The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-15

tribe, he selected his council In the man
ner stated Many OF the older members
OF the tribe remember that ceremony ana
when the new chief was chosen there
arose problem as to how he should Sc
lect his council.
The Indians took their troubles 10 the
Miller Brothers., who are the largest
ranch owners in Northern Oklahoma and
who lease a large part Of their lana rom
the Poncas to form the famous 1Ol rancn'
The aliller brothers have been friendly
to the Indians for years, and the ron
cas- almost consider them members OF the
tribe. +, c. Miller actually holds the
position Of second chief and Is present at
all of the councils. When the INDIANS
exnlatned to the Millers that tho trlne
would soon be out OF existence and ask
cd them to arrange a proper celebration
of the installation OF Horse Chief the
request was promptly granted.
Whites Made Show OF 1t.
The Millers decided that the Indians
should carry out the old customs as
nearly as practicable, with the changed
conditions. They secured three buffaloes
from the Goodnight ranch In Texas TOT
,he hunt Here arose more trouble. me
santa Fe passenger department wished
IN run an excursion to the hunt, but the
indians dissented, not wanting the sa-
credness Of their ceremony invaded, ana
again the Miller boys were appealed 10
and after promising that the whites
should not interfere IN any way tue psf
mission was granted,
The old customs had to be modlfled
somewhat. 1t was impracticabe to have
thc l,ufttloes hunted on account OF inc
limited number, SO 1t was arranged W
have built big pasture with ten goa's
constructed around the sides Each pane
was given goal and the first band that
succeeded In getting the animals throuE e.
It's goal made UP part CT me ei"e''
council. c,,,or
A dance was held at which Horse Chlel
selected ten young Indians to be the lead
ers of the different bands. Each leader
then selected five Indians to be the
hunters in his band. Each indian, SO pc.
lected gave n pony to the ieaaer ia.
selected him. to show his appreent''oH
OF the honor. 1t is easily seen that inc
rosi,ion OF leader was not without prolit
"a we'll as honor. The six Indians COM
prising the victorious band vii! be SUP
nemented with four others OF the chles
choosing and the ten will form his coun-
ell during his reign.
The buffalo, by the Poncas, Is consld-
cred almost sacred. At every dance OF
the tribe n buffalo skull rests at the 1901
OF the dance pole, and IN 1t IS supposed
to dwell the Great Spirit, When tor-
ture dances We're permitted the dancers
cut pieces of flesh from their bodies
and deposited them on the skull as OF
ferings,
Eyer since the celebration was planned
the Indians have been In q continual
state of nervous excitement. rms was
| at fever heat when the buffaloes arriVeu
| here and were unloaded, me INDIANS
spent most OF their time at the pasturea,
where The animals were kept, and STOOD
| gazing at them for hours at a u,i'e,
| Invitations were sent out 10 every o,ie VIZ,
| tribe az Indians In tho territory 10 JOIN
| tho lpoucas In their celebration ana every
one OF tho invitations was accepted II,e
indians began arriving at 5liss "eeA
| before tho event was scheduled 10 co,''o
of, They pitched thar tepees ~ iSe
thousand acre pasture and there mas
been one continual pow-wow, me pipe
wos passed around quite freely, ana the
Ind,ans ali seem to be upon tho frlenu-
last terms. Tho various tribes danced
and entertained the others the Pohchs
furnished them with beef and eNery DAY
| there was n steer killed for the vlsltors,
| II is estimated that when the hunt was
called there were no less than thfee
thnusnnd indians camped at this place.
| some OF these tribes cannot uhaeFstanIui
| a word OF tho others' talk, DIV they az
moot with tho sign language. whlch 70
| moan. OF universal communication, ana
which all Indians, of all tribes uhaeF-
| stand, x,.,. r,n,o,