The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-07
Wanotan, and may give favorable idea
of his extreme fortitude in enduring

Wanotan. and may give favorable idea
of his extreme fortitude in enduring
pain.
Wanotan's Vow.
I'm the summer of 1892 he undertook a
journey, and experimenting much danger
from the Chippewas he made vow to the
sun that If he returned safely he would
abstain from all food and drink for the
space of four days and nights. and he
would distribute among his people all the
property he possessed, including all his
horses. lodges, dogs etc. On his return,
which happened without accident. he eel
ebrated the dance Of the sun. This con-
sisted in making three cuts thru his skin;
one on his breast and one on each arm
The skin was cut in the manner of a
loop so as to permit a rope to pass under
the strip of skin which was thus divided
from the body. The rope being passed
thru the ends were secured to a tall pole
planted at about forty yards from his
lodge.
He then began to dance around this
pole al the commencement of his fast,
the rope supported only by the strip of
flesh. He continued this exercise with
few intermissions during the whole of his
fast, until the last day at 10 o'clock a. m.
when the skin from his breast gave way.
notwithstanding which he interrupted not
lis dance. tho supported only by his arms.
At noon the strip from his left arm
snapped off. His uncle then thought he
had suffered enough; he drew his knife
and cut the skin from the right arm,
whereupon Wanotan fell to the ground in
a swoon. The heat at the time was ex.
IRENE. He was left exposed In that state
until night when his friends brought him
some provisions. After the ceremony was
over he distributed to them the whole of
xUhi An
horses and he and his two squaws left his
lodge. abandoning every article of their
furniture.
Invited to a Dog Feast.
Heating then goes on to tell of an invi-
tation to a dog feast at Wanotan's tepee,
and he describes at length the chiefs at
tire. which appeared to have been alto
gether striking:
1--WE repaired to a sort of pavilion erect
| ed by the union of several large skin
lodges. Fine buffalo robes were spread all
around and the air was perfumed with
the odor of sweet-scented grasses which
| had been burned in it. On entering the
lodge, we saw the chief sitting near the
further end, and one Of his principal men
pointed out to us the place which was
destined for our accommodation. It was
at the upper end of the lodge; the Indians
who were in it taking no further notice
of us. These consisted of the chief, his
son, a lad Of 8 years, and eight or ten Of
the principal warriors.
"The chiefs dress presented a mixture
of the European and the aboriginal cos
| tune; he wore moccasins and leggings O.
splendid scarlet cloth, a blue breech cloth
a fine shirt of printed muslin, over Thu
a frock coat Of fine blue cloth with scarle
facings somewhat similar to the undres
uniform coat Of a Prussian officer; thi
was buttoned and secured around tn
waist by belt. Upon his head he wor
a blue cloth cap, made like a German ia
tigue cap. A very handsome Mackinav
blanket, slightly ornamented with paint
was thrown over his person.
His son, whose features strongly ia
vored those of the father, wore a dres
Esomewhat similar except that HIS Goa
was party colored. one-half being mad
Of blue and the other half of red cloth
He wore a round hat with a plated silve
band and a large cockade. From hi
neck were suspended several silver medals
doubtless presented to his father. Thi
lad seemed to be a great favorite of Wa