Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-05
THE INDIAN MESSIAH.
Strange Story Told by Porcupine, a
Noted Cheyenne Scout,
ABOUT HIS MEETING THE SAVIOR.
A Detailed Account of Conversation and a
Message
OF GOOD ADVICE TO TIE RED MEN

OF GOOD ADVICE TO THE RED MEN
HELENA, MONT, July 4-Many Ifer-
ent stories have been published about the
Indian Christ, whose headquarters ale in
Nevada, and to whose teachings saVages
from nearly all the tribes in the U1ited
States have listened. Among those who
made this pilgrimage were Porcupine,
noted Cheyenne, and two members Of the
tribe OF lesser note, Big Beaver and Bear
Ridge Porcupine was first brought into
prominence in a remarkable way. Last
September he was living near Ashland,
Custer county, with his wife ana children,
on an elevation not far from st. Labre's
mission. A great storm arose one night, ac-
companied by thunder and lightning, and
during its progress bolt struck his tent,
killing his wife. For little while Porcu-
pine himself was stunned, but recovering,
and finding his wife dead beside him, he
grasped his rifle and rushed outside the
tepeee. The storm was raging and the
lightning playing in all directions.
The half-crazed savage, holding his gun
aloft, defed the elements to do their worst,
and after talking and gesticulating for sew
eral minutes brought his gun to his shoulder
and fired at the heavens. Quickly reload
ing, he repeated the performance, continu-
ing to do so till his ammunition was all
gone. The next day his wife was buried
with all the ceremonies attendant on such
events among the Cheyennes, and Porcupine
became wanderer. Though he denies it,
there seems to be no doubt that he had some
ipl or +Io -, ~ md 70 fho
loss of his wife his mind was in such state
as to eagerly grasp at anything which
touched on future life.
A STRANGE SCENE.
Feeling that perhaps the teachings of the
new Christ, which Porcupine had impaired
TO his people on his return from Nevada,
might have had something to do with the
recent troubles, Agent Upshaw, of the
Cheyennes, determined, if possible. to have
Porcupine tell him of his journey and its
result After same difficulty PorcupiDe con-
sented, so the meeting was held In Major
Carrolls tent at Camp Crook, near the
agency. The scene was one never to be for
gotten. Ranged around one side where ths
whites, including nearly all the officers in
the camp, Agent Upshaw and two interpre-
ters. On the opposite side the first in the
line was Two Moons, the cheyenne chief,
who paid strict attention to all that was
said. Next to Two Moons was Bear Ridge,
then Porcupine, and then Big Beaver; these
three the principal characters in the scene.
Then came lesser lights in the Cheyenne
tribe. About the tent opening were crowded
eight Indians, who lost not a word of what
was said on either side, but who did not in
dictate in any way the impression made upon
them. Porcupine was Government scout
at Fort Reno in 1885, and holds discharge
from Major Deweese. He once visited
Washington.
That the Indian is good actor was shown
by Porcupine Lefore he commenced to tell
his story. When all was quiet he arose
from his squatting position on the ground,
and, turning his face to the west, extended
both arms to heaven. Suddenly he COM
menced to tremble, and this continued all
through the initial performance. After the
first act he made the sign of the cross by
folding his arms, then, placing his hand
upon his heart, he raised it instantly toward
heaven, then touched the earth, signifying
that what he was to say would be the truth.
Still tr trembling, he sat down and buried his
face in his hands, apparently absorbed in
PRAYER. During Porcupine's performance
mis- two followers sat with bowed heads,
their lips moving as though in silent
prayer. Recovering, Porcupine commenced
his story.
PORCUPINE'S JOURNEY.
my friends-I left the agency in No
yember with two other Cheyennes, going
first to Rawlins. At dark the same day we
reached a fort-probably Bridger. After
ten days we went to Fcrt Hill and met the
Snakes and Bannocks, where the chief took
me to his tent. told the chief was just
travelling for pleasure, to See other Indians
and countries; that my people were at peace
and I thought I could travel anywhere.
Leaving the Bannocks we took little rail-
road to a town on a big lake (Salt Lake,.
The next day we took the cars travelled
south, and in the morning came to settle
ment of Indians dressed like white people,
the women having their hair banged and
their faces painted white with black spots.
Then we got on the cars again and next saw
a lot of houses. We were told more Indians
lived there, SO we got off and found them
living in huts of grass. Riding in the cars
again day and mig ht we got OH among
the fsh-eating Indians.
"In the morning the chief took us in
wagon to the agency on the side of big
river. Then we went back to the station and
were told there were some Indians to the
south who wanted to see US. We took the
railroad and at sundown got to the agency,
where there were more fish eaters. (Dia-
grams and explanations leave no doubt but
that these lakes were Pyramid and Walker,
in western Nevada, near the agencies OF the
same name) All the Indians we met from
the Bannocks down danced the dance (mean-
ing the late religious dances held at the
CHEYENNE agency) The whites danced too.
(Porcupine travelled through a Mormon
country. knew nothing about the dance
before going; 1 just happened to run across
it: that's all. 1 will tell you all about it.
/ want YOU all to listen to what L am going
to say; there is no harm in it, and until
Agent Upshaw told me different, thought
the whites knew all about it."
Porcupine then asked Agent Upshaw to
explain to him the religion OF the whites,
before he told about the new Christ. Up
shaw shaw commenced by telling of the first set
Element of the whites in America, but was
by Porcupine, who wanted to
know how the Indians first got here. Up
shaw said this would take too long, and
then Porcupine asked if the whites expected
a second coming of Christ.
PLENTY OF WITNESSES.
Upshaw showed him a Bible. explaining
that in order to understand Porcupine would
have to read the book through. This sub
iect was then dropped, and Porcupine COM
menced his story OF his meeting with the
Christ. first saying that on his trip he met
none but good people, who let him ride on |
the cars free and gave himself and his
friends all they wanted to eat, charging |
them nothing.
"My friends" he continued, 'my two
companions [pointing to Bear Ridge and
Big Beaver. who sat on either side of him] |
will bear me out in all L am about to say. |
If do not tell the truth they will know it,
as they were with me all the time. The
Christ told me to tell the truth and never to
lie. He said that all people, white and In
dian, were brothers, and this never knew
he Whar, 4 mid Lake L