The Elbert County tribune., 1904-01-28
A WIFE BOUGHT AT AUCTION.

procession started for the home OF
the groom to be. a short distance away.
During this time the man In the case
was in his tepcc awaiting the appear
ance OF the bride.
In buggy drawn by two Indian pou-
les. that were led by two of the rela-
tives of the bride, she rode. and with
her rode the maid OF honor. The four
bridesmaids rode on horses. two upon
each side of tie buggy. In front of
the tepee of Bonnlecastle the bride
left the buggy and the four brides
maids placed her on blanket which
was wrapped around her and then
four squaws seized the blaIkc. and
took it inside. where ihc young man
waited. Now, for the first time. the
bride saw her future husband. In n
few minutes the two appeared before
the tent. surrounded by the maid OF
honor and the bridesmaids. At this
point the wedding came near being de
clared off, because the groom. instead
Of wearing n blanket. war bonnet and
paint. as the Indians all expected and
custom demanded. stepped forth from
cloth. white shirt, standing collar. tie,
patent leather shoes and derby hat.
A loud objection was made to this by
the full bloods. who thought he should
have observed all of their customs. \
committee of the head men OF the tribe
went to him and urged him 10 don the
blanket and feathers. He refused.
They insisted, and he finally told them
plainly that he was there TO be mar
ried and he was going 10 wear the
clothing OF the white man. \ council OF
the committee was held and Bonnie
castle won his point Here the groom
introduced another feature on the pro-
gramme and not IN accordance with
the traditional customs. but no objec-
tions We're made to It by the Indians.
After the argument about the bride
groom's dress was settled, priest
stepped out of the crowd OF white peo-
pie and performed ;he wedding cere-
mony according to the rites OF the
Catholic Church. The Indian ceremony
was then resumed and the races were
called.
Sassy Calf. mounted upon fine
horse belonging to the groom. rode
about 200 yards from the crowd and
fired II gun. This was the signal for
the start OF the race. FOR the groom 5
horse, saddle and gun, and the con
testants in this race can he only rela-
tivcs of the groom. As Bonniecastle
had only one relative. his brother. the
race was easily won by him. Then the
buggy. in which the bride had been
s..N- IA. ..
nbout 200 yards from the crowd and
another gun was fired. Nearly every
squaw present was In the race. as 1t
is a sort OF. free for ALL and any OF the
women are at liberty TO run IL they
| desire. The first one to the buggy
won 1t.
The fifteen ponies given by the
| groom for the bride We're given away.
some to the relatives OF the bride aud
some to the white persons in attend.
ance. The best part of the ceremony.
to the Indians. was vet 10 come. The
feast had been prepared and all sat
down TO eat. The bride and groom sat
at the head of the table on the ground.
surrounded by their relatives and those
who had taken part in the marriage
Nulle All lilt ptAltT iluiulih SIT HTOuuu
| and stuffed themselves with the eat
ables provided with the $500 paid by
the groom.
According TO custom, when two
young persons go through this cere-
mony and then eat together at the
feast, II signifies the end of the we'd
ding. The groom having had all Of
the say in the matter is usually ready
and willing to eat. but the bride. hav-
ing had nothing TO do with It, some
times refuses. which signifies that she
is unwilling to be wed. Her refusal
makes little difference ordinarily. be
cause she must eat some time, and she
is simply starved into Willingness 10
accept her husband.
At this wedding feast both the bride
and the groom partoolS of the food Mt
once. The bride has about $4,000
worth Of property. besides her share in
the tribes general money and her an
nuity from the Government Bonnie
castle has, about $4,000. A feature OF
the ceremony was the refusal of the
Indians to be photographed. and not n
camera was allowed in the Indian
camp.-Kansas City Star.
The Nnvy's CocIsroncbes.
COclsroac cles have invaded American