The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-30
INDIAN RITES.
LOie Fuller OutdOne in Topeka
Saturday Night.
Fifteen Cherokee Indian Women
Dance Wildly
OLD INDIAN DANCES,
While Making a Visit to Mrs.
Philip Pickett,
Who is a Blood Member Of the
CherOkeeS.
OLD INDIAN DANCES,

There was weird scene at the home
of PhilipPickett at 316 VanBuren street
Saturday night.
At the same time there was nothing
going on that was not perfectly proper
in those who were taking part in the
affair
With the blinds closely drawn and
the lights turned low a chance visitor
would have seen forms fitting from
one end of the room to the other while
from everywhere came a Schant which
sounded like the moaning of the wind
in the trees. But there was no visitor
there for the greatest care had been
exercised to keep out the uninitiated.
The forms in the room were Indians
living over again their life on the
plains the only difference being that
the ceremonies were held in the mouse
and there were no male participants.
Mrs Pickett is herself nearly full
blooded Cherokee, of that once-on-a-
time and does yet furnish the finest
specimens both intellectually and
physically of the American red man.
Mr.. Pickett has acted as the agent
of the Indians and had apprised fif-
teen Cherokee women who live with
white husbands in Missouri that there
was to be an allotment in the Indian
territory and they were entitled to
1866 sc each. On Saturday the indian
women gathered at his place. They
had left their children and white nus
bands at home. They nearly all wore
red waists and plain skirts with ShaWlS
| on their heads, though some were
rather stylishly dressed.
Mrs Lizzie Long was the most care
| fully dressed and the most active ana
was the belle of the crowd Mrs
| Dashea bore traces of Indian beauty.
| Two women over fifty years old ac-
| m
entertained in the best of style until
| after supper when the spirit of the past
| came back and when Mrs. Pickett sug-
| gested that thex should have an old
Fashioned time her suggestion was met
with storm of approval
| When all had become quiet the rooms
| were cleared and the double doors con-
! Meeting the two large front rooms were
thrown open. Some candles were
found and the curtains of the windows
were closely drawn. Any one who has
ever witnessed an Indian dance of any
kind may imagine what followed.
1t started with low mnttering wall
| which was the signal for all the women
| to rise to their feet. Backward and
| forward they surged all the time, keep
ing up the chant which only Indians
| can initiate. Now and then they would
| stop to take refreshments.
| The corn dance, the turkey gObble
| dance and all the dances known to the
Indian were recalled and executed, and
Though them all Mrs. Pickett who re-
membered we'll the scenes of her girl
hood days led her visitors. Her
black hair streamed over her shoulders
and her bright black eyes flashed as
she kept time with her old companion!
to the mournful but rythmical music
of the wods.
The last and most startling and elab
crate of all the dances is called rtt'
| burnt offering dance The lights were
! turned out and the candles lit. 4
| bunch of papar in vessel in the mid
die of the floor was fired and the wome1
| commenced their chant and at IN
fire. They first drank from a bow
: which was supposed to contain 'con
secrated water
sHot-e-u, hot-e-u-u-u-" they san:
| as they tripped around the fire. Thel
f scattering here and there the
: searched every nook and corner TO
5 their imaginary enemies. Then the
| came back and surrounding IN
smouldering ashes they fell upon theI
, knees and lifted their eyes feverVent!
/ with their hands elapsed The chan
e ended and the mutterings of an India
: PRAYER to Manitou were heard. FO
a long time the IEdian women remain
, ed in the kneelinS posture and the
: they arose and the dance was Re
: peated while fresh fuel was added t
: the fire
, The gray light of morning wa
showing in the east when the ex
hausted dancers retired.
> The women left this morning for Tab
: Ieuuah where they will get their alloI
ment and return to their white hus
nights dance at Pickett's will scarce
IV he fOrgOtton.