The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-30

stan Correspondence OF the Journal.
HIAwATHA CAMP, Near Desbarats, |
Ont, Aug. 25-Here is where the Ojibway |
Indian play. "Hiawatha." is presented once |
or twice each day and sometimes at night |
TO tourists. campers and others during the |
summer months. Hundreds come TO see |
the play merely TO crafty their curiosity |
and hundreds of others come because they |
admire Longfellow's master poem and wish |
TO see it's chief scenes and incidents en-
acted and sung By the Indians of whom
the poet wrote. All get their moneys
worth The curiously inclined see Indians
who act and sing their parts fairly well
on a stage erected on an artificial island
I'm front OF the rows Of seats on the main
land. The admirers OF the great poem
see and hear much that impresses and in
structs them. The main points OF the
poets story are wildly portrayed; in fact,
there is realism about the whole play
that cannot be equaled on the stage of any
city theater. The water. the woods. the
tepees, the genuine Indians i'm their native
land. the hills of tree-topped rock that
rise far above the surface of the river be-
yond the stage ISLANDS with frOwning
granite base and bold face, but verdure-
clad crown, the open air and illimitable
space-all these are accessories which
city theatrical manager might envy, but
cannot have. except on canvas.
Patrons OF the Journal probably have
read descriptions of the play. Some have
seen il produced I'm New York and Boston.
and a few, as the hotel register shows,
have witnessed il here. That more tour
lists have not viewed it. heard the Indian
songs and been entertained with the Ojib-
way native dances. is due to the fact that
Desbarats and Hiawatha camp are out
of the beaten path of the average pleasure
seeker. OF the 2O0O00 people who annually
visit Mackinac island and the American
and Canadian "Soos"-the two cities named
Sault Ste. Marie, that guard the entrance
to Lake Superior-not over 10000 To 1900
ever learn that meritorious drama, unique
in presentation and surroundings. can be
seen by taking short steamer ride down
the beautiful st. Mary's river or a trip by
rail from St. Ignace TO the 800" and
thence by the Canadian Pacific 10 Des-
barats.
ORIGIN OF THE PLAY.
When Schoolcrafts stories and legends
of the Indians inspired Longfelow to write
''Hiawatha," the poet little dreamed his
masterpiece would some day be translated
into the Ojbway language. dramatized and
even set to music in cantible form. The
drama first arranged by l.. o. Arm
strong. of Montreal, for the entertainment
OF members of the Longfellow family when
they visited Desbarats. in 1900. Miss Long
fellow was delighted with the performance
and requested that it be given annually in
commemoratiOn of her visit and in honor
of her father, and this has been done. but
with little profit to any person. except the
Indian performers, who are well paid for
their services. The play is under the man
agement of Frederick r. Burton, we'll
known author, composer and conductor,
whose winter home is at Yonkers N Y
Mr.. Burton is an old newspaper man. He
has written three novels. "Her Wedding In
terlude." 1.-THE Song and the Singer" and
Shifting Sands" besides the cantata
''Hiawatha." which has been popular in
the East with amateur concert promoters.
Mr.. Burton's music is pleasing and his
rendition of some of the Indian songs in
the curio room of the Hiawatha Inn is one
of the charms of the place, hugely enjoyed
by the guests. He is often assisted bys his
wife, whose voice has the liquid tone nee
essary for the proper rendering of the
Ojibwey songs. The Burtons summer on
an island near the camp. The cottage of
the Armstrong; is on Longfellow island,
also nearby.
"Hiawatha." staged here, has four
teen speaking characters, besides snake
dancers. braves, squaws and papooses. The
cast follows:
Hiawatha. h-ge-qua-we-ne-ue.
Eirnehaha- Wabeno
Pau-Puk- Reewis. Kabib-onoko
Shioisbos Mudjekeewis
Kwasind. Shawondasee.
Iagoo. Wabun
Nokomis. wabe-quok-
GITCHEE MANITOU'S APPEAL.
Mr.. Burton assumes two characters in
the play, 'Hiawatha or Nanabozho." He
takes the part Of Gitchee Manitou, the good
spirit, and later that of the Black Robe
(Pere Marquette), the first pale face to
visit the land of the Ojibways. The good
spirits appeal to the Indians, sung on the
top OF high cliff near the stage, is heard
with awe by tho warriors. who have just
murdered two Indians found sleeping on
the stage their camp Each word of the
appeal is also listened TO attentively by
the audience, as the mystic signal fire. the
concealed singer and his chant-like manner
OF delivery create a supernatural effect
The appeal begins:
my childreni my poor children,
Listen 10 the words Of wisdom.
From the lips OF the great spirit
From the Master OF Life who made you!
When the spirit commands the rIferans to
wash away the bloodstains and smoke the
calumet. they rush to the edge of the stage,
wash off their war paint and then sit in a
circle and smoke the pipe of peace.
The second scene introduces Nokomis,
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