West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1895-12-19
ANiNDIAN DIVORCE COURT.
Our California Teacher Writes An
other Interesting Article.

my friends.
A teacher OF an Indian reserva
tion school must have more sides
than "A buckwheat grain in order to
accommodate himself to the various
phases of his work.
In an Indian reservation there
are n chief, q captain, policeman
and judge. They are chosen by
the Indians and confirmed by the
Indian agent. The only one who
gets pay form the u. s. Govern
ment is the policeman, who gets
$40 per month, a suit OF clothes, a
revolver and II badge of Office.
When anyone misbehaves the
police is ordered by the captain to
arrest that one and bring HIM to
trial before all the officers and as
many othere rs wish to attend. AS
a rule there is much speechifying
among them. If thoy can not han
die case satisfactorily to all con-
cerned, they appeal to the Indian
agent. who either comes or sends
u deputy.
There was a family trouble case
which was appealed to the agent
and as the u s. Indian physician
was coming on his medical trip,
the agent gave him power to act in
the case.
Stefen Cuiajah and his wife,
Marie Los Angeles. who had been
living together for ten years, began
quarreling just like white folks and
she concluded to leave him and 20
with Mexican by the name of
Zonobis Renturiea, who had been
STAYING with them for some time.
The Indians tried the case and
decided that If she was determined
to 60 with Zonebia Renturia she
could take nothing but her clothes,
and that she and Zonobia Renturia
must leave the reservation.
Marie Los Angeles thought this
unjust and as there lived white
man near, who had married an Iu-
dian and who likes to have a finger
in their quarrels, so she got him to
write her complaint to the Indian
agent.
When the u. s. Indian Doctor
came the Indians gathered at the
school house for trial, each side
bringing their witnesses. Every
thing was conducted with dignity
and perfect order. The trial lasted
three days, the Doctor presiding
while acted AS secretary, taking
notes of all that was said or done
in order to make a report to the
agent. The notes fill five sheets OF
legal cap and might be interesting
to read. but it is too much for enc
article.
Well, witnesses we're questioned
and cross questioned from morning
until evening. We did not, any
day, give any intermission for din
ner and allowed no one to make
the least noise, except the one in
the witness chair. At first /
thought we were going to be taken
by the dogs, as from two to ten
dogs came with every person. |
asked the police to stay on the
porch and not allow dog to come
on it, but AS the dogs were accus-
toned to do as they please, they
we're too many for him, as he tried
to keep them of by pushing them,
and so they soon filled the house,
porch aud yard and then began
quarreIing about the room. Two
large fellows began to make things
lively on the porch, 80 1 left my
work and went into the back yard,
got a hand-spike aud began on the
first one in reach. They first ran
to their masters, but followed and
so did the spike, and in three min
utes the yard WAS cleared. Then
went into the room and got those
out, even the ones held en- the
women's laps. Then gave the
police the spike and told him /
wanted him TO use il, and that
hard, on the first dog that came
inside the gate. After this we had
perfect quietness and the trial pro-
ceedcd. Finally the Doctor called
u vote to see how many we're willing
for the woman to leavo her Indian
man and live with the Mexican on
the reservation All voted no.
Another vote How many are
wiling for her and the Mexican TO
leave the reservation All no.
Another vote Are you willing she
shall 90 back 10 her man and live
on the reservation All voted yes.
The Decor told her he would not
reverse any Of the DECISIONS Of the
Indians in the case. lie then drew
on the blackb her picture,
standing where two roads separate,
one leading on to q house, the
other down to misery and want.
tie then asked her which road she
would take, tho one TO home with
her own husband or the other with
the Mexican. not knowing where 10
will end. After some persuasion
she promised TO take the one 10 her
house and live with Stefen Cuiaiah.
Stefen promised 10 take her back
and bo GOOD 10 her frbou tko 4,