Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-11-06
INDIAN MEDICINE MEN.
Their Importance and influence
Among the Dakotaha.
An Explanation Of Their Wonderful
Cures-BrinGing tho "Dead to Life"-
Ceremonies Attending tho Initia-
ton of NoOphyte.

Mr.. Paul Beckwith has published an In
teresting paper on the Dakotahs In the re-
ports OF the Smithsonian Institution; and
among other things he remarks that the
medicine-man, or high priest, is invariably
chief; and although he maintains his
sway by the use of mysteries and incanta-
tons, nevertheless at times shows q power
which Is not understood by those outside
the cult or brotherhood, and through Q
knowledge of the medicinal properties Of
herbs often performs cures that lead one to
believe he is not altogether the charlatan he
Is represented. His cures are often the
wonder Of the United States army sur
geons.
An incident in point is cited In the case Of
an Indian who one day came staggering
into camp with his leg horribly swollen
from the bite of venomous snake. Tho
camp surgeon could do nothing for the suf-
ferer; but he was completely cured by the
medicine-man. Another case Is quoted
in which a cataract Of the eye was
cured by inserting brass filings into
the affected organ. To impress upon
the mind of the patient the divine nature Of
his medicine, the medicine-man adds to tho
efficacy of his remedy mysterious panto-
mines, contortions of the body and features,
always to drum accompaniment. II the
patient is affected with serious ailment,
he places paper or bark figure on the
ground, and, while the patient is held over
II, he fires gun, by which act the sickness
passes into the image in the ground and 10
killed by the discharge of the gun. They
claim that all this power Is received from
the Great Spirit, who confers upon them .
spiritual medicine SO powerful that they can
kill at will, resuscitate the dead:and cure
the SICK This spiritual medicine is repre-
sented by any thing that strikes the fancy
as q bunch of feathers, a claw, bird, or the
head Of an animal.
When council is held, barricade IL
erected in the form Of an ellipse, and tent
is raised at each end of the Enclosure, one
for the high priests Of medicine-men and
the other for ten men who have been 81.
iected to keep order and conduct the cere-
mony. The high priest, from his seat 10
the medicine-tent, appoints four assistants,
one bearing drum, one pillow and stick,
one rattle, while the last assists by EFNnt.
ing. A big drum In the center Of the circle
is being constantly beaten by several drum-
mers. The high priest then speaks to them
OF the holy dance which was founded centu-
rtes ago and tells them of the power ct
the medicine Of their ancestors, and warn.
ing skepties not to SCOT ct them or thew
craft, IS they have the power of thrusting Q
claw or stone through the body Of any one AZ
will, causing instant death. In proof Of
this assertion, he calls one Of his assist
ants to him, and points toward him with the
medicine-baG, at the same time pufinR ct
him with his lips, whereupon the assistant
Fails TO the ground apparently senaaleae.
Then the priest salaams TO the four points OF
the compass, and inYokea the Great Spirit
to aid him and the other members present
in bringing the dead brother to life. The
drums are then beaten and frantic dance
is begun, when the lifeless form gradually
returns to consciousness, and spits into his
hand mass OF froth and blood, IN which is
found o claw or stone The high prieat
now dances around the circle, and, waving
his medieine-bag, blows upon soma one else,
who In the same manner falls to the ground
senseless. The chief continues and th.
dead man." reviving, assists In shooting
others, until the inclosure is full of bowling
saFages dancing, yelling and shooting each
other.
When new member is initiated, he is
taken into the councll-tent for instructions,
which are secret. He is then stripped of
his clothing, excepting an apron about bis
lolns and mocassins on his feet. He Is then
painted entirely black, except small red
spot between his shoulders. The candidate
IS exhorted to be good, and 10 ted
that his medicine will be correspond:
1ngly powerful, and that he must give
feast once a year. If he does
not, he will meet with misfortunes. sick
ness or death. The candidate now receives
the holy claw or stone. The mediclne-m man.
approaching him from the east, describes
the course of the sun with the medicine
bag, and bowling to the four points OF the
compass, mutters an incantation. and
thrusting the bag toward him, SAYS: ssThere
goes the spirit" The candidate then falls
| PROSTATE, and blankets, skins, ornaments.
etc, are thrown as offerings over the cam
| dldate. At command Of the high priest the
! novice RECEIVERS, and Is presented with the
medicine-bag, becoming recognized mem.
| Der OF the order. After these ceremonies
| the feast begins, and the fec, xxii,ici1 has
been cooking before the tent of the assist
ants is distributed among the people The
dance lasts from daybreak to daybreak of
the day following; and as these dances are
frequently given in winter with the Their
mometer often far below zero, 1t may easily
be Imagined how the candidates must sufEef.
clad as they are IN coat Of paint II Il
| generally understood that the members OF
the order have secret signs and passes, but
the penalty Of exposure is so sure and .,.,,f.
that none OF the secrets are ever divulped.
There are weltknown Instances in which
indiscreet members have mysteriously but
permanently disappeared. ct the instance,
it Is supposed, Of the medicinemen.