Visit to a Dance near Cannon Ball, April 25, 1920. Col. A. B. Welch participates in the “Wounded Man’s” Dance

 Col. A. B. Welch participates in the “Wounded Man’s” Dance

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This evening I accompanied the members of the Mandan Indian Shriners to an Indian dance at the round hall near the Gun Sight Buttes.  Arrived there about nine oclock; was met at the door and taken by Master of Ceremonies to the place of honor.  After many hand shakes, I addressed them, and then dancing started.

Many different dances were given, among them being War Dance; War Mothers; Wounded men’s dance; Coyote Dance; Rabbit Dance; side-step, etc.

The treated us nicely and tried to make the strange men feel at home.  Four old men beat the hand drums and sung a song of old times.  War-women and men in single file danced in opposite directions.

At last one of the men was wounded and fell.  Old Shoot Holy ran to him  – made him bite a root of some sort, breathed several times into his mouth, and his eyes then opened and the Medicine Man carried him away.

Photo of Shoot Holy and His Road, 1926

Then in a dance of the White Horse Riders members, the same dance was given and I was the one selected to carry the wounded man away. This was a man named Buckley.  Mrs. Two Bears danced besides me during this dance, as her son had enlisted under me in 1917 and had been killed in France.

I was presented a pipe by Shoot Holy.  Also old White Lightning gave me a pair of beaded and porcupine-lined moccasins.  Several women and men gave various things  – a war bonnet; money; two horses; etc., in my name.  Some of these presents went to the War Mothers; some to the White Horse Riders; others to the 4th of July Dance Committee.

Famous men there included Red Tomahawk.