The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-26
ooaA oHAsKA,s DIVORCE sore.
Her Father Had Not Heard From Her
Since She Became an Indians Bride.


From the NelU York World.
WASHINGTON. June ga very pretty
romance has been shattered by the news
autographed here to-day that Cora Belle
Fellows Chaska will apply for divorce
from her Indian husband, Sam Chaska.
Mrs. Chaska is Washington girl. Her
father, Homer Fellows, is veteran clerk in
the war department, and although the fam
ily has always lived modestiy in neat little
home on Capitol Hill Cora Belle was great
favorite in society here. where she was re-
celved by the best people of Washington.
She is remembered as a remarkably pretty
girl. and she might have had her own choice
of husbands from among the most eli
gible of the young men of the capital city
without going to the wilds of Dakota for
helpmate.
Int Cora Belle was nothing if not roman
tic. It is said of her here that, though she
bore an unblemished reputation. she had
planned more than one elopement during
her girlhood. She always declared that her
marriage would be sensational one and
she kept her word
firing of Washington life, Cora obtained
nermission from her parents to visit friends
in Dakota and went TO Chamberlain, 8. D.,
where she spent several months. There she
met Chaska
Cora Belle did not communicate to her
family here the fact that she was receiving
the attentions of a more or less wild Indian
Her father shared Gen. Phil Sheridan's
opinion that the only good Indian is a dead
Indian, and so Cora Belle didn't care to tell
him that she proposed to marry one. But
inst before her marriage to Cheska she
wrote to her parents here and made a clean
breast of the whole affair.
The letter arrived here the day the we'd
ding took place in Dakota. and too late for
MIR. Fellows to take any steps to prevent it,
He didn't send his blessing to the pair, how
even. though, like good father, he hoped
the marriage would prove as happy as such
union could.
Cora Belle didn't get any answer to her
letter. and she didn't write home any more.
From acquaintances her friends here learned
that she had gone to live with her Indian
husband. and had entered upon the task of
civilizing him. The birth of a child, who Is,
of course, half-breed. was not communist
Gated to her family.
The statement that the young white girl
has grown tired of her red husband and will
andy for divorce was news to Mr. Eel
lows when a reporter called on him to-day.
He did not seem greatly disturbed, and said
very quietly:
has been no communication between my
family and my daughter since her uufortu-
nate marriage. II any such step as that
mentioned In this dispatch has been taken
it is hardly probable we should have been
informed Of it"
Mr.. Fellows didn't care to say whether
Mrs. Chaska would be again received at her
home She hadn't asked to be taken back,
and this question need not be settled before
it should arise.
Mrs. Samuel Campbell, or Mrs. Chsska
nee Miss Cora Bell Fellows. was few years
ago prominent figure in society circles at
Washington, D. @. She left that city to
become school teacher among the Sioux
Indians, and while engaged In that work
first met Campbell, who was the nephew
and protege Of an Episcopal missionary, The
Rev. DR. Hanford, also a preacher among
the Sioux. Mrs. Homer Fellows, the
mother of the young woman. andher rela-
tives in the east objected most decidedly to
the match, but the girl declared that her
mind was made up, and that nothing could
draw her from her Intention to, marry the
Sioux. with whom, she did not hesitate to
aver, she was deeply in love.
The ceremony took place March "a, 1888,
at Swift Birds camp in Dakota. Details of
the affair were not easily cleaned owing 20
the fact that the nearest station from which
sce9unts could he sent was Pierre, and at
that season of the year communication be-
tween the two posts was almost entirely cat
off. The most outlandish reports with regard
to the husband gained Eredsnce. He was a
boor, a semi-civiized tent-dweller who was
able to express himself in no other way
than by grunts when addressed, and other
similar facts were published in the press Of
the country. 1t was finally proven that
Chaska was a quarter breed, an employee of
the bureau Of Indian affairs and gentle
manly fellow, of striking appearance, in
terested in many schemes for the advance
ment of the Sioux Indians. 1t was also
said that Miss Fellows two brothers at
tempted 10 reach the scene of the marriage
before the ceremony and were anxious to
use their revolvers on the prospective
bridegroom. This was also proved to be q
canard.
The wedding took place at the Indian
headquarters and was witnessed by the
government attaches and the braves and
squaws of the Sioux tribe living there. For
long time the marriage was the theme oil
discussion at Pierre. Fort Sully, Bennett
and Cheyenne agency. Reports that the
marriage was proving unsatisfactory were
published from time 30 time, but Mrs.
Campbell declared that these were untrue.
About two weeks after the marriage
Chaska and his bride received an offer OF
$1,000 for ten weeks engagement in q
Chicago dime museum. This was shown
Mrs. Campbell.
II think this is an insult" she is quoted
offer as long as can earn living While
l am not ashamed of Chaska, and love him
dearly. think too much OF my friends and
parents to make dime museum exhibition
of myself"
Then she filed out a telegraph blank as
follows: Cannot entertain your PROPOSE
ton. speak for Chaska, my husband"
The Chaska marriage was recalled by the
ceremony of last Thursday at the Church of
the Ascension, Fifth avenue and Tenth
street. when Elaine Goodale. the poetess of
the Berkshire hills, became the wife of DIR.
Charles A. W. Eastman-or, as he was
known when a Sioux, "Ohyesa," or the
winner"
Mrs. Eastman, like Mrs. Campbell. is tc
continue her work among the Sioux
Indians. She will be with her husband al
Pine Ridge agency. where the doctor holds
the position of government medical in
specJor.
In the Name of the Prophet,
Figsl cry the vendors of the fruit in CONSTANT
NOBLE. CertainiY a ssaraat cry over little