyinc the Great Spirit. Indignation and
fury were seen IN the acts Of her warriors.
and the lieht Of the transgressor burning
wigwam shed its lurid rays around
The woman was jlst nearing the top OF
the vino which was entwincd around ono Of
the stars Of heaven, and about entering that
place when the vino broke, aud down she