The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-03

found the old fellow had no reluctance to
talk about the man-eating charges made
against him, particularly with me.
zone beautiful moonlight night, while
seated upon the grass in front Of the bark
hut smoking our knnikinnics, the old man
gave me the entire history Of that portion
of his life connected with the man-eaters
And this story l have written and told SO
often that l know 1t by heart, as the school
boys say. | have had to repeat it to many
of the great men of the land. Among
the number were Gen. Lewis Cas-, Gov.
Harrison, and also the French savant and
traveller, Count Volney, whom | met at
Vincelnes.
white Skin said that to eat human flesh
was religious rite conferred upon his fore
fathers many, many generations Def re.
when the Mime ways included INST oil OF
the Indians living on this 81 ie OF the ulg
river. the Mississippi, aud by hereditary
descent prssei from family - family. On
the death of his grandfather his father and
his brother became the sole representatives
of this order, each having the right to per
form the ceremonies st these human sacri-
fees. l asked him how often he had eaten
human flesh. ard did ne assist ia killing
those to be devoured9
No said he. they were always pris-
oners Of war, and generally Indians from
hostile tribes, and now and then pale face.
In my younger days participated IN q
great many Of those feasts. We all liked
the taste Of human flesh; 1t was much
sweeter than the flesh Of wild animals. We
never ate 1t solely for the purposes Of food
to satisfy hunger; we partoOk OF 1t a. re-
Hgious rite. although some of the indians.
when invited to partal1e with US. would eal
more than others. My brother and sister
liked it so well that they would eat until
they were full. AS tirae pass ID the custom
gradually declined. The Catholic mission
aries did much to stop these sacrifices. II
has heen over twenty years since last
tasted human flesh
"White Skin prided himself upon the
fact that he represented family that had
such great distinction conferred upon 1t.
when l was abou, 30 years old said ne
Il attended grand feast Of this kind held
on the east bank of the st. Joseph river,
near Ke-ki-on- ga Fort Wayne). We were
notified bv a runner the day before to be at
! the place of sacrifice early the Following
afternoon. We reached the ground
about noontime. The faces OF the
entire family were painted black
even the papoose on its mother'i
hack A crowd of several hundred Indians
had already assembled anxiously awaiting
for the ceremonies to begin. Inc prisoner
| a Sank Indian, who was perfectly naked
and fastened to stake, was chanting his
death song. He was very brave. Whe1
the sun was yet about two hours high
squaw approached with hambeau in her
hand to ignite the fagots. when the doomed
prisoner snatched the fambeau from her
| hand and set fire TO his own funeral pie
| At this act Of bravery the great crowo SEM
M shouts Of admiration.
"Iyhen dead the body was laid upon tbs
| burning GOALS until it was we'll cooked
After prolonged ceremony my father Gu,
off a piece of the flesh for each member Of
the family, presenting tito us upon sharp
ened stick, while @e sat in circle arouno
the snothering embers. After the Iamll1
were all helped. my father, in a loud voice
asked If there was any person present. WIZ
wished to participate IN the Ieast' Tn el,
several men and squaws came ., "a, a.
seated themselves IN the Circle AH'J "e-O