The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-29
VAR DANCE OF INDIANS
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT HONORED
BY COMANCHEs AND KIOwAs.
Series of Barbaric Festivals That Be-
gan on THANKSGIVING Day and
VIII End on Christmas.
ST. Louis Republic.

These dances lasted until Christmas, end
ing on that day of good cheer with war
dance of magnitude and Importance, mas
much as it will be the last of their wild
exhibitions
A decree has gone forth and been ap-
proved that in the future no reservation In
dian 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, I'M
dulating plain between are pitched hun
dred or more tepeeS.
Barelegged redskins fit from one tent to
another during the resting periods: squaws
carry water to and from the river 10 the
tepee of their liege lords, cooking ill-smell-
ing meats and making vari-cOlOred paints
in large kettles
During the dancing period all is given
over TO the strange hopping and singing,
feasting and praying. Even the indOlent,
corpulent bucks may be seen running here
and there carried away by the general eX-
element
John Lone Wolf, a descendant of the fam
Gus kiowa chief, who came into general no.
tice last summer on account of his strenu-
Gus opposition to the Oklahoma opening,
was the originator of the idea to hold a Sc
rIes of dances in honor of the Rough Rider
President.
Wolf is a quarter-blood and very little re-
sembles an Indian except for his high cheek
bones and rough manners. He claims to
stand next to the President on Indian mat
ters because of the fact that he was on the
range with Mr.. Roosevelt in early days.
Indians, however, are likely to lay claims TO
many things which have not come TO pass.
Wolf however, shows letters from Pres
ident Roosevelt cOuched in friendly terms.
Upon these he has built up power among
his fellows.
Tall Bear, a young comanche, is acting
as chief lieutenant to Lone Wolf in the
dances. He is a medicine man Of some rep
utation. With his father Bear Claws, he
has for man years held the Comanches in
subsection to the medicine dances. While
1ndlan agents IolIowed one another In quick
succession IN their attempt 70 reform the
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 realis-
tic 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 consider
ing him such at all times during the pc
Rod of dancing and rest. He goes about
nished copper, his eyes radiant as the
morning sun.
BREWING THE SNAKE ROOT.
Bear Claws chief Of the medicine clan
who claimed he could pluck out the inmost
thoughts Of the white man, who has passed
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.
he kindled a fire under huge black kettle
and stirred a decoction called snake root.
which was supposed 10 give strength to the
braves going through the tests.
AS the sun climbed over the mountain
tops and cast its rays upon the silvery
Washita, the Indians began restless pat
tering Of their feet in a double stamp upon
the dry grass Their bodies swayed rest
lessly to the quick throbS of a torntom
beaten by young man.
This was kept up for half an hour. In
dams moved about, humming snatches of
war cries, plunging and gallOping at times
and whenever seized with an inspiration
they would paw the air wildly and give the
cry shrill and blOod-curdIing.
Their screams could be heard for miles
across the unbroken prairie. The sun beat
down holly, but the medicine men did not
cast aside their blankets, although some of
the warriors did.
Their bare. polished limbs. seemingly as
flexible as rubber, glistened in the morn
ing light. Meanwhile out of the confusion
of scattered dancers q long line was formed
White Antelope, who was picked out to do
the sun-dance test, looked every inch a
leader. as he danced about giving deep
voiced commands.
His long sinewy arms swung out dramat-
ically. on his bare back was painted a
crow; otherwise his brown skin was sleek
from careful rubbing. Beneath the skin
one could see powerful play Of muscles
Suddenly the Indians broke into a wild
unrestrained song. The notes hung in the
hot air Then they fell again until scarcely
audible. a moment later the notes pitched
high, and sounded across the valley as
though from a thousand voices when only
a hundred had joined in the singing
The Father will descend, he will descend;
He has looked upon US with favor; he likes
our ways.
The White Father is our brother. Stretch
out our hands
We will all rise again.
AS in the ghost dance, all stretched out
their hands toward the west. Then fac
ing the medicine kettle in the center of the
smooth dancing-ground, they Joined hands
and ciTcled from left to right moving their
feet high at each side step.
The dance went on in regular order for
some time. Then the eyes of some of the
squaws and not a few of the bucks grew
CLASSY, and their bodies fell heavily in the
dust. Here and there dancer would leap
from the ranks and yell:
Il see the Father"
Then he would fall, seemingly uncon-
scious.
The high-strung nerves of White Ante
lOpe seemed more than ever steady. His
thick, round face was drawn, his mouth
stood open, the jaws set hard. His body
quivered with religious frenzy as he threw
off his sacred white blanket and stepped
alone from the circle
Brothers, the White Father, who is our
brother, has looked with favor upon US. He
is our good friend I'm the lodge of wide
streets, and he will look after better
than any other White Father. He Is Of our
breed and our country. He Will treat US
right. But he wishes TO know # we are yet
brave and can fight. l am young man. /
VIII Go the sun dance test and show our
Father, our brother, how brave and power
ful we are. l am done. My name is White
Antelope"
APPROACH OF MEDICINE MAN.
Two medicine men now came toward the
speaker. One grasped each strong arm ard
commenced rubbing hard small spot on
either breast. Like skillful masseurs they
kept up this work until a place the size
Of mans hand was benumbed on each
breast.
The soft chanting of the medicine man
while doing this caused a sympathetic muir
muir to pass around the grounds White
Antelope stood with head thrown back. TT
tering an invocation to the sun. Directly
they drew their scalpels and made a deep
incisiOn on each benumbed spot.
The sinews were drawn out and a stout
cord was passed behind them. This cord
was tied TO pole set deep in the ground
The reds crowded close about, and the
white visitors were warned to keen their
distance. Then the Indian started to move
around in circle, chanting 10 himself His
race was imDaSSiVe. but the uuDils Of his