New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-29
INDIANS DANCING AGAIN.
WEIRD CHANTS HEARD ON PUGET SOUND
RESERVATIONS

RESERVATIONS.
From The Seattle Post-Integcncer.
D. c. Goyan. agent OF the Tulalip Indian res
ervaton has been in the city for several days
attending to the distribution Of the Government
annuity goods. such as agricultural implements
and other supplies He has control as agent
Of the four reservations attached to the Tula-
lip being the Lumml. on the NOoksack RIVER;
the Swinomish. on the flats near La Conner. the
Madison across from Port Madison. and the
Muckleshoot. eight miles from Auburn between
the White and Green rivers
There is only one disturbing element on the
reservation now" said Mr.. Covan yesterday In
the Seattle Hotel. 'and that is the Shaker dance.
1t was started on the Quinault reservation near
Tacoma. and nov understand that general
meeting Of all the Indians on the Sound "ill be
held IN July 10 teach the dance ard propagate
the religious beliefs in which II has origin. II
Is revival Of the old Tournaments practices
by which certain inspired Indians pretended TO
be able TO cure the illness Of their fellows The
doctor incantatiOns. breathes in the face
Of the sick man, makes certain dramatic mo-
tons Of the hands. and the invalid is supposed
10 b. under a healing spell. Such practices In
terfere with the work Of the regular doctors 10
such extent that the Indians refuse to be
treated by them. On this account vas com
PEELED recently to cause the arrest Of one u the
Shaker dancers who was doing much 20 preju-
Dice the natives against the white physicians
The arrest Of the Indian Is contrary to the
policy Of the Government. but did not take
such step without the authority Of the Indian
court.
Since so many troops have been drawn away
BY the with Spain have received "A tele-
gram from Washington asking II any soldiers
were likely TO be needed 10 prevent an Indian
outbreak. 1t feared that the Indians might
take advantage Of the absence Of the Regular
soldiers 10 go on the warpath. feel that there
y absolutely no danger ~ such a step by the
Indians the Sound. though shall keep close
watch on the Shaker dances and II ! find that
II encourages a spirit antagonistic TO order and
Mont hal ia a ton
Checked. The revival and spread Of these
ancient religious beliefs Is not prolific u good
There between 400 and Loo In
oans on the Tulalip and the four reservations
attached TO it. Contrary to the general idea.
heir number is not decreasing They have just
about held their own during the last six Or
seven years The attempt to civilize them finds
us chief drawback In the nomadic disposition
m the people They a:e forever wandering
Nom place TO place. and refuse to settle long at
any steady employment. Very few make good
ssnculturists On the SwinOmist flats are
Jew good farms. but for the most part the Ind
ans get their living by fishing in the Sound.
Lney go TO the beach when the tide is out FOR
I%ams. crabs and mussels and are satisfied to
I'VE I'VE principally Oh such food. Financially the
Indians are better off than ever before
me more intelligent Indians claim that civili-
sduon, by compelling them to live In houses.
mas Increased among them an hereditary ten
vwehcy to consumption and bronchitis. Most or
aiem die Of such troubles. II has always been
wonder TO that they did not fall victims
more frequently TO pneumonia They constant
Expose themselves In Indictment weather
N Nv khOwr the older Indians TO make prac-
~ oi plunging every morning. winter and sum-
.A 81 IN the sound. and walk about barefoot in
NC e snow II Is these Odd fellows who accept
onaker dance most enthusiastically. | hard
t%s 'voK 10 see the educated Indians embrace the
e,s" w " F' - ~