Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-12-05

he relates the ma SHOOTING WITH The
ture Of the crime, MEDICINE BAG.
pays a heavy fine and is reinstated. Should
any member divulge the secrets of the order
his life is forfeited in a way that none know
the instigator or perpctrator. They have
secrets, and, it is supposed. have signs by
which one NAV know another in the dark as
well as in the day. During the initiation and
again Just at daybreak something is whispered
to the candidate.
CIRCLING CROW DANCE.
The Pa gi-nu hi ma -ki wa-ci-pi, or the cir
cling crow dance is called by the Americans
straw or grass dance Only members Of the
order participate in this dance, and its coun-
cils are secret 1t is controlled by three men
select at the starting of the lodge from
among the more influential members of the
tribe, who at death or upon reSigning their
office select their own SUCCESSORS. The rega-
liza belonging to the three by virtue of their
office is peculiar, consisting of a kind of tunic
falling from the waist down behind, attached
TO a broad band around the waist, and com
posed entirely of feathers of the eagle and
crow, with beadwork, porcupine quills and
jingling bells. Exactly in the center and
resting in the hollow of the back Fastened to
the belt projects slender piece of wood
about eight inches long wrapped with porcu-
pine quills, TO the end of which eagle and
crow feathers and small bells are attached
with long stringS-eveTy motion of the wearer
causing these sticks to vibrate and the bells
70 jingle This is an emblem of rank, and
when invested with il one usually gives away
a horse. There are four drummers. Each
one is provided with stick about three feet
long. one end notched and wrapped around
with quills and beads, the other end sharp
ened. These are stuck III the ground, and
drums with corresponding loops are hung on
20 them The dancers seat themselves in n
ring on the ground, wrapped in their hlan-
kets, the drummerS on one side chanting and
beating their drums, At II signal ali jump
up, and, throwing their arms aloft, chant
with uncOuth gestures and an occasional
whoOp; dance for a few moments, when all
but one seat themselves. This one standing in
the ring keeps on with gestures, wildly way
ing his tomahawk. OF a sudden he will seat
himself, and in low, monotOnOus chant re-
cite his exploits of war ard chase. after
which all will jump up, dance and yell ard
the ssme performances are again gone
through with This is kept up for several
days at a time, or until all the provisions
have been exhausted. During this dance. If
any member wishes divorce from his wife
he gets up and proclaims that she is no longer
his wife, or that he has been deputized by
some one not member manning HIM to say
that he has thrown away" his wife. An
outsider by payment can dePGtize a member
to do this. In their own eyes this makes him /
a brave man and big chief.
The dance is arranged for in this way: 4
steward is appointed to collect provisions, |
and no one dares refuse him. After collect /
ing sufficient to last several davs he notifies /
the leaders They call in the lodge and form
arrangements for the dance, and then the vii /
lage crier goes around and prorlaims that the /
dance will take place about such time II any
questions are to be decided the head men dis /
cuSs it, after which it is put TO a vote One |
goes TO each member present and /
asks him for his decision, the result showing
whether the question is carried or lost. Then /
the council is closed, outsiders are allowed to .
enter and the dance begins. An old woman
invited the leader OF the straw dance TO dance /