Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 167, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 July 1911 — Indians in Oklahoma Praying for Rainfall. [ARTICLE]

Indians in Oklahoma Praying for Rainfall.

A special dispatch from Wetumka, Oklahoma, says: Creek Indians in the vicinity of Wetumka are resorting to ancient customs in jp attempt to obtain a rainfall. One of their customs, which has been followed in the last week, is to stake a mud turtle on the edge of a stream just far enough from the water so that they cannot reach it. It is the Indian’s belief that the turtles, despairing of their attempts to reach the water, Invoke the aid of the “great spirit” to send rain so that the stream will be raised and brought near them. Since the turtles were staked out several rains have fallen. The Indians believe their prayters were answered and are fastening up more turtles to pray for a still greater rainfall.