Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-07

How much do we know of the religious
beliefs of the uncivilized American In
Jams? What IS the basic theology of the
<'hippewayans of the far north, of the
Sioux Of the middle west, of the Apaches
of the south? A residence of several years
among the Sioux and more or less close
acquaintance with many of the more prorni-
nent tribes and individuals OF that great
nation lead the writer to believe that white
men are never taken into the confidence OF
their medicine men. We know something
OF their superstitions and traditions The
larnented Captain Ph!lo Clark knew a great
deal thereof-probably more than any other
man-but once he said to me:
Beyond the universally of their belief In
a Great Spirit and In a future of reward or
punishment beyond the grave, We are woe
fully in the dark
squaw man who dated his residence In
the Missouri river country from the genesis
of the American Fur Company acknowl-
edged that he did not know what his Indian
wife of more than a score of years be-
lieved nor could he understand some of the
observances Of his own children he knew
that both wife and children were in some
degree subject to the dominance of certain
medicine chiefs but to the real thought be-
hind the outward act of worship or prayer
he had no clew.
1t Is not intended to deny the existence
of many interesting superstitions. tinged
with tradition or nodded by environment
but to assert that the whites have never
penetrated the Sanhedrim of the Sioux and
know little or nothing of the meaning at
taehed by the grim priests to the dances.
genudexions and songs they describe
Customs Recall Genesis.
No one can be with the Sioux long with
out being struck by the prevalence of ira
ditions and customs which recall Genesis
and Levticus. The story OF the great flood.
the giving of the law from Sinai, the cross
ing OF a sea dry shod. the inheritance of a
delightful country after many and ruth
less wars-each has its counterpart in q
tradition often reCounted by the medicine
man of a tribe to listeners always interest
ed and always credulOus. Many q Sioux
warrior has stood, naked. for long days and
nights, on the top OF some iofty Quite SEEK
ing by mortiica ton of flesh and spirit to
atone for some sin that brought bad medi-
cine or to avert some calamity that super
stition. abetted by dreams, babe him fear:
Wherein did he differ IN controlling thought
from the Hindoo his pillar the
anchorite in his cell?
That the Sioux believe in a Savior to
come the United States had gruesome evil
dence in the ghost dances of the early nine
ties and the terrible climax at Wounded
Knee with the corollary Of the death OF
Sitting Bull at Grand river. Porcupine.
VINO preached the coming OF the tLeu
Christ" was one of the least trucuient OF
Indians and believed that the Savior of
the aborignes would bring peace, not a
sword. But his disciples scorned a blood
less revolution, while neither they nor their
teacher ever pretended that the idea of a
coming Christ was new.
One belief of the Sioux is real to him
ms It Is picturesque to the whites. He per-
scnifies the lightning and tells you that the
thunder Is the noise OF the hoofs of the
mighty steed ridden by that glaring god.
He will point out TO you marks on the earth
where electric bolts have struck and as
much OF his habitat is mineral land. these
footprints of the horse OF the lightning
god are not rare. Thunder storms in and
around the Black Hills have long been
notable for the accompanying and terribly
ting display OF the electric fluid.
Mysterious Canyan Taboo.
II was in the late summer OF 1877 that the
writer. in company with Lieut. Fred Kls-
lngbury. 18th U. S. Infantry; U-su-su-pI
{Good-toned-metaD Sioux scout, and
three enlisted men as teamsters and cooks
was hunting on Grand river, about fifty
miles southwest from Standing Rock
agency and only a few miles from the
camping ground where, many years later
sitting Bull gave up his life rather than
yield his personal liberty. Poor Kisling-
bvryi He had nothing OF second-sight to
give him even hint OF the awful death
which was to be his as second in command
OF the Inflated Greedy expedition In the
far north. He was exuberant In spirits
trs3ess in effort and high in favor with