The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-09-25
Sad Fate of an Indian Maiden Found Guilty
of Witchcraft.

SAN FRANCISCO, September 1q-9he story
comes from good authority at Los Angeles of
the burning of young squaw by Moiave In
dams because she was accused of practicing
witchcraft. The scene of the torture was near
the Colorado river, in the eastern end of San
Bernandino county. For the past two months
a strange disease has attacked members OF the
tribe, who live In state of semi-baFbarism.
The victims were seized with violent head
aches, purging and gradual stiffening of the
limbs. In many cases the sufferer showed all
the symptoms of poisoning. Death usually
followed within twenty-four hours from the
time of attack. 1t is said that at least twenty
OF the most popular mon in the tribe have died
from this mysterious disease The medicine
men of the tribe belabored the patients with
sticks in order to drive the devil out of the
burning body, and in the case of Stone Head,
a sub chief, the frenZed doctors dragged the
patient through the waters Of the Colorado for
the purpose of cleansing him of the evil spirit
which it was supposed had taken possession of
him.
The spread Of the disease at last became so
alarming that the members of the tribe be-
came panic-stricken and slaughtered their
dogs and DurroS aS sacrifice to appease the
anger of the Great Father. This proving of
no avail a council was held while the moon
was i'll the last quarter. Every buck in the
tribe was present. The medicine men sat
around a huge pot which was filled with
herbs, while the bucks were squatted in n
semi-circle some distance away. The medicine
men watched the steaming herbs until the
mess had been boiled down to teacupful of
liquid. Then male pigeon and his mate
were taken from wicker basket and held by
the medicine men while the liquid from the
herbs was poured down their Threats. The
male bird, when released, few away ana was
not seen again. The female bird f1uttered a
few yards and then fell helpless and dying on
the ground The medicine men now seemed
craZed with excitement They leaped to their
~ - IL.
silence. While the medicine men were in the
midst of their orgie they declared that there
was witch in the tribe. The female bird had
died while the male bird had flown away into
the night This test determined the sex of the
witch When the bucks heard the words of
the medicine men they became wild with rage
Each brave suspected the other of harboring
the witch in his tepee or cabin. But final
test was to be made. With yells and i'm
precautions the frenzied reds drove their wo-
men to the place where the council had been
held and whore the white pigeon still lay
among the herbs and grasses The squaws
were driven in single file with the medicine
men watching with nervous excitement the
face of each as she passed the bird whose
plumage looked like snow IN the bright moon
light. Nearly all the women passed the pigeon
without giving 1t any notice. Finally young
sguaw, the daughter Of Cresco, also a sub
chief, stepped out of the ranks and was about
to pick up the bird, when tho medicine men,
Win iouu NSItS, sclLeu tut SlFI anu
pinioned her arms. The unfortunate squaw
pleaded piteously for her life. which she
seemed to foresee was in peril, but her cries
were of no avail. her own relatives assisting
in dragging her to the council place The
death of the female pigeon was conclusive evil
dence that q squaw was the WITCH The first
squaw to touch the bird was the fatal test of
guilt. The poor girl, who was but eighteen
years old, was stripped of her clothes,
tied to a stake. and slow fire built under
her. For two hours she Hinged in awful
agony, and while her death screams filled the
air the braves danced about the fire and the
medicine men muttered incantations. When
morning came nothing but the whitened
bones Of the girl and the black embers of the
fire remained about the stake. The disease
from which so many Of the Noiave braves
have died is believed to he malignant typhoid
fever. The details OF this strange story were
brought to Los Angeles today by ranchers who
had been attracted to the camp of the Indians
by the noises which attended the terrible
death of the girl.