Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1885-10-08
AT AN INDIAN AUCTION.
Sale Of Dead Braves Enects-Tb- Ghos
PIacated by Cedar Smoke

PIacated by Cedar Smoke
Cor. Chicago Tribune.l
Your correspondent witnessed IN interest.
ing feature i'm Indian life a short time ago
a one Of the camps in the kaw agency, In
dian territory. A tent had been erected and
all the effects of a dead brave were depos-
itsl in the tent The Indians were going TO
hold an auction. At early dawn befors the
sun the Indians gathered around the tent.
The auctioneer stepping out of the tent
holding blanket in his hand, began in a
loud voice to invite bids on the blanket.
"Four dollarsp sang out an old man who
had patch OF yellow paint under his right
eye, ana sat on the outer edge OF the circle
which had now formed around the tent Il
will give you five" cried one of the Indians
sitting in the circle at is yours" said the
auctioneer. and tine bidder, after deposit
ing a due-bill for the amount receive 4 the
blanket
Tue auctioneer now brought out pair of
beaded leggings, and the bidding began.
One thing was noticeable, the number bid
ding never exceeded two, ami the article
was invariably knocked down to the second
bidder. Moccasins. necklaces, fans OF eagle
feathers-in fact the whole paraphernalia of
a complete Indian outfit was brought out
and sold To the highest bidder.
Finally an Indian pipe OF red stone-a
very large and handsome one-was brought
out, and the bidding became liveler. Five
dollarsn was shouted Eight" sang out a
trader, who, besile your correspondent was
the only paleface in the aulience, and vino
already saw the pipe in his minds eye hang
ing with his other Indian cari2sitie.; but 40
was doomed to disappointment when a
hungry looking member OF the circle, who
was evidently wanting his breakfast and
was anxious 10 bring the ceremonies to IA
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 hill in the distance,
"thought much Of that pipe. | am not will
ing it should fall into other haniS My
brother, ! viii give a pony FOR the pipe !"
Thee remarks oi Old Hungry were received
with a few short ye!ls which denoted great
satisfaction.
At this point member with nothing ON
but a breech-clout cane dashing into the
circle, holding m his hand, a skillet filed
with live Goals lie was followed by an
other one bearing in his arms a lot Of cedar,
which was deposited over the Goals. Those
two were followed by the dead Indians
relaives-wife, sister. ani children
mourning ana wringing their hands. The
burning cedar now began to pour forth a
volume 81 smoke, aud one by one the mem
Lers ~ tie banl rushel into the smoke,
bending down clOss - the Goals turning
round and round, with many wild gestures
and with outstretcEed blanket, the smoke
at times completely hiding them from view.
"COme en-, my son." said one OF the party
taxing a 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 withdra awing in a fit OF coughing
and gasping for breath. hs 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 tie sale 70 the rela