Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-01-08

In the future abode OF the good every
man was to be physically perfect and
enjoy forever pleasant games, exciting
hunts and happy times. He taught
that the white man went to a place OF
eyil-of misery unspeakable-and that
every converted Indian would go there
too.
His teachings were enthusiastically
received. The mass OF the lroquois
tribesmen believed him. They enrolled
themselves as followers, dlscardlng not
only the teachings OF the missionaries,
but also ancient and time honored be-
liefs OF their own ancestors.
And even now many Of the Indians,
and particularly the Senecas, hold quiet
ly to what he taught, and among these
are not few who are nominally Chris
tians. Remnants Of absolute paganism
still survive, too. among the Senecas,
and in the Cattaraugus reservation there
is very common belief In wltchcrait.
An old woman was but few months
since murdered there, and a searching
investigation on the part OF the United
States authorities disclosed the fact
that she was killed because OF being q
dangerous witch, who by her malign
influence caused sickness and disaster
Her funeral, too, was conducted with
striking ceremonies, the Indians bury
ing her In accordance with ancient saw
age rites. Food was laid out TO sustain
her during her weary journey to the
land OF spirits. Bright lights were
burned to dispel the darkness from
the gloomy path. There were moe
casins to keep her feet from bruIslng.
There was clothing to keep her warm.
This case, however, was very unusual
as the pagan beliefs and customs are In
general kept out OF sight.
The Cattaraugus reservation Is most
" in Erie county. 1t extends Tor some
twelve miles along both sides OF Cat
taraugus creek, contains q little over
90. 600 acres, and has a population Of
about l,5OO, mostly Senecas, with q
sprinkllng of Cayugas and Onondagas.
Although paganism still has such
root about them, IL has not prevented
them from becoming quite fairly ac-
yanced In agriculture, and many OF the
Indian farms are quite we'll cultivated.
The land, indeed, Is very much better
farmed and worked than that OF the
Allegheny reservation, although that
reservation is also OF the Seneca tribe.
Both reservations are owned by the
Seneca Nation as body, and all the
land is held in common. There Is no
individual ownership.
Individual Indians obtain the right 70
work and occupy certain portions, and
are allowed to dispose OF the right to
others.
The presiding officers Of the nation
are president, clerk and treasurer, and
In addition to these there are upon each
reservation eight councillors, marshal,
an oyerseer Of the poor and three peace
makers, all holding Office for one year.
except the peacemakers, who hold for
three. Note the word "peacsmakers."
Has IL not an odd and agreeable sound
as compared with general beliefs re-
garding Indian character?
The homes. as rule, are fairy well
made and comfortable, but somehow
there is always about the doorway Of
even the best Indian homes an intangi-
bic soraething which spells the general
effect and gives sn air OF grimness and
mustIness 70 the whole.
Public schools are kept up By the gov
eminent. and although there Is 20 COM
pulsory attendance, and therefore con-
siderable Iaxity regarding regularity,
| there is yet fair number present on
| esch day.
z We stepped one day into one Of the
little school buildInss-whits' anc one