Arizona miner., 1864-11-23
PREHISTORIC CUSTOMS.

EDITOR OF ARIZONA MINER.--Sr: | have,
lately come Into possession Of some very rare ana
musty Aztec chronicles, which seem to have,
wholly escaped the research of Prescott Wilson,
and other historians. 1 have been impressed hv
the descriptions given in these venerable dozen
ments of the manner in which the pre.historic
legislator of Arizona wooed and won his bette,
half, and of the quaint way in which his friends
celebrated the completion of his nlptials. Il
was the custom of the legislative assemblies onv
TO elect chairman who would agree TO court and
marry young virgin of the town 10 which tho
august body held It's sessions, provided su.h yir.
gin could be found, which was not AWAY thu
case. 10 this end the digDiied legislator was
permitted to roam about Of nights, and make he
acquaintance of parents who had marriageaba
daughters. If he could find the old folks a,
their camp fires it added romance to the oc.
casion which was much enjoyed by the people.
Often the interviews were many before the fair
virgin was introduced, and she was never brought
forth until it had been clearly fixed that there ex.
listed difference Of at least forty years between
her age and that Of her distinguished wooer.
This fact satisfactorily settled, the negotiations
began, and though carried on stealthily it was
but little while ere they were consnmmated BY
the kind Offices of an official of like rank
with the acaldes or justices OF the peace
of this latter day. Great care was taken
| by the newly married to have the towns.
folk only learn of their union as by acct
dent. This was probably done 70. prevent, if
possible, the attentions sure TO be bestowed up
on them the evening after their marriage, which
attentions were not only cordial but vociferous
and extraordinary. 1t was the custom for all
classes Of the people to provide themselves with
strange and inharmonous instruments with
which flood of noise. by no means meodious
to the ear, was poured upon the happy pair
when they were fairly locked in each others arms
A sturdy Judge led the serenading party, bearing
a huge piece Of sheet iron, upon which he beat
most Justify with a crooked club The Secreta.
ny OF the realm whipped bar of steel with mar
Iyellous vigor, and it is recorded that on some oc
Icasions the Governor did not hesitate 10 drum
continuously upon a tin pan. albeit he lay con.
ceaed 10 an adjoining thlcket II is written that
the military authorities did often unite with the
civil, in the camor, and that the commandment oil
the nearest post contributed literally Of his men
each provided with an uncouth instrument where.
i by 10 augment the din.
II While the bride aua bridegroom kept silence
lthe sereuade continued, but upon en- indieatioa
OF their desire TO cOmmunicate with their ffis.aa
lwbo FOG the time they were permitted hy CON.
'imon consent. to style the Barbariansn the
lnproar ceased and the leader, with a select Few
ientered the bridal chamber and shook hand.
with the groom and kissed the bride. 80 great
2 had the riot been that not unfrequenty the fail
g bride was found sobbing and painting with fright
Ills was the case when she was yet young anC
innocent of the ways Of the world. But upon
a proper reception from the groom, the Barbarian
S went their way TO the nearest inn, and took thei
i ease at his expense. If, however, be receive,
them barshly or in petulance, they renewed thei
: dscoFd, making noises truly heiiisi, aEi 0fte
hurting huge rocks upon the roof under whic
the pair were vany essaying TO taste the bliss
cOnjugal life. Further, the Barbarians vexe
! aud wrotb, would range the town and burst tb
3 doors of the shops, especially those wherein
!, drains were sod for which the Barbarians had
a generous appetite
, The conclusion which ! would deduce for III
readers Of the MINEs from these ancient customs
u detailed in the old manuscripts, which hay
q deposited with the Arizona Historical Society
n that the prehistoric Legislator of Arizona, il b.
d found it well to capture a virgin, also found
II we'll to receive with equanimity the attentions 0
his friends otherwise, bis head whether of th
dolicbocephalic or scratchyd olicbocephalic type
70 was likely TO be broken, and much i'll humor wa
u bred IN the town.
ANTI Pre- IIIsToRIc.
Is The thcket near the Blacksmith-shop,
Prescott. November II, 1864.