The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-08-15
INDIAN. uANcsas rrAR 4 CAMERA,
II Requires Gearing to PhotograDh
ReAskln TePpsioh dreams,

ReAskin TerDsfohorsans.
To the untutored eye Of the palefacs
Indian dances have a sameness about
them that Is distressing, but the red
brethren who inhabit the desolate mesas
Of New Mexico or the awe inspiring can
yons of Colorado will explain with an air
Of pity for the dullness of their civilized
visitors that there is vast difference be-
tween all the various social and semi
religious functions known as the "bear
dance" eagle dance" "sun Dance"
corn dance" and innumerable others;
also that each tribe has its own peculiar
dances. There is therefore nothing to do
but accept the red mans explanation
with reservations.
The Stick" or "town" dance of the
Pueblos is purely social function, open
to both sexes. The men carry their high
ly decorated shields and spears orna-
mented with feathers. The women carry
nothing, but keep their hands wrapped
up in their blankets. There is no sort of
figure, no taking hold of hands nor any
thing else resembling the dance of the
paleface. The dancers merely hop around
in circle, keeping time to the music
with their feet.
None but men may take part in the
eagle" dance. This is more acrobatic
than the stick" dance. In this the dan
GERS try to initiate the movements of the
eagle, gliding slowly about at times on
tiptoe to indicate that they are soaring
among the clouds, again crouching with
outstretched arms and moving swiftly
over the ground as an explanation in
pantomime that the king of birds is
swooping down upon his prey.
To photograph an Indian dance is not
SO easy as 1t might appear to the unso-
phisticated observer. Long familiarity
with the camera has made the noble red
man sadly mercenary. Whenever he sees
q lens pointed in his direction he imme-
diately covers his face with his hands
and, running up to the photographer, de-
mands half dollar for the privilege Of
taking his picture.
A short time ago It occurred to the
manager of a moving picture machine
company that an Indian dance would be
splendid subject for biograph pic
ture. Accordingly a man with the nee
essary apparatus was sent out to New
Mexico to photograph a Pueblo dance.
After week of negotiations the Pueb-
los agreed to 60 through dance for the
benefit Of the photographer In considera-
ton Of the sum of $40, to be paid in adj
vance. Indians do not entertain a very
high opinion of the commercial integrity
Of. the white man. They take no chances.
The money was paid. the machine ad-
justed, and the dance began, but the in
slant the operator began turning the
crank Of his machine the clatter of the
apparatus caused wild panic among the
dancers. Every one fed in mortal terror
to safe refugees behind rocks and houses.
leaving the photographer trans6xed with
establishment. He tried to explain that
the machine, though noisy, was perfectly
harmless, he entreated the dancers to re-
turn, he offered brides, but to no purpose.
Not Pueblo would risk his life again in
front of the internal machine for love or
money. The biograph man was at last
obliged to go away without any pictures;
also without his $10.-Clsveland Plain
Dealer,