The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-07-30
GREEN CORN DANCE.
Queer Rites Observed by the Seminole
Indians of Florida.
From the Fort Myers (Fla.J Press.

From the Fort Myers (Fla.) Press.
DIR. J. E. Brecht, the agent in charge of
the Seminole Indian mission, is gaining
favor with the noble red man. as was
proven by his receiving an invitation to
attend the green corn dance, which was
held June "a, %, 26, q, forty miles north
east of Fort Myers and ten miles south of
Lake Hickpochee,
The green corn dance is a sort of re-
ligiOus festival, which is observed annu-
ally at this season of the year, with much
of the same spirit that their white broth
ers keep the great national THANKSGIVING
1t is their way of giving thanks to the
Great Spirit for blessings received, and
they are very careful to keep the time of
holding it a secret, as they do not like to
nave spectators. On this occasion, how
ever, the old doctor, the head of the
little band in this part of the state, sent
two Indian boys or runners" to invite
DR.. Brecht to attend their dance The
invitation was gladly accepted and the
DOCTOR accompanied by Frank Wilkison,
returned with the messengers, going as
far as possible by team, and the rest of
the way on horseback and foot. UpOn
reaching camp they were Hospitality re-
ceived, DR.. Tommy inviting them to re-
main with him in his own little palmetto
hut. DIR. Brecht was careful to say little
and to observe much, and gave US consid-
cradle enlightenment upon their methods
of observing the green corn dance
On Sunday they kept a feast
eating continuously all day, from
early morning until late in the evening,
only stopping few minutes at a time for
a dance and then returning again to gorge
themselves. They had a fast of three
days before the feast, and of course are
hungry: but the wonder was how they
could eat so much. At certain time in
the evening, when the feast is ended, the
Indian women swarm in and gather up
everything, leaving no sign Of the days
feasting. The day following the feast is
the "puking day" The old doctor pre-
pareS a connection out of willow
bark and calamus root, which they drink
of to nauseate them, and they dance and
vomit from morning till night, and all
night long. This is the great dancing
day and it is kept up until they are ex-
hausted from weakness and fatigue. AT
ter this ceremony several of them. are
subjected to a sweat bath given as follows:
A tent or tepee is made tight as possible,
stones heated as hot as fire can make
them, then water is thrown on the stones,
which have Deen placed in the tent, the
patients are wrapped in blankets and
they sit there and nearly sweat their souls
clean.
The next day is the scratching day.r
This ceremony is observed by the older
Indians scratching the backs and limbs
of themselves and the younger ones with
a brush or sort of currycomb made of
wood and set with sewing needles, the
scratches are made deep enough for the
blood TO flow freely. After this ceremo-
ny they hold their council or big talk
which ends the observance of the green
corn dance. Their willingness to allow
visitors is a favorable omen, and we may
hope to see these wild men of the forest
yet reached and brought into the pale of
civilization