The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-26
GIRL SELLS HERSELF
TO PAY FATHERS DEBT
singing Swan" Brings
$4,000 at Auction.
WEARIED BY MONEY LENDER
Kiowa Maiden Takes Only Means at
Her Disposal to Save the Honor
of the Family.

GUTHRIE. Okla. Dec. ga daugh-
ter's unselfish love for a parent has been
proved BY the strangest OK all transac-
tions that could possibly take place in
civilized America.
The other day in q Kiowa village in In
dian Territory an educated and unusual
ly attractive girl of Indian birth offered
herself at auction to the highest bid
der. thus gaining by the only means
which her loyalty and affection could
devise money TO cancel a debt of honor
which her father had died without pay
ing Singing Swan" is the girls name,
liberty was $25. 900.
The Kiowa Indians.
The Kiowa reservation is located in
the southwestern part of the Territory.
adjacent to the Comanches. These In
dams draw their supplies at Fort sill.
They were among the last of the wild
tribes to settle on a reservation. Many
of them are yet little more than 'blan-
ket Indians" though some of them. like
Harry Edge and Lone Wolf" are
rich by trading in stock and leasing
lands.
Singing Swan" has always been de-
voted TO the interests of her people. and
they have in turn regarded her with
affection and respect. her blameless
character and sincerity of purpose have
won the esteem of all the white from
uersmen. and many an opportunity has
been hers to say yes 10 an admirer
for there are few men among the set
tiers along the frontier who object to
Indian blood in wife.
Singing Swans" Resolve.
No one in the village suspected that
Singing Swan contemplated taking SO
radical step. although il was no secret
among the settlers and her tribal folk
for many miles around that she had held
her father with an idolatrous regard
had mourned his loss keenly, and had
grieved over the fact that a debt which
he could not wipe out lived after him
and a debtor whose claim she could not
pacify continually harassed her.
Iron Talk" the father Of this re-
markable girl. was a chief. and at one
period OF his career was regarded as
one of the most prosperous Indians il
tho Territory. In his old age. when the
country became easy of access through
the building OF numerous railroads,
shrewd white traders crowded upon the
reservations and into the villages
Fooled 'Iron Talk"
Iron Talk" was distinguished for hi.
hospitality and friendly disposition to
ward all enterprises calculated to i'm
prove the country anu elevate his people
In consequence he was easily induced L
embark in many ruinous financial ven
lures. Before he died he borrowed Z
large sum from a money lender. which
he was never able 10 return. though il II
said the relentless creditor seized upor
property belonging to the estate which
ought to have satisfied him. He ha,
kept his judgment for about S. CO., alive
for five years. to the great distress o
Singing Swan" and her only brother
On his deathbed. Iron Talk tried L
settle the debt by assigning to his cred
itor note secured by a mortgage OF
a wealthy Kiowa's herd of cattle. made
payable in the next world. cit Is good,
said the dying Kiowa chief when ",
meet at the throne Of the Great Spirf
the mortgage will be paid The whit,
money lenders faith did not reach :,
far. That system of finance possesse,
no charm for Shylock. He preferred t.
annoy the dead chiefs heirs. ''Singinl
Swan" had tried hard 10 pay this claim
against her fathers estate. At last sh
decided 10 offer herself ror sale. reserv
ing the right to reject or approve tn,
final bid