The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-15

MerrymaIslnss by TIE Richest Peo-
ple In the World.


A Guthrie. Oklahoma. letter to the
st. Louis Globe Democrat says For
week the Pawnee and Otoe Indians
have been visiting the Usage tribe on
their reservation in the northeastern
corner of the territory, and a grand
green corn dance and dog feast has
been I'm progress. The great feature OF
the encampment. however. was an old
time Indian wedding. celebrated ac-
cording to Usage usages and customs.
yrobably the most novel. brilliant. ex-.
citing and entertaining wedding cere-
monies that 1t has ever been the lot OF
man to witness. The contracting par
ties were Paul Red Eagle and Ida
Strikeaxe. full-blooded members of the
Usage tribe, who are the ricehst peo-
pie on the face of the earth. every
in cash. in addition to hundreds of
acres OF fine land. and the ceremony
represented all the pomp ,splendor and
dignity characteristic of the tribe.
As Is the custom, contract was re-
Gently made between the friends and
parents of the bride and the friends and
many horses for the hand of the bride.
In this case the stipulation called for
forty of the finest ponies in the tribal
reservation. All this occurs without the
knowledge or consent of the two TO be
welded, and not until the wedding day
did the bride know who the groom was
to be. or the groom know what maiden
Of the tribe was to be his bride,
Four o'clock in the afternoon was the
hour for the ceremony, and at the APP
pointed time six young men. intimate
friends of the groom, appeared. accom-
panied by as many young and active
squaws, all prepared for race. The
young men lined up side by side. while
to the front some thirty steps the
squaws were standing in line. At a
distance OF $50 yards to the northeast.
and near her wigwam. the bride ap-
peared on horseback, handsomely and
gorgeously decorated with all the nm
cry and pars,phernalia known to the
red men. and the horse, the finest to
be found In the tribes herds. was lit
orally covered with gay trappings,
making an imposing spectacle. In the
rear of the bride appeared her mother.
also mounted, and logged out second
only to the bride.
When the mother and daughter got
within $50 yards OF the waiting line OF
young bucks and squaws they halted.
and at the report OF the rifle OF the
father of the bride they made a wild
dash for her. The first to reach the
bride and touch her hand receives the
horse she Is seated upon, and Edward
Chouteau, an educated young Indian.
won the race and secured the fine ami
NAL upon which she rode. Desha White
Spear the first squaw to reach the
bride. became the owner of the beau
tiful bridal robe, and will put IL away
for her own wedding day, when II will
L. g.. - a. a
ems. The race over. the great robes
wrapped about the bride were spread
upon the ground and she dismounted
upon the centre Of them and was i'm.
medistely seized by score Of squaws
and carried to the wigwam of the
groom, which. in this instance. proved
to be large farmhouse.
The bride was carried into Ire house
and seated at a large table loaded with
food which In quality would have done
credit to any wedding feast of civilixa-
ton. and in quantity surpassed the
preparations for many great BAN
quet. The bride once seated and sur
rounded by her maids. the groom ap-
peared and seated himself by her side.
and when young Red Eagle appeared
on this occasion the bride, contrary to
all precedents, gave him o winning
smile and he kissed her. The bride and
groom ate out Of one dish, and all the
TeldtlNeS, ITlenuS anu ntlS0OOTS CTOWu-
ed about the table. and ate OF the feast
in their usual manner while great loads
of good things to eat were carried out
and distributed to the members of the
visiting tribes. the feast lasting until
far into the night.
In accordance with the custom Of the
tribe, the young groom now becomes
head Of the house for the entire family
of the bride. The father. I'm return for
the gifts OF horses. etc. that have been
made. throws in his entire family, him
self included. for the groom to support
In doing this, however. he relinquishes
TO the young couple his home. farm.
machinery, stock. ETC., 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 in tradition.