Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1878-07-03

enough 10 cut anything regardless OF pony
or blanket, woald step forward, and will
! sharp knife cut 4 hole in each Of the
child's ears. After the ears had been
pierced. nr rather slit, q piece OF cloth
would be twisted into q round cord like
shape, and thrust through the wound in
the ear to insure m opening for the ca,
ornaments after tile waund healed. OF
course during this painful aud barharous
performances the poor poppoose shrieked
with pain and flight, but it's cries were
effectnally drowned by the hooting, yell
Ing and singing Of the surrounding braves
and squaws. This continued until all
the youngsters who were presented had
undergone the unpleasant operation.
Following this came a grand drill and
review, il which about three hundred or
four hundred warriors, distinguished for
deeds Of cruelty or bravery took part.
The participants in this performance were
arraLyed in their most elegant and gorge
Gus attire. They were divided into squads
stationed at difIernt points Of the circle.
but instead of marching and going
through the differnt evolutions of military
drill. the ceremony consisting of Staging
end dancing to the monatonous music
made by measured strokes upon a drum
and beating with stick upon a dry beef
hide streached upon the ground. At q
given signal, Old Spotted Tail appeared,
and with as much dignity as an inspector
general, walked around the circle and
inspected the men. During this ceremony
he carried in his hand q stick three or
four feet long. on the end of which fasten.
ed BY q string, was . scalp which had the
appearance of having been taken from
the head of q white woman. The hair
was long and Of an auburn color. As he
around the circle, he used the
stick and scalp Is Il wand, and as he NOV
ed il to and fro the lines Of braves would
4 advance or retreat, dancing all the while,
sEd hooting and siuging. It may be
remarked here that Spotted Tail, who
over this orgy and directed the
movements Of his brayes by waving the
'calp Of a white woman, holds n commits.
lion Of licutenan IN the United States
lrmy, and monthly draws from the treas
Try Of the people the sun of one hundred
md fifty dollars.
At the conclusion of the review and
accompanying dance, the sun dance CON-
nenced. Forty seven Indians volunteered
submit themselves to this brutal and
nhuman ceremony. The dancers were
brought into the ring q at q time, and
greeted with shouts, cheers and
approving grunts. Their only clothing
vas a breach.cloth. At given signal
he dancer was caused to lie down upon
is back at the foot of the pole. Two
Its about four inches long and half an
rch apart were then cut in each breast
he skin between the wounds was then
orn from the flesh and a strong hard
wood stick thrust in, and to the ends Of
stick the ropes fastened to the pole
we're securely tied. When thus prepared
he dancer would spring to his feet. the
Hood streaming down his body from the
rounds in his breast, and amid the most
heartily yells, singing and beating of
commenced dancing to the sun
his eyes on that orb during the
ntire time he continued to dance. While
70 dances his arms are o~utstretched, aud
t intervals he rushes backward and
his full weight upon the rope
1hich is fastened to his breast. This he
lust continue until the skin gives way
nd the stick is torn from his breast.
Iefore this is done the skin is raised
the flesh over the entire breast, and
he blood flows in streams from the ugly
In some instances it has taken
0 long a. nine hours before the dancer
'as able to tear himself loose. Some Of
hem became faint aud exhausted before
heir vow bad been fulfilled, and did not
ave strength to throw themselves against
he rope with sufficient force to free
themselves; but to fail wa to submit
themselves to disgrace and the charge of
.wardice, and weak and faint they
to dance. When it becomes
pparent that q dancer could MT by his
wn effort succeed. one of his friends
fould take hold Of him and thrust him
until the thongs would be
,rn from the flesh and he would fall
Exhausted to the ground. As soon IS a
ANGER has succeeded in the horrible
rdeal, he Is laid upon the ground and
be ragged skin trimmed off his breast
nd the wounds dressed, the dressing
onsisting Of pieces Of charcoal being laid
n the wounds. After resting awhile he
bins in the dance, which is continued
ntil all who have volunteered are sub
.cted to the torture. The dance usually
lists from two to three days, and during
HE time those who participate are not
How ed anything to eat q drink; but at
be conclusion a grand feast is celebrated
which dog meat Is served in every