Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1908-04-09
White Men Crowd Indians Out
OF the Columbia River
Country.
LAST CEREMONY ID WEIRD
Sauaws Inv Death Chant in Light Of
Moou-Otd Chief Speaks Words Of
Parting and They Embark
on Silent River.

Spokane. Wash. April 3.-Chief To-
aud his tribe of Siwashes
have said their farewells and taken for
ma lea " OF their favorite hunting and
fishing grounds on the Columbia river.
near what is to he the town OF White
Bluffs, in Douglas county, southwest OF
Spokane. The final powwow and pot
latch took place at night. and closed
with the tribal salute to the coming of
the white race
In tongue. T~onianawas delivered the
fareweil orator.. holding the people lit
orally s~pciIhound for Il quarter hour.
while he gioritfed their deeds of valor.
told OF their struggles against the white
man and of their battles with other
tribes who sought to invade the rich
valley, where te aud his tribesmen and
their forebears held sway many years.
The ceremoniais We're witnessed by a
number OF Yakilnas. one time the bit
terest foes OF the departing tribe, also
by a barge gathering OF settlers. who
came into the valley in advance of the
t"ranScOntjnental railroad now bCilding
through Washington.
The farewell was preceded by three
days of dancing. during which the chief
and headmen visited the old stamping
which marked the scenes of
their victories in tine Yakima Indian
wars
This was foilowed by ~ hours of
fasting. durtng which the sauaws and
girls prepared the camp for the final
leave taking
" dusk the heads OF the bands WIS.,
tied the tribal burial grounds, request-
ing the newcomers to permit the re-
mains of their departed brothers to rest
n~ndtsturbed. This rite being carried
out with much ceremony and pomp. the
m aSNyN
where small fires had been started and
the flames s%Ynothered. Chief Tomana-
was unprecedented the war god to SALUTE
Lhe newcomers.
Weird Death Chant.
When the moon appeared at o certain
point i'm the sky. the squaws began a
death chant. which was weird and wild
IN the extreme. their voices mingling
with the bowling of the coyotes. Win
nebishu, declared to be the oldest
squaw in the Pacific northwest. pros
Grated herself before the central fire
at the beginning of the chant and as
her voice gave expression to tones like
turn. were and the squaws
formed a circle about them. At points
between the fires the headmen took
positions. each decked in the war paint
n ~headfeather Of the old days.
Squaws and girls. with the old-fash-
,>N F>DSAN e@AAN AAtOAN "a 6IOoIIu d
for the food The corn and wheat
has been charmed by the meai.i.s
man. The chanting Of the W.
continued 20 minutes. When ,niet
arose from a crouch
ing position in the center of the big
circle and. giving a shout which echoed
along the hills, commanded those as
aembled to harken TO the last voice OF
the warriors which would ever be heard
in the Columbia river valley.
At he close of his address. which
WAS largely OF historical character, the
veteran chieftain squatted on the
ground. and the Indians Joined the
chant of the aged squaw who. during
the early part Of the ceremony and the
chiefs big talk. FRUSTRATED herself,
squirming to free herself from the
bands which bound her and the Others
of the tribe to this part Of the river
lands. When all was quiet the squaw
uttered a terrifying scream and
swooned. striking the ground with
force.
Close With Dance.
Without the slightest heed to the
disregarding all formalities, gathered
around the caldron Of steaming 'mul-
ligans" n during the following is
minutes they lie full justice to the dish.
At the close of the feast there was
= dance. several Of the Indians doing the
OdACc WIFI tNclT war CIuOS.
When this was over Chief Tomanawas
n his men knelt at the waters edge.
ON the bank Of the river. and. raising
their faces to the heaven, they voiced
another dirge-like song.
At midnight. when he noon lac
reached h point in the sky for which
the farewell had been timed. the ires
on the river bank were smothered,
canoes were pushed into the water. the
aged squaW was placed on a rudeiy-
built litter and showed into one of the
skins. and, with blankets around their
heads and shoulders. Chief Tornanawas
and the Indians took their places IN
their craft. At a signal from the chief
tain the n were padded out into
h swift waters of the Columbia river
and the passing of the red men from
h valley became a matter of history.
BR!TAiN'8 VOLUNTARY
ARMY MUSTERED