uneasiness and even terror to the pioneers upon the frontier. The Indians meant no harm and it is probable that the excitement would have soon died away had they been left to themselves; but the military, fearing that the excitement would result in outbreak and hostilities, undertook to suppress the religious fervor, and this movement resulted in what is known as the Messiah War.
This religious movement among the Indians originated with a Paiute Indian named Wovoka, who lived near Pyramid Lake, Nevada. He spoke English fairly well and had some education. He claimed to have had a vision on January 1, 1889, in which he was taken up to heaven. He found it a pleasant land and full of game. He was instructed to go back to earth and preach goodness and peace and industry to his people, who, if they followed his instructions, would be reunited with their friends in the other world, where there would be no more death or sickness or old age. He was then instructed in the dance which he was commanded to bring back to his people, and which was one of the strong articles of the new faith. Wovoka had simply mingled the pagan superstitions, in which he had been reared, with the Christian religion which he had been taught.
Wovoka's teachings spread rapidly among the Indians of North America, and as they spread they were given new significance. Wovoka was an Indian Messiah, who had come to restore the dead to life, bring back the buffalo and other game to the prairie, drive away the whites, and cause the Indians to live a life of ideal happiness. In a few
