Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-02-19
The Ghost Dance.
HOW THE FANATICAL WALK AROUND OF THE
SIOUX ORIGINATED.
IChcaro Herald

SIOUX ORIGINATED.
TChcago HersldI
The ghost dance, whose weird inspira-
tion seems to have penetrated all the
blanket tribes of the Northwest to great
er or less extent, is apparently of quite
recent origin, but, like all other Indian
dances, involves the weird mysticisms of
their ceremonial rites. Its origin is OBJ
scure. Perhaps tine most authenticated
account is from Sitting Bull, the great war
prophet and seer of the mighty Sioux
nation, who met his death recently at or
near Standing Rock agency, in North
Dakota, at the hands of Indian police.
Not many moons ago Sitting Bull stated
that messenger from the northern tribes
had brought him knowledge of the descent
to earth of an Indian Messiah-that sn
Indian party trailing the mountain region
beheld the wonderful phenomenon OF
star falling from Its heavenly orbit and
swinging toward the earth and never
touching the earth, but moving constantly
from them toward the west and beckoning
them to follow its flight. Overcome with
fear and astonishment, they obeyed its
mandate, and pursuing the blazing star
were led for many weary miles over the
crags of mountain heights and through
the depths OF great valleys until after many
days they were led under its guidance TO
cave or grotto in the wilderness ofmoun-
tains, and stood over it while its Indian
followers knelt at its door.
Immediately the door opened and the
Indian Messiah appeared before them, and
told them the wonderful story of his birth
and descent to the earth. That his mis-
sion was to restore the earth again to the
Indian and the buffalo. That the earth
should be again peopled by the vast tribes
OF Indians once existing, and that couLI-
less herds Of buffalo should again roam
over the earths green surface for the lu-
dians' sport and subsistence. That in peace
he should forevermore live IN comfort and
plenty, and no more of labor OF starvation
should lie at the door of his tepee.
That in war he should prove ever val
Gus and victorious, and that he Shot
overcome the guns of the white ma
army and repossess the earth with all
riches. That the soldiers sent by the W.T.
man into their land should wither befv
the fire of their guns and fall from th,
saddles, and that thereafter the lndIal
body should be inyulnerable, and cot |
never be harmed by the soldiers bullo
and that he, the Messiah, should hen,
forth reign over them, their king
counselor.
Upon receiving this wonderful rcvelati
the band was directed to return at once
their own tribe and make known the ",
ders they had seen and heard. Also u,
preparations should be made to receive
Messiah when he should make known !
presence to each tribe.
TO this end their own tribe was direct /
to send messengers to every other ludt
tribe and disclose to them all the woud'
ful things they had seen and heard,
that they might also prepare for his Coz
ing by dance which should be known
them all As the ghost dance, in Coutrad -
tlnctlon from every other Indian dan,
That all garments should be discard
save ghost shirt and that their fac
should be concealed from the Messiah
the wearing OF masks.
That each Indian tribe should COntiu
to dance this dance until he should app,
unto them and that his coming should
made known by the appearance of "
herd of buffalo feeding in the immriia
neighhorhood Of each Indian tribe viii,
should obey his mandate by the ghu
dance.
And thus began the ghost dance, which
has seized upon nearly every Indian tti'-
in the Northwest. and involved the gro.
Sioux nation in hostIities with the Uni,,i
States government.