The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-06-24
NOBLE RED MEN
GR0W|NGEFFETE
Are Buying Automobiles Or
gans, Pianos and Hearses
For Carriages.

CHAMBERLAIN, S. d., June 90
Reports made by assessors VINO listed
the property Of Indians in the Rosebud
and Cheyenne reservations show that
the Sioux Indians are possessed Of the
following Injuries:
Three hundred and twenty tele-
phones.
Nine hearses FUSED as carriages).
Twenty-eight pianos.
Sixty organs.
Add to these the forty-seven divor-
ces secured by Indians in the past
year, and it cannot be denied that the
Sioux have become apt pupils Of the
white man.
The Cheyennes were greatly inter-
ested in the building OF the telephones,
and when they found out that they
could talk through space they were
wild to- secure instruments for them
selves. Now If the ranchmen find the
line busy 1t is usually buZzing with
gossip in the original Sioux tongue.
Last summer, when the Rosebud
Reservation was thrown open for sett-
cement visitors at Bonesteel were
amazed to see Sioux Indians whirl
into town in family automobiles,
squaw in the 'front.' seat and red
skinned youngsters in the rear, One
indian 1n nh has made HANDSOME onf
tiers about the reservation in his
automobile. Indians have a passion
for machines painted in bright colors.
Often when they have received 3d.
900 or more for allotted lands Indians
will go to Omaha or Sioux City, see
striking automobile and spend their
entire fortune for one like it.
Their love Of display leads them to
make some remarkable purchases. A
few days ago big Indian from the
Rosebud Reservation, Shouting Horn.
went to Yankton to buy family
carriage. The dealer he visited showed
him every vehicle in his house, but the
Indian was not impressed. He went
out disappointed. Just at that mo-
ment an undertaken was passing in his
hearse. With grunt of admiration
the buck ran out into the street and
stopped the driver.
Buys a Hearse.
How nuch?" he inquired, pointing
grandiloCuently to the high polished
black vehicle with it's waving plun1es.
The undertaken. John Hanely, made
him an outrageous price. The indian
produced the money, crawled into the
the seat and drove back to his reserva-
ton, the rr0udest Indian in the West.
They are now going it strong on di-
vorces. In the past year forty seven
| DEGREES We're issued here and at Ca
70 raio If "a
last year,. County Attorney Bartine
| favors some sort Of legislation restrict
! ing the Indian divorces. In a measure
| the divorce is teaching the Indians
that marriage bonds are somewhat
binding. Since the Indians have been
thrown into listless idleness by the Co.
vernment support, frightful social con-
| ditions have obtained. Bucks and
squaws begin living with one another
without Formally and sever their re-
lations with as little comnotion.
But lately they have fallen into the
! habit of coming into the white man $
court telling their troubles and secur-
| ing a formal separation. For the same
+ reason church marriages among reds
are the most popular with them, for
! the reason that the formal ritual at
tracts them. The priestly robes and
elaborate ceremonies appeal to their
/ superstitious natures.
Indian Divorce Cases.
| Decidedly unique are these Indian
divorce cases. Last week, for example,
the case Of Lizzie Fighting Bear Gun
VS.. Bad Gun came up for hearing. A
| score of Indian acquaintance of the
principals came solennuly into the
court. With all the reverence mani
tested for a council of their own tribe,
the Indians drew their red and yellow
blakets around them and silently and
| intently watched the proceedings.
| With dignified mien and impressive
manner, the squaw rose to tell her
story. Her tale was emphasized by
dramatic gestures and low sweeps
of her body. Now and again she poin-
ted contemptuously toward Bad Gun.
Bad Gun no longer like Lizzie
Fighting Bear" was the gist of her
story. AT first Bad Gun brought
Lizzie Fighting Bear many beads and
presents. He even worked sometimes
and we had enough to eat and my
blankets were the finest to be seen
about us. But then he met Carrie
Gray Owl, and since then he no longer
like Lizzie Fighting Bear. Days and
nights he spends with Carrie Gray
Owl, while Lizzie Fighting Bear must
work or have nothing to eat"
BAD Gun made no defense, and the
squaw was granted divorce. When
told by the interpreter that she was
rid of Bad Gun she walked out of the
| court room with as much triumph as
could ever be displayed by one of her
white sisters.