The St. Louis Republic., 1901-12-22
WEDNESDAY WILL SEE FINALE OF THE BARBARc SPECTACLE

WRITTEN FOR THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC.
kiowa and Comanche Indians commenced
on Thanksgiving Day to hold series OF
dances in honor Of President Roosevelt.
These dances will last until Christmas. end
ing on that day of good cheer with a war
dance Of magnitude and Importance, mas
much as 1t will be the last Of their wild
exhibitions
A decree has gone forth and been ap-
proved that in the future no reservation In
Clan in Oklahoma shall be allowed to par
ticipate in any Of the strange festivals
which draw him back to the time when he
was on the warpath. hunting for the scalp
Of the paleface. eating dog meat and prac-
ticing many other wild habits.
These dances are held once every week,
lasting for one day and two nights. They
are held on the reservation in Oklahoma,
not far from the new town Of Hobart. The
Wichita Mountains in the background and
the clear waters Of the Washita in the fore
present striking picture On the bare. IN
dulating plain between are pitched a hun
ored or more tepees.
Bare-legged redskins fit from one tent
to another during the resting periods;
sQusws carry water to and from the river
smelling meats and mixing vart-colo-ed
paints in large kettles.
During the dancing period all Is given
feasting and praying. Even the indoieat.
corpulent bucks may be seen running here
and there, carried away by the general ex-
element.
John Lone Wolf, Leader.
John Lone Wolf. q descendant Of the
famous kiowa chief, who came into gen.
eral notice last summer on account Of his
strenuous opposition to the Oklahoma open
ing. was the originator Of the idea to hold
n series of danCQS n honnr nf the Pou~h
Rider President
Wolf is a Quarter-blood and very little
resembles an Indian. except for his high
to stand next to the President on Indian
matters because Of the fact that he was
en- the range with Mr.. Roosevelt in early
claim to many things which have not come
to pass. Wolf. however, shows letters from
President Roosevelt couched in friendly
among his fellows.
TAN Bear, young comanche. 10 acting
as chief lieutenant to Lone Wolf in the
utation. With his father. Bear Claws. he
has for many years held the Comanches in
sub3ection to the medicine dances. While
Indian agents followed one another in quick
once noted warriors. of the Southwest
plains. father and son. seated in the center
Of their wigwam. ruled with a high hand.
The dancing is the best and most real
isttc that has been seen in the Southwest
for many a day. The Indians throw their
whole spirit into it knowing that it has to
be the last. Lone Wolf acts the part OF
President Roosevelt the Indians considering
him as such at all times during the period
of dancing and rest.
He goes about clad in gay trappings: his
flesh like FURNISHED copper. his eyes radiant
as the morning sun.
BrewinE the Snake Root.
Bear Claws, chief Of the medicine clan.
who claimed he could pluck out the inmost
through many battles untouched and who
has many times sent his young men against
the paleface, sat in his tent. making medi-
cine for the dances. With Tall Bear. his SON.
and stirred decoction called snake root.
which was supposed to give strength to the
brave: going through the tests
tops and cast its rays upon the silvery
Washita. the Indians began a restless pat
tering OF their feet in a double stamp upon
the dry grass. Their bodies swayed rest
lessfy to the quick throbs Of q tomtom
beaten by a young man.
This was kept up fer half an hour. Indians
cries. plunging and Ealloping at times. and
whenever seized with an Inspiration they
would paw the air Wildly and give the war
cry. shrill and blood-curdling.
Their screams could be heard for miles
across the unbroken prairie. The sun beat
down hotly but the medicine men did not
cast aside their blankets. although some Of
the warriors did.
Their bare polished limbs. seemingly az
flexible as rubber. glfstened in the morn
ing light. Meanwhile out OF the confusion
Of scattered dancers long line was formed.
White Antelope. who was picked out to do
the sun-dance test, looked every inch
leader. as he danced about giving deep
voiced commands
His long sinewy arms swung out dramat-
tcaIly. On his bare back was painted a
crow: otherwise his brown skin was sleek
from careful rubbing. Beneath the skin
one could see a powerful play OF muscles