Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1881-09-24

A. Sacred Lodge.
II. Sacred Rnck

/. High Priest. -,a@,:
s. Line OF twenty squaws tcorn-throwers)
ne procession entered through au arcade at &c"
"G," marched in the line OF the arrow heads four
times around great circle embracing both the ga
cred lodge and the sacred rock, and then formed in
the precipice, and the dancers along line D facing
the sacred lodge. The high priest, as call him.
took station at I, directly in front OF the sacred
latter lisa grim looking, weather worn sandstone
twenty to thirty feet high having slight rese1n-
blance to human head. At the foot Of it is niche
in which is black stone bearing very vague .ap-
pearance of the human trunk; at the base Of this
idol are many votive offerings to proptate the DEL
ty to send plentiful rains. 3 ~
AS THE PROCESSION FILES AROUND:
the little plaza tho high priest sprinkles the grounds
with water, using an esrthen bowl and On eagle
feather as Y sprinkler. 4 second medicine man
twirls peculiar sling, and makes noise like the
falling OF copious showers When the two lines
are halted facing each other. the dancers who are at
first provided with eagle feathers wave them gent
ly, while the choristers shake their rattles, making
noise like lattlesnake, and at the same time sing
a low and not unnusical chant When this ia fin
shed the high priest holds the bowl towards the sa
cred ledge, utters low but audible prayer, and
sprinkles the ground again with water. The slug
ing anci feather waving are repeated, and the nrst
Nothing at all horrible has occurred yet But nc
time IL lost before the second part Of the ceremony
commences. The chorsters remain in their places
with the high priest while the dancers, two by two
ana arm IN arm tramp with measured tread in q
long circle, embracing the sacred points already
mennoned. Your blood chils as you see held by
SNAKES OF ALL Kinds,
wriGglins and writing while the right
hand hand! men keep, the REPTILES distracted by
mo discount on this part Of the business. The
snakes are carried in hand andin mouth. and. as
have already said. some Of the rattlesnakes are 70
grasp the whole diameter in his mouth As the
procession filed past the sQuaws at s., the latter
threw corn meal before them on the ground. These
f~o nth ela,r
IN most cases TO be extremely vscous, ANA struck at
any one coming nigh. In such eventa little cor,
mealvas thrown npon them, and the assistants
until they coiled up, and then quickly seized them
by the back Of the head. After all the snakes had
been put under the buffalo robe covering the sacred
scene ended.
TEE THIRD SCENE
lows: The snakes were seized by enes. twos s and
half dozens and thrown into the circle ut E. where
they were covered over with corr meal. signal
grabbed the snakes in handfuis ran at full speed
down the almost vertical paths. in the face Of the
mesa and: upon reaching its foot, let them 60 free
young men then came back at full run, dashed
through the crowd and on to one Of the estufas,
where. we weretold, they had to swallow portion
TO induce copious vomiting. and to undergo other
treatment to neutralze any bites they might have
received. OF one thing am assured, the Mooui
medicine men know more about snakes than any
excepted. The snakes are not rendered harmless in
any way. but think from wha.I have seen that the
principal old men: who handle the reptiles 80 care
lessiy,, are nareotized before the ceremony com
mencds. 80
was much astonished aud delighted not to be re.
peRed when sought to enter their estufa / not
only entered, but remained until had made rough
SKETCHES and written accurate descriptions of every
thing saw. and saw much can never forget.
IN one corner was . sort Of altar, which care
fully sketched. while behind it was q loathsoma
mass Of e"'S-,sS
NOT LESS THAN oNEsHuEDRED SNAKES
ct different yariets carefully guarded BY tho Old
narcotic, I couldn't learn what. IN front .of tba
altar was covered earthepware basin. / astad
permission to withdraw the cover. and saw that tha
Of unknown composition. Of which the men Who.
were 70 handle snakes drank freely. Surrounding
the altar was double and triple line Of ancient
AIDES, and Others and in the center Of the estufs