The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1903-05-12
DIVORCE FOR INDIANS.
Dakota Laws Suit the Aboriqina
Ideas.

Chamberlain, S. d., May 11.--For-
hidden by the Indian bureau to use
red paint OF 10 ear gaudy blankets,
the Indians have accepted one of the
tencts of civilization with much joy.
It is the divorce. They believe now
this is the only good law the white
man ever made. and SO heartily are
they entering into the spirit of OBJ
tanning divorces flat if the present
increase continues, more divorces
whites
Without respect to any Of the or
ders of the Indian agent or the laws
Of the United States, the Indian has
bee ,nle convinced that the divorce
court was inaugurated in order that
he might have as many wives as he
wishes.
Oacoma is the divorce paradise for
the Indians. In the last year more
than 16 applications have been filed,
while year ago an Indian divorce
was unheard of.
Wearing huge sombreros, greasy
and dirty, with pair Of overalls
tapping about his ankles, and blue
checked cotton jumper, soiled from
weeks of wear, strapping Sioux
buck walked into lawyers office
and demanded divorce.
Eagle Boy, here" said Frenchy,
the interpreter, indicating the Indian,
wants divorce from Pipe Eagle
Boy
UGH" grunted the Sioux in ap-
prevail.
He says Pipe Eagle Boy a wild
cat, scratch and bite continued the
Interpreter. "He say he go to his
wigwam and find no Pipe Eagle Boy
The moon sets and the sun rises, but
Pipe Eagle Boy no come home
Stepping forward excitedly, the
Sioux held up one hand and, turning
down one finger at time until ne
had indicated six, grunted a guttera
monosyllable to his interpreter.
Eagle Boy says Pipe Eagle Boy
have six husbands before she marry
him." said the interpreter.
The lawyer then filed an applica
ton for divorce for Eagle Boy, al
leging that Pipe Eagle boy had tot
many husbands when she married
Eagle Boy.
Burnt Prairie. heap much war
rior of the Cheyennes, testifiet
proudly in court that he had sc wives
and wanted to divorce the last on
because she was lazy and did no
provide a suitable quality of food TO
him. He secured the divorce on tn
grounds of "crouelty. neglect and II
compatibility of temper
The government officials and mis-
Indians marry according to the law
of the state. The Indians proteste
that tribal marriages We're all RICH
but the government insisted and tn
Indians learned Of the divorce attacl
ment to South Dakota laws.
| Now they will be married in n
) other way. 1t is the proud boast
4 every Indian that he was married b
. a minister, as every civil official a
+ thorized to perform marriages
: called by them.
e The Indians point with pride
l. other bucks who have had four
e five wives and been freed from the
It bv law. Formerly, when an India
= tired of squaw he sold her to son
k other Indian for pony, blanket
e bag of flour Now he divorces her.
t, The wife is now selected by II
r buck according to tribal customs. b
X he Immediately starts with her t
IL the neares. justice of the peace,
a. missionary.
LAWYER ]. f. House, who has h
% much to do with Indians, says
IL garding the granting of divorces
them:
IT see no reason why We shou
k, prohibit a person from receiving I
protection of the laws that you gra