The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-18
THEIR LAST GHOST DANCE.
lxfowa and Comanche Indians cele.
bratinG Their Deuarture.


WICHITA. Kan. June 1.-THE I,iowa
and Comanche Indians are now holding
their annual ghost dance ON their reser-
Walton In Oklahoma. This dance Is not
able from the fact that the Kfowa and
Comanche reservation has Just been uur-
chased by the United States, and will NOON
be thrown open to white settlement over
ten thousand farms of 100 acres each will
be given away to homestead men, who ars
required to pay only S1.50 an acre within
five years. The race for the new homes
Will take place within the net few
months.
The Kiowas and Commanches, who Ear,
occupied this reservation for the sat
ter-century. have not advanced q he
ways Of civilization in the least. L. 2 ".
thing. Agent Patrick says, they have re
trograded.
The Kiowas and Comanches are two of
the few tribes who yet indulge in the
ghost dance, for they have never for a
moment given up the religion taught by
the prophet of the Piutes. This prophet,
whose name was Wovoka, ten years ago
created much excitement among the IN
dams by saying that he had died and gone
up to heaven, where he was allowed to
talk with God. He said that God had told
coming among them and would destoy all
the whites and resurrect the dead Indians
and all the game
Inc Indians sent delegates to visit Wo-
voka. or the Messiah, as they call him.
He told them long stories of his visit and
they were superstitious enough to believe
every word. These delegates returned to
their people and exaggerated the impor-
lance Of the Messiah. They said he was
net IL
how he had shown them the scars on his
feet and hands.
Wovoka also taught them the ghost
dance. This dance was TO last six days
and nights. The dance was to be Joined in
by all the Indians Of the red race, and
after awhile the Messiah would call on
God to keep his word. The Indians all
obeyed, and the dance was kept up for
nearly year in all the tribes of the North
and West, but the end of the world did
not come. Then some of the more edu-
Gated Indians denounced Wovoka as false
prophet and quit the dance. But the Kio-
was, Comanches Arapahoes, and Southern
Sioux did not give up the dance, and
every June they hold big ghost dances on
their reservations in Oklahoma As these
dances are carried on peacefully, the In
dian agents do not object
However. since the Kiowas and Conan
ches have been ordered by the Interior
Department to settle on allotments. word
has come that this shall be the last ghost
dance these Indians shall hold. unless they
go to some of the other tribes reserya-
lions.
The dance is being held on the banks of
a stream near Darlington. About 200 In
dams gathered there on Monday. June II,
and the dance was started on Monday
afternoon. A great many white people
were there to witness the ceremony. One
Of the features of the dance was the cree
ton Of fiagpole in the centre of the
dancing circle. upon which were hoisted
two large American flags. Wa-pa-nah, the
Kiowa prophet, is directing the dance.
While they do not expect the great spirit
to deliver them from the evils of the
white man for several years, the medicine
men and prophets are telling the Indians
assembled at this dance that the end OF
this world is bound to come at an early
date. They are advising the tribes to
leave the United States and go to Mexico.