| Summary: | Train Passes Over Redskin Witch Doctor:88 Percent Gains Shown From 1921 To 1924;Report Is Given. TRAIN PASSES OVER REDSKIN WITCH DOCTOR 88 Per Cent Gains Shown From 1921 to 1924; Report is Given OKANOGAN. - Susanne Leo, more commonly know as simply Susanne, witch doctor and medicine woman of the Okanogan Indians was killed by the north bound passenger train from Wenatchee on Tuesday night. The train passed over the aged woman, severing an arm and a leg and completely smashing the skull. Her hat and partly filled jar of hard cider were found about five hundred feet below where portions of the anatomy were located and it is believed that she had either sat down or laid down on the track. She had walked up the track from the John Zacherle home, about four miles below Okanogan, leaving there a couple of hours before the train was due, carrying with her a large bag of clothes. The crew of passengers were not aware of the accident until they were notified at Oroville. No blood was found on the front of the engine, but the bottom of the tender was liberally covered, tending to support the theory that she had been lying down. Susanne was one of the best known Indian characters in the Okanogan county and was held in awe by the majority of her people who had great respect for her ability. She was of the Conconully clan of the Okanogan Indians and was born about 1844 on the present site of Okanogan, the exact place being the site now occupied by the B. A. Thayer garage on the Pine Street and First avenue. Had Good Memory. She had a wonderful memory and has told stories of the soldiers, undoubtedly Captain Archer's command of the miners and of the McLoughlin massacre. Particularly well did she remember the numerous bands of miners who used the Okanogan for their thoroughfare to the Cariboo country in the early 60's. She remembered quite well, Francois Duchuquette, the last Hudson bay trader in charge of Fort Okanogan at the mouth of the river, which was abandoned about 1866. Specialized In Fevers. In her later years she developed into a medicine woman, specializing in fevers. About six years ago, on the advice of Joe Louie, Susanne was called to Nespelem to attend a woman wife of one of the prominent Indian residents. Susanne mixed her herbs and prescribed for the sick one and then came back to Okanogan. Unfortunately for Susanne, both physically and from a standpoint of reputation, the afflicted one became worse instead of better. The Nespelem Indians immediately decided that instead of propitiating the "Little People," as the good spirits were called, Susanne had intentionally or otherwise blocked them and the sick one could not be cured until this stumbling block was removed from the path of the "Little People". Accordingly, Joe Louie, who had been instrumental in having Susanne brought to the sick bed, was ordered to bring her back to Nespelem so tat she could be compelled to smooth the path of the spirits. Joe Louie had considerable difficulty in getting Susanne started for the sick bed again, but finally Susanna consented to go. Feared Death. When they arrived at the summit halfway between Okanogan and Nespelem, Susanne suddenly determined that she would go no further, fearing that she would be killed. Joe Louie, when argument had no effect, proceeded to unmercifully beat her. The matter was called to the attention of the authorities, who having no jurisdiction in the matter, turned it over to the Indian department who in turn brought it to the federal court in Spokane. Both Joe Louie and Susanne were taken down as witnesses. Joe Louie explained fully the reason for his beating her and as a result of his testimony, he was released, the jury agreeing "that any one who stood in the way of the Little People was deserving a beating." The case was dismissed. Susanne's first husband was Bastiste George. Later she married Charley Leo who is still living at Nespelem. By her first marriage, she had several children, only one of whom, Joseph George, or Little Joe, survive her. She lived practically all her life across the river from Okanogan.
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