The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-10-17
KILLED HIS SISTER AS A WITCH
Terrible Crime of an Alaskan Indian
| Prompted by "a Medicine Man.

Terrible Crime of an Alaskan Indian
Prompted by "a Medicine Man.
VICTORIA, b. c. Oct. a-That "murder
will Quits well illustrated in the case OF
the Kaks Indian named Ahf Chat, who is
now o prisoner at Hitka, and whose case
will be tried by Judge, Truitt at that
officials last term of court before retire
mens.
Ahf Chat was spprehended six weeks
ago by Deputy Marshal Harry Wallace OF
wrsngle for implication In the murder OF
two traders on Kske island, about
three months ago. The Indian was well
known to the authorities through his
ability to stow away more whiskey than
any other member OF the tribe, and also
on account OF his fighting proclivities
when drunk. On account OF past deeds
| OF lawlessness officers had long been look
Ing for him, but had only recently be-
come aware OF graver crimes the Indian
had committed other than those which
had already been charged.
Almost year ago q young Kake girl
was cruelty murdered, after being starved
and beaten until death came as relief. 1t
was several months afterward before ii
| became known, and then II was an impos-
| sibiiity to locate the wrctches who were
responsible for the infamous crime. A
short time ago one OF the Kakes in the
Sitka prison, upon seeing a new prisoner
arrive, and with whom he was apparently
at enmity, told the guards the tale OF
| horror.
| About ten months ago Ahf Chat had
been taken SO III that medicine man
| was called. When the sick mans family
had piled upa stack OF 20 blankets the
Shsmsn condescended to begin his weird
| incsntations. At the conclusion OF the
performance he informed the patient that
he was very sick man and that his sister
was the cause OF 1t, declaring her to be
| witch.
The Kakes have no religious belief
whatever, but In regard 10 witchcraft
their ideas are the same as those OF many
other Alaskan tribes. They believe an
enemy csn by means Of spells and charms
work out evils, shape destinies, and finally
destroy hose they wish to, which belief
Is taught and encouraged by the medi-
cine men OF the tribe. II any one is sick
he, upon propitiation, at once declares
some person to be the cause, and that
person must either confess himself q
witch and promise to cease working In
Jury upon the patient or he Is put to
death. The Indians are still in state
of utter barbarism, and hold to the old
belief, "an eye for an eye and tooth
for a tooth"
Upon the sister being charged with
sorcery she was at once brought before
her brother and the Shaman. She wildly
protested her innocence, and upon her ad-
herring to Il she was bound and severely
beaten. Several days passed, during which
she was given no food and only enough
water to moisten her parcned lips. See-
ing her determined not to acknowledge
herself q witch and responsible for his
illness, Ahf Chat struggled from the pile
Of skins which had constituted his bed
and plunged his knife into the heart ol
his helpless victim.
The Kakes know no fear, even OF
death. Neither do they understand such
feeling as remorse. They have always
remained on their island unmolested,
making their own laws and administer.
ing them according to their wn ideas
Of justice. II the murderers now incarce
rated in sitka are hanged, they freely
say they will kill the same number o
white men before they consider things
even. That this last addition to tn,
imprisoned Kake contingent will stretch
hemp there can be no doubt providing
he doesn't die by his own hand in tn,
mean time.
Despite all official denials, the practic,
OF the "medicine art'' prevails through
out all Alaska, and scores OF unfortunat,
natives have, even in the short space o
one year, suffered hideous deaths upor
the decree of the medicine man that the!
had prscticed sorcery. With the fore
at their disposal, the white authorities car
not enforce the law as IL should be- e
teach the native population the lessor
they must some time learn. The hope o
the entire territory is now fastened upoi
the esta blishment of an American arm.
post In the far north. With soldiers q
hand, such murders a. those TO All
Chats account would be less frequent
---San Franc isco Examiner