The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-06-28
DEAD PRIESTESS.
Sad End Of Martha Hsm|ock Of
The Senecas Who Was a
CentenarIan.

Cattaraugus Indian Reservation.
Lawton Station. Erie County, ~. Y,
June es.-The funeral OF the late Mar
tha Hemlock-the Indian woman who
was killed at the Erie railway cross
ing near Collins. N. Y, was held at
the Council House here yesterday. The
grief OF the large number of Indians
present was intensified by the fact
that less than a year ago two OF their
prominent chiefs-James Red Eye and
James King-were killed by the cars
near the same place where this aged
woman met with sudden death
The funeral ceremonies were held In
accord with the ancient religious rites
of the Iroquois Indians. Mrs. Hemlock
was robed in the symbolic white blan-
ket, her garb OF authority as Head"
or eldest woman of her tribe. the Wolf.
Ii was the legend among the Seneca
Indians that Mrs. Hemlock was more
than q hundred years OF age. Her hus-
band was killed in one of the battles
OF the War of 1912.
Before the Senecas abandoned the
tribal law and adopted Republican
form of government Mrs. Hemlock was
appointed the keeper OF the historical
"Woman's Nominating Belt" and 1t
was her office 10 send with this belt the
name OF any chief who had been NOM
mated by the women TO the council OF
sachems and chiefs who were to install
him in Office.
A few years ago Mrs. Hemlock pac-
ed this belt in the keeping OF Mrs. Har-
Ns.w al NH Hnn a
posted Il with others of the national
wampum belts which the New YORK
state Indians have transferred TO the
care Of the Board OF Regents at Al
bany.
Mrs. Hemlock was the head of the
Ho-nou-di-out. the woman's order OF
priesthood which named the feast days
and all celebrations Of religious or
civil Importance.
She led the line of female dancers at
all the feasts and was the "Doof' or
eldest woman of the Na-ga-na- gah
Lodge, the secret medicine society OF
the Iroquios and by this office distrib-
uted the feast which is provided at
the celebration OF this strange rite. 1t
was her duty 10 throw the first OF the
three shovels of dirt into a grave. sig-
nifying the end OF the mortal elements
and the beginning OF the immortal.
II was also her province TO kindle the
first fire in the council house at sun
rise Of the first day OF the new year.
Always draped In snow-white blan-
ket, there was no rite nor ritual that
this, the oldest OF the Ho-noo-di-out.
did not participate in as the foremost
and the authority.
Mrs. Hemlock owned a small farm
and despite her age planted her corn
and potatoes with her own hands be-
sides finding time 10 hire out" 10 the
pale faces TO hill their corn and hoe
their potatoes. At intervals she sold
basket work and IL was on one of her
vending trips, while walking on the
railroad track, tnat she met her death.
At the usual ten days death feast
all the members Of the Wolf and cousin
clans will congregate to pay the last
honors to this faithful woman who had
passed the century mark of fidelity TO
her ancient religion.
BY the death OF this aged woman has
passed away not only one of the his
torical characters OF the Senecas, but
an honest woman who was respected
by all the pale faces and honored by
all the Senecas. Mrs. Hemlock was one
of the last of the picturesque of the
Seneca Indians.
Above the average height, and
straight as an elm. her white hair
struggling over her face partly con-
cealing her high cheek and deep-set
Indian eye and shadowing the fur
rows of years, there was always bit
OF color about her-a red ribbon or
feather which indicated her race love
of brightness and youthfulness OF
adornment. She leaves one grandson
who will succeed to her worldly pos
sessions.