The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-10-27
Capers or tho Grows.

! "Of all the interesting sights wit
messed by the Willard party thus far
| the Indian war dance on the Grow
| Agency one afternoon lately was the
most unique and fascinating. The first
two sections arrived ut Gray Cliff about
O'Clock. A bare range of heavy cliffs
run parallel with the railroad 500 yards
| to the south About 800 Indian wig
vans were clustered near the depot
between the cliffs and tracks. Fully
1900 Indians were Oh the ground.
They had with them about IL, 900 sleek
horses and ponies and 5000 dogs. In
appearance they were to the Eastern
visitors unique beyond expression
Many Of the mounted ones came gal
| Looping up to the train with wild shouts
of welcome. The party alighted, and
proceeding to Il small enclosure near
the track, found gathered there about
hundred Indians in war paint, ready
for the dance, which began upon the
arrival Of the first train. Each In
dian was dressed in the most extrtlva-
CANT manner. Heads were adorned
with feathers and war bonnets, faces
were streaked with red, yellow, and
green paint, and charcoal. An abbre-
waited costume was the order, and
painted bare legs and chests prednmi-
mated. Many of the Indians were un-
armed; large number, however, had
swords, guns, pistols, and knives, which
they llourished recklessly us they went
through their wild performance. II
opened with "tOm tom" upon Il thick
skinned drum, then Il low chant from
500 Indians who surrounded the dane.
ing ground. immediately those who
were to take part in the performance
were upon their feet, and the foreign
visitors were regaleu with Il touch of
frontier life such is theirIuil,lest ilnayi-
nations had never dreamed OF. Tie
dance was continued nearly three hours
without cessation. Now u huulrel
painted demons were circling back and
forth, emitting howls and shrieks that
almost thrilled the blood; knives and
swords flashed in the air; and, at oc-
caslonal intervals, "bang" went the
gun or pistol Of some excited brave.
The Indians would dance together ~
body for 4 while, then two or three
chlots would appear and give the med-
cine dance. They were induced to
come to Gray Cliff and give war dance
only after much solicitation, owing to
their suspicious. Some one spread a
report that the railroad company wan.
ted to get them all together at IL big
feast, whhcre they could all DO poisoned,
and this worked 50 upon the fears of
many that fully 6O0 members of the
tribe refused to leave tho agency and
come to Gray Cliff. The war dance,
IN various forms, was kept up till IL lato
hour. The Indians also gave some fine
exhibits Of thor holsemanship. The
elegant palace cars, rs they stood upon
The slde-track, excited the greatest
curiosity Of the Indians, and the wo-
mon and children swarmed upon the
platforms and peered into the windows
OF the wheeled palaces with many ex-
pressions OF delight. In one Instance
the occupants Of a private car went out
10 Wow the Indian encampmenC and
forgot to lock the door OF their car.
When their portor put in his appear
anco shortly after, to his horror ho
found seven or eight Indian women and
children gathered around tho centre
table in tho saloon, and indulging in Il
dance. lie cleared the car OF It's lu-
welcome visitors in short order. The
Indians did thriving business selling
trInkets to their visitors, and disposed
of all their old moccasins, pipes, toma-
hawks, bolts, &C., 1T IA good price.