CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1897-12-16
JAP NoytlIks MAKE the HICEsT. NEATIsT PaEstNTs.

only one OF a number of indications
that go to show the firm hold which the
traditions of his race have upon the red
man. "A
Almost every settlement of Indians in
this country to-day is divided into two
classes; those who have accepted the
religion Of the white man as well as his
dress and manner of life, and these who
tors and keep up. SO far as the can, the
observances of their ancient worship
So the fact that the Onondagas are
likely TO revive the sacrifice of the White
dog raeans simply that the pagan party
among them has been gaining ground
during the last few years.
The old English recipe: How TO
cook rabbit started on by saying:
first catch the rabbit" So, in the sac
-rifice of the dogs, the first and most
difficult thing was to secure a pair of
white dogs. In order to make the
rite effective. it was considered neces-
sary that the dogs be perfectly white,
without a dark hair on their bodies,
ond the Indians would go almost any
length to secure such animals The
dogs were treated with especial care,
and made as sleek and fat as possible be-
fore the sacrifice 1t was regarded as a
great honor to be appointed TO care for
these sacred beasts.
In the old times the hunters secured
the woods for days before the ceremony,
and brought in many fat buck and
other wild game for the beast, which is
an important part of every Indian cele-
peared and the feast is supplied with
more domestic animals. Many of the
reservation dogs, whose coats would
hardly entitle them to become the CEN
tral figures in the sacrifice, nevertheless
mysteriously disappear about this
time, and II is suspected that they help
fill the steaming caldrons at the great
feast.
At the appointed time the braves and
their families gather at the council
house. The variety of bright colors in
the dress of both men and women
makes the assembly look like piece of
brilliant tapestry. Everybody is smil-
ing and happy
First comes the dance. The crowd
gathers in silent rows about the long
hall. while the musicians occupy an
open space in the center. A dried deer
skin is tightly stretched between up
right posts. This is the drum. which is
operated on by the chief musician. His
assistants have horns partly filed with
shot. or gourds containing beans, which
they rattle in time with the drummer.
The music" would ruin a white mans
nerves in short order. but 1T seems to fill
the Indians with she same sort of joy
that boy derives from firecTackers aud
torpedoes. As soon as the musicians
strike up the eldest chief of the tribe
rises and begins shutting about the
floor in time TO the rattling gourds and
booming drum The others follow in
the order of their rank. with the women
nj respectful distsnce. As the dance
goes on the time qrickens, until pres
entity a circle Of leaping. shouting saw
ages is whirling about the room, ex-
ecu,ing the most groiesque and violent
figures With short intermissions the
dance is kept up till almost morning.
when the dancers retire to prepare for
the final ceremony.
just as the sun comes peeping over
the tree tops the braves alone gather
Ior the b8cr1nct. ne TWO uoKS are
by their heels from a rude
wooden cross. and they have been care
fully strangled. 80 that not hair OF
their smooth. white bodies is rufiied-
About their legs and ns~ks are tied
bright ribbons. and their breasts are
with gayly covered blankets
\ heap of brushwood has been gath
cred. and the elder of the tribe now
proceeds 10 light it. always using the
spark from a flint. for only virgin fire
can be used for this solemn rite. As the
pile blazes up two young braves spring
forward, and, taking down the bodies |
Of the dogs. bear them to the elder, who |
places them on the fire. at the same |
time calling on the Great Spiri, TO OBJ |
serve him As the blaze rises higher |
the elder. or chief priest. as he might
be called. throws handfuls of dried |
odorous herbs upon the pile, al the same |
time pronouncing an oration to the |
Great Spirit for the benefit of his |
friends who are gathered about. This |
orntion he keeps mp until the fire has
burned itself out. and the victims are |
entirely consumed.-N. Y. Herald