Weekly journal-miner., 1913-08-27
SNAKE DANCE A REMARKABLE
 PERFORMANCE


 rived in this city en route to their
 homes from the world-famed Indian
 snake dance at Walpi Wonderful,
 weird and spell-binding, are the
 terms applied in description of the
 performance. Fully 1000 Arizonans
 and hundreds of Americans from distant points of the country as well
 as many foreigners mingled in the audience of awe-inspired spectators.
 Probably one of the most impor- tant features in connection with the snake dance was the proportions and personnel of the audience. Among the guests of honor were former President Theodore Roosevelt, and his two sons, Kermit and Archie and Governor George w. Hunt Senator Hubbell was the host to these guests.
 The snake dance is in reality an Indian appeal for rain. During bountiful season of rain the snake dancers do not dance but when drouth comes and the crops are threatened, plans for a nineday fes tival to culminate with a corn dance one evening and the snake dance up- on the following and final evening are made These plans are made some time ahead and thus the travel CT is given an opportunity to wit ness what Is considered trul, re- markable performance.
 The corn dance was held on the evening of the 10th In detail this performance is practically similar to the snake dance only that the snakes make no appearance in the corn dance. Each of the two dances last ed for but thirty minutes.
 While the audience gazed upon the solemn-faced and stoic enactors, the performance was commenced shortly after o'clock. In a straight pro cession the Indian doctor was fol- lowed by the chief of the tribe. Then came some elderly Indians followed by the younger generation. After the procession had withdrawn tweu- ty-one stalwart redskins srroGe upon the ledge where the stage was set. Each danced. Then two bags of were brought into vision. The bags were placed in holes dug for the purpose in the ledge. While they chanted each dancer approached the sacks, opened the top, stuck his hand in. withdrew 1t as a snakes head made its appearance and then fell back. After the entire twenty one had completed these evolutions he snakes were turned loose. The entire caste made concentrated dash for the rattlers. Each grabbed a handful, ran with them for short distance and then scattered them 70 he four winds. This completed the lance.
 A singular feature IS the protec- ion afforded the dancers from being atally bitten by the snakes. The ribe's Indian doctor is reputed the i most wonderful Of his kind in the world, possessing a remedy which nsures against poison.
 The performance is carried on up ,n a ledge fifteen by fifty feet ;n The dwellings of the , indians produced a picturesque fea- 1 ure in itself. Situated within few ! eet of a sheer drop of 600 feet, their i ocation would ordinarily be termed recarious in the extreme.
 Probably the most significant fea- ure in connection with the dance vas the utter unconcern of the act ITS who played their parts as though here was not single human being n the immediate vicinity.
 Colonel Roosevelt and his two ons left for the East immediately fter the snake dance. Governor Hunt decided to make the return rip to Phoenix by rail leaving Walpi friday night.
 One of the most impressed specta- DTS was Peter Clark Macfarlane ot, offers Weekly. MT. Macfarlane eclared tha, he would write story ased upon the unique performance.
 Attorney and Mrs. T. c. Norris nd their two sons, William and Ierndon. and Mrs. Hugo Richards ,ere among the Prescott visitors in he audience. Charles II. Hooker, lis son. Robert. J. T. McCurdy and larry Tritle made the trip in Mir. lockers Overland machine.
 The Jerome delegation consisted f fifteen people in five machines. n- !