Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1909-03-01
MUSINGS

indian Massacre leads south through
At s. Reservation in a Niagara
Devils Hole" Mans Mans r Street The ns. road
Devils Hole some four miles below the
rams named on account of a cavernous open
at this point, ard where there is a legend that
a number of British soldiers were overcome in
the latter part of the eighteenth century and
all Killed except two or three who managed to
escape badly injured The Indians so over
whelmed their foes that they were sent pe
neil over the cliffs, which here fall perpen-
dculary over 200 feet to the Niagara River
below There Is a winding stairway leading
down TO the Devils Hole for which the
keeper OF the little house above makes
charge OF so cents Tor the excursion, and if
upon return the traveller be thirsty he can
find refreshments at side entrance removed
from the place leading to the point of interest
below. In the Devils Hole" also there is
maTvelouSy cold spring, flowing from hewn
rock, said to have been fashioned by the In
dams. Generally this little haven Of rest for
the visitor IS patronized by class of neigh
borhood laboring people on Sunday who gen
orally manage TO drink the place dry 1t is
to the credit of the landlord, however. that
his house IS usually most orderly.
1t near the hour of eleven in the morn
ing that our party arrived at the Tuskarora
Reservation centre and
Arriving at the in front of the little Bap
Reservation t1st Church was gathered
small band of Indians
mostly and boys
awaiting the beginning of the morning service
Sunday school having a little while before
been dismissed. There was a merry converse
ton going on under tree, and when our
party alighted one of the Indians very DO
lite fellow, came up and asked if we would
not like to atterd the service We were
escorted into the building but did not remain
longer than to take in the surroundings and
deposit a contribution in the hands of the
Janltor. 1t was typical country church. the
exact counterpart of many in New York
State, at which their more civize ed brethren
worship. An elderly man. full blooded In.
dian, gave us cordial welcome into the church
and asked us to attend the service which
we declined, as had a ten mile Journey
ahead, slow team, and an excessively hot
day The old fellow took hold OF a rope hang
ing from the ceiling in the rear of the church
as we were leaving and began ringing the
bell. Very soon there came from all direc.
uors scores of Indians, male and female all
talking and seeming to be deeply interested in
their mission OF church-goir G. The writer
had camera and was allowed to take a view
OF the interior of the church and also of as
many OF the Indians as would stand. with the
exception of old woman, who became very
much agltated when effort was made to
snapshot her. An Indian endeavored to
Paclty her, but to no avail, and she darted be-
hird tree. refusing to come out, and showed
distinctly that she did not like the situation
Finally she ran towards the church, and ap-
parently clean through.
There were some unusually attractive vopnq
Indian Maidens in the assembly, dressed with
The Indian up-to-date becomingness in mus
Maiden I'm gowns and many OF them
VI OuI emotions in the breast of some
Day. admirer. These girls all bore
strong evidences of refinement. and we were
told that they were we'll educated. The schools
taught by Indians, and the preacher of
the church visited was an Indian also
While our party was preparing to leave the
vicinity, the church members had gotten inside
and soon there came forth the peals of a small
organ and the tone of "Old Hundred came
swelling to the summer Sunday morn
ing air and presented to willing ears a
scene OF more than ordinary interest and i'm
pressiveness There was earncstness in the
song, and music in its delivery, for the voices
harmonzed perfectly. Our party heard the
song through in silence, of course, and there
was more than pair of moist eyes as our
driver whipped his team and our
way back to the Falls.
Like any other community of individuals,
this Indian colony has its progressive citizens
bo