The St. Johns herald., 1889-10-24

! IS ldSGenoO- Inc nO~Se OI the QeaQ.
 which is to be killed at the grave, is led behind the litter, followed by the crowd, wailing as they walk. When the grave is reached the relatives gather around tIe opening, the corpse is lifted from the litter and held by the bearers, while the robes in which it sat are arranged for its reception in the grave, where it is placed upon them, facing the east, and the articles of value, chiefly ornaments worn by the person during life. are deposited beside the body. If the deceased be a man, his weapons are then laid by his side; if woman, her sewing Dag. con- taining her awl, quills and articles used for embroidery; if child, its playthings are placed beside it.
 At the burial of warrior his fa- vorite horse is decorated as the mas ter was wont to paint the animal, this painting being always in accordance with the mans visions. After the corpse is deposited in the grave, a rawhide rope is loosely tied about the neck of the horse. and two men take hold of each end of the rope and draw it taut until the animal falls dead. For this service each man receives as a fee robe, war jacket, or a pair of beaded leggings. In recent years the horse has been shot. Sometimes when the grave is still open the concluding ! nr1in faly To1 ot the body is covered. The weather is apt to decide the order of proceedings. If a storm threatens the grave is at once closed; but should the day be clear and no prospect of rain, then the corpse remains in full view during the entire ceremonies.
 The grave is covered in the follow ing manner: A crotched post is thrust firmly into each end of tbe opening, projecting about two feet above the surface of the gronnd; pole is laid in the crotches of these posts. forming a ridgepole; the roof is made by laying closely side by side hardwood sticks, long enough to have one end rest on i the ground and the other on the ridge pole. Upon these grass is spread thickly, and lastly earth we'll tamped, and sod laid on. making a mound four or five feet high. The surroundings are carefully cleared of rubbish and dried grass, so that the grave may be safe from fire.
 For four successive nights following the burial the loving mother, or if the deceased was an orphan. then near female relative, patiently carries wood upon her back, and near the mound kindles fire, keeping it burn ing throughout the night to light the departed one to the land of happiness. This service is done without weeping. that the spirit may not be arrested or distressed as it travels hence.
 There are a variety of beliefs con- corning the immediate action of the spirit upon its withdrawal from the body. Some think that the soul at once starts upon its journey to the spirit land; others. that it hovers about the grave as if reluctant to depart Because of this latter belief food and water are placed at the head of the grave for several days after the burial. The spirit is supposed to partake of this food No Indian would touch any article of food thus exposed; if he did. the ghost would snatch away the food and paralyze the mouth of the thief. and twist his face out of shape for the rest of his life; or else he would be pur- sued by the ghost, and food would lose its taste, and hunger ever after haunt the offender.
 There is belief in the tribe that be- fore the spirits finally depart from men who died of wounds or their results, they float toward a cliff overhang;ng the Missouri. not far from the present Santee Agency in Nebraska, and cut upon the rocks picture showing forth their manner of death. A line in the picture indicates the spot where | the disease or wound was located | which caused the death. After this record is complete. the spirit flies off | to the lard of the hereafter. 1t is said | that these pictures are easily recog- nized by the relatives and friends of tie deceased. This place is known as acknowledgements, ' where the spirits mako pictures of themselves.
 A suicide ceases to exist; for him there is no hereafter. A man struck by lightning is buried where he fell and in the position in which he died His grave is filled with earth, and no mound is raised over one who is thus taken from life. Journal of.American Folklore.