The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-01-09


RESERVATION.
In the future abode of the good every
man was to be physically perfect and
enjoy forever pleasant games, exciting
huA.s and happy times. He taught that
the white man went to place of per-
petual evil-of misery unspeakable-
that every converted Indian would go
there too.
His teachings were enthusiastically re-
ceived. The mass of the Iroquois tribes
men believed him. They enrolled them
selves as followers, discarding not only
the teachings Of the missionaries, but
also ancient and time honored beliefs 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 witchcraft.
An old woman was but few months
since murdered there, and searching
investigation on the part Of the United
States authorities disclosed the fact that
she was killed because Of being dan
gerous witch, who by her malign infiu-
ence caused sickness and disaster.
Her funeral, too, was conducted with
striking ceremonies, the Indians burying
her in accordance with ancient savage
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 moccasins to keep her
feet from bruising. 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 mostly
in Erie county. It extends for some
twelve miles along both sides of Cat
taraugus creek, contains little over
10000 acr 3. and has population Of
about 1900, mostly Senecas, with a
sprinkling of Cayugas and Onondagas.
Although paganism still has such root
among them, it has not prevented them
from becoming quite fairly advanced in
agriculture, and many of the Indian
farms are quite well cultivated. The
land. indeed, is very much better
farmed and worked than that of the Al
leghany reservation, although that res
ervation 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 indi-
yidual ownership.
Individual Indians obtain the right to
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, a marshal
an overseer of the poor and three peace
makers, all holding office for one year
except the peacemakers, who hold TO-
three. Note the word ''peacemakers.
Has it not an odd and agreeable sound
as compared with general beliefs regard
ing Indian character?
The homes, as rule, are fairly well
made and comfortable, but somehow
there is always about the doorway OF
even the best Indian homes an intang7-
BILE something which spoils the general
effect and gives an air Of griminess and
musiness to the whole.
Public schools are kept up by the gov
ernment and although there is no COM
pulsory attendance, and therefore con
siderable laxity regarding regularity
there is yet fair number present OF
each day.
We stepped one day into one of the
little school buildings and one
story, with little bell in a little belfry
on top-and found the class engaged In
a geography recitation. The way IN
which the little children answered re-
garding rivers and cities and state boun-
DIARIES was pleasant indeed.
There is upon this reservation fine
II a. t., aI,1