Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1890-08-27
INDIAN MARRIAGES.
QUARTET OF RED MEN HIT BY
CUPID'S ARROW.
Interesting Tribal Ceremonies at Re-
cen: Wedding on Indian Island. Ne.

The tribes OF the Algonquin Indians
that inhabit the upper Penobscot river
Islands still hold on TO some OF the in
terestiDg ceremonies of their ancient
mode of life Two days before the
opening of the solemn day 5 OF Lent, an
occurrence most unusual offered cause
FOR rejoicing at the Indian settlement
on large island In a wide expanse of
the Penobscot opposite Oldtown. Maine.
This was no less than the marriage to-
gethsr OF four brides TO a. many gal
liant braves, whose presents of wamp-
um, aided with some % the sly court
ship of modern times, they accepted,
and accompanied the scceptstion by
The pHghted troth of their womanly
hearts 10 the men of their choice ss
husbands In veal or woe through life.
The Indians of the Penobscot islands
are what was known as the Tarratines.
clan Of the Abenaques, Of the tribe
OF the Algonquin. The former, it Is
claimed, comes from a title given by
Jesuit missionaries To brave Huron
chief whom they called Taratouan.
But, while there are differences of
opinion among authors as 10 the
VI NAAS eAA'lNAaAtAtlAs piAo AAlAAs II
sure, viz.-that history knows the
PenobsCUt Indians as Tarratines. This
~ the name Of "A socinl club in Bangor
among its most cultivated citizens, a
prominent member of which Is Vice
President Iiamlin.
The Tarratines were of the Indian
tribes who took cordially 10 the French
people who came into their country.
lntermarriages from the first days of
colonization to the present have been
of frequent occurrence. The Indian
intercourse with the French people was
very generally OF apparent mutual
satisfaction, which, il Is TO be regret
ted, cannot be said Of their relations
with the English. They rarely mis-
trusted the French newcomers, and
when the latter built fortifications OF
other structures for defence of trade,
there was neither fear nor jealousy e1-
cited in the minds of these aborigines.
Their barterings with the latter in
guns, ammunition, furs and other wares
only drew from them attachment to
the Gallo white traders and their
families. The latter people exercised
adroitness, and mingled their business
with an openness and freedom that
won love in the savage breast.
The FTenchmen's high spirits and
companionahle manners, the piety Of
the Jesuit fathers and the devotion
which they showed to them in sickness
and trials, together with the influence
exercised by these spiritual guides in
restraining the vices and cupidity of
their fellow-emigrautS, had much To
L. !. = 81. -,
the work was the inspiring influence
OF the grand ceremonies Of the Catho-
lie church in the celebration of tie
divine mysteries and other holy offices.
These worked excellent effects in max
iEg the Tarratine Indians fast friends
Of the French settlers. What wonder
that one could trace in the faces of
uany of the marriage jewellers of to-
day some Of the features peculiar to
the French people.
They did good service in the revolu-
tiOnary war, and ia the war for the
Union large number of Indians went
manfully To the front
The names Of the contracting parties
At the marriage ceremony performed
IN the Catholic church on the Island
by Rev. Fr. NelIigan on sunday night
were .IosCphus RanrO and Louise
Lockaba-ou. a most beautiful Indian
girl, and said To have the proud blood
Of a former chief Of his tribe in her
veins; Jo>ephu- :. Neptune, relative
IF an Old-time chief who has been
Governor, and Maria y. Francis; Sab
batus !. TuSep aud Catherine I. Susie;
Big Thunder and widow who Is
nearly all French. very little abOricine
blood showed in her couutenance. The
young men and Big Thunder at the
pow-wow displayed handsome Indian
regalia. and nearly three hours Were
occupied in the tribal ceremonies and
dances of these people.
An old chief started of from the
middle of the hall with "A weird chant,
aided by timekeePing Of a shop horn
in hi, hand and light stamping of his
feet lie was followed in order, sin
gle file, by other males, and then by
the squaws, all Of them joining in
the refrain OF the leader. the melody
natural, musical and fascinating "a the
sounds from an Kolian harp. After
moving round the hall several times in
this sort of procession, with military
precision, -hcy formed into sections,
men tripping and dancing backward,
facing the females. and at given bars
of music alternating this posture by
movements most graceful. All this
was natural, pleasing and interesting
The Younger Of the genie sex were ia
many instances becomingly dressed.
When the Indian customs were duly
carried ont, addresses We're made by
the Governor. Saul Neptune, and the
I.ieutenant-Gove Sahbatus Dana,
and Josephus Nacola, one Of the In
dian council.
Then came the time for the young
folks, who at about IL y. m began
their froIcs in modern dances TO the
music of a native band. consisting of
n violin, cornet and trombone, with
piano, well performed on, in accom-
paniment. Although the marriage
ceremony was performed on Sunday
evening, according to Indian custom,
tho brides did not go home with their
spouses until after n second night Of
feasting and pow-wowing, at which
time they must have felt pretty tired,
and At honeymooning take a rest.
On the island there are four Sisters
of Mercy, who teach the girls and
Indian boys and give them lessons in
faith and morality. Many handsome
houses are now completed, or being
buiIt on the island. Thrift, good
behaviour, and a desire 10 have the
world know that they arc, in their own
way, making fine strides in the art. of
the whitemen, characterize the present
day Tarratines- At the pow-wow
talked with a noble appearing Indian
named Erancis. whom L met four