. William Painter and his father, Dr. Edward Painter : sketches and reminiscences . on two occasions couples were married by Friendsceremony, which with such environments was unique and interesting. Henry Fontenelle, a half-breed Indian, and brother to the great departed warchief, Black Bird, was left as guardian to a couple of nieces, who were recognizedas princesses, so far as Indian royalty went. They were possessed of bright mindsand well educated; one of them having for several years attended a school in Eliza-beth, New Jersey, where she became engaged to a young white man, who was after-
. William Painter and his father, Dr. Edward Painter : sketches and reminiscences . on two occasions couples were married by Friendsceremony, which with such environments was unique and interesting. Henry Fontenelle, a half-breed Indian, and brother to the great departed warchief, Black Bird, was left as guardian to a couple of nieces, who were recognizedas princesses, so far as Indian royalty went. They were possessed of bright mindsand well educated; one of them having for several years attended a school in Eliza-beth, New Jersey, where she became engaged to a young white man, who was after-wards killed in the Union Army. Fontenelle was an ambitious man, and was deter-mined his nieces should become the wives of Nuskah—or white men; he used everyendeavor to so influence them, but without avail, for the hearts of the pretty Indianmaidens— one of whom was a servant in our home—were already given to youngbraves in their own tribe. Their persuasions having no effect, through the influ-ence of the Agent the stern guardian relented. The first marriage ever performed. iii:u INDIAN i< )N^ . ■■ 11 140 Three Years Amongst the Omaha Indians. by the simple ceremony of the Friends took place in the new school house, wherewere gathered a picturesque crowd, comprised of blanketed Indians, those who hadadopted citizens dress, and white persons employed on the Resei-vation, all drawntliitlicr to enjoy the ikixcI dccasion. The bridal party, who had been thoroughlyinstructed by the writer of this paper, entered and were seated upon chairs placedupon the raised platform. They included the bride and groom, with brides maidsand grooms men selected from amongst the blanketed Indians. The Agent, investedwith the necessary authority, sat facing the party, and after the usual silence alwaysobserved by Fi-iemls upon such occasions, the bride and groom were motioned toarise, the groom taking the hand of the bride, and repeating the following wordsafter the Agent: I, Thomas Macaul
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookidwilliampaint, bookyear1914
