The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-07-31
An Usage INDIAN WEDDING.
Ceremonies and Merrymakings by the Rich
est People In the World.
tbs 81. Louis Globe Democrat

From the So. Louis Globe. Democrat.
GUTHR1E. Oklahoma, July 21.-For Q week
the Pawnee and OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES been VISITING
the Usage tribe on their reservation IN the
northeastern corner OF the territory. and Q
grand green-corn dance and dog feast has been
In progress. The great feature Of the encamp-
ment. however. was an old-time Indian we'd
ding. celebrated according to Usage uses and
customs. probably. the most novel. brilliant. Oh.
citing and entertaining wedding ceremony that
1t has ever been the lot OF man 70 witness. The
ida striEeaxs. fuii-blcod MEMBER Of the o6saToo
tribe. who are the richest people on the face OF
1 aort sa ssab;.o eEe in ca mf%R in sd II Sss Il t5i SSD SSsi1E
Of acres Of nne land. and the ceremony repre-
s ssFsTsa. 81 q re tb posp r,R. splondoF and dignity char
As Is the custom, 9 contract was recently
made between the friends and parents Of tho
calling fQr 50 many horses for the hand Of the
bride; In this case the stipulation called
FeserVation. I'll sfH this dae Occurs Psp Without an the fns kn af5Sf.
.% 5Ss n nj f as Ts $as I z dss y. an 5E Is IL g SSids E my
what maiden of the tribe. was TO be his bride.
-Four o'clock in the afternoon was the hour
six young men. Intimate friends Of the groom,
appeared. accompanied by as many young and
young men lined up side by side. while to the
front some thirty steps the squaws we're stand
ing in line. At q distance Of 25O yards 10 the
northeast. and near her wiGwam. the bride APP
peared on horseback. handsomely and COR
Phernalia known to the red men. md the horse.
the finest to be fount in the tribes herds, was
Literally covered With gay tTappings; making
appeared her mother. also mounted and logged
out second only e the bride.
$50 yards OF the waiting, line, Of young bucks
and squaws they halted, and at the report OF
Wild dash Il for h ,Itne The ei f f4a Srave t to 4e aaf1 the .
bride and touch her hand receives the horse
s5sd Is seated S6u nPoP FnS gnd E Ea5 F5a G 1DsG sS5 an an
pesha White Spear. the hrEt sqqaw to reach the
bride. became the owner of the beautiful bridal
day. when It Will again be contested for BY
wrapped about the bride were spread upon the
ground and she dismounted upon the centre q
squaw and carried TO the wiGwam OF. the
groom which: IN this instance. proved t9 be .
the h9S1se and acsted al "a a large Tse tsbIe loaded
with, food. which in quality would. have dong
credit to Any welding feast of eiyilizaSion. and
seated and surrounded By her maids. the
side. and when young Red Eagle appeared ON
this occasion. the bride. contrary TO all preco:
dents, gave him a winning smile. and he kissed
her, The bride and groom ate out Of orc Dish,
and all the relatives friends and ,%neighboE6
their usual manner. while great loads OF, good
things to eat were carried out and distributed
to the members OF the visiting tribes, the feaSa
lasting until far into the night.
In accordance with the custom Of tbs tEfbA.
the young groom now becomes head Of the
house for the entire family " the bride. The
father. In return for the gifts OF horses. do.
that have been made. throws in his entire
family, himself included. for the groom TO. sup
port. In doing this however. he ~relin4qishes
stock. &c, and himself and wife hereafter live
on the bounty OF the young couple.
This is the first real Usage wedding that has
occurred for several years on the reservation,
and in the very. near future such ceremonies
will be known only N tradition.