The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-07-06
Indian Jugglers.
THE ASTONISHING CABINET TRICK PRRFoRMeD
BY A JossAKRRD.

BY A JossAKRRD.
From Science.
Paul Beaulieu, an Ojibway of mixed
blood, present interpreter at White Earth
Agency, gives his experience with Jossa.
keed at Leech Lake about the year 1868.
The reports of wonderful performances
reached the agency, and as Beaulieu had
no faith in the jugglers he offered to wager
300 against goods of equal value that the
juggler could not perform satisfactorily one
of the tricks of his repertoire to be selected
by him (Beaulieu) in the presence of him.
self and committee consisting of his
friends. The wager was accepted, with
the result to be described
A medicine lodge was made. Four strong
poles we're planted deep in the ground, ris-
ing to an elevation of at least ten or twelve
feet one of them having the branches re-
naming, and rising little beyond its fel-
lows, this being the indication of Jossa-
kecd, as distinguished from Mede lodge.
The interior diameter was less than tour
feet. The frame which was Inclined to the
centre, was then filed in with intertwined
twigs and covered with blankets and birch
bark from the ground to the top, leaving
an orifice Of about foot in diameter open
for the ingress and egress of spirits and of
the objects to be mentioned, but not large
enough for the passage of mans body
AT one side Of the bottom wrapping flap
was left for the entrance of the Jossake eed
or Shaman. A committee of twelve was
selected to see that no communication was
possible between the Jossakeed and con-
federates. These twelve men were reliable
people, one of them being the Episcopal
clergyman of the reservation. The spec.
tators were several hupdred in number,
but stood off, not being allowed to ap-
proach.
The Jossakeed then removed his clothing
until nothing remained upon his person but
the breech- cloth. Beaulieu then took a
rope (of his own selection for the purpose
and first tied and knotted one end about
the ankles the knees were then securely
tied together, next the wrists, after which
the arms were passed over the knees and a
billet Of wood passed under the knees, thus
securing and keeping the arms down
motionless. The rope was then passed
around the neck again and again, each time
tied and knotted so as to bring the face
down upon the knees. A fiat river stone
of black color-which was the Jossakeet
manedo or amulet-was left lying upon his
thighs. The Jossakeed was then carried
to the lodge, placed inside upon a mat OF
the ground and the flap covering restored
so as TO completely hide him from view.
Immediately loud, humping noises wer,
heard and the framework began to swa,
from side TO side with great violence
whereupon the clergyman remarked tha
this was the work OF the evil one, and |
was no place for him, 80 he left and di,
not see the end. After few minutes O
violent movements and swaying of tn
lodge, accompanied by loud inarticulat
noises, the motion gradually ceased, whe
the voice OF the juggler was heard telln
Beaulieu to go to the house of friend nea
by and get the rope. Now Beaulieu, SUI
pec'ing some joke was to be played upo
him directed the committee to be very car,
ful not to permit any one to spproac
while he went for the rope, which he foun
at the place indicated, still tied exactly
he had placed it about the neck and e.
tremeties OF the Jossakeed. He immed
ately returned, laid 1t down before Il
spectators and requested OF the Jossakes
to be allowed TO look at him, which vi
granted, but with the understanding tn
Beaulieu was not to touch him.
When the covering was pulled aside Il
Jossakeed sat within the lodge, contented
smoking his pipe, with no other object
sight than the black stone or named
Beaulieu paid his wager of 800.
. Tann,a ahnaa and haoa han oloo.