The Alaska daily empire., 1915-09-25
WITCHERY IS
 IN SWAY AT
 KlLLISNOO


 In this twentieth century it Is dif rcult for the white man to realize that really substantial belief in witchcraft can still exist among the natives as closely associated with ciyi lization as are the natives of the vil- lage of Killisnoo. And yet, for the past six years there has been going on in that village O series of so-called witch craft performances which has finally culminated in thorough investiga. tion of the matter by w. G. Beattie, superintendent of native schools, and District Attorney J. A. Smiser.
 Mr. Beattie stated today that he is not yet in a position to divulge the exact nature of the present case, but stated that at Kiilisnoo witchcraft has been pracdced for something liko six years. and that it has been found necessary to investigate the situation thoroughly in an effort to dispel the effects of a psychological situation known to the Thlingets as witchery.
 When asked if the idea of witch craft was not rather out of date in this goth century. Mir. Beattie replied Tt may seem so to tho 2Oth century white man. but it must be remember ed that the native is not a goth cen- tury person in the matter of civiliza- tion.
 Bureau Has lts Troubles
 This question of "witch-craft" con- tinued Mir. Beatde. "is one of tho most difficult problems we have to handle among the natives The ex- isteuce of witches Is a certainty with them. and there is absolutely no pos sibility of convincing them that there arc no such things as witches. It isn't stubborness on their part, it is simply and sincerely their belief that there are among their tribesmen. per sons who have power to cast O spell over others of their number"
 Tn answer to the question ''What direction does their practice of witch craft usually take?" Mir. Beattie said: 'Wel. we'll assume for instance that some member of the village commun- fly has O sore throat After Q little while he will so to see an Indian doc tor about it. and the doctor will tell him that someone has bewitched him.
 "The process of casting a spell ov- CT O person usually takes Q course something like this The witch will catch some animal. or it may be a bird and he win strangle it by tying around its neck @ piece of the cloth ing of the man whom he wished to bewitch. The thing will of course die, and it is then hidden away some where. Within a certain number of days after that the betwitched per son dies. The only way in which a spell may be cast off is by securing this animal or bird and throwing it into the salt water. Simply burying 1t does no good. according to the In- dian legend. And since the tool of the witch is usually hidden very se- curely. there is very little chance for the bewitched to free himself from the charm.
 Natives Believe In lt.
 "The whole thing is. of course, pure ly a psychological situation, and saw ors to a certain degree of hypnotism. But it has a firm grip on the Alaskan native-not only upon the uneducated ones. but as well upon those who have had opportunity to secure more or less education and who have been more or less closely associated with civilized white people"
 If any definite clues can be discov- cred in connection with the Killisnoo affair. an investigation will be insti- tuted by the government. No an- nouncement has yet been made in this connection, but it is expected that a complaint will be filed within the next few days.