Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1876-11-11
1hs Ohoctaws
1Z1W ouSfoH % coURTsHIP AND MARRIAGE
-fHHn NODE OF BURIAL.


stances. Thus it is naturally supposabls
that when young fellow dons his best suit
(which is generally set off with a calico
blouse. having large. flaming sleeves, and
his hat stuck full of feathers, with two q
three yards Of scarlet ribbon hanging down
his back. he would be about speechless BY
the time he arrives at the "old mans"
mansion. After dismounting from his pony
he takes his position on the fence, and sits
there till he sees his fair one at the door,
when he grins audibly. and if she doeth
likewise he takes it for granted that he Is
welcome and goes into the house, which
generally consists of one room and contains
Ill the family. and therein he has to make
his speech, which at the furthest amounts
to three grunts. His success depends very
much upon IN invitation to smoke by the
father Of the courted lass. If the "old
man" has any respect for him he lights his
pipe, and after taking q Whit hands it to
the young man. who in turn takes Whit,
and 20 they proceed. Whit about. The
length Of time they smoke depends alto
gether on the esteem the father has for the
beau. After certain number of such
visits he finally musters up courage enough
to say, Che-te-ha tide -la-li -li-um-Ini p
which mean in English "Will you have me-
II she says "Unh." he is accepted; but if
she says "Ky-yo." which means L" NJ" he
takes himself of. If 81 c gives grunt the
preparations are made
On the day appointed for the wedding the
groom arrives on po:y, and leading an
other that has o side slldle for the bride.
On arriving at the ho'Is :, will out dismount-
ing, he fastens her Ioay to the fence, and
then rides off short S ance in the direc-
tion hey ore to 60. Shrr:iy the bride steps
out, dressed in the j. sat Of fashion-a
new calico dress. a wl.i.o pocket handker-
chief around the neck, snd large red one
tied over her head an ears. and pair of
new shoes across her ::.m, which she puts
on Just before reaching Ike parson's. As
soon Is she mounts her ony the man starts
on, and she follows from 80 to 200 yards be-
hind. On arriving a; :'.e parsonage he
gets of, ties his horac AZ! goes into the
house and makes his busters known. By
this time the lady ar..cs. di>mounts. &C.
cures her horse and go,s % the house. leans
herself on the side of it near the door, and
patiently waits till soi,n on. discovers her
and bids her enter. ~. things being in
readiness, the ministc. Who g usually .
white missionary. mt ;,':s the couple to
stand up. and Performs he ceremony in
English, which is abort as intelligibls to
them a. Greek; but vixen the minister
stops talking they depart. leaving the poor
clergyman without fec or thanks. They
usually 60 to the hu.;' ;.nd's parents. and
stay shout . year befo::, II cmpting the ar.
duous duties Of "ho se1e- ping" After
getting married Choc aw does ~ they do
in Indiana-that is, If he doesn't like the
squaw, he gets divorce. which il granted
on the most frivolous pretext.
In case . husband or wife dies the Choc-
taws usually have two funerals. At the
death all the relatives and friends are sent
for. and on their arrival they commence .
series Of wailings and lamentations both
loud and long. The nearest Of kin keep up
their bowling and mourning during all ths
first night and until noon of the next day.
The grave il dug in the house. generally in
one corner Of the room. and. after the body
il deposited in IL and it is filed up. the
surviving wife or husband must have bed
made directly over it and sit and sleep there
for the next nix days. Any one not parent
il buried outside Of the house. somewhere
in the yard. During the six weeks Of
mourning the women let their hair hang
down over their shoulders and the men do
theirs up in great knot at the back Of the
head. At the expiration Of this time pre-
parations are made on grand scale for
grand ado. Two or three bceves ore killed
and barbscusd and like number Of hogs
axs dressed and boiled up with corn. An
the knick-knacks which they know how 70
cook are profusely supplied. and on the
appointed day . long table Of rough boards
+ erected and on it the eatables are placed.
Just before eating this big dinner all the n.
lations collect around the grave. and for
half IN hour they make the woods ring with
their howls.
At . given signal. however. this al ter
inmates suddenly. and rejoicing takes the
place Of weeping and moaning. The women
do up their hair and the men unite their
pigtails, and . rush il made for the dinner.
After the dinner general good feeling pre-
walls; the survivor is congratulated on the
general get up Of the whole affair, and the
best wishes are expressed that he or she
may soon and another partner. which il
usually done in . very few weeks.
Ignorance and superstition still holds
sway over these poor people. The half.
breeds are much more intelligent. Since
the war. or practically since the railroads.
were run through their country. they ars
really worse OF than before. - stock men
have come in and bought up most oe their
cattle. and, although they paid them . fair
psios, the Indians spcn. the money fooliahly,
- ->- l~w> ~n:khov "a tln mos yvnnyAv