The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-06-27
DEAD SENECA PRIESTESS.
FUNERAL or MABTHA HEALOCh'
KILLED ID fHB CARS

Head Of shs Wolf ClAn-shs Passed for more
Than Q Hundred Tears Old. bat Was Up
right - the Tree She was Named Fef
Death Feast Of the Clan and Cousinl clans
CArTARAuoUs INDIAN RESERVATION. LAYTON
Station, Erie County. n. Y, June 20
The funeral Of the late Martha Hemlock-the
Indian woman who was killed at the Erie haii-
way crossing near Collins. N. was
held at the Council House here to-day. The
grief Of the large number OF Indians present
was intensified by the tact that les than a
year ago two Of shsir prominent chisf-Jsmes
Red Eye and james KinG-were killed BY the
cars near tho ssms place where this aGed
woman met with sudden death.
The funeral ceremonies we're held ACCORD
with the ancient Religious rites OF the lroasoh
Indians. Ma. Hsmlock was robsd In the
symbodo white blanket. her sGb Of authority
as Head or eldest oma Of her tribe. tn
Wolf.
II was the legend among the Seneca Indians
that Mrs. Henlock wa more han . hundred
years Of age. Her husband was killed IN one
Of the battles Of tho War Of 1917. Before thu
6ensoas abandoned the tribal law and adopted
Q republican form Of government MA Hem
look was appointed the keeper Of the historical
-Woman's Nominating Belt" and II IVES her
Office to send with this belt the name Of any
chief who had bssn nominated by the women
20 the Council Of Saohnns and Chiefs who
were 70 install him In ofios. A few esss ago
Mrs. Hemlock placed ths belt in the keeping
Of Mrs. Harriet Max well Converse who finally
deposited il with Others OF the national wam-
have transferred to the care Of the Boasd Of
Regents ut Albany.
Mrs. Aemlock was the head Of the Ho-poS-
d-out the woman. order Of Rdestheoa wn'c v
religious or cyn Importance. She led the
linz OF female dancers at all the feasts and was
the Door" or eldest woman OF the Na-ga-na-
gah Lodge. the secret medicine society Of ths
1roQuois and by this office distributed the
feast which Is provided at the .celebrao0n "
this strange rite. II was her duty TO throw
the first Of the three shovsls OF dirt into q grave,
siEnify1nR the end Of the mortal elements and
the beginning Of the immortal. 1t was also
her province TO kindle the 1rst fire In the Coun-
ell House at sunrise Of the first day Of the new
year. Always draped N a snov.white blapket
OF the Ho-nou-di-out. DID, not participate In a.
the foremost and tho authority.
Mrs. Hemlock owned a small farm and de-
With her own hands besides finding time 70
hire out, 10 the pale faces to hill their corn
and hoe their potatoes. At intervals she sold
basket work and II was on one OF her vending
lTlVS, WNuW dAhiils Oh JHc VI da'hs eio
she met her death
At the usual ten days death feast al the
members OF the Wolf and cousin clans Will
oonaregate TO pay the last honors TO this faith
Of fidelity. to hsr ancient religion. J..
By tho death Of this aged woman has passed
away not only one Of the historical characters
OF the Seneoae. but an honest woman who was
respected BY all the pale faces and honored
by all the Senecas. Mrs. Henlock was one Of
the last OF the picturesque Of the Seneca In
dams. Above the average height and straight
as an elm, her white hair STRUGGLING, over her
deep-set Indian eye and shadowing the fur
rows OF years, there was always q bit Of color
about hers red ribbon or feather which In
kilness Of adornment. She leaves one grand
son who will succeed TO her worldly posses
sions.