Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-07-11
Leaves From Field Matrons Year Book
Ida w. Ouimby

The history of the Shakers of the
Puget Sound country is of itself
curious study. An old Indian relative
of the founder gave the writer the
following story.
Sometime in the early Eighties
John Slocum, an Indian who had
always been known as bad Indian,
one who often got drunk and quar-
relied and made trouble among his
people sickened and died. After two
days when the preparations for the
funeral were completed, and friends
were assembled for the obSequies the
spirit returned from the land here
after, and again entered the body Of
SlOcum and delivered a message sent
the Great Father to the Indians He
told marvellous story Of his journey
ingS and talks with the Great Father
who let him return to life, to repent
OF his evil ways and tell his people of
the terrOrs of the lost and teach them
how to be saved. He began to preach
right there, and while talking the
shaking came upon him. He could
not stop it nor did he dare to try.
His wife worn with watching and
much praying went away by herself to
the beach for season of quiet rest
and prayer. While sitting on the
beach with knees updraWn, violent
shaking seized her, beginning in her
knees it communicated to her whole
body. She could feel the warning
forces within her. This further proof
of the spiritual influences working
among the Indians like wild fire and
John SlOcum was at once accepted as
Leader" in new plan of salvation.
Ignorant, bad, terror to Indian
agents, drunkard, gambler, law
breaker, leader in all manner of devil
try he was noted character, yet With
all he was possessed of d cunning and
native ShrewdneSS and characteristics
that fitted him to be leader among
his people. After SO many years the
real facts OF the event are enwrapped
in mystery and superstition. The
investigator finds it hard to separate
the founders experiences from the
fiOtsam and jetSam of later narratives.
AS the story spread, Indians from far
and near went to hear from SlOcum'S
own lips the marvellous tale and
were afflicted with the mysterious
shaking while about their usual
avOcdtionS Scores were converted
bier evil-dOer, reformed, becomes a
sober, earnest, Shaker preacher plead
ing with bis people to turn from evil
of their ways and be saved. The
change in the man: his remarkable
healing powers and control of appetite
for whiskey, were powerful factors in
the respect he inspired from others.
There is no doubt that the marvellous
personal experience he had, deeply
stirred his emotional nature. His
trance was beyond the ken of Indian
understanding upon any other hypo-
thesis than direct, and miraculous
intervention of providence. The
healing of the sick, the casting out of
devils and fore-telling of events were
but logical results of the new religion.
Agents of the government, Superin-
tendentS of schools and missionaries
in spirit of duty unwisely tried to
forcibly put stop to their holding
meetings, or practicing healings or
lamentations. Some were jailed: some
were corporally punished and rigid
rules enacted to suppress ShakeriSm.
The more they were prosecuted the
stronger grew their faith. Like their