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Show REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONEE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 123 THE cG MESSIAH CRAZE." During the summer and fall of 1890 reports reaching this office from varions sources showed that a growing excitement existed among the Indian tribes over the announcement of the advent of a so-called Indian Messiah or Christ, or Great Medicine Man of the North. The delusion finally became so widespread and well-detined as to be generally known as the " Messiah Oraze." Its origin is sotnewhat obscure and its mani-festations have varied slightly among different tribes. ' A few iustances may be cited as representative. In June, 1890, through the War Department, came the account of a <'Cheyenne medicine man, Porcupine," who claimed to have left his reservation in November, 1889, and to have traveled by command and under divine guidancein searoll of the Messiah to the Shoshone Agency, SaltLake City, nod the FortHall Agency, and t,hence-with others who joined him at Fort Hall-to Walkcr Eiver Reservatiot~. Nev. There 'Athe Ohrist," who was scarred on wrist and face, told them of his crucifixion, taught thern a certaio dance, counseled love an8 kindness for eachother, and foretold that theIndian dead were to be resurrected, - the youth of good people to be renewed, the earth eularged, etc. From the Tongue River Agency, in Montana, came a report, made by the special agent in charge, dated Angust 20, 1890, that Porcupine, an Indianof that agenrty, had declared himself to be the new Messiah, and had found a large fohowing ready to believe in his doctrine. Thoy who doubted were fearful lest their unbelief should call down upon them the curse of the 6' Mighty Porcupine." The order went forth that in order to please the Great Spirit a six daysand nights' dance must he held every new moon,with the.understauding that at the expiration of a certain period the Great Spirit would restore the buffalo, elk, and other game, resurrect all .dead Indians, endow his believers with per-petual youth, and perform many other wonders well calcnlateci to inflame Indian superstition. Dauces, aftermard known as " ghost danoes," were enthusiastically attended, and the accoinpanging feasts were so associated by stockmen with ske disappearance of their cattle . that very strained relations resulted between the rauoher and Indian, which at one time threatened serious trouble. About the same time the Cheyenne and Arapaho agent* in Oklahoma reported that during the autumn of 1889 and the ensuing winter rumors had reached that agency from the Shoshones of W~omingth at an Indian Messiah was located in the mountains about 200 miles north of the Sho-shones ; that protuiuent medicine men had seen and held converssbion with him, and had been told by him that the whites were to be removed from the country, the buffalo to come back, and the Indians to be restored to their original status. This report excited considerable interest among the Cheyeunes and Arapahoes, particularly the Arapahoes, and they reised money to defray the expenses of sending two of their number to *See snnnsl report of Indian Bureau for 1890, page 178. |