The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-26

When an Apache girl has attained
her majority or has grown into wo-
manhood, she is permitted to choose
for herself her helpmate. The first
two days dancing consists of nothing
more than a tribal dance, and is wit
messed by many thousands Of people
Previous to ,the5 public part of the
ceremony they have a religious SER
vice, at which time they offer. UP pray
ers for some sick members of the
| tribe and for other matters pertaining
to their liberty. =,
All Apache dances are presided over
by the chief and a medicine man, and
have some sacred characteristic. AL
though Geronimo has been dethroned
from his ehieftaincy, yet he is permit
ted to lead in these dances. This is
one of the most enjoyable events for
the noted old warrior.
All the marriageable bucks of the
tribe put on their best looking clothes
and appearance for this occasion, each
hoping that he may be the one to be
chosen as blossoms partner for the
lovers dance. No announcement was
made public of this portion of the
party, while a few of the friends of
the chief had been notified, but will
not be permitted to be in attendance.
After the midnight hour has passed
all the married Indians leave for their
homes, and the young maidens and
bucks take possession of the platform.
This is the only time in the life of the
young members of the tribe that they
are permitted to make love or to even
speak of love. At all other times the
| young buck is content to make visit
to the parents, and do his counting
| through the father of the girl. But
upon this evening all this practice is
| put aside and the spooning begins in
earnest.
| Although it is only afew hours be-
| fore this young lady will make known
| RI inf in the matter OF
| a helpmeet, not even her father is adj
vised of the choice of her heart, and
| will not know until she makes it
known. Like unto the leap year"
dance of their more educated brethren,
at the lovers dance the young ladies
are permitted to choose partners, first
the debutante being provided for. Sne
will advance toward the central camp,
and will dance along to the beating OF
the ton-tomS and chanting of a weird
hi-yi. She dances once around the fire
and Is then Joined by another maiden,
and they complete the circle around
the glowing fire twice, another maiden
Joining the party at each revolution,
until all are upon the platform
Among the most prominent OF her
friends is Emma Rogers. Following
this comes the medicine men in sacred
dances, their bodies stripped to the
waist and painted in war colors. At no
other time than the full moon are these
social functions given, while the other
dances of the tribe are given upon the
darkest nights. 1t is believed by the
Indians that the moonlight Is more
conducive to true love- No match
made at a lovers dance has ever been
known to have been broken by the
contracting parties.
Mr.. Wratten, who was only boy at
the time Geronimo surrendered to
General Miles at Skeleton Canyon,
Ariz., % years ago. was frightened
witness of the great military agree
ment. He, by being able to interpret,
took an active part in Geronimo's de-
livery of his army. over to the United
States soldiers and was taken along
with the red skins as an official mid
dleman-" His services were valuable
ones to the government, and he was
appointed superintendent and official
interpreter, which place he held until
February last, when he resigned to
private life and removed to Alabama
Many years ago he left his Indian wife
and married a white woman. Because
the first wife had married Mr. Wrat-
ten. she was given the name OF
white" which she stin bears She Is
still living upon the Fort Sill military
e'e' $500 JAMES II. TINlMoNs.