Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 January 1878 — Nez-Perees at Worship. [ARTICLE]

Nez-Perees at Worship.

On Sunday a reporter visited the camp of the Nez-rerces. He found that the army-tents that had at first been put up for the accommodation of the captives had been taken down at the request of the Indians, and in their places were a number of tepees, or lodges, made of skins stretched about long poles. The lodges are circular in form and of conical shape. The skins which form the wall are sewed together securely with buckskin strips. They are weatherproof on the outside, ami do not appear at all untidy, except oil the top, where the skins have been blackened by the smoke. In some of these lodges were furs of the finest description, owned by the more wealthy memliers of the tribe. On some of the lodge-poles are forks with hanging boards, to which the children or papooses are strapped, hanging in much the same style as white men would hang pictures on a wall. Near each lodge was stacked a huge pile of wood, some of the stacks being covered to keep them dry. The number of people who visited the camp during the day did not fall short of 5,000. The reporter visited the quarters occupied by Chief Joseph, which consist of a comfortable army-tent w’ith a floor and stoves. This place he found thronged with a multitude of people who were eager to get a glance at the famous Chieftain. The next point of attraction was one of the large hospital tents, where it was given oiitthat there would be a “medicine-dance.” This was an error. The ceremonies, as had been performed in the morning, were of a strictly religious character, and th a dance talked of was the afternoon service. The reporter found about 100 men and women ragged in two lines near

the walls, and in a sitting position. They were engaged in singing some of the chants peculiar to the tribe, and paid no marked attention to the entrance of the visitor, each one seeming to be deeply interested. Others began to arrive, and within a short time fully 150 occupied the tent. The chief exhorter then took his place in the center the group-and began the first of the general service by a few remarks. He then rang a small bell which he held in his hand, and Jthe entire party began a chant which was perfect as to time and harmony, and was not devoid of music. Both male and female held in their hands some kind of a plume, either a single feather or a bunch as large as a hearse-plume, which were waved back' and forth mueh in the manner our music-teachers wave their batons. Three men in the center of the apartment held instruments which resemble tambourines, which they, at the proper intervals, vigorously pounded with sticks, producing ajsouijd not unlike a dram. After the first general song was finished, one of the braves made a few remarks in his native tongue; which was followed by another chant, which was concluded, as were the remainder of the songs, by a long, low, wailing sound, each one raising the right hand toward heaven. The second who.spoke was a woman. She related her experience to the medi-cine-man, and he repeated it in a loud voice to the congregation. This was ollowed by another chant and a dance] which was*kept up for a long time. George, who during the services seemed to be the most interested, on being asked if he was a Catholic, said: “Yes, me Catholic, but no Chief. You white man; another black man; me Indian; but all same heart, and good heart; all feel same to Him,” and pointed upward. The services lasted until a late hour in the evening. The looker-on could not fail to" see the resemblance in certain parts of the proceedings to the litany in the Catholic Church.— Leavenworth (Kan.) Times, Silk handkerchiefs are n» longer in style except for the little folhs