Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-12
AN INDIAN AUCTION.
Selling Dead Braves Effects and Then
Laying Hfs Ghost.
From ne Chicago Tribune.

From the Chicago Tribune.
/ witnessed an interesting feature in
Indian life a short time ago at one of the
camps in the Kaw agency, Indian Terri
tory. A tent had been erected. and all
the effects of dead brave we're deposited
in the tent. The Indians were to hold an
auction. At early dawn before the sun
the Indians gathered around the tent.
The auctioneer, stepping out OF the tent
holding a blanket in his hands, began in a
loud voice to invite bids on the blanket.
"Four dollars" sang out an old man who
had a patch of yellow paint under his
right eye, and sat on the outer edge Of the
circle which had now formed around the
tent. 81 will give you five" cried one OF
the Indians sitting in the circle. at is
yours" said the auctiOneer, and the bid
der, after deposittng a due-blll for the
amount, received the blanket. The
auctioneer now brought out pair
Of beaded leggings, and the bidding be-
gan.
One thing was noticeable-the number
bidding never exceeded two and the arti-
Gle was invariably knocked down to the
second bidder. MOccasins, necklaces,
fans of eagle feathers--in tact, the whole
Daraphernalia of complete Indian out
fit was brought out and sold TO the high
est bidder. Finally an Indian pipe of red
stOne-a very large and handsome one
was brought out and the bidding became
liyelier. give dollars" was shouted.
Eight" sang out trader, who, besides
your correspondent, was the only paleface
in the audience, and who already saw the
pipe in his minds eye hanging with his
other Indian curiOsities; but he was
doomed to disappointment when a hungry
looking member OF the circle, who was
evidently wanting his breakfast and was
anxious to bring the ceremonies to a close,
said: ''My brother, that pipe has been
smoked in many councils. Our brother
who lies buried on yOnder HILL" pointing
to pile of rocks on a high ball in the dis
lance, Thought much of that pipe. l am
not willing 1t should fell into other hands.
My brother, l VIII give pony for the
pipe" These remarks OF Old Hungry were
received with a few short yells, which de-
noted great satisfaction.
At this point member with nothing on
but breechclOut came dashing INTO the
circle, holding in his hands a skillet filed
with live Goals. He was followed by an
other one bearing In his arms a lot of
cedar, which was deposited over the Goals
These two were followed by the dead In
dams relatives-wife, sister and children
moaning and wringing their hands. The
burning cedar now began to pour forth a
volume OF smoke, and one by one the
members Of the band rushed into the
smoke, bending down close to the GOALS,
turning round and round, with many
wild gestures and with outstretched blan-
ket, the smoke at times completely hiding
them from view. "Come on, my son.
said one Of the party, taking firm hold
Of the traders arm, and reluctantly the
paleface was drawn into the smoke, where
he performed the smoke act to the evident
satisfaction Of the party. Hastily with
drawing in a fit of coughing and gasping
for breath, he was met with many cries Of
'Good, my sonl The ghosts will never
trouble you" The performance was
now ended by the auctioneer turning
over all the receipts Of the sale to the re-
lations.