Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1882-11-29
4 SAVAGE SACRIFICE.

inst. relates tho Following story of saw
age cruelty: 1t will be remembered
that old Winnemucca, the aged chief of
the Piutes. died on the 2lst of last
month; that previous to his death he
accused his young squaw of having be-
witched him and made him sick, and
that he ordered her to be stoned to
death. The young squaw was ordered
to go to spring and wash herself, that
she might appear before the Great
Spirit in the happy hunting grounds in
condition OF becoming cleanliness.
She fsigned elegance, and knowing her
fate. attempted suicide by hanging, but
the attempt was frustrated by watch
full Piute, who out her down and
brought her back to miserable realiza-
ton OF her impending fate. Since that
time, until few days ago, it has not
been positively known what became of
her, though she disappeared. Tho facts
concerning her disappearance have now
come to light and are related by a half
breed called Grizzly John. who 10 fully
acquainted with the circumstances Of
her death. He was an eve witness of
the horrible scene, which he described to
a Gazette reporter in passable English.
Immediately after the affair he vent
north on q deer hunt, from which he re-
termed yesterday.
The evening before old Winnsmucca
died, about one hundred Indians took the
squaw to large spring, where she had
been ordered to battle. Other suuaws
stripped her and washed her from head
to foot, and then sprinkled her with
tine ashes. They then started for A
range Of hills Q few miles from Copper
smith Station, leading the squaw, naked
aud barefoot. Upon arriving At A
chosen spot they built circle o. fires,
whlch lighted up space of ground
about lUO feet in diameter. In the CEN
ter OF this was stump eight or ten
inches high, to which the trembling
sQuaw was securely bound by one foot
with the rnwhide strap. She atill held
her child, . bright papoose about two
years old. When abe had BEEN secured
each buck sought for certain number
stones about the size Of a mans Asst, and
laid them in pile within the circle of
fires. When all was ready for the sao-
rifice the Indians Joined hands and BE-
gan . mon0tOnous chant, which lasted
for few minutes when one of them
stepped within the ring and began 20
harrangue them. As he continued 70
speak the poor a9onized squaw gave
vent to piercing ahrieks, crouchinc
upon the ground and pressing har bahe
to her breast. This lasted for soma
moments. Then at q signal there Wa
silence, except the walls Of the intend
cd victim. Suddenly the speaker spranc
toward her and Rrasped the child. She
struggled frantically bat unavailinoly
to retain It, and vas compelled by force
to let II 20. The f3end immedistelv
swung the infant around his head.
holding It BY the ankles, bowling like 4 |
demon and being echoed BY the rcd
devils about him; but the sQuav did nat
raise her head nor emit sfnele sound.
to dashed the child upon 4
rock and killed it instantly. Then he
resumed his place in the circle, which
SWING around again chanting a before.
till the one Who killed the babo came
opposite the p,le Of stones he had col
looted, when the movomet stopped.
Stepping forward be picked M 9 stone,
and going TO within ten feet of the
crsuching victim, he hurled il at her
with all the strength Of his bravney
red arm. The missile struck her ON the
side and Vas answered by q shrek OF
anguish. He returned to his place and
the circle revolved again until another
Indian was entitled 10 his murd erous
ding. The wretched creature at the
stake Was crooching in such an attitude
that only her side and back were ex-
posed. Il was forbidden to hit her upon
the head; and ths second savage, choos-
ing the most available target, launched
= rock at her with the proiecsile force Of
. catapult. striking her between the
shoulders and cutting fearful Rash.
from which the blood flowed down her
back in . small rivulet. He then re-
tired 10 his place and the circle moved
on ~ before. Thus they continued
their murderous pastims, until the poor,
patiful object lay peoos upoa TIE
ground, = bleeding. senselso masa OF
mangied deah. A she Law upon hsr
back the man Who had harrancued The
band q drsA, raised Q large rOck over
his head With both handa and inflicted
the cosp De grace BY smashine her akull.
Then there vas pandemonium for . fev
moments, After which they dispsfsed
Ard collected wood fog Q pile, upon
which the remains of the iuoklsss aouav
and her babe were burned. A lev vero
lcft 70 keep up the eacrincial Are. vhiln
the oeAess Ieturned b old Winnamusoa
70 comfort his dying moments With -
AnmRanoe that his yoonQ opIsv ~
peeeeded him - ~ In1ina4 ha1uv
Aon1ing groand