The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1881-09-29
Sioux SuperstItlOns.


The Sioux entertain many fanciful
Ideas concerning the future world and
the condition of those who inhabit it.
They believe that for some time after
death the soul fingers about the body,
in consequence of which idea they are
unwilling to visit or approach newly
erected scatfold on which has been de-
posted one of their dead. This feeling
of dread is enhanced by belief in the
vicious propensities of the lately freed
spirit, which is inclined to harm the
presumptuous mortal who ventures too
near. A spirit blow is liable to produce
death, and is, believe, always followed
by direful consequences, as delirium,
paralysis, or some permanent injury.
The Sioux, following the p 'actice OF
many other tribes, place the bodies OF
the dead on a scaffold raised on poles
some eight or ten feet in height. The
corpse is wrapped in folds OF cloth or
blankets and buffalo robes The Occu-
pants of old scatfolds, which are often
met with on the plains, resemble Egyp-
tian mummies. Persons Of distinction,
as noted warriors and chiefs, including
sometimes the families OF the latter, re-
ceive more honor in sepulchural rites,
their remains being frequently inclosed
in boxes-a dry goods or shoe box, OBJ
tanned at the traders store, answering
the purpose. Sometimes in the grave
yards of our frontier posts may be seen
towerinU above the stone that marks
the white mans burial place, the scat
fold on which repOses the body OF the
Indian chief.
The soul of the departed Sioux finally
ascends to the milky way, which, in
their system, is highway leading
through space to the happy hunting
grounds which lie somewhere in the
far distant regions beyond. To sustain
the spirit during this long journey food
and drink are required. The noted
warrior and chief should be ushered in
10 those realms in becoming state, to
provide which one or more horses must
be sacrificed. There is an element of
refinement in the savage idea attending
the disposition of the supplies thus fur
nished. 1t is not believed that the
material food is eaten, nor the actual
water drank nor the veritable horse
ridden; but in all material resides q
soul and this resident spirit of the food
and drink is consumed by the spirit of
the deceased and the spirit of the horse
accompanies the spirit of his master to
the Indian paradise, where they are
both received into the spirit land. These
provisions appear to be needed only
during the journey from earth, the
probable supposition being that the
bissful regions to which they are des-
tined will be amply supplied with every
thing that can contribute to the happi-
ness of its inhabitants.
The Sioux; or at least some of the
Dakota bands, seem to possess quite
ancient records, embracing prominent
events in the history of the tribe. These
records are inscribed on parchment the
events of one generation being record
ed by an individual who has received
the appointment of historian, in virtue
of which he writes the history of his
people during his life. On his death
another is appointed. Thus the more
interesting events are perpetuated
Among the more prominent that appear
in these barbarian annals is the account
of the comirfg of the first white man
who appeared among them. He is rep
resented in very favorable light. At
first he came poor and defenseless
among the Indians, who gave him a
cordial welcome and ministered to his
necessities. He did not prove migrate
full, but, after leaving them, returned
to the tribe bringing articles useful to
the Indians, with which he engaged in
trade, the traffic being continued to the
satisfaction of both red and white men.
This even. is supposed to have occurle ed
about 15O years ago The records in
scribed on this parchment, or skin pre-
pared by savage skill, extend back to a
remote date, perhaps reaching over
nine hundred years. The early pur-
zion appears to be of Legendary char
acter, relating to the creation of man
on this continent, or at least the first
appearance of the Indian race. The
Black Hills was the theater of the earli-
est of those historic or NEUROLOGICAL
events. Perhaps the fondness of the
Sioux for this special territory, and
their reluctance to part with it, was
owing to the associations connected
Herewith, as in Dakota annals the
Black Hills appear to have constituted
a new world Garden of Eden
The superstitious element of Indian
character is manifested in the peculiar
regard paid the medicine man of the
tribe, and the implicit confidence with
which his mediations are received and
his advice followed, Perhaps among
all religions known to mankind the
priests exert mo greater influence over
the minds of their followers than does
the medicine man Of the North Ameri-
can savage. His incantations are
watched with the most profound respect
and the result thereof awaited in fear
and trembling. Their fortune in hunt.
ing and their success in war are fore
told by, and perhaps depend upon, the
invOcations and mysterious charms Of
the medicine man. His rude lodge is
invested with a mysterious awe equal
TO that which hallows the stately temple
whose grand dome towers above the
babitations of half million worshipers
m other lands. Many of their dances
and other ceremonies partake of the
same religious character. The great
Dakota festival, the sun dance appears
TO partake both of religious and pa
triotic character. During its contin.
uance, which is generally for three
days, various ceremonies take place,
perhaps the most prominent of which
is the seIf-torture inflicted by the young
men to give evidence of their bravery
and test their endurance The white
visitor to the scene is attracted by the
ghastly spectacle of men in various
postures undergoing all the pain that
their nature is capable of sustaining
Vigorous methods are devised to ex-
hibit the courage of the sufferer, and
Darticularlv with the desirn of attract