Evening star., 1903-08-25
sun DANCE CHARGES
Statementto Secretary Lang
ley by Prof Mooney.
DENIES PAYING MONEY
CLAIM THAT EVENT WAS AN
NUAL TRIBAL CEREMONIAL.
Did Not Know Of Barbarous Features
or Infiiction Of Tor
ture.

AOA' NAoOACy VI lIAC buACdu VI SthAOAooJ
has forwarded to Prof Langley. secretary
of the Smithsonian Institution, through
Prof. Holmes, in charge of the bureau of
ethnology, a statement. 1t relates to the
conduct Of Prof. Dorsey of the Field Co
lumbar Museum of Chicago and Prof.
Mooney during the sun dance of the In
dams in Oklahoma.
Prof. Moneys Denial.
Secretary Langley has authorized the
publication of the statement, Mr.. Mooney
says, with reference to the charges, that
he melted Indians to practice self-torture
during the sun dance Of the Cheyennes
'The Cheyenne sun dance referred to was
not paid for by me in whole or in part
1t was the regular annual tribal cere-
monial, common to most of the plains tribes,
and enacted by numerous tribes on various
western reservations every year. I have
seen the dance four times on the Cheyenne
reservation within the past ten years, each
dance being with the full knowledge and
sanction of the agent in charge, as appears
in the published annual report of the COM
missioner of Indian affairs. The three su-
perintendents of the present Cheyenne
jurisdiction were all present at one time
or another during the progress OF the par
ucular dance now in question, as was also
the agency missionary during the whole
police to keep order.
No Stringing Up With Cords.
mo dancer was strung up with cords in
the dance as has been represented. OF the
thirty-nine men who entered the dance one
was anxiouus to undergo this peculiar form
of torture in accordance with VOW Of sac
rifice. A public council Of the chiefs was
held and I was invited to attend for the
nf inO Ynin}n ho
subject. I strongly advised against any
thing in the nature Of self-torture and lac
GRAFTON, and they promised that my advice
would be taken.
Did Not Know Of Breast Sitting.
II learned afterward, however, that on the
last night of the dance the man referred to
had two Sits made in his breast with a knife,
each cut being about half an inch in length.
I was not present and did not know Of it
until the next day. am not studying the
Cheyenne sun dance, and therefore took
no special interest in the ceremony. and
was probably present less than two hours
at the ceremony proper, which lasted four
days. I am giving attention to my legit-
mate official work-the preparation of shield
and ipi models and drawings for the LOU
iSiana purchase exposition.
"In regard to the charge that hired, or
in anyway instigated, an Indian to drag
buffalo skull by means OF cords passed over
skewers fixed in his shoulders. will say
that did not suggest 1t and did not know
that 1t was to be done. I was not present
when the man started, being In my tipi at a
considerable distance away when called by
the owner of the tipi went over to where
the man was walking rapidly around the
camp circle and made several kodak shots.
Mr.. Seger, the superintendent who is said
to have made the charges against me, join
ed the party, conversng and looking on,
but made no attempt at interference at
any time"