The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-10-25

mans country, but it doesn't go on the
Usage reservation. The brother was
familiar with all of the Indian customs,
and told the lover that would never do.
Henry Bonniecastle, the brother, then
explained the proper method and told
him that, in order to secure the woman
of his choice he must buy her, and also
that he would probably have to bid at
an auction sale. against any other ELI
gible young men on the reservation who
CHANGED to want the young woman. To
this plan the lover objected, and class
ed the procedure as being equal to pur-
chasing steers.
Nevertheless, this is the custom; and
after some argument against it he
learned that without going through this
form he would, in all probability, never
be able to talk to or even see the girl
he wanted. He finally agreed and left
the arrangements to his brother, be-
cause, among the Osages, the lover
never enters into the trade, but some
male relative makes the purchase, I'M
der the directions of the lover, and then
draws upon him for the expenses of the
transaction.
The brother in this case went to
Sassy Calf, near relative of the girl,
and told him of the desires of his broth
of matchmaker and sent out word that
upon a certain day he would receive
bids for the hand, if not the heart, of
Angie Penn. Upon the day set, four
young bucks, all accompanied by their
male relatives, appeared at the home of
Sassy Calf. A feast was served and
the business OF. the day declared ready;
then the bidding began. The relatives
Of the young men squatted in a circle,
in the center Of which stood Sassy Calf,
ready to conduct the sale. Previous to
this the young men had been allowed
an opportunity Of taking a look at the
girl, but were not allowed to talk to
her. They made up their minds just
how much a wife of that kind was
worth to them and notified their rela-
tives how much to bid before dropping
out of the game. Bonniecastle told his
brother that he wanted the girl and to
outbid all of the others.
The bidding was spirited, but Bon
Necessities brother raised every one,
and finally was declared the successful
purchaser. The proceeds of the sale go
to the girls relatives and toward de-
fraying the expenses of the wedding.
The amount finally agreed upon for
this girl was $500 in cash, for the we'd
ding feast; race horse, known as
Hoodoo, valued at $3.50, and fifteen good
Indian ponies, valued at $3.50. The
horse Hoodoo was to go to Sassy Calf,
the matchmaker, and the fifteen ponies
were to go to the guests at the we'd
ding.
The date was agreed upon at this
time and the arrangements were all
made by the men. The bride had no
hand in this, and was not even told who
was to be her husband. All she knew
was that she was going to be married,
and that is considered enough for any
Indian woman.
The order for the brides trousseau
was given to the Delaware Indians,
who live east of the Usage reservation,
and who are adopts at Indian needle
and fancy work. 1t was the most elab-
crate ever worn by an Usage bride and
it's cost was nearly $1,000.
During the time these preparations
were being made the bride was not
willing for the marriage to take place.
She feared she was to be married to
some blanketed buck, and such a hus-
band did not in the least suit her pro-
gressive ideas. Her objections were
not taken into consideration by the rel
atives, and little attention was paid to
her; in fact, an Indian bride is Of small
consequence.
The day for the wedding arrived, and
i'll the Indians were in attendance at
the Indian camp, near Pawhuska. They