The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-02-23
a TRADITION or THE MISSOURI.


(From the Kansas City Journal)
\ short distance down the Missouri
river from Kansas City thete rise
abruptly from the streams margin the
picturesque Randolph bluffs, connected
with which is a peculiar tradition. In
one of the large assures near the crest
of the middle portion of the range is a
big globular rock that bears even yet
some rude resemblance to hideous
giants head. But erosion has almost
worn to shapelessness the features of
this once geodic malformation and In
dian idol. which, i'm the old days of the
Sante Fee trail was called Deadly
Eyes" Time was when Deadly Eyes
.struck more terror from the souls of
certain tribes of red men than did ever
the living substance of a thousand hos
tile warriors from across the plains
This thing of stone was a sort of bal
anced rock on a neck-like PEDESTAL, and,
fashioned by nature was a face of in
fernal mold, all pitted, Scared, comfort
ed; with sharp nose, tight lips and eyes
as pupilless as an Egyption sphinx's.
The whole head faced direction be-
tween the zenith and the west. If the
stories of its hideous perfection were
sly medicine man put the finishing
touches to this demon sculpture. But
ell in ALL IL was small wonder that others
besides superstitious Indians stood
aghast at this ugly apparition fixed in
stone.
Now above this image and forming a
canopy which hid almost all direct rays
of the sun or the moon from the fissure,
was thick growth Of far-reaching paw
paw bushes. Thus this large indenture
in the bluff was a yeritable room with
a>foral roof and with door facing the
south and the river. Connecting this
with the river 800 or 400 feet below was
a narrow winding path, worn by war
riois who we're about TO go to war, those
who were bent on long journeys and
other peris. besides those who visited
for the purpose of getting a better
''etand-in" with the spirit of the bluffs.
For 1t was well known that IL certain
rules were adhered to before visiting the
oracle that dreams and mutterings and
signs would be given the faithful inquisi-
ter who would PROFOUND questions.
The name of Deadly-Eyes was given
This thing of stone just after the tragic
death Of Beaver-Tail
This Indian was of the Shawnee tribe,
and it seems was a sutton of a maiden
in another and hostile tribe. The laws
are very much against any such unseem-
~ union In Indian parlance. death, even,
being the penalty among his tribe. There
fore Beaver Tail resolved TO put the
question before the god Of Randolph
BLUFFS.
Accordingly after fasting the regula-
ton nine days and mixing divers strange
potions for charms, he secretly left with
a couple Of his friends, who were to be
fft,s~ L.. LII
fhe Kaw into the Missouri IT was a
bright moonlight night in July, and when
they reached the little path aforesaid
the bluffs were all alight with resplen-
dant star and moonbeam glory and a
perfect calm was everywhere. After
laboring slowly up the path over the
gulies and Jagged rocks and tearing
through foliage, they reached the dreaded
temple
Not a syllable was uttered, not sign
was made since the beginning of the
climb. Weak from fasting nervous from
the eXerton and gloom, Beaver-Tail en-
tered the rock room and fell on his
knees before the sod, dmly outlined
before him. The two friends stood at
the entrance. Soon the cave appeared
lighter for their eyes became accustom-
Ell to the darkness.
The Indian thrtw his body rapidly from
side to side, as ghost dancers do, to
make the blood rush to the brain, and
for a sort Of lntoxcation to set in IL
Is when IN this condition that the fanatic
soon "sees things" lie continued this
for some time, while his companions
stood with bowed heads witnessing"
Now, as frst stated. the Ieafy roof
above the crevasse or fissure afforded an
almost impenetrable screen to and direct
light above; almost but not perfectly
A few stray moonbeams escaped through
some tiny holes where the leaves hap
Dened not TO overlap perfectly. These
beams fell above the head OF che idol
and against the east wall, the moon
being la it's first quadrant OF rising But
the watchers saw II not. Beaver-Tail
prayed on. almost delrious but ne
spoke not a word. Meanwhile, two GER
tain beams but little apart behind the
stony statue. obedlcnt to the laws OF
light, for the neon was journeylng up
ward. rested on the conyolutions Of stony
hair on the head OF the image. More
Wildly stlll did Beaver-Tail osciilate his
body TO and fro and chen commenced 10
pray The two beams OF light slowly
moved down the forehead OF the rock
head. phey reached where the eyebrows
arc supposed TO be. And still the In
dian prayed on, needing nauEht but his
incantati0us. no more did the grim
watchers with benz heads.
Suddenly, with upiifted arms and sup.
pliani posture with eyes closed. he
made the finish 10 bis prayer, a a. la