Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-18

Aouses-and began preparations for the
feast by making bread and boiling corn
and meat IL the ancient style towards
noon the Indians bad gathered In c0nsid-
cradle numbers Most Of them were at
tired In the picturesque costumes Of the
aborigines as they climbed down from
farm wagons or dismOunted from horses
and clustered. group after group, n the
shade OF lofty trees. Pipes and tobacco
were passed around, aud the adoption
ceremonies began.
Logs were arranged beneath clump OF
the lOitiest trees so as 10 form three sides
of a square. This was the enclosure OF
the council fire. Mrs. Converse was led
to seat at the head Of the council. In
stead OF war paint she wore smiles and
look OF considerable embarrassment, and
instead of a wampum belt, beads and
mOccasins, fashionable New York street
attire. diamonds and natty French heels
on modern kid boots. Some young Indian
maidens, however, had insisted upon
adjoining her head with Indian wild flow
ers and feathers. Chief Moses Law rat
tied a tOm-tOm, and, mounting stump,
shouted to those entitled TO sit in the
council to take places by the fire accord
ing 10 the various CLANS, OF which there
are eight In the Senecas-WOf, Bear,
Beaver, Turtle, Deer, Snipe, Huron, and
Hawk.
Three clans were represented. snipes
took their places at the left, Wolves at
the right. aud Turtles at the head. Mem
bers OF brass band, composed entirely
Of Indian musicians. took their seats at
the head Of the council, and after playing
several airs from modern comic operas,
which sounded strange enough amid the
strange surroundings. the programme OF
the day, announced by Chief Moses Lay
in the Seneca language, was interpreted
by old Chief Nick Parker. Prayer by
Rev Mr. Trip, missionary to the reser-
vatiOn. preceded a short address in the
Indian tongue by Sachem Andrew Snow,
a Snipe.
The warrior then led Mrs. Converse to
the centre OF the council. In addressing
the intensely interested red faces in her
behalf he called their attention 20 the
adoption which had been ordered by sa-
chem Jones, and asked Of all the friend
ship. respect, loyalty and affection OF the
clan the snipe) into which she was en-
tering. Then, invoking blessing with
uplifted hards over the smoking embers,
he named her Ga-ya-nes-ha-on, by which
she would hereafter be known to them
all. sachem OF the Wolf { the cousin y
clan took her by the hand and led her tn a
seat in the council with the Snipe clan be-
side her brother Sachem Jones. The
doughty warrior received her with mani
festati0ns of affection, and introduced her
to each individual member of her clan.
BY this adoption this denizen of the
forest OF Manhattan island becomes the
great granddaughter of Red Jacket. She
is considered by her clan substantially
and validity their sister by law, ard ac-
cepting ali the rights and hOnors pertain
ing to such relation. After more music
by the aboriginal band of modern ac-
c0mplishments, large iron kettles were
brought forth and cracking wood fires
started under the Outspreadmg branches
OF some neighboring apple trees. The
kettles were soon SMOKING and odOrous Of
boiled meat and soup. When ready, the
receptacles were placed in the centre Of
the council. The adopted sister was
served first and then all partook of the
feast Songs and joyous merrymaking
continued the ceremony until late in the
afternoon.