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The Douglas Island News.Child Murder.' Skairwuy ltiulget.Notwithstanding the stronnous of forts put forth by officials of Alaska to put a stop to tho barbarous practice* ’ | of witchcraft among the Indians, and I tho recent severe punishment inllicted I on the Indians for that crime, it continues to be practiced. A ca*e is reported from Kfllisnoo, whorin an Indian child was mado the victim of witchcraft superstition.An Indian woman was living in tho same house with the parents of tho child, and for some months had leen sick and suffering groat agony. She was waited upon by a shaman, or Indian doctor, who went through with various incantations known to the profession, but failed to drive the evil spirit out of tho sick woman. Beiug chagrined at his failure, and to main-i tain his professional reputation, he told the woman that she was bewitched,, and before she could be recovored the witch had to bo removed. He told her that he would that night commune with the Great Spirit and ascertain who was bewitching her.Next day he iuformed her that it was the little child with whose parents she was living, and for her restoration to health the child must be killed.A few days later the^child died so suddenly that its parents thought something was wrong and reported the , matter to tho authorities, who had the body examined by a physician, who pronounced its death to be the result of poisoning.The child’s parents accused the sick woman and shaman of the crime, to which she confossed, while the shaman, before arrests could be made, took the woman in a canoe and disappeared. Warrauts will be issued for their arrest, but as the shamans have great influence with the Indians, as they are looked upon with superstitious awe, they will be kept out of the way of tho officers.
Newspaper Details
Douglas Island News
Douglas, Alaska, US
Wed, Aug 09, 1899
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 07 Mar 2025
Other Publications Near Douglas, Alaska
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