The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-06-09
indian Superst tons.

| "A OOAAOcPOANOAoS WAAe4uS AIOIu OuCd
Neb., says: The Sioux entertain man,
fanciful ideas concerning the futur,
world and the condition of those who in
habit it. They believe that for some tim,
after death the soul fingers about thu
body, in consequence of which idea the,
are unwilling to visit or approach
newly-erected scaffold on which has
been deposited one of their dead. Thi,
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 pro.
duce death, and is, I believe, always
followed by direful consequences as
delirium, paralysis, or some permanent
injury. The Sioux, following the prac-
tice 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 oc-
cupants of old scaffolds, 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,
receive more honor in sepulchral rites,
their remains being frequently Enclosed
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
towering above the stone that marks the
white mans burial place the scaffold 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 into those
realms in becoming state; to provide
which, one or more horses must be sacri-
feed. There is an element of refinement
in the savage idea attending the DISPOSE
ton of the supplies thus furnished. 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 the soul, and this resi-
dent spirit of the food and drink is con-
sumed by the spirit of the deceased, and
the spirit of the horse accompanies the
spirit of his master to the Indian para
disc, where they are both received into
the spirit land. These provisions ap-
pear to be needed only during the jour-
ney from earth, the probable supposition
being that the blissful regions to which |
they are destined will be amply supplied
with everything that can contribute to
the happiness of its inhabitants.
The Sioux, or at least some of the Da-
kota bands, seem to possess quite ancient
records, embracing prominent events in
the history of the tribe These relics
OF one generation being recorded by an
who has received the appoint
ment OF historian, in virtue of which he
writes the history of his people during
us life. On his death another is an.
Thus the more interesting
events are perpetuated. Among the
more prominent that appear in these
'arbarian annals is the account of the
omlng of the first white man who an
eared among them. He is represented
very favorable light. At first he ,
anne poor and defenceless among the
indians. who gave him cordial vel. l
ONE and ministered to his necessities. 1
lie did not prove ungrateful, but after ,
'avlng them, returned to the tribe. |
ringing articles useful to the Indians t
18th which he is engaged in trade. the f
aiiic being continued to the satisfac. b
both red and white men. The records II
scribed on this parchment, or skin il
'epared by savage skill, extend back to
remote GATE, perhaps reaching over
ne hundred years. The early portion
pears to be of a legendary character.
latlng to the creation of man on this b.
ntinent, or at least the first appearance nj
the Indian race. The Black Hills was 50
G theatre of the earliest of those his. til
nc or NEUROLOGICAL events. Perhaps OF
fondness of the Sioux for this special cd
ritory, and their reluctance to part fill
th 1t, was owing to the associations ev
nnected Herewith, as in Dakota annals an
Black Hills appears to have constitu- We
new-world garden of Eden. OBJ
The superstitious element of Indian no
'racter is manifested in the peculiar SUI
ard paid the medicine man of the sci
De, and the implicit confidence with DO
lch his meditations are received and TO,
advice followed. Perhaps among all AT
zion known to mankind the priests col
It no greater influence over the BOZ
ais OF their followers than does the boz
dcine man of the North American are
sc. His incantations were watched ella
ifle most profound respect, and the the