The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-31
INFLUENCES
The INDIANS.
Julia Schaffsr Secures Strange
: Power Over The Papagas.
TEACHES THEM A new CREED.
Indians Are Now In a Rag. Because The
Whites Ravs Irghtsnsd tway Th,lr
Hat-hfesd PriestsSs

Phoenix. Ariz.. Dec. s1.-"r1re water
could not have had more powerful ef-
feet on the ignorant Papago Indians
south of Tucson than did the curious
teachings OF Julia schaffer, ths Indian
priestess. one Of the most remarkable OF
religious fanatics
Where the woman is now nobody seems
to know. The Indians are In rage he'
cause she has been frightened off the
reservation by the whites.
They regard her as a messenger from
the happy hunting grounds, 'and threat
en- trouble il she is not restored 10 them.
Julia" Papago squaw, who was all
most adored by all Papagos as an ex-
ponent of virtue and beauty, Is in tie
Phoenix Insane Asylum mental wreck
as a consequence OF accepting the teach
ings OF Julia Schaffer.
The Indians declare that Julia Schaffer
Is possessed OF remarkable healing pow
ers. They believe In her teachings be-
cause they seemed reasonable, but they
were certain that the woman was d.
vine messenger when she performed sew
erai miracles. She caused the blind To see
and the lame TO walk. according TO the
Indians. and restored TO health several
Indians who were on their death-bed.
A PECULIAR MIXTURE.
Julia schaner's doctrine is a peculiar
mixture, embracing parts OF the creeds
of the Jews. the Hindoos. the Brahmins
and the Indians OF this country.
She believes In many OF the command
ments, but does not seek TO discourage
~. .f al, ha dnpnf-
nant feature of the new creed is belief In
dreams, which, according 10 the strange
woman, presage ones future.
When she first went among the In
dians, several weeks ago, the sPapagoes
regarded her with suspicion. But they
soon abandoned their own religion and
the teachings OF missionaries TO follow
this woman about as the disciples follow
ed Jesus Christ.
She exercised complete control over her
subjects. and proposed Utopian manner
Of living. in which the Indians were 10
gain their bread without sweat OF the
brow" She began by telling them that
they must abide the apparent teachings
of their dreams, and that by them they
can obtain giimpses of the future. She
declared that the world would soon cease
TO exist. or be hurled into space.
MADE MoRosE BY DREAMS.
Some or the Indians are now morose on
account of unpleasant dreams and con-
template suicide, while others have aban-
doned their pursuits and are patiently
awaiting the happiness appearing I'm their
visions Many of them are on the verge of
insanity.
Soon after Julia Schaffer began her
work, j. Harndon. of the Tucson Mission
school. went into the reservation to
preach, as usual. but he could assemble
no congregation. The Indians turned their
faces to a more fascinating creed.
Julia Schaffer came TO Phoenix about a
year ago and manifested great deal of
interest In the Mormon religion, which she
studied in the smaller towns near this
place. Very little Is known of her. She
~ mixture of Dutch and Indian.
Her husband recently came from Ifol-
land. She established colonyfin Phoenix
and taught lie strange creed. which, she
said, had been revealed to her in vision
and soon had many followers. Zone OF
them created scene on the street by
Announcing 60 a large assembly of citi-
zens the early arrival OF jesus Christ. He
was committed 10 the asylum. On all mat
ters except religion the woman appears
rational and even intelligent. She left
Phoenix quietly few months ago, and
Z nothing more was heard OF her until she
made her appearance among the ignorant
Papagoes.