The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-01-14

dance and teachers OF I'll religion. This
was done BY presenting them with the
sacred eagle or maybe feathers to be
wern as an emblem of priesthood.
The original sacred songs OF the dance
were taught also and the tribe composed
some of their own
After an absence of five months. A-pe-
ah-toae returned from his long Journey.
\ council of the Indians was called TO
meet in February 1891, al the government
agency al AnadarkO. 10 hear A-pe-ah-
tones report. 1t was a great gathering
from ali the tribes on the reservation
and in addition there were delegates from
the Cheyenne and Arapahee.
Il was q dramatic scene when A-pe-ah-
tone rose to tell his story. he had Vis-
tied Wo-vo-ka. the great Messiah, in the
far region of the north and had returned
TO tell his people. as they trembIingly
hoped, of their inspired deiiyerer and his
miraculous powers. His story interpreted
into English was as follows: After a
long journey OF many moons. I come TO
the home OF Wo-vo-ka and on being ad-
mitted TO his presence 1 found him lying
down, his face covered with a blanket.
singing strange songs 10 himself when
he had finished singing he uncovered his
face and through an interpreter. asked
me what 1 wanted 1 had approached
him with great reverence with the belief
that he was all wise, able TO read my
most secret thoughts and speak all Ian
guages This was a great surprise 10 me
and began 10 doubt the Messiah I had
come SO far to see. wanted TO see some
of my dead relatives and particularly my
dead child. Wo-vo-ka said this was i'm
possible, as there were no spirits there
10 be seen. 1 told him I did not believe
he was the Messiah. He said l need go
no further as there was no other Mes
siah and he told me to so home and tell
my people TO quit the whole business
Discouraged left him and returned home
convinced that Wo-vo-ka was not the
Messiah who was and is to come as a de
Hverer to the Indians"
For his services in reporting against
the dance, A-pe-ah-eone was awarded
medal by the government.
This was virtually the end of the dance
among the Kiowa. Although it has been
observed at intervals since by small
bands, it has lost its original power as
A-pe-ah-tone has great influence over his
tribe.
The Comanche. one of the southern
tribes of the great Shoshenian stock. took
but small part and envinced little inter-
est in the dance, largely on account OF
their skepticism, aided by their head chief.
Quanah Parker, man Of much ability
and natural shrewdness. whose mother
was captive white woman. Quanah. To
satisfy himself, visited the dance among
the Cheyennes and when he returned. he
told his people he believed it all decep-
ton and in his characteristics English. ne
said; Maybe so Jesus come; maybe so
no. Me don't know. Government no be-
heve in this. Me hold on to government
with right hand; Jesus come, catch him
with the left
This statement evinees Quanah's loyal
ty to the government fidelity to the in
terests of his people. and his shrewdness
in disposing of the whole matter He for
bade his people following after strange
gods. as he considered their own Mes
cal' rites and benefits sufficient for their
temporal and spiritual needs
Most every important event in Indian
life is attended by some form of religious
ceremony; but the Ghost Dance during
its period. superseded all other ceremon-
ials formerly observed among the tribes.
which es2oused it.
Among the Kiowas there are a number
of old men, noted dFeamers and prophets.
who have remained devotees of the Ghost
Dance religion: Pe-ah-ke-ah now nearly
20 years old. is one of these noted char
acters; Sit-tof-pates. 60 years old and
blind is given much to prophesying OF
miraculous favors which never come 10
pass
The Ghost Dance songs were a remark
able feature Of the 'ceremonials. Those
used in the beginning originated with the
Messiah and were claimed by him 70 have
been received with the dance and formed
a part Of the that strange religion. But az
terward there was no limit 20 these
strange, weird chants as most every
trance subject awoke with song There
were special songs for opening and clos
ing. No musical Instruments in use among
the Indians were used. The songs OF
the Arapahoe are said to have been the
most beautiful and sentimental.
In preparation for the dance the groand
was first consecrated by prayer and the
ceremony of beating the earth.
The decoration Of the face with the sa-
cred paint was one Of the important OBJ
servances. Designs were suggested b.
trance inspirations, and were for the
most part. stars. crosses. crescents. hearts
and birds. especially Of the eagle or mag
pie which were held sacred. The petit
ton to the Great Father, by the subject
TO be painted. would be: MY Father.
have come 10 be painted 50 that / may
see my dead relatives and friends: have
pity on me and paint me"
The dance usually began AT shutdown
and lasted until morning. when ready
10 begin the dance they joined hands fac
ing Inward. forming circle. 10 fires
were allowed to be built Within the CIR
Gle. The trance subjects were never dis
turbed. they would lie Tor hours wher-
ever they CHANGED TO fan or would stand /
upright and rigid untii consciousness re- (
turned. Their souls we're believed % BE- !
in the spirit world commuBing With their /.
loved ones and when ready % /.
return their immortal part would re-i1- /
habI5 their bodies
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