The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-08-04

ritory which Mr.. Fevvkes viii visit About
1880 the Spaniards in the City Of Mexico
first learned OF the pOpulous country 70
the northward from an Indian who was
a servant TO the governor. This native
said that his father used 10 travel in
strange land far to the north. selling
feathers which were made into plumes for
the head-dresses OF great warriors. When
he was a boy he sometimes went with his
father on these trips. and ne remembered
that in this country there were seven large
cities so extensive and beautiful that they
might well be compared with the City OF
Mexico itself. Long streets. ne said. were
occupied by men who made objects out
Of precious metals. This country could be
reached by going north from the City Of
Mexico for forty days, crossing a desert
covered with grass.
Ten years after this Coronado, with an
army Of Spaniards, friars and subjects,
marched north and found the cities de-
scribed. While in CibOla, Coronado learn
ed from the natives that twenty-five
leagues TO the north there was a province
called Tusayan. which contained seven
cities like their own. There was, how
ever, no intercourse between the two
provinces. and all that he could learn
was that the people We're very brave, and
that their houses were several stories in
hight. CORONADO set out with a small
party under Don Pedro de Tobar and a
AlDiAhf juan At I al1Alds " 40 AOulll 4 u
sayan as Described, and who was also the
first white man to see the Grand Canon of
the Colorado. The inhabitants We're gov
erned by council of wise men. and had
governors and captains. Coronado after
ward made other discoveries and sub
jected the whole Of the territory to his
rule.
After returning to Mexico he sent TO
each of the cities a number of friars,
that they might establish missions and
convert the people. These priests con-
tinued to suffer various tortures, and re-
lief expeditions were always pouring into
the cities for their protection. In this
way the country became filled with Span
nlards, who later took possession of the
rich mines in the vicinity and reduced the
Indians to slavery.
In 1880, about a century later, a chief
named Pope excited all of the tribes TO
rebellion against the white men. He told
the inhabitants of each city that he was
commissioned to the war by the Great
Father and that he also had assurances
of aid from the devil. He succeeded in
forming a league of all the tribes, in
Guiding all the Molds, except, probably
the people of Awatubi. Absolute secrecy
was sworn TO by each of the tribes, and
according to tradition, no women We're al
lowed TO know anything of the plot. They
united in an attack against Santa Fe
city, and afterward secured the whole
Of the surrounding territory, killing every
priest or missionary to be found. Many
of the MOkis killed their resident priests
and destroyed all of the churches. This
great rebellion lasted for twelve years
every Spanish invasion being warded off
during this time.
Awatubi was the largest of the seven
cities of Tussayan. 1t was during this
great revolt that its six sister cities rose
up against it for favorng Christianity
The houses were all fired in a single
night their hatchways were all fastened
down, and those who attempted to es-
cape were captured and thrown back
into the flames. Some few women and
children were held as prisoners, and the
descendants of these, found to-day
among the Mokis, are fond of telling the
stories OF the massacre as handed down
from their fathers. Mr.. Fewkes no
doubt viii find the bones of these early
monks and friars beneath the ruins of
their mission. on account Of this Chris
tan influence the household relies of
Awatubi are expected to surpass those
of any other early Indian tribe, as far as
artistic merit is concerned.
The characteristic of the AIokis of Tus-
ayan is their adherence to ancient relf-
gious customs learned and handed down
through each generation. They believe
terror Of the earth, anc that this is the
fourth plane on which he has yet lived.
After leaving this plane he returns to the
interior, the grave being the door leading
to the lower regions.
What is said to be the most weird and
repusve of the Indian ceremonies Will
be witnessed by Mr.. Fewkes and his com
panion in August. This is the celebrated
rattlesnake dance of the Mokis, to be
held at Walpi, near Awatubi. This is held
every two years in one Of four cities of
Tusayan. The snake dance is in reality
an appeal for rain. The details Of the
performance are arranged to accord with
one of the fabulous traditions, in honor
of the giant snake, described as the Gee
MUS of Water"
Four days before the dance the whole
territory surrounding Walpi will be
secured until hundreds of rattlesnakes
are procured and brought into towns in
bags. The most able performer in these
ceremonies is he who can dance the long
est around a wide enclosure while hold
ing between his teeth a large. writing.
kissing RATHER. To prevent his receiving
a sting he is accompanied by a partner,
who continues to whip the serpent's head
whenever 1t threatens to sting any part
of the person of its tormentor. During
the whole dance rattlesnakes of all sizes
are handled by men and boys without
any apparent fear.
Scientists who have witnessed these
dances within the past few years have
failed TO solve their mysteries Some peo-
pie think that hypnotism or some other
occult influence is brought to the aid of
the dancers. Mr.. Fewkes has made pre-
vious studies of the snake dance, but he
hopes this year to make clear many of
these strange feats.
PLAN TO SIEZE, VKTEr NTAcAu