Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1872-02-29
The On0ndaga Indians.

aHr miles south of the flourishing
of Syracuse, on the borders OF OnOn-
q Creek, in a beautiful hill-encircled
n too wide TO be denominated val
lives the last remnant of the historic
q Nations. The Mohawks have passed
y: the Senecas and Cayugas are now
known as their names are perpetu-
by two flourishing counties in Cen
New York; and the Oneidas have
ned worse than oblivion by having
r tribal designation adopted by Com
nity which exceeds all pagan ideas of
ygamy under thin veil of regard for
Fistianity The Onondaga nation still
hives, and, in proportion to its accept
of Christianity, flourishes. Last
1lmn the Onondagas held an agricul-
al fair, at which the exhibition of do
tic products was such as to compare
korably with that in any of the sur
hiding counties populated exclusively
fine white race. On this occasion the
most distinguished speakers present,
kbop Huntington and Ex-Governor Sey-
bur. found it difficult to use terms
Itch, without being flattering, should be
to describe their appreciation of the
services of the tribe to the American
e. and it's present highly prosperous,
Rerly, and encouraging condition. Set
in the midst of the white race, the
kondagas have shown that there is pos
blitv of the indian excelling in the pur-
h Of civilized agriculture. They have
10 schools and churches.
This is the bright side of Onondaga his
w. but rs traces of paganism may be
ind in forms of civilization that claim
be more advanced, it is not surprising
find some portion of these exceptional
dans clinging tenaciously to the hea-
tnism of their ancestors. The last of
illustrious line of chiefs, Captain
orge, the head chief of the tribe, holds
faith of his fathers with the same res
Cteness with which, in the war OF 1912,
not only cast his influence in favor OF
Americans, but on one occasion, with
rest or sleep he ran one hundred and
Nv miles in order to bring important in
kmation to the American army. A hrm-
resolved pagan is Captain George, nj
he of the red man when he was no.
e"; but while he may count himself the
st leading pagan of his race, he cannot,
ke Logan, call himself a solitary tree in
{, e forest for he is surrounded with the
I've of his people and the respect OF all
Is white neighbors.
In accordance with custom which
saches back into the dimmest OF Indian
mvths, the OnoDdagas hold a solemn sacri-
r al service during the moon preceding
n month of February. This year the
Eat Sacrifice of the White Dog" took
70 on the 18th of January
According to ancient custom, the sins
the people are supposed TO be gathered
the managers or chiefs, ;and from these,
BON the head of white dog. As tradi-
bn requires, this dog was perfectly
hite, without blemish, and organically
4und. A single black hair would have
estroyed the efficacy of the victim. At
B earl y hour of the forenoon the dog
Jas strangled by opposing forces of men
blding the ends of cord passed around
be neck of the victim, for it was OF the
tmost importance that not drop of
Hood should be she'd When the eXpia-
bry Offering was thus ready for prepare
on, it was fancifully painted and car
eetdl into tire GGuunCif-ihUusc. Az TWO
fclock in the afternoon the sacrificial
ceremonies commenced. Captain George,
tho, as head chief of the nation, acted as
igh- priest, entered the Council-house and
toceeded to array himself in white
bnic, the sleeves of which were bound up
Fith ribbons. He then girded himself
tith belt of beads, and placed upon his
cad an adornment that might excite the
Ilmiration of the most fashionable OF
I - ,rht
Taking his seat in the centre OF the room,
waited in solemn silence for long
|me.
At length the solemn moment arrived,
Ind so impressive were the proceedings
bat the only two white men permitted to
present felt themselves compelled to
hoover their heads and cease their labors
Rising slowly and maiestically, bearing a
bng white wand in his right hand, Cap
bin George commenced a chant In the
Dnondaga language; passing slowly
round the typical dog from his position
i the east, he proceeded to the south,
rest and north, and then returned to ms
brmer position, where he consulted with
ne of the chiefs. This proceeding was
3epeated three times; and then, as II he
bad gathered all the sins of the people, he
approached the dog and uttered pathetic
Gment. After this the body OF the VIC
Jim, which was laid upon rough bler,
vas gently lifted up and borne to the
place of sacrifice by the hands of chiefs
IF the nation. The high-priest then,
Banding at the east side of the altar OF
acrifce, soIemnly committed the victim
% the flames. The sacrifice was COM
pleted, the atonement made. BY some pc
fular method that, probably, the hero
bhant himself has never been able to I'M
derstand, tile sins of the Onondagas, con-
fentrated upon the head of victim, pure,
fpotless, and without blemish, had been
tzpiated, and the general JOY was mani,
Tested by the firing of guns and mutuai
congratulations. --Harper's Weekly.
An Amusing Scene in the Diplomatic