Across the Fence: Ms. Goodale and the Ghost Dance War (Part II of III)

Variously called the "Messiah Craze" and the "Ghost Dance Craze," this new religion stirred the passions of a small minority of the roughly 25,000 Sioux who were located on the Pine Ridge, Rosebud, Cheyenne River, Crow Creek and Standing Rock reservations.

While the basic premise of the religious movement was relatively the same at each camp, there were some ceremonial differences and varying beliefs in what the coming Messiah would accomplish. However, the common thread among all the bands was that the religion was one of non-violence.

Since 1864, the Indians of the plains had been at war wit...