The Hazlehurst signal., 1885-10-08
AN INDIAN AUCTION.
Selling . Dead Brave's Effects and Then
Laying Ills Ghost.

Laying Ills Ghost.
Witnessed an interesting feature In
Indian life short time ago at one Of
the camps in the Kaw Agency. Indian
Territory. A tent had been erected,
and all the effects OF dead bravo were
deposited In the tent. The Indians
were going to hold IN auction. At
early dawn before the sun tho Indians
gathered around the tent. The auc-
tioneer, stepping out OF tho tent hold
ing n blanket In his hands, began In o
loud voice to invite bids on the blanket.
-Four dollars" sang out an old man
who had patch OF yellow paint under
his right eye. and sat on the outer edge
OF tho circle which had now formed
around tho tent ~ will give you
fivc." cried ono OF tho Indians sitting in
the circle. ut is yours" said the auc-
tionecr. and tho bidder, after deposit
ing a due bill for tho amount, received
the blanket Tho auctioncer now
brought on pair of beaded leggings,
and the bidding began.
One thing was noticeable, tho mum.
Der bidding never exceeded two, and
the article was invariably knocked
down to tho second bidder. Mecca
sins, necklaces, fans Of eagle feathers
in fact the whole paraphcrnalia of n
complete Indian outfit was brought out
and sold TO the highest bidder. Finally
an Indian pipe of rcd stonc-a very
large and handsome one-was brought
out, and the bidding became livclicr.
"Fivc dollars" was shouted. "Eight,"
sang out q 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 curiositics; but he was
doomed to disappointment when a
hungry.looking member Of the circle,
who was evidently wanting his break
fast and was anxious to bring the ccrc.
monies to q close, said: my brother,
that pipe has been smoked in many
councils. Our brother who lies buried
on yonder HILL" pointing to n pile OF
rocks on high hill in the distance,
Thought much Of that pipe. am not
willing it should fall into other hands.
My brother. will give apony for the
pipe" These remarks of Old Hungry
were received with q few short yclls,
which denoted great satisfaction.
At this point member with nothing
on but brccch.clout came dashng in
to the circle, holding in his hands o
skillet filed with live Goals. He was
followed by another ono bearing in his
arms lot OF cedar, which was depos.
tied over the Goals. These two were
followed by the dead Indians relatives
wife, sister and children moaning
and wringing their hands. The burning
cedar now began to pour forth vol
umc OF smoke, and one by one tho
members OF the band rushed into the
smoke, bending down close TO the Goals,
turning round and round, with many
wild gesture, and with outstretchcd
blanket, the smoke at times completely
hiding them from view. "Comc on.
my son." said one of the party. taking
firm hold OF the traders arm. and re-
luctanlly the palefacc was drawn into
the smoke. where he performed the
smoke act to the evident satisfaction OF
the party. Hastily withdrawing In a
fit of coughing and gaspins for breath
he was met with many cries OF Good
my son! The ghosts will never trouble
YOU" The performance was now ended
by the auctionecr turning over all the
receipts of the sale TO tho relations
| Cor. CHICAGO Tribune.