Motanic Bad Indian No More

1908

Cayuse Chief Becomes a Christian — Makes Dramatic Confession

Spokane, Washington. — Motanic, bad Indian, terror of the Umatilla reservation southwest of Spokane and leader of pagan customs among the Cayuse braves, has embraced the Christian religion, and, as a consequence, there is rejoicing among the faithful in the Tutilla Presbyterian mission. The conversion of the chieftain was the dramatic climax to the ordination of Rev. Edward Conner, a full-blooded Cayuse, as minister of the gospel a few days ago.

Following the singing of the Cayuse version of "Washed in the Blood of the Lamb," in which braves and squaws joined heartily, Motanic, dressed in barbaric splendor, arose from his seat and, facing the congregation, declared his intention to live a better life. He vowed he would abandon the pagan customs, bid goodbye forever to the feathered headdress and the red and orange paint, to participate no more in the festal parades nor partake of the white man's firewater. He would not steal, gamble or cheat his fellow man or brother. Motanic had become a Christian. It was a fitting close to the ordination of Conner.

At the conclusion of the services which made Conner a full-fledged minister of the gospel there was stillness. Motanic walked to the front of the altar. Tears streamed down his weather-bronzed cheeks and his big frame shook with sobs. He looked neither to the right nor to the left. Motanic confessed his sins to the world and swore allegiance to a new king.

Suddenly a glad note burst from the throat of a little brown woman in the corner. It was the signal for a spontaneous outburst of song from the Indian congregation. Then his faithful squaw went home with the chief.