The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-10-28
SINGING SW AN.


a daughters unselfsh love for
parent has been proven oy the strang-
est of all strange transactions that
could possibly take place in civilized
America.
The other day, in Kiowa village
in Indian Territory, an educated and
unusually attractive girl Of Indian
birth offered herself ct auction to The
highest bidder, thus gaining, by the
only means which her loyalty and
affection could devise, money to can
eel debt Of honor which her father
had died without paying. "Singing
Swan is the girls name, snd the
SUM for which she bartered her liberty
was $4,000.
The Kiowa reservation is located in
the southwestern part of the Terri
tory, adjacent to the Comanches.
These Indians draw their supplies at
Fort Sile. They were amongst the
last Of the wild tribes to settle on "a
reservation. Many Of them are yet
little more than "blanket Indians"
though some Of them, like Harry
Edge and "Lone Wolf,'' are par
TALLY educated. Several heye grown
rich By trading IL stock aud leasing
land.
Singing Swan" has always been
devoted to the interests Of her people,
and they have in turn regarded her
with affection and respect. Her blame
less character and sincerity Of purpose
have won the esteem of ell the white
frontiersmen, and many an opportu.
nifty has been hers to say eyes" to an
admirer, for there are few men among
the settlers along the frontier who
object to Indian blood in wife.
No one in the village suspected that
"Singing Swan" contemplated taking
so radical q step, although it was no
secret among the settlers and her tri-
bal folk for many miles around that
she had held her father with an idola-
trous regard, had monrned his loss
keenly, and had grieved over the fact
that debt which he could not wipe
out lived after aim, and debtor whose
claim she could not pacify continually
harrassed her.
Iron Talk, the father Of this re-
markable girl, was a great chief, and
ct one period Of his career was regard
ed 'as one Of the most prosperous In
dians in the territory. In his old
age, when the country became easy of
access through the building Of numer-
ous railroads, j, shrewd white traders
croHaed .annan the reservations aud
into the villages. Iron Talk was
distinguished for his hospitality and
friendly disposition toward all enter!
prises calculated to improve the ooun-
try and elevate his people. In con-
sequence, he was easily induced to
embark in many ruinous financial ven
lures. Before he died be borrowed q
large sum from q money lender which
he was never able to return, though it
is said that the relentless creditor
seized upon property belonging TO the
estate which ought TO have satisfied
him. He has kept his Judgment FOR
!: about six Thousand dollars alive for
years 70 the great distress oee oee. Singing
Swan and her only brother.
81: Or his death bed ssI.on Talk, tried
TO settle the debt by assigning to his
creditor a note secured By q Mortgage
! ON . wealthy Kiowa' g herd j. cattle,
made payable in the next world. SIT
lis good, !" said the dying KioWa chief.
when we meet at the throne Of the
great Spirit the mortgage will be
paid. The white money lenders
faith did not reach 40 far. That syss:
tenn Of finance possessed no charms
for Shylook. He preferred to annoy
. the dead chiefs heirs. 8 Singing Swan
had tried hard TO pay this claim
against her father d sestate te.s SAt last
y she;d decided TO Offer hesself for sale,
ressrging che right tore iect or approve
i the final bid. 3s53Ss sSs2
s5 lore than one isighing snitot Had
sold herthat5 she iWasSworth th her weight
Nin gold. One aged admirer had offer.
sed tO place b largo sum to ber credit