Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-11-17
NOVEMBER1 II, 1908.

had magic bag, which would move on
the ground as If it were alive, but DR..
Hoffman more than suspected that the
sack contained live rat or other small
animal.
One investigator on a certain occa-
sion saw a Menomini wizard produce
live snakes, as it appeared, from an
empty bag. The bag was Of red fan
mel, about twenty inches wide by thirty
inches in depth, and the mystery
man" held it between his fingers by
the two upper corners, so as to spread
it out. Then he rolled it between his
hands like a ball, to show that there
was nothing inside. Again he took
| it by the upper corners and, holding
| it up, danced slowly. Presently two
snake heads emerged from the top Of
the sack, gradually becoming more
and more exposed until their bodies
protruded half foot or so. From time
to time the snakes withdrew them
selves into the bag, coming out again
and again retreating. When they had
finally disappeared the performer rolled
the sack up tightly and put it into his
bosom. It seemed wonderful, but the
trick was a simple one. the two snakes
heads (stuffed) being attached to q
tape, the ends of which were fastened
to the upper corners Of the bag. When
the wizard pulled the. tape taut it
caused the heads to lift themselves
above the edges Of the bag.
Less easily explained Is bit Of OFF,
hand sorcery perpetrated once at the
expense Of Lewis Cass. He had gone
to represent the government in con-
ference with the Indians at Mackinaw
and, in the course of a ceremonial
dance which he witnessed, he noticed
an old ojfbway woman who took an ac-
tive part in the exercises. He asked
why this was, inaslnuch as she SEEM
ed uninteresting. had nothing to say
and did nothing except shake her
snakeskin medicine bag" Overhear-
ing his remark the old woman (who
was known among her people as
powerful witch) became much offended
and, without warning, threw at Mr..
Cass-so he himself told the story
her snakeskin bag. which transformed
itself into a live serpent and ran at the
statesman. He promptly took to his
heels, whereupon the witch picked up
the snake, which again assumed the
appearance Of very dry skin bag.
The Indian wizards pretend that
they can perform their tricks only
through the Intervention of the tribal
divinities; and this is where the Jug
Cling and religion come together. In
formation as to future events Is COM
monty obtained by special consultation
with the divinities In the so called
magic lodge" which is cylindrical
structure Of birch bark, with frame
work of small poles, just big enough
to contain a man standing erect. AS
soon as the wizard has entered the
lodge begins swaying violently and
there is a great rattling Of bells and
deers' hoofs which are fastened to the
tops Oh lne pores. lIlTee VOlCeS diS
then heard In consultation-al loud one
ifor the Great Spirit), faint one (for
the small spirit) and the voice Of the
mystery man."
A famous wizard at White Earth,
Minn made a bet with one Of the gov
ernment investigators that the latter
could not tie him with ropes so that he
would not be able to get loose at once.
With the help Of the local Indian agent
the man was tied up in elaborate fash
ion and put inside Of conical wig
wan in an open space. Nobody was
allowed to 60 near him. Presently
there was a great humping noise and
the wigwam began to sway back and
forth. Two or three minutes later the
magician called out, telling his captors
to go to a house several hundred yards
away and get the ropes. One of them
went to the house and found the ropes,
with all the complicated knots united.
Then the wigwam was opened and the
wizard was found quietly smoking his
pipe