Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-11-27
A Probable Explanation of How the
Messiah Craze Originated
Among the Indians.
The Wrong Interpretation of a Rea-
sOnable Story Sets the Wild
Men to Dancing.
The Standing Rock Indians are Losing
Faith i'll Their Apostle lifting
Bull.


the army headquarters is busy. A larger
force than has been mustered III that
vicinity since thu memorable campaign
Of 1876 will be in the region about Pine
Ridge by Wednesday. Not only infantry
and cavalry are being moved up but also
filled artillery. Large quantities of am
munltiOn ami supplies. General Scoield
having instructed General Miles to inves
tigate the charge that the present dissatis-
faction among the Indians is due more TO
a lack of ratiOns than the religious craze
and has sent Inspector General Hoyle
this afternoon to the west. He will visit
all the army posts and most of the agency
stations.
CHICAGO, Nov. 24-Gen. Miles received
letter from an officer at Los Angeles,
which throws further light on the Mes
siah mystery. He tells of an Indian from
Nevada answering the description given
by Porcupine in a statement published a
few days ago, who talked last spring with
the officer. He said his name was JOHN
son, and that he was known by the
Indians and whites where he lived
as ''Peacemaker. The Indian
showed a medal which had been
given him by some christian society for
his efforts in doing good He talked about
the bible, and said he was DESTROYS of
making peace with every one. He tod
about the Indians from far away who came
to see him, and showed pipe, recognized
as coming from the Dakota tribes. All
this comedies with Porcupine's story. The
office writes that he firmly believes
that this good natured Indian is the
one who has caused all the trouble. He
taught the Indians the story of Christ or
the Messiah, and the time when he once
more would visit the earth, as it had been
taught him by Christian people. He no
doubt told the story in it true understand
ing, and the Indians retelling it warped it
according to their likes and understand
ing. Gen. Miles was impressed by the
idea that this Indian was identical with
the man talked of by the Indians who
visited Walkers lake.
CHICAGO, Nov. 34.-A dispatch from
says the ration day passed quietly at Rose
Bud. Not more than twenty of Short
Bulls followers came in, owing
helped themselves to government beef
There is no likelihood of conflict unless
the troops attempt to arrest the fanatics
responsible for the theft of the beef The
force of troops here is yet to small for any
thing except defence agency. Several more
companies of infantry are due at Rose Bud
hight or tomorrow, but even when they
arrive the force still will be too small in
the opinion of the officers to make
an aggressive movement against
the horse savages Whereabouts.
The policy of the officers is, however, to
act in the most conservative manner.
They may decide to starve out the Indians
by removing the cattle where they cannot
get them.
ST. PAUL, Nov. 24.-A Pioneer Press
special from Bismarck sayi, most of the
Indians at Standing Rock are falling
away from Sitting Bull because of the
failure of the Messiah to APP
pear All are quiet although small fac
ton still keeps up the dance. No further
demonstrations have been made against
the settlers between the agency and Man
dan and they are returning home.
A stampede of 500 families to Eureka
and other towns from the east side of the
river was caused by woman who saw the
Indians on the other side dancing and
yelling and gave the alarm, fearing that
they were coming over to massacre The
people are now returning to the ranches.
MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. a. "A Tribune
special from Pierre says the parties return
ing from the Cheyenne agency report very
few Indians there to-day, although it is ra-
ton day. This is suspicious circum
stance. The trader who keeps the store
near Rose Bud reports that the Indians
pillaged it Sunday.
ABERDEEN. S. D., Nov. a. Lieut..
Gov -elect Hoffman tonight says that the
river country has been patrolled from LIE
bean north to Fort Yates and there are no
signs of Indians on this side. The people
are badly scared by false rumors but are
now returning to their homes in the ma
jority of cases.