The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-11-26
The Little Foot wife ofGenn kee.


We mentioned some weeks since that Gem
Kcr, the aristocratic celestial merchant OF
Third street, and a very reliable one by the
WAY, had gone 10 California for wife-a
"Httlr footed" woman. He returned couple
Of weeks ago with his bride-not the one he
went for, she ohiecting 10 undertake the hard-
hhips Of travel and the rigor OF the Montana
climate but another to whom he transferred
hi, affections and offer of matrimony after
,hr first declined. She il twenty years old,
hrlnugs 10 the elite of Canton, IL the first
.,n,rlr foot" woman who has come 10 Mon
tann. and her maiden name WAS Ida"
She is now known allie same, Mrs. Gem
krr" Mr.. Oliver, the Chinese interpreter
here. who was several years sailor In the
Chinese seas and Is conversant with the IAN
utlagr, laws and customs of the country, says
yer, few OF her class have come TO America
The little foot" women are the only
recognized ladies in the Empire. In mar
rial,, the Chinaman always marrics "httie
foot" A. polygamy is permissible h" some
times takes big feet women for c"ncubihes.
When female children are horu the number
In , family whose feet are dwarfrd depends
,irnlly helpless and requiring servant To
wait nn them il is cNp"nsiN" To raise the III
lie foot Generally til" first iemal" chiid Is
selected for the purpose and If circumstances
hermit. succeeding ones are also honored III
the same way. II not. their feet are allowed
q rrow and they become servants, etc. Al
the age Of about five years III" compression
h gIuS hy wrapping til" feet tightly win
strir, uf cloth and combining them in lance
,,,,I shoes This continues until they At
ram their growth NJ III" age Of fourteen or nj
teen when IL Is no longer necessary TO wear
rnmrrrssrs, the feet in III" meantime having
been reduced very much from the hve-year
old size. In mo>t instances III" toes are de
.truNrd and sometimes the foot becomes dis
r,s,d and surgical treatment follows. The
marriage, relations of little foot women arr
sarredl> observed. They are rarely ever SeeI
hy men. In their dwellings are screens he
hind which they sit and converse unohSer'
ed Adultery is punished by death OF b"ti
woman and man. Although unable to wall
much. and requiring "a servant. they are yer!
industrious. occupying their tim" in sewing
manufacturing shoes, emhroidrring, paint
ing. etc.
Ou SUNDAY last Gem Kre gave weddin
rrr,.rtiuu and dinner, issuing 100 tnNltatlon
and nearly 100 of his C"untryn"n were pre-
rut. Some Of the presents were quite VAIN
hr 4 cold watch. four pain nt bracelet
tao of them costing Sl4n zach, were anon
IN, number. Just ~ matter OF interest
N,p,ana ladies who pride themselves q
,h,5r little feet. we will state that party
ladies were permitted as special privilege
saw, Mr.. Gem kre a few days ago and 10 %
tain the measure Of the foot with the shoe q
Th, shoe from heel Ia toe measures 81 inch'
and i, Il inches across At the inStcp,-il
vtI,,,, mart. She walks tolrrahly well b
ha, a serving maid to attend her and dress
with an elaborate >plrndor Of silk AMI gol
Gem appears just ~ happy ~ a biz st
flower" and considers he has become I
.,hl