The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-10-20
SAVAGERY NOT FAR OFF
Description Of the Annual
Dance of POttawatOmies
Just Ended on Their ReserYa-
ton Near Topeka.
Barbaric Rites Conducted by Chief
shawnissee at the Agency in
Jackson County.

The PottawatOmie Indians who live
on the government reservation % miles
north of Topeka, in Jackson county,
have just ended their religious dance
a dance which is barbaric in the ex-
IRENE. The dance began last Tuesday
evening at sun down and lasted from
early morning till midnight every day.
until sunday, when it ended at sun
down.
1t was participated in by about 200 Of
the PottaWa tonne Indians, and there
We're about rs Indians from neighboring
reservations. 1t was held at the regu-
lar dance grounds which are five miles
northwest of the government agency.
A State Journal reporter attended
this religious dance of the POttaWato-
mics last Saturday and was courteous
ly received by the government agent,
Mr. J.. r. PiersOn, and his head clerk,
Mr. James B. Ely
These gentlemen have charge of the
POttaWatOmie and Great Nemaha
agency. Their headquarters are ten
miles west OF Hoyt and nearly in the
center of the POttaWatOnie reservation,
which is IL miles square. The agency
consists of several government build
ings, among which are the officials
homes, the government mission school,
a store and store houses.
AIr. PiersOn has charge of seven
tribes of Indians, and he does all his
business from the Pottawatomie agen-
cy. On the POttawatOmie reservation
there are over 500 Indians. The other
tribes which are in Mr.. Persons
charge are the Sac and Fox. cOmpris-
ing 50 Indians. the Iowas, 40 Indians
the Kicka pOos. 250 Indians; the Mis-
sOuris, IS Indians: the ChippeWas 50
Indians. and the Munsees - Indians.
The tribes live on reservations north
and west of the POttaWatOmie. Some
white people live on the reservation.
but there are very few. and most of
these are married to Indians or lease
land from them 1t is estimated that
but 20 per cent Of the Indians on the
Pottawatomie reservation are pure
blood-so far has the intermarrying Of
the whites been conducted. But
the Indians retain their tribal life and
customs, and they are just as ignorant
and dirty and lazy as any Indians ever
We're and to say the least, they have a
big snap
Mr. Eby gave the reporter a letter
of Introduction to Mr.. James V Blan-
din, the government interpreter Of the
tribe and the party started for the dance
the sound of the tOm-tOm could be
plainly heard At first it sounded faint
and gradually it increased in volume
until the beats could be plainly dlStin-
guished and as the reporter drew near,
the sound of the Indian chant could be
heard above the humping of the tom
tom
The scene Of this very strange per
Torrance is on a level piece of ground
which is surrounded on three sides by
hills Here large dance hall has
4
an exposition building at a county fair
grounds. 1t is simply a large shed.
probably so feet square and having a
stone floor. In this the dances are
held at night. During the day. in the
sun light. the Pottawatomies go
through their gyrations in a large ring
just outside the dance hall. This ring
is perhaps IS feet in diameter and
round the edges the earth has been
thrown UP similar TO a circus ring. On
this ridge a. small fence is placed. There
are two entrances to the ring. from the
east and west. All around the circle
the Indians sit on the. ridge, and some
lean back against the fence.
In the southwest corner the tOm-t0m
is situated This is a drum five feet
in length and two feet in width. over
it is stretched tightly a skin, and three
uprights gaudily decorated vibra te in
the air when the tom-tom is sounded.
About this. their musical instrume nt
sit eight Indians. The head singer sits
at the head and the rest sit along the
sides. Each is provided with a long
stick with a small tip Of chamois skin
with which he strikes the tom-tOm
/ Several squaws sit near and assist in
the chant.
On a soap box a short distance to the
east of the tOm-tom sit the principal
/ dancers. Across the ring to the north
are two Indians with a smaller TOM
tom, and a little east of these sits the
| chief of the tribe. "Shawnissee-
All the Indians wear their gaudiest
| apparel and all have their faces paint
| ed in many combinations. The prin-