Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1903 edition. Excerpt: ...which, although of considerable length, is here reproduced, just as it was obtained, as it contains several interesting references to the ceremony. In 1879, these tribes, Cheyenne and Arapaho, were to a certain extent troublesome to the authorities, being excited on account of intruders on their borders. Not only that, but these Indians (those especially from the north) were dissatisfied with the country and the climate. Some time after the above year, the Northern Cheyenne made a break to return to their northern home, but they were compelled to remain here (in Oklahoma). Quite a band of them managed to get away, and reached their original home, but some were overtaken close to the agency, and had skirmishes with the military, which caused some bloodshed on both sides. After these troubles had taken place, an Arapaho Indian, JoinedTogether, had vowed to erect an Offerings-lodge for his personal benefit, but the sacred pledge was made and given out in the fall of the year; consequently the Indians looked for the ceremony to take place some time in the spring (May). Naturally, with the Indians, the forthcoming Sun Dance ceremony draws a number of young men to participate voluntarily. Of course some vowed on account of sickness in their families, others on account of dreams. Usually the young men keep their vows or pledges secret for some time, until a short time before the ceremony. In the fall of 1879 a small party of young Arapaho men escaped from the Agency and started for Wyoming. At that time the surrounding Indians were still unfriendly to the Cheyenne and Arapaho. The young men who were in the party had the spirit of war (and some of them are still living). Before they started off, one of them, knowing that the Sun Dance was to take place...
