Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1906-06-21

tolerance for the Mescal society, that
the mescal drinkers claim the drug is
used In religious ceremony simply as
4 ruse to make 1t difficult. IL not impos-
sible for the authorities to prohibit the
bringing of the bud to the reservation.
AS dense as an Indian may seem at
times. 1t is said that the members Of
the Mescal society are conscious that
a man has a right to his own religious
belief n that he may worship a SUI
preme being as he pleases in this land
of liberty whose holy. just and benef-
cent law. recognizes no religion.
Call II a Religion.
With the end In view of making 1t i'm
possible for the authorities to abolish
the latest intoxicant, the Mescal society
was formed. according to the enemies
OF the society On the reservation.
But despite the claims of pretense, the
society has grown, new converts COM
Ing into its fold every day to drink
of the mescal tea and sup the dregs of
the cup of perdition. Even II it did be-
DIN as a pretense. those OF the faith
are now undoubtedly real believers.
They try to get us all to join the
mescal society" said Mary Rainbow,
an Indian girl at the e who has
done much to assist superintendent
McFattridge in securing information
about the society.
They claim we see the face of Jesus.
They claim friends come to see them
for many miles. First there was only
few took 1t, but others tried IL. White
traders tried 1t. They said 1t was good.
They tried to get in society. but the
Mescal society won't have white men.
They give lots of mescal to the women
The women take much of 1t and give it
to children"
Hold Weekly Meetings.
Mary Rainbow is always informed as
to just where the meetings will be held
and at what time. She takes care to
find out the new converts. Members
Of the Mescal society are free to talk
about their religion and will even admit
visitors to their meetings.
Once a week, usually on Saturday
afternoons. the Indians have a mescal
meeting. 1t Is announced by the leader
who makes a tour of the different
m and informs the members Of the
meeting place. The meetings are seldom
held In the same place twice in G
cession. as the Indians still have fear
h a the authorities will confscate their
supply of dope. Some lonely spot in
the woods which covers the rugged
bluffs along the Missouri river. eeme
places In the depth Of woods embraced
where the foot of a white man has sell
dom trod even at this late day, is the
favortte meeting place of the strange
society.
Gather for the Orgy.
Early in the afternoon the mem.
bers begin to gather. 1t Is a solemn
procession Of carriages and horseback
riders, as they dodge In and out amona
the trees to go to the meeting place
One by n they come struggling in
A little circle Is formed about an oper
spot as for a dance of the braves
There are young men with Intelligent
faces and wearing the clothing Of tn.
white men. There are old chiefs ir
fantastic garbs of the Indian nation
wrapped in blankets Of brilliant ref
or in snow-white sheets. Some ar.
painted as though for q battle. Their
are squaws with their papooses OF
their backs: others old and deaf ant
blind; there are young girls witt
striking forms and with bright face,
soon to be faded by using the poison,
GUS tea. One enters the circle clad IL
beautiful red satin: another in blu,
calico. Some wear beautiful shawl
in the colOrs Of the Mcleod tartan an
in the red and white Of the royal Stuar
full dress plaid; another wears . styl
ish cravanet. her shoes arc paten
leather, her stockings Of open LACE
Her feet. az they peep from under he
short dress skirt and suow.white un