The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1890-12-26

JOHNSON SIDES.
(Who was at one time enormously supposed by
the whites to be the Indian Messiah.
A tradition has long prevailed among
these that great prophet or medicine
man would some day relieve them from
the hated bondage of the whites. So
when last April a messenger came among
them from the north, and said that GER
tain chiefs there had been visited by the
great Messiah all were ready for the
story, and many believed at once in the
coming savior. The Cheyennes and
Arapahoes We're the most active in the
matter, and at once raised sum of
money and sent two of their number to
the reservations in the north, with the
request that at least one of the prophets
of the coming Messiah should visit the
southwest.
These messengers visited the Sioux
agencies in Dakota, and returned with
the assurance Of the great prophet that
he would visit the southern tribes very
soon. This great prophet proved to be
Sitting Bull. not the Big Medicine Man,
but the son of former illustrious
chief of the Arapahoes. who had gone
north eight years before. Cheyennesand
Arapahoes to the number of 5000 gath
cred on the banks of the Canadian river
south of Fort Reno to listen to the story
of their coming savior. Sitting Bull
stood in the center Of great circle, with
the chiefs sittia5 at his right and left.
and with many strange signs and mys-
FERROUS movements told the following
story:
About year ago he went hunting
with a large party of Sioux among the
mountains in Wyoming. One day he
became separated from the rest, and, led
on by some strange impulse, he hurried
on toward the Shoshone mountain.
which arose in the western horizon.
foot of the mountain, and just before
him shone bright red star, which he
followed all night, and at daybreak
found himself on a great rock which
overlooked valley more beautiful than
any he had ever seen. Down it's center
flowed d stream clear as crystal and alive
with darling fish. On the mountain
sides were deer and mountain sheep, on
the lower slopes grazed thousands of
buffalo and here and therea bear prowled
among the underbrush
In the open places stood great num-
bers of Indian lodges covered with the
finest skins, while at many places in the
valley he saw great numbers of Indians
in strange dance, and to his ears
was waited the sound Of Strange and
mysterious songs. Just below him he
recognized II party of dancers as Chey-
ennes and Arapahoes. who had died and
gone to the happy hunting grounds.
There were all the great chiefs of the
past. Long he stood and gazed upon
the scene, when suddenly a voice at
tracted his attention to the rear, where
standing upon the mountain side was a
strange being wrapped in a blanket of
white and with flowing hair of the same
color. About his head was "a strange
Light, and as he moved toward Sitting
Bull he seemed to walk only upon the
air.
With voice as musical as the falling
waters the strange and mysterious Wis
itor spoke to Sitting Bull, and told him
that he was the same Christ who once
appeared upon earth to save the white
men, but he had been crucifed and
rejected by them, and now he was coming
again to save the Indians. The scene
which Sitting Bull beheld in the valley
below was vision Of the happy hunting
grounds which were soon to be estab-
ished on earth. When he appeared he
vould bring with him all the dead
indians, the deer, the buffalo and other
,aine; tine wn1ue men wouId De ur1ven
rom the land, and the Indians again
ONE into possession from ocean to
cean. The dead Indians whom he
ould see dancing were preparing for
heir return to earth, and in the same
manner must the Indians here prepare to
eceive them. All day long he talked
nth Sitting Bull, telling him these
Kings and many more, and at dusk he
in the west with Che setting
I'M.
Wearied with travel and loss of rest
lifting Bull dropped to sleep upon a bed
{ moss. At dawn he awoke to find !
imself in front of his own lodge, ten ,,
ms journey from where he had been
uniting.
Such story, told in such manner, c
ould have had an effect ON less credu- ! a