The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-23
a ROMANCE OF THE CROW AGENCY.
The New business Springing Up in
south Dakota Courts.

south Dakota Courts.
Correspondence of the Boston Herald.
At the last session of court, recently ad-
journed at Chamberlain, S. d, Judge
Smith heard three cases for divorce in
which the principals were full-blooded In
dams Of the Sioux tribe. The cases at
tracted great attention even here, where
the divorce business is so common, be-
cause it was the first time to the knowl-
edge of the people that Indians had APP
pealed to a divorce court.
The charges and counter charges were
not materially different from those that
figure in similar cases among whites. one
of them was particularly romantic, how
ever. 1t was the case in which Appear
ing Earth sought the dissolution of the
bonds that held her to First Born.
Much comment was made over the fact
that the Indian women keep their individ-
uality, so far as name goes, after mar
riage. Although the grieved woman was
the wife of First Born her own legal
name had not been altered, and she had
a standing in court as Appearing Earth.
She and First Born belong to the Crow
Creek reservation and had been married
there in October 1880, by United States
Indian Agent Dickson according to the
complaint in the case, she lived happily
Fool Bear returned from an eastern In
dian school two years ago for her vaca-
ton. This maiden was ranked as
beauty OF the highest standing in the
Sioux tribe. she was selected to go to
the school by reason of her good looks
and intelligent appearance, that gave
promise of an easy submission to the
civlizing influence of the east. How far
appearances were deceitful Is to be de-
termined from the course of affairs be-
tween Good Natured Fool Bear and First
Born from the date of their meeting. 1t
was apparently a case of love at first
sight, and the Indian maiden made no
attempt to disguise her feelings. On the
other hand, according 10 Appearing Earth
she Haunted her beauty before the eyes
of the hitherto faithful spouse, and FINAL
ly took him away entirely.
The pair conducted themselves i'm such a
manner al the Crow agency that the ieal-
ousy of Appearing Earth was aroused to a
point where she was forced to take meas
ures to protect herself just at this point
the misguided husband and his bold
charmer fed to the Yankton agency in
defiance of social etiquette and the Indian
police. The deserted wife was so determ-
ined In her purpose to prosecute them that
she persuaded the police to take a hand
in the matter. ana the couple were finally
captured and taken back 10 the Grow
agency. There they were locked up in Jail
and held for some time. Eventually they
were released upon promises of good be-
havior. The relatives of Good Natured
Bear took her in charge also, and again
sent her to the eastern school.
IL was thought in this manner TO break
up the attachment, and permit First Born
60 redeem himself in the eyes of his family.
Indian love. however. seems very like that
among other people, and is quite as ardent
as Indian hate. short time ago Good
Natured Fool Bear again returned to the
reservation, after an absence OF almost a
year. During this time peace had been
restored In the family OF First Born, and
Appearing Earth had no expectation Of an
other lapse on the part OF her spouse.
But Indian women misplace their conf
dence as well as do their white sisters.
Good Natured Fool Bear had no sooner
returned than First Born began 10 seek
her company again In few days all the
old love had returned. ana he again lied
with the red skinned beauty. This time
the couple went 10 Gam valleysthe coun-
~ seat OF Buffalo county. and were there
married by Rev, r. r. Swartout a Metho-
dist divine In addition 10 their bigamy
they perlured themselves Ia persuading
the minister 20 perform the ceremony
The couple returned 20 the Crow agency
and brazenlv attempted "a live together
although Appearing Earth was in the
same settlement. The aifront was too
much FOR her. and she had them arrested
and again thrown IN Jail United States
Commissioner stuart was appealed 90. and
he ISSUED "a warrant charging First Born
with bigamy.
A the preliminary hearing FIRST B1rn'a
attorney scored a. semi victory hy arguing
ihat the commissioner had no Jurisdiction.
hf the u.glmous ceremony HHs performed
outside thr reservation ana that fls crime
wins nmenal.D 60 she stale statutes alone
Commissioner STUART nafsed with thla Wow
lnd mnlf In opening through which N g.
fturctfl memhfrs uf ln1In ffhfH mIl
plHa in largo numbers 0n fhor Wly l1
lhr divorce court
lui Bora vac released b. Gao foiefal