The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-11-20
Interesting Ceremony Witnessed by O
Danyer Missionary

Rev. Sheldon Jackson, OF this citv
synodical missionary of Colorado, Nea
Mexico. Utah and Montana, recentis
made visit to Alaska, and while there
saw many interesting things. He gives
an account of visit made to q garden
owned by DIR. Davidson, of Fort Iyran.
gle.
At the upper end of Mr. Davidson's
garden he saw white sheet stretched
between two poles, and looking as il il
might be intended for scare crow
Upon inquiry he found thai 1t contained
the ashes Of O boy that was drowned the
week before. His friends had promised
Rev. Mr.. Y0t,1g that 1t should have a
Christian burial; but during Saturday
night they took the body up the beach,
and early Sabbath morning burned 1t,
the charred wood still remaining.
Several large cry sticks were laid side
by side upon the beach. Upon these
were placed the body of the boy. Other
sticks were piled over the body, and the
whole set on fire amid the walls and su-
perstitious incantations of hired mourn
ers.
In about an hour the body was con-
snmed. After the Ere had cooled down,
the ashes were carefully gathered up, ana
placed in basket until suitable oox
could be carved for their permanent pre-.
servatien. Whca all was ready, an old
Indian woman, bowed down with age
and infirmities, took up the basket and
started for pine tree which had previ-
ously been selected for the purpose. She
was followed by the mourners and friends
with bowed heads and loud walls os sor-
row. At the base of the tree two poles,
about eight feet high, were driven into
the ground two -eet apart. The baskets
containing the ashes were tied between
the poles, and muslin bag, like large
pillow.slip, pulled down over the poles
and basket and closed at the bottom. On
the outside Of the sheet is sometimes rude
ly painted face, through which the
spirit of the departed is supposed to look
out upon the hay.
Morning and evening the parents of
the boy como out from their hut, aud
turning their faces to the north utter
loud cries of distress. And this will be
kent up for months, for they never have
Iheard Of the great Comforter, who alone
can comfort borrowing hearts. Those
whose bodies are burned are supposed to
be warm in the next world, and the 9TH
cIb Colu' lucy De1oVe In sranbEnIRfa-
! iion of souls from one body to another,
/ but not to animals. And the wish is Of
ten expressed that in tho next change
they may be born into this or that power
full family. The funeral ceremonies of
chiefs often last four days. If slaves
ere then sacrificed 1t relieves their own
ers from work in the next world. Dead
slaves are often cast into the sea. AT
the funeral of chiefs, the traditions and
history Of the tribe are rehearsed. If
these ceremonies arc not conducted
properly tho water of death swallows up
the departed soul, or IL is lost in the for.
eats. But. if conducted properly, the
chief of the gods speaks the word, and
the water Of death is small and tho
sou! is carried to place of rest, or for
getfulness. Then after long time il
comes back to some descendant on it's
sisters side and lives another life. To
such superatitions these people are
bound, body and soul, and to rescue
them from this, ameliorating and eIevat-
ing their condition in this life, and pre-
senting 70 them glorious Immortality
through the crucified and risen Saviour,
is the work of the Board of Home Mis-.