The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1896-08-13

tatives Of other tribes in the territory,
upon whom were conferred the rites OF
the ''Medawin," which, 1t is claimed,
correspond closely to the ancient order
Of Masons. The "Medawin" has its
several degrees, each degree possessing
its separate and distinct secrets. The
soclologists, going further, claim that
the grips Of the order are coincident
with those Of the Masonic organiza-
ton. In another respect, too, they are
analogous in their habits to the tradi-
lions of the Masons. In the placing of
their dancing ground a circle is laid
out banked around like a circus ring,
with openings toward the east and west.
The Indians participating in the dance
sit upon the earth thus banked up. In
bad weather, or in the winter season, a
building is especially prepared for the
dances, and this is also laid out with
reference to the east and west
The most interesting feature Of these
dances is the divorce mill, which grinds
out separations without the aid of
courts and lawyers All that is neces-
sary for an Indian who wants to sever
his marriage relations is to step into
the ring, when the divorce dance" is
called by the big chief and dance a GER
tain length Of time. This frees him. The
discarded wife gazes philosophically
upon her dancing cidevant husband, ap-
parently unmoved. After five days dane
ing the visiting Indians return to their
various reservations duly qualified and
delegated with full power to confer the
; degrees of the 'Medawin" on the mem
bers Of their own tribes.
1t will not be many years until the
! Chickasaw's reservation will be grid
ironed with railroads. Besides the Santa
Fee, which enters the reservation at Pur-
cell. there has been charter issued for
a road leaving the Santa Fe at or near
Coffeeville, which will pass through
Saltwater Oklahoma City, and on
through the finest country in the Chick
asaw Nation. The Kansas City. Okla
homa & Pacific Railway, which was
granted right Of way by the recent ses-
sion of Congress, will also tap the Chick
asaw country.
Purcell is the principal town In the
reservation. 1t Is situated near the
southern boundary of Oklahoma, on the
south side of the Canadian River. 1t is
genuine frontier town in every re-
spect. Here the settler cannot get a
title to his business lot. The laws of the
Chickasaw Nation give any member
of the tribe the use " all the land he
will fence and put to use. A white man
by the name of DR.. Byrd, who had mar
ried Chickasaw woman with some In
dian blood in her veins. fenced in about
500 acres in this vicinity, and when the
Santa Fe built the road through the
reservation he managed to have town
located on his land. He cannot give II.
tie to the land or any portion, but gives
the settler whether for business or resi-
dence, permit to occupy land Sci
LUZ Ills use. LII duOltiOH 10 ILLS, Int
settler is liable to a tax Of SIS per an
mum for the privilege Of locating or liv
ing within the reservation, which tax i:
paid to the head chief or Governor of thu
tribe. DR.. Byrd has become quite
wealthy from this regular and increas
, ing revenue. But this rather vague
, shadow of title works positive proven
ton of any sort of improvements in the
, town. No sidewalks or other street i'm
, provements have been made, other thar
such as the citizens have made volunta
I rily. The main portion of the city I!
, situated on a high bluff, and the ap-
, proach to it from the railroad and thu
! river is very steep. The citizens have By
their unorganized efforts secured on,
5 very good roadway leading up to thu
t top of this bluff, but that is about thu
4 extent of the public improvements IL
' this city of several thousand people, ant
Y doing an immense amount of business
I There Is no town or city organization
e as there are no laws under which on
8 can be conducted. The peace of the cit!
+ Is preserved by one Deputy Unite,
: States Marshal and few assistants
f when occasion requires