davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-01-29

casion for of our most import
ant religious ceremonies. We be-
lieve that our good health and
fortune during the year depend upon
this ceremony. Now you know why
we look to the Above People for
help in battle, or FOR protection from
all harm.
To the Sand Hills
"Now, my sons, that : have told
you. of the beginning of all things and
explained about the Great Spirit
who planned it all, I will repeat a
story which all Crows believe to be
true-the story of the END of all
things-''The Shadow Land.
Many, many moons ago, a Crow
brave became very sick and died.
After his spirit had taken flight
from his body, he was for a time
forgetful of everything. At length
he regained his consciousness and
discovered that he was travelling to-
ward the south along a well marked
and we'll beaten, pleasant trail,
which showed the marks of only hui
man feet. There were cuts and IA
vines across this trail, which were
leaped with ease. Parallel to this
there was another similar trail, and
the brave found himself in company
with a second departed spirit-a
stranger to him, but who walked
with a limp. They jOurneyed to-
gether, and finally found that the
two trails upon which they Travelled
came together in a pass between the
hills. The trail in this pass, they as
cended until, going higher and high
er, they reached the summit of
mountain range. From here the.
were able to look down upon a larg.
river flowing peacefully through
the most beautiful valley they hat
ever seen. This valley was clOthe.
with sweet, long grass and shadeI
with an abundance of luxuriant tim
her. And, upon both sides of thi
river, showing between the trees
were to be seen numberless pur
white lodges. This was the Spirit
. land, and these were the homes 0
1 those who had departed. They sa7
l. a myriad forms of spirits who ha
: gone before them walking about o
Z Z reclining beneath the beautiful trees
! and the whole atmosphere was pei
: vaded with peace and happiness.
: "The warrior gazed upon thi
: scene with delight, and, as his wifi
! had pretended him to the Spirit-lanC
! he hurried forward anxious to sc
Z her once more. AS they neared tn
immense village, a spirit came fort
and directed each to the lodge al
pointed for him. The Crow rushe
e to the lodge where he was told h
: would find his wife. Sure enough
she was there. He approached uni
. her, but was met only by a steI
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-01-29

steal from tribes with which they are
at war. (This concession may ac-
count for the thieving record that
some of III early-day -frontiersmen
gave to the CrOws.) To those red
men who obey the Great Spirit,
long, pleasant lives are promised,
and the contrary to those who do i'll.
Not only did the Great Spirit COM
'mand this in the beginning, but oc-
casiOnally he makes visits to the
earth urging the people to correct
their bad methods. Some of our
people see the Great Spirit in dreams
while others have heard His voice,
although they could not see Him.
The Crows, as much as we are loathe
to admit it, believe that one reason
they have lost many of their num-
bers in wars, is due to the fact, per-
haps, that they have disobeyed the
Great Spirit.
ut is a common belief of our
people that sometime after the be-
ginning of all things on earth, there
was a great flood which destroyed
most of the inhabitants of the earth.
Our old men have also told us that
the Great Spirit informed our faith
ers he would one day destroy the
earth again, but in what way we
do not know. This flood was the
result of a heavy rain that fell fol-
many days.
The Great Spirit
Our Great Spirit" the old chief
continued, els always with us, and is
unlimited in his powers. BY day He
looks down upon us through the sun
By night, we know Him through the
moon and the stars. All of nature is
part of Him. Our sacrifices are
made to the sun an offering to this
Great Spirit. That is why, my sons
that once a year, we make our sac.
~rifices. You have seen us place
the best of our blankets, a scarlet
cloth, or the skin of some ANNA.
upon a pole or tree to be left there
until the elements destroy them. You
know too, of our ceremonies to the
sun and Our dances. These are g
part of our method Of worship. You
have noticed that when we smoke
we look upon that as an acI
OF devotion. Our tobacco is sacred
This is the reason that the planting
OF the tobacco in the spring is the Oc
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-01-29

and arrows and Stay and eat the
The man did as he was COM
manded. He shot twice and killed
two buffalOes. A third shot merely
wounded a buffalo, and the herd took
flight, the wounded buffalo tossing
the arm of the man they had killed
and eaten upon his back, and then
all ran away. This arm he thus car
ried away, became a hump. Up to
that time the buffalo had no hump
upon their back, but since then all
buffalo have a hump upon the hack.
after the men and women be-
gan to increase in numbers upon the
earth, the spirits divided them into
bandsAOr tribes. All of the people
were then called together and each
band was given a different language,
in such a manner that none under
stood the tongue of the Others. They
were then all directed to go and dwell
in stipulated places on the land.
The White People Favored
Remember, my sons, there
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-01-29

these two. When they went into the
south they were displeased with the
land for the duck had left too much
water. It was full of ponds and
lakes and even the land itself was
into the west and found the work
of the wolf to be entirely satisfac-
tory, and they told the wolf he had
done we'll for there were plains and
rivers and mountains forming a
country beautiful to behold. They
told the duck to go and live in
the wet country that he had made
but permitted the wolf to dwell in
the finer country made by him.
The Creation OF Man
"After all Of this had been done,
these two spirits took of the dust of
the earth, rolled it in their fingers
and cast it upon the ground. 10, it
became a man who ran a few steps
and CROPPED blindly for he could not
see. He had eyes but he could not
open them. Then the spirits took
some more dust and likewise formed
"a woman. In the same manner they
made animals and all the other
creatures that live upon the earth,
male and female, but all with their
eyes closed so that they were un-
able to see. They then opened the
eyes of the man with their fingers
and commanded him to do the same
for the woman and all of the ami
mails. Then all the living creatures
were made and sent forth with their
eyesight, and from this time forth,
men and women and all animals of
the earth proceeded to multiply In
numbers. =
1.-THE man and woman began to live
together, but as they had no house
or. lodge, they dwelt in hollow logs
and trees. The buffalo made war
upon them, beating with their hOofs
upon the hollow logs in which they
dwelt driving them forth. The bison
became very fierce, so much so that
the men were unable to Withstand
them. Finally a man was killed by q
buffalo and all Of him was devOured
excepting one arm.
How the Buffalo Got His Hump
"Thie displeased the spirits very
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-01-29
legend Of the Crows is among the
most interesting.

legend of the Crows is among the
most interesting.
= = =
The sun has finished it's walk to
the west. 1t is a clear, bright
ing and a full moon, in all its
splendOr, casts long, soft, cOne-shap-
ed shadows where it hits the new
buffalO-skin tepees that form this
Crow camp. The women have put
aside their work of dressing hides;
fires have been kindled anew in these
primitive homes. The circular
camp which has been all but desert
ed for the most of the day (fOr this
camp is now in the buffalo. country,
and there has been a chase), has
taken on new life.
1t is in the lodge of one of the old
er chiefs where the younger blood
of the tribe are wont to gather at
this time of day to listen to their be-
loved leader tell the stories of tribal
history and. tradition which he in a
like manner learned when he was a
boy, This evening the youths have
been told that they are to hear a
wonderful tale-a story which will
unfold to them the secrets of many
mysteries which to them have hith-
ertO been unsOlved. And, his lis
teners, enthralIed by the serious
countenance of the old warrior, are
attentive and expectant, as he be-
gins his story.
! Creation of the Land
"HO! My Sons! Listen! I will
tell you the story of the creation of
the earth and the beginning of man
as it was told to my father by my
great grandfather.
"In the beginning, the world was
covered with water, and the only liv-
ing things then were two spirits of
unknown form, and a large bird
which resembled a wild duck. These
floated ~listlessly about upon the wat
er, until One day, as these spirits
came together, one of them said:
This is a bad way to live. I am tired
of all this water. Let us. make dry
land that shall be a home for 9th
er creatures This suggestion met
with the apprOvaI of the other spirit
and they called the large duck, and
commanded him to dive down into
the water until he reached the bottom
land bring up from there a quantity
of earth. ,
"The duck dived down as he had
been ordered to do, but returned tt
the surface without having reached
the bottom. A second time he wa
ordered down with instructions tt
go deeper. This time he returned
with his bill and feet filled will
sand. One of these spirits then pro
ceeded to take this sand and press i
into a cake. This was allowed to dr.,
and a portion of it was scattered
? around over the water. No land ap
. peared, however, and then the secOnt
? spirit cast some upon the water ant
land appeared. A second time tn.
spirit cast some of it abroad and tn.
l land gradually grew larger. The,
ceased to scatter the dust an,
, walked out upon the land they ha,
made. They then called aloud t.
t the West and were answered by tn
2 cry of a wolf which presently ap
peared.
''The duck was ordered to g
into the south and form new lam
for it was not yet large enough; an
in a like I'M the wolf was sen
1 into the west. After a time bot,
S the duck and the wolf returned an.
reported that the new land wa
completed. The spirits now wen
. forth to investigate the work G
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-01-29

fell into a stupor. Shortly after this
he heard the sound of many voices
engaged in weeping. Then hands
were laid upon him an dthe bandages
that bind the dead were carefully
being removed. He found that he
had been suspended to a tree in grave
clothes after the manner of Crow
burial. CThe Crows buried their dead
by hanging them upon the stout
limb Of a tree. Other tribes used
poles and a small suspended plat
form erected for this purpose, while
still others pursued somewhat differ
ent but similar custOms). He was re-
stored to his friends and relatives
and great was their rejoicing as
they attentively listened to him while
he narrated his experiences IN the
land of the spirits.
''In later years, I am told, another
departed. spirit was returned from
the Shadow Land and this account
was confirmed. Thus, my sons, you
see, the heaven" of the Crows, as it
is called by the white men, is a place
of perfect rest and peace where sOT-
row, pain and worry are unknown,
and where the departed pass their
lives in luxurious ease.
Nov, my sons, you know the
answer to many things. Go you to
your lodges, and again I charge you:
Cherish the traditions of your faith
ers, and always be proud that you are
Crows, and that you live in the Grow
country. AS our old chief, Ara
pOOash has said, The Great Spirit has
put the Crow country in exactly the
right place. When you are in it, you
fare we'll; whenever you go out Of it,
whichever way you travel, you fare
worse. + + + There is no country like
the Crow country HO!"
The night. wears on. These Crow
! youths in the lodges of their fathers,
/ have settled down for the night,
proud in their possession of a great
5 er knowledge and broader under
= standing.
I The fires have died down and the
silence that has settled over this
l great Crow camp is unmarried ex-
' cept for the occasional stamp Of a
hOOf or the faint bark of a restless
I dog The beautiful moon has risen
. high and the pale silver glow thai
floods the romantic scene is unbrOk.
en- save for the slender shadows OF
5 lodge and tripod that dot the valleys
e surface stretching far down Powder
l. river, until they are lost to view il
( the vague mist that distance lends Il
{ the night picture.
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-01-29

were people of all grades and colors
there, but it seemed that the white
people stood nearest to the spirits,
and these spirits said so that all
could hear: All people are dear to
u.s., but the white people are dearer
than all the rest and we command
you to live at peace with the white
people, Afterward n of the spirits
commanded that all the people shake
hands and then dispense, and the
tribes spread themselves over the
land.
The Spirits Command
You, my sons, have all heard
of The Great Spirit that gives us our
medicine which guides or fortunes
and gives us health and food and
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-01-29

This knowledge,
we do have, however, that religion
of some sort has always been, and,
doubtless always will be a potential
part of mans being. And, it remains
to man alone, regardless of race or
color, to choose that method of soul
sOlace which, to him, seems right
and proper.
Religion of The Indian
Volumes of interesting narrative
could be written on the religion Of
the Indians of those tribes who once
inhabited Montana and the Great
Northwest. Given to us in traditions,
handed down by the older chiefs and
medicine men, these, although, for
the most part intensely entertaining,
are often quite difficult to solve. It
is, however, plainly evident that all
of these possess a great deal in COM
mon, c~entering around n head, the
acknowledgment of a supreme be-
ing, which was in most cases repre-
sented by the sun, and termed by
most tribes The Great Spirit.
Generally speaking, the religion
of the native Indian, as described
to us by their legends, will COM
pare f~avorably to all religious be-
liefs harbOred by a totally uncivil-
lied race. In fact, if inscribed on
the pages of our own sacred books,
this primitive doctrine and the faith
and submission to a Supreme Being
as manifested by the native tribes
men, would be sublime.
Does anything of modern civiliza-
ton offer a sight more inspiring
than the old brave standing at the
break of dawn beside the clear, run
ming brook, with face washed clean
and hands Outstretched to the east,
offering his morning prayer to the
Great Spirit which to him is person
flied in the sun? .
It is quite natural that the Indian
should worship the sun in that these
people were great lovers of nature
They knew that nothing could live
and row without the warmth anC
light of the sun; that the sun Great
ed the rain and this together will
warmth and light made everything
of life. There could be no trees
no grass, no buffalo without the sun
Then, this being true, the sun mus
constitute that Divine thing or being
which made and which keeps the
earth and all that is therein.
On the other hand, it is eviden
that among many tribes such as thu
Blackfeet and others, almost every
thing of nature was a subject o
respectful worship. In the legend
of these people we here referencl
made to the ''Under Water People,
the "AbOve People" ETC., accompany
ing a supplicatiOn for guidance o
protection. But these undoubtedly
in almost all cases were mere sUbOT
dinates of the one great head, tn
Sun.
Among our native Montana tribes
the Blackfeet, the Crows, the ASSN
nibOines and others, the sun was wOl
shipped. The Blackfeet termed thi
supreme being "ManitOu'. Thei
cold Man" so often spoken of i
legends, seems to have been a sui
ordinate of "Manitou" who had ia
len from grace, and, who, as som
writer's state, was always maxim
mistakes. Among the Crows, tn.
Creator and Keeper was called 9Th
Great Spirit"
These legendary beliefs of the rec
men vary greatly in detail in spite
the fact that the fundamentals al
largely similar. And, starting wit
their story of the creation of til
earth and the beginning of man, til
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-01-29

A BIackfeet Indian Medicine
Bag. Tt was in this sort of a
skin recepticle that the war
riOrs and chiefs carried their
medicine pipes and all articles
(which pertained to their medi-
;cine and religious ceremony.
Auazs-s4ssnnr7 .aH4ss.e. ~
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-01-29

races, clans a n d
tribes have been
confronted with
doctrine, ritual and
dogma, diverse and
sundry, all pivot
ing around a COM
mon center. Even
in these days of
modern civilization,
the discussions of
the learned and pro-
fessiOnal have s o
far, failed to es-
tablish any univer-
sally accepted soIu-
ton.
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-01-29

face and this question, why do
you come here? 1t is not your time.
You r still a young man and
u children nOw are without a pro-
tectOr. Go you back and take care
of them, and when they need you no
longer and you are grown old, then
come to the houses of the spirits"
He Obeyed her command, and as
he was slowly r~etracing his steps he
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-01-29

shelter. It is we'll for you TO re-
member that the Great Spirit has
commanded that all the people live
gooo lives. 1t is especially decreed
mat the people do not steal from
members of their own tribe. It is,
however, permissible for Crows to
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-01-29

A Crow Buffalo Skin Lodge.
The last Of these have long
since passed. These were made
of the skin Of the buffalo with
the hair removed. Those C.
C-nied by the chiefs OF braves
ahU had won distinction in
ka+' lore on their sides the
which told the story
90 ssa@ counted and brave
IccsS- aa>te" b. the occupant.
4 JargA eco. these tCpecs
DPeSCA RI :r9st t'sresque
sight, especially IL ~
a moonlight nl;pt.
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-01-29

much and n of them made a bow
and another made arrows and gave
these to the first man saying: 1T is
not right that the buffalo should
kill and eat you, but you should kill
and eat the buffalo, for they were
given you for food. Take. this bow
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-01-29

For the substance of the story of The
Creation and THE Hereafter ! am in
debted to the journal of Lieutenant James
II. Bradley, a contribution to the Histor-
ical Society Of Montana. These legends
were told to Lieutenant Bradley by Chief
Clear Face Of the Crow nation. ,
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-01-29
(By DAN r. CONWAY

HAT which is called religion,
in so far as the layman seems
able to decipher, appears to be
the most indeterminate factor in the
life of man. Since time immemorial.
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-01-29

Hurry Mother A tsasBo0nfal OF
California Fig Syrup now viii
thoroughly clean the little bowels
and 10 a few hours you have 8 wen.
playful child again. Even IL cross,
ieverish, bilious, constipated or fun
OF cold, childen love It's pleasant
taste.
Tell your druggist you want only
the genuine California Zig Syrup
which has directions for babies and
children Of all ages printed on the
bottle. Mother, you must eay "Cali-
lOrnia." Refuse any imitation.
Douglas daily dispatch., 1926-03-04
Skinny Men Glad

Doctors and good pharmacists know
that Cod Liver Oil is full of vita
mines that make flesh, create appe-
tite, builds up the power to resist
disease and puts good solid flesh on
skinny men and women.
But it's horrible tasting stuff and
every day fewer people are taking
it, for doctors are prescribing and
people are fast learning that they
can get better results with McCoys
Cod Liver Oil Compound Tablets,
which Douglas Drug Co. and drug
gists all over the country are having
a tremendous demand for.
One woman gained 10 pounds in %
days and if any skinny man or wom-
an can't put on 5 pounds in 80 days,
your druggist is authorized to re-
fund the purchase price.
Be sure and get McCoy's, the origi-
nal and genuine Cod Liver Oil Comv
pound Tablets-60 tablets-60 cents.
ADV.
Douglas daily dispatch., 1926-03-04
Y ATHLETES AT
GRAND THEATRE
THIS EVENING

One of the Y. M. c. A. pyramid
teams will show it's wares at the
Grand theatre tonight. The teams
will take their third practice period
just before they appear at the
theatre. The team will be in chargs
of Ralph Cutler and will show the
theatre patrons sdme of the work
they will perform at THE circus on
Saturday of this week.
j. wv. Deeming will give the IA.
nous freely drill that is performed
with Indian clubs, being accompanied
by Paul Causey short comic
sketch will be given by Glendale
McGregor and Archie Beard.
The finishing touches are now be-
ing put on the work and with the
exception Of a few boys being SICK
every thing is going in good shape
The boys are taking to the work like,
duck takes to water, according to
Deeming, and will give a good ac-
count of themselves at the circus.
Douglas daily dispatch., 1926-03-04
MAIL SERVICE
TO TOMBSTONE
NOW IMPROVED

AS result of the efforts of a spe-
cial committee of the Douglas cham.
Der Of commerce and mines to better
the mail service between this city
and Tombstone, an Improvement plan
is underway, according to A, IL.
Gardner of the Tombstone CONNER
cial club.
AT recent meeting of the directors
of the local chamber, it was brought
out that several Douglas merchants
had been complaining about the time
it took to send letter to the coun-
ty seat and have an answer returned
in reasonable time
Gardner has written to the Douglas
chamber that bids have been asked
for the carrying of mail from Fair
banks to Tombstone at 8 o'clock each
morning with return trip between
the two cities at o'clock each aft
ernoon.
This arrangement means, Gardner
states, that all mail put in the Doug
las postoffice up to p. m. each day
will reach Tombstone at o'clock
the following morning, permitting a
reply to leave Tombstone at p. M.
that afternoon and be in Douglas at
p. IN. that night.
Thus a mail service which will re,
quire only day for reply is as
sured.
Douglas daily dispatch., 1926-03-04
GERMANY IS "SURE" OF
LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP

LONDON, March S.-From one of
the highest authorities in Germany,
the Berlin correspondent of the Daily
Express, says he has received a
statement that in consequence of her
diplomatic steps, Germany has OBJ
tanned assurance that she alone will
be admitted to the league Of nations
council at the coming session. after
We are in,' this official is quoted as
saying, I'VE do not care how many
things come up for discussion. We
must be admitted first other claims
must be left for later consideration
perhaps in September. Much can
happen between now and September"