The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-01-30

Whole Arrangement Outside of Novel.
and Persons Who Write About Indians
is Brought About by Women Entirely
and Not Men-His Godmother Gave Hi,
wife's Mother Eight Horses for His
Wife Who was Cheap at a Thousand.
Wichita had the honor yesterday of
being visited by one of the most fam
2us Scouts in the United States TO-
day. and one who has for years de-
clared that sufficient lead has not been
mined to carry him from the stage OF
action. In proof Of this assertion he
exhibited last night at the Eagle office
the scars of over twenty bullets, and
Is today whole and hearty, notwith-
standing the fact that his right leg
lies buried in the cemetery at old
Fort Supply.
This man was no other than Amos
Chapman, of whom complimentary
mention is made in General Dodge's
life on the Frontier" and who has
been written up as the hero in the
indian stories by Colonel Ned Buntline
and others
Scout Chapman came TO the Eagle
office last night TO see the manner in
which the lightning was clutched
from the skies and put into print in a
few hours, sufficient TO keep q. man
reading a week, and how news was
gathered" he said. While this might
have been the intention Of the scout,
the reporter determined 10 engage
the celebrated cout in conversation as
20 some Of his unwritten history, and
-
killed by bullets consented TO being
pumped as to his life, and lighting a
cigarette he told the reporter to COM
mence.
Mr.. Chapman, would you mind tell
Ing how it was you came into posses
sion of so much land? It is reported
that you have several thousand acres
Of fine land in D county, and have cat
tie on a thousand hills and ii has often
been a query as TO how you came in
possession of such valuable property,
while you are still upon the pay rolls
as Interpreter and scout Of the United
States" said the reporter.
Yes, I will tell you, although it has
always been a rule with me to just
keep on saving wood and let the people
find out about my business the best
they could; but to tell you all would be
a long story, but you viii then know"
''Go on" said the reporter grabbing
his pencil
well, you know married an In
dian woman, named BunhiO, daughter
OF Chief Stone, in 1878. l mean by this
that l married her that year in Indian
fashion, but in 1881, at Camp Supply [
was married according to the white
mans law. ] had the honor Of being
= bn a. -
by an Indian tribe of marrying after
the famous order went into effect in
1881.
Maybe you think the occasion was
not celebrated. l didn't think you
could have found a sObber man in
Camp Supply that night 1 won't ex-
cept the chaplain. / was married by
Justice of the Peace Fox, and you
ought 10 have seen the presents We
received. They came from officers and
world of experience during my time.
When the men heard Of my marriage
they all sent me presents. My daught-
er, Minnie, who graduated last year at
Lawrence, Kansas, was about three
years old at that time, and took part
in the celebration"
Captain, would you mind telling
what kind Of ceremony they have ac-
cording TO Indian customs" asked the
reporter.
mot in the least, but don't call it
ceremony. There is no sucn a thing as
ceremony outside Of novels. I viii tell
you the true plan, and when I read it
in the Eagle in the morning ii will be
the first time I ever saw the true mar
riago plan adopted by the Indians in
print It IS all rot about a man buy
ing his wife from her father, and al
though eight head Of horses which
were mine the day before the marriage
were found next day in my father-in-
laws herd, and were his property, he
had nothing TO do with the deal what
ever.
Now. we VIII say that my old
friend here. Mr.. J. &. Price. is an In
dian and he has daughter and you
want 10 marry her. You get your
mother, or if you haven't got a mother,
borrow one for the Occa sion, like I did,
Koho was my EOdmother-you might
call her a EodmOther or something Of
that kind. Tell your mother what you
want, and she viii go and see the girls
mother and talk about the matter.
Your mother viii sing your praise and
the mother of the girl viii sing her
praise. They VIII set and smoke for
some time and finally your mother VIII
offer a horse or two. ana the mother
of the girl VIII demand more and final
ly they VIII agree upon number.
Your mother or person acting as
your mother, viii return and tell you
of the result Of her errand and il YOU
conclude 40 take up the offer. you give
your mother the horses and she goes
and ties them near the tepee Of your
intended bride. You don't so around
the tepee that day. but you keep an
eye on your f8ther-in-law's herd Of
horses and if you find your horses
among them YOU are married man.
IF the horses are turned loose you
are not married and you can rest as
sured that The old man has set his
foot down upon rile marriage.
of course You meet the Eirl you
want 10 marry before this and you
ana her talk the matter over. There
is no such thing among the Indians
as a girl being married without her
consent. The girls consent must be
had before You send your mother 10
speak for you.
When you see your horses in your
father-in-law's herd. You know you
haNa been acce pied. and 50 does all the
Nra7. Sur you don't 60 around until
night and then you Will find nice
neH tepee erected some place near
your fa1her-in-law' wigwam and you
g m there when You set ready 10 go 10
het ana You WI find your wife among
the blankets"
how did You come to meet your