The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-10-29
SEEK TWO SACRED ARROWS.
Cheyennes visit Pawnec Intiians
and Bargain for Relics.

GUTHRIE; Ok, Oct. 26.-The Dog Sol
der band OF the Cheyenne Indian tribe,
from western Oklahoma, has been visit,
ing the Skedee band OF the Pawnees DUR
ing the past two weeks. The ,Cheyennps
to the number Of several hundred came to
recover two sacred arrows aptured from
their tribe by the Pawnees more than
sixty years ago, and this visit was the
first time the two bands had met in
friendly council since before the time
both We're on the warpath. The Pawnees
entertained the Cheyennes at a war
dance. and gave them many presents, In
GLIDING ponies, blankets, calico, and pro-
visions, but would not relinquish the sa-
cred arrows. The Cheyennes performed
what they called the lightning dance.
The two sacred arrows were captured
from the Cheyennes in battle on the
Platte river something over sixty years
ago. PaWnee, who had previously been
crippled and who preferred death. to the
suffering caused by his wounds, had sta
toned himself far in advance OF the other
Pawnees, in a clump Of bushes. AS he
was picking off great many Cheyennes
with his arrows. they saw that it was
necessary to dislodge him. .g@"
Accordingly a party of Cheyenne war
rlors on horseback made dash for the
clump OF bushes, their SACRED arrow
Keeper IN the lead. He had the arrows.
TOUR IN number, fastened to long spear,
ana as ne struck at the Pawnee the Grip
pied warrior. lodged to one side and
grasped the spear, Wrestling it from the
Cheyenne's hand. Almost simultane-
ously with the charge Of the Cheyennes
| rev PaWnees in the advance, seeing the
danger OF their crippled comrade, rushed
| to his assistance. The Cheyennes were
tnus routed before they could regain their
sacred arrows. st-g~& =: ~ r $s.5a ~ :
| / About ten years ago the Cheyennes re
| coVered*two' Of these sacred arrows By
giving the PaWnees 200 ponies. In their
negotiations, during the past two weeks,
1 the &Cheyennes were unable to convince
! the PaWnees that the two arrows still in
| the Iatter's possession should be surren-
oered at this time.r The Pawnees said
| that II the Dog Soldier Cheyennes should
prove worthy friends, Of the Skedees
after the intended visit of the Pawnees
L TO the Cheyennes next summer, the Paw
| nees may then listen to proposal from
the Cheyennes. At the present time the
Cheyennes must be satisfied with the
presents they have received - -
The Cheyennes considered the Skedee
Dand as the most formidable in the Paw
nee tribe. Likewise the Dog Soldier bant
is the most numerous among the Chey.
ennes. The head chief Of the Dog Sol.
dfers Is also prophet and medicine man
At present Flying Hawk, who was with
his band visiting the Pawnees, holds this
position. Under him are the medicine
arroW-keeper, with four assistants, til.
eight priests OR medicine men, and fou,
leading chiefs with forty chiefs Of LESSEE
Importance. All these form the ret1nut
Of Flying Hawk. -, =,
The Cheyennes are degra ding gradually
and from the hercest warriors Of tn,
plains in the days of Generals Miles
Custer, and Lawton, they are becoming
among the lowliest of the Indians. Thu
string of dllapidated wagons and worn
out ponies, with their loads of dirty
greasy Indians. which passed through
Oklahoma from the Cheyenne to tn
PaWnee reservation, would scarcely com
pare with the average class of gypsy out
! fits. Even the Pawnee war dance lacket
much Of its former energy and ferocity
Some of the fat braves tired easily an,
frequently sought rest, while those VIII
beat. the ,,tom-tom had to sit on chair
instead of taking the original position o.
| the ground. -, -. II =. -