752 THE GHOST-DANCE RELIGION [eth.ann.14 



prayed. He, however, became sick; and as his sickness increased, 

 these ideas became brighter in his mind and his duty more clear. He 

 grew worse, and one day he died. He was pronounced dead by all 

 present, and was laid out for burial. His brother went to Olympia 

 for a coffin, and a grave was prepared. He died at 4 oclock in the 

 morning, and late in the afternoon he again resumed life and recovered 

 consciousness. 



"His recovery was rapid, and immediately he told those present that 

 during his term of death his soul had been to heaven, where it had 

 been met by the angels, who, after a proper inquiry as to his name, etc., 

 told him that he had been bad on earth, and reminded him very forcibly 

 of his shortcomings while there, and finally wound up by informing 

 him that he could not enter heaven, but that he could either go to hell 

 or could go back to the earth and preach to the Indians and tell them 

 the way to heaven. He accepted this latter proposition, and the result 

 was that his soul again returned to earth, reentered its old body, and 

 has from that day to this animated Slocum with the spirit of a crusader 

 against gambling, whisky drinking, and other 'Boston' vices. 



"About a year ago I was employed by these people as their attorney, 

 and at their request attended the meetings in Mason county, and had a 

 long conference with them. As a practical person would, Slocum 

 undertook to demonstrate to me his honesty and the divine character 

 of their religion, and at a large meeting composed only of Indians, 

 members of his church, he made to me a long public statement of facts, 

 and explained, through an intepreter, the character of their religion 

 and of their belief. I wrote down at the time a synopsis of what was 

 said to me, and now quote it at some length as being the exact words 

 of Slocum, and as the best explanation of their religion. 



"Standing before all his people, in the most solemn and impressive 

 manner, in their church, lie said in substance: 



"The witnesses have spoken the truth. I was sick about two weeks, anil had five 

 Indian doctors. I grew very weak and poor. Dr Jim was there. He could not 

 cure me. They wanted to save me, but my soul would die two or three hours at a 

 time. At night my breath w:is out, and I died. All at once I saw a shining light — 

 great light —trying my soul. I looked and saw my body bad no soul — looked at my 

 own body — it was dead. 



'■ 1 rami' through the first time and told my friends, • When I die, don't cry/ and 

 then I died again. Before this I shook hands and told my friends I was going to 

 die. Angels told me to look back and see my body. I did, and saw it 1\ ing down. 

 When 1 saw it, it was pretty poor. My soul left body and went up to judgment 

 place of t nid. I do nut know about body after 4 oclock. 



"1 have seen a great light in my soul from that good land; I have understand all 

 Christ wants us to do. Before I came alive I saw I was sinner. Angel in heaven 

 said to me. 'You must go back and turn alive again on earth.' I learned that I 



must lie g 1 Christian man on earth, or will be punished. My soul was told that 



I must come back and live four days on earth. When I came back, I told my friends, 

 'There is a God — there is a Christian people. My good friends, be Christian.' 



"When I came alive, I tell my friends, ' Gooil thing in heaven. God is kind to 

 us. If you all try hard and help me we will he better men on earth.' And now we 

 all feel that it is so. 



