The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-08-10
0TOES WOULD OBEY LAW
Talk to Governor Ferguson
About Use of Mescal
Bean.

The mcscal bean again 10 IS right-lt
is iuicy7 Undecided as 20 whether the
law placed any restriction upon tho use
of the mescai bean in their religious SER
vices three members OF the Otoo tribe
of Indians called upon Governor Fcreu-
SON this week TO- obtain definite informal
t,on on the subject Their v,sH was "a
source of much interest and scene amuse-
ment 90 Governor Ferguson who advised
tfen that the legislature had enacted
law for0idding The use Of the m,scd
bean in amy form. Thcy assured the
governor that the Otoe had no intention
of violating the law; ihat Dee desired to
De D good citizen, 70 drst know The law
ana then abide by f.
Tho gHce siaiWart representatives,
ct tho oiocs who called upon the g1vor-
nor were chief Headnan Interpreter
Coonskin and John Cleghorn Chof
lieadman was the denihed spokesman
of the party while ~ conversation
was made Ineligible to Governor Fer-
euson through Interpreter CoonslSn
The three were, by Secretary carr
ushered into the presence Of Governor
Ferguson and the interpreter stated
ing the governor that Chicf Hoadman
desired 20 address him on the subject
~ signal from the Interpreter the
chief advanced toward the governor
aad, before speaking a word extended
his hand After the handshake he re-
mulned standing. beginning at once to
speak earnestly upon the subject which
was uppermost in his mind When he
had finished ne again shook hands
with the governor before resumlng his
seat.
The chief informed Governor Fcrgu-
son that he had received advice to he|
effect that a party Of sac and Fox In
dians were soon TO come before the
governor and file charges against ut|
Otoes alleging that they were using
the mescal bean One would suppose
the naughty Caucasian politician toI
know more OF fling charges than lheI
tribe OF the Otoes, but the indian is
fast becoming civilized
From the conversation IL was evident
to Governor Ferguson that the chief
was anxious % forestau the Sacs and
Foxes by explaining the situation be-
fore the charges could be filed. He
assured the governor that while some
of The tribe favored the use of the
moscd bean, the head men OF the tribe
did not countcnance its use. and that
there were only very few. If any who
used Il.
The mescal bean Is product oil
Mexico, Il has the properties OF an
opiate. or rather. an mtoNicant and
was formerly used largely by the lndi-
ship The speaker explained To the
governor that the user Of the bean had
wonderful visions and Thought he could
best Worship the Great Spirit am, us
he expressed IT, know Him better by
using A. he said that some used whIs-
~ instead of the bean. The chief then
amused the governor by asking him
seriously Isis opinion as To- whether the
mesol bean or whisky was beneficial
to them in their worship. The COVER
nor replied that Il decidedly was not.
in fact. that they could worship better
without either The chief then assm-
I'd him that he was OF the same opln-
ION and that the other leading men OF
the tribe held the same Wow OF the
subject that "the Indian could know
the Great Spirit better without the use
Of the beam
only one Great Spirit" said the
chief white man worship Him best
in church, Indian know Him best on
prairie. II against Law 20 use mescal
bean, Otoe no use a. Otoe want 10 use
drum though. Any law against drum?
White man use big box. Here the
chief with gestures explained that hc
meant piano white man also play
on stick, initiating the trombou, puly
er 'Otoe no want to break law tie
use no dsum u law say no."
Governor Ferguson explained 20 the
chief that De- knew OF mo law against
the use Of the drum la the Indians
religious service.
"rRe chief Informed me-" said Gov
emor Ferguson, in speaking of his wise
itors "that the white man himself did
not pay strict regard 10 the lsw
that be- violated IL hy the use of whisky
and that he did not dttingly observe
sunday By this remark the mission
ary's work among the Indians was
manifested They have been advised
ns 20 the proper observance OF the Sab
both ana they are quick 10 note that
the white man does not do as his teach-
ers would have the Indian do.
"rhe Indian has certain regard for
the law ana seems anxious 20 abide !
by b as best he can. Tile chief cx-
plained 10 me that their Ignorance or
the law was largely responsible for
their failure 20 abide by IT, lie said
that t WAS the general wish OF the
tribe 20 be- law-abiding citizens.
'rhe chief spoke Of the Ereat change |
which had come into the life of the
Indian during recent years" continued |
The govenor 'of tho dimppeaunce OF |
the buffalo and the deer aud other wild !
same OF the prairie "rbe Indian |
must work nov. be said 10 me tie
must work in the summer So that he
may live may be able 10 buy food and /
clothing when the snow comes The /
Necessity. on rather the adyisabnity
Of working in the summer did not occur /
20 ihe Indian until his income from the
government was discontinued. ana with /
that discontiumnce, his advance to
ward civilization was much more
rapid
The Indians were pleased with he