The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-12-05

HOW wrHNEMuccA's YOUNG -ouAw PELL
VICTIM TO SAVAGE SUPERSTITION.
a


0soned 90 Death.
HOW wINNEMuCCA's YOUNG soUAw FELL 4
VICTIM TO SAVAGE SUPERSTITION.
(Reno Gazct'e.l
The evening before old Winnemuccs died
about one hundred Indians took his young
suuaw TO q large spring, where she mad
been ordered to battle. Other squaws
strjpped her and washed her from head 10
foot and then sprinkled her with fine sshes
They then started for range Of hills .
few miles from Coppersmith station, leav.
ING the souaw naked and barefoot. Upon
arriving at a chosen spot they built cir
Gle OF fires, which lighted up space oil
ground about one hundred feet In diane
Ter. In the centre OF this was stump
eight or ten inches high, 10 which the
trembling sQuaw was securely bound by
one foot with a rawhide strap. She still
held her child. bright little pappoose
about TWO wears old. When she had been
secured each buck sought for certain num-
her of stones about the size OF mans fist
and laid them IN pile within the circle OF
free When all was ready for the sacri-
Acc the Indians Joined hands and begun u
monotonous chant, which lasted for lew
minutes. when one Of them stepped within
The ring and began to harangue them. As
ne continued TO speak the poor, agonized
souaw gave vent to piercing shrieks,
croncbinc upon the ground aud pressing
her babe 10 her breast. This lasted for
some moments.
Then. AT n signal, there was silence, ex-
cent the walls Of the intended victim.
Suddenly the speaker sprang toward her
and grasped the child. She struggled
frantically but unavailingly to retain it, and
was compelled by force to let 1t go. The
fend Immediately swung the infant around
his head. holding il by the ankles, howhng
like a demon and being echoed by the req
devils about him; but the squaw ala MOI
raise her head nor emit single sound.
Suddenly he dashed the child upon rock
and killed IL instantly. Then he resumed
his Mace in the circle. which swung around
again. chanting as before, till the one who
Killed the babe came opposite the pie OF
stones he had collected, when the move
ment stopped. stepping forward ne
picked up a stone, and going to within ten
feet of the crouchiDg victim he hurled IL az
her with all the strength possessed Dy DIS
brawnv red arm. The missile struck her
on the side and was answered by shflek
OF anguish. He returned to his place ana
the circle revolved again until another IN
dian WAS entitled 10 murderous hing.
The wretched creature at the stake was
crouching In such an attitude that only ller
side aud back were exposed. Ii was Ior-
hidden 10 Int her upon the head. and The
second savage, choosing the most available
target. launched rock at her with the pro-
iecfile force OF a catapult, striking her be-
tween the shoulders and cutting fearful
cash, from which the blood flowed down
her back In small riyulet. He then re-
tired to his place and the circle moved OH
A. before.
Thus they continued the murderous
pasiime until the poor, pitiful object
law prone upon the ground. bleeding,
senseless mass Of mangled flesh. As she
Law upon her back the savage who had
harangued the band at first raised large
rock over his head with both hands and in
flicted the coup de grace by smashing her
skull. Then there was pandemonlllm Tor
a few minutes, after which they dispersed
and collected wood for pile, upon which
the remains Of the luckless squaw and her
babe were burned. n few were left to
keep up the sacrihcial fire, while the others
returned to old Winnemucca to comfort
his diving moments with the assurance that
his Young sQuaw had preceded him 10 the
Indians happy land.