The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-07-22
How the MescaI Bean
Acts on Indians

The primitive Indian is fast losing
those characteristics that peculiarly
distinguished him, but among the few
ceremonies observed by the Indian
which havo met with no changes. is
the use OF the mescal bean, deadly in
it's final action as cocaine, morphine or
any drug long used
Especially is this habit coptinued
among certain portions of the Usage
Indians. whose wealth Of lands and
moneys characterizes theri as the
richest pc. pie 90. earth During the
past week. near Pawhuska. She deadly
bean clalmed another victim This
time It was as big, robust and stout
looking an Indian as could be found
among the Oaages. About six months
ago he began the use of the bean and
with that time his strong constitution
was undermined and weakened by the
drug.
The meecal bean is a product Of
ANtW MtAiCD' anu ny lupSC VIM hnfO
used it the effects are said to be more
like those Of cocaine than Of any
other drug
Always y has been a custom among
the Indians who used this bean. to
hold mescal feast. They are OF fire.
quent occurrence, partaking somewhat
of a religious meeting in that numer-
GUS prayers are made for the leading
members thereof
When a mescal feast is to take
place a tepee is erected by the squaws.
the room eing large enough to hold
twenty-five persons who are seated
upon blankets, in Indian fashion, in a
circle Uader the outer edge of the
blankets end protruding therefrom a
quantity OF sage brush is placed to
scent tie tepee. The remainder Of
tho space q. the room is barred, with a
large horseshoe formed in the center.
inside the shoe few sticks Of wood
are placed and a fire kindled, the en-
tire being now ready for the cere-
mony
Each Indian must prepare himself
particularly for this feast in order not
to offend The great spirit The hair
must be washed and comDed smooth
ly and the face painted gorgeously.
Donned ~ buclxskln suit and arrayed
in all the paraphernalia necessary for
the feast--with the mescal blanket
over the shoulders a fantastic. gaudy
affair, and bunch Of eagle feathers
in his baud-each Indian falls into
line and the sart is made for the mes
cal tepee
At the entrance to the tepee a halt
is made. while the chief chosen for
that purpose offers up prayer All
then enter the place, the mescal chief
and his two assistants seating them
selves opposite the entrance and in
front Of the toe Of the horseshoe. The
others seat themselves in a circle.
One of the party is then selected to
kindle tbs fire and it is his duty to
keep the fre during the night and at
certain tines. during the ceremonies,
to form IRON the ashes, designs of
moons, stars and other images.
After numerous prayers the chief
outlines h.a work. giving his ideas OF
how the ceremony should proceed, an
harrangue that is ever listened TO with
the creates. respect on the part OF all
participating. From a silken pouch at
his side the chief then distributes mes
cal beans in large quantities. The
silken pouch is kept inside of larger
one of Buck kskin, thus preventing in
any way any contamination of the
beans TO b. devoured during the feast
The beans are eaten during the night
in a peculiar manner Each Indian
chews the mescal in size about like
a dried peach. until it has been reduc-
ed to a pup; this is rolled into a ball,
and after many gestures toward the
fire and tov ard the large bean placed
by the chief on the toe OF the horse
shoe, it IS swallowed.
The remainder of the night is pas
sed in speech making. songs and pray
ers. After swallowing the bean
pulp the Indians blow upon their
hands. run their arms and chests and
assume their best posture maintain
ing the same stolid position and indif-
ference % all that surrounds them.
The eating Of several mescals is fol-
Bowed by the appearance Of the tom
tom and small beater, gourd skin
allied with beads and making a noise
similar % that of any rattle box.
i These are first taken up by the chief
. - ,.,o - HE ocafcfaufe who sing