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Show he requested to grant the desired pardon. The case was once more taken up, and July 1 last Little Whirlwind was pardoned and released. An escort was provided by the agent of the Tongue River Agency for the return of the Indian to his home, and on July 11 the agent reported that he had arrived safe at the agency. THE REVIVAL OF THE MESSIAH CRAZE IN MONTANA. May 5,1900, Agent Jam- C. Clifford reported a serious condition of affairs existing at the Tongue River Agency,Mont., growing out of the prospective revival among the Northern Cheyennes of the " Mes-siah craze," with its attendant "ghost dancing," which some ten years ago prevailed at widely separated points throughout the Indian coun-try. Porcupine, a Northern Cheyenne, who was the leader of the Messiah craze of a decade ago, had advised the Indians not to obey the orders of the agent or of the Department, but to listen to him, as he was an inspired "medicine man;" and he had made his followers. believe that he was endowed with supernatural powers. He assured them that if they did not heed his advice they would certainly die, and that the resurrection was surely ooming in the summer, when all the dead Cheyennes would come to life and sweep the whites out of existence. The agent's report was submitted to the Department May 14, 1900, and was communicated to the Secretary of War, who instructed Brigadier-General wade, U. S. A., to look into the matter; this he did, reporting May 23, 1900, that he did not anticipate any serious trouble from the Indians concerned. About a month later (June 8) the agent reported further particulars as to the doings of this troublevome Indian, as follows: On April 2 Red Robe, an employee of this agency, reported that a meeting of the Measish men had been held in the tepee of Little Hawk, on the Rwbud, in which Porcupine, the organizer and chief oracle of the ghmt dancers, took a prominent part. Porcupine told them that he intended to go an a. journey to see the Mesaiah; that they mustdoas hetolcl them. OnApril 16 thepolice reported to methat Porcu-pine, Crook, White, au old Arapaho Chief. of Rosebud Creek, and Howling Wolf, of Tongue River, were on Upper Tongue River engaged in "making medicine," ea they call it. Among the senseless acts performed was the cutting off of small pieces of skin from the wristand forearm of one of those praent whodesired to talk with a deceased friend or relative. By simply blowing the breath upon the pieces of skin the spirit called for would appear and lend his assistance in making medicine. Of course the Indians believe this, being so superstitious. I instructed the police to bmk up this gathering and to send the participants of this meeting home and to tell them to stay there. The police told me that Crook told them that Porcupine wea teaching him tobe a " medicine man," endowing him with great power. Shortly after this, Crook was reported ea being on Tongue River, engaged in his medicine fe9sts. He and Porcupine were telling the Indians not to listen to the agent or to the commissioner, and not to obey them; that they should llsten to Crook and Porcupine, and that all the Indians should stag together and then all would be well with them. Policeman Little Sun and other Indians heard thia talk. |
