The Washington herald., 1907-06-18
sues INDIAN SPOUSE
Mrs. La Flesche First Squaw
to Ask for Divorce,
DEMANDS $50 A MONTH
Wife of Government Emp1Oye De-
c1ares He Has Income of PrOba bly,
$4,000 n Year-Wedded in wash
ington In I9O6-Parted I'm Omaha
on Visit to His Relatives.

What is believed to be the first suit
for maintenance ever brought by an
Indian woman against her Indian hus-
band. was filed in the District Supreme
Court yesterday. The case assumes ad-
ditional Importance when it is considered
that the defendant is the son Of a form
er head chief OF the Omaha tribe; that he
is a graduate Of the National University
Law School, OF this city, holding an
LII NJ. degree; that he is an author Of
repute. and a member of the Anthropolog-
ical Society of this city.
Mrs. Rosa B. La Flesche. through At
tOrney James II. Taylor. yesterday began
suit for maintenance against her hus-
band Francis La Flesche. and she asks
the court TO compel him TO disclose the
nature Of his property and to issue an
order restraining and enj0ining him from
disposing of or transferring the same.
Mrs. La FIesche says she is by birth
a member Of the Chippewa tribe Of In
dams. and that her husband is a member
Of the Omaha tribe, both being citizens
Of the United States. She also declares
that her husband is employed as a clerk
In the office Of the Commissioner Of IN
dian Affairs, and that they were married
in this city March Is. 1896. and lived to
gether as man and wife at 2l2 First street
southeast until November Il last at
which date, Mrs. La Flesche alleges, her
husband obtained his annual leave of alb
sence. starting with her on a trip West
In the course Of this trip, Mrs. La
Flesche alleges. they made visit at the
home Of her father where her husband
left her for the purpose Of visiting his
former home and relatives at the Omaha
Indian agency.
Failed to Bring Wife Back.
It Is further alleged by the plaintiff
that her husband while visiting his peo-
PIE, wrote letters to her couched in the
most affectionate terms, and that in one
Of these missives he said he was thinkig
Of giving up his position in Washington
to live on his land where, he stated, life
could be passed more happily and in more
congenial surroundings" Notwithstand-
ing these endearing letters, Mrs. La
Flesche alleges her husband left his rela-
tives and started for Washington without
telling her one word about ii.
But this is not all Mrs. La Flesche
further AYERS and alleges that her hus-
band has made no explanation Of his con-
duct since his return TO this city, al
though she has written a number OF let
ters full Of love and affection. She says
he has made no reply. and that when
she came on here to Washington May 4
last. TO see her beloved hubby, he did not
receive her Sfecuonately "or even po-
lltely." Worse than that Mrs. La
I Flesche declares upon oath and alleges
that her husband then and there told her
not to come TO their former place Of resi-
dence, where he still lived. but told he-
/ to go wherever you ike, where, he did
not care"
Wife's Refuge with Friends.
Mrs. La Flesche declares she went 20
! the house of a friend, from where she
again wrote TO her husband. In reply.
1 she SAYS, she received a letter from At
torneys Smith & Walker, who said they
had been retained by her husband. asking
/ her 70 a conference TO arrange a salts
factory agreement in a peaceable manner,
/ if possible. but otherwise, if necessary"
Before she received this letter. Mrs. La
/ Flesche says. she received a call from
hher husband, who offered her so a month
as long as he had a position in the office
| of the Commissioner Of Indian Affairs,
( provided she would leave Washington
and live elsewhere"
The declaration does not state why Mr..
/ La Flesche made this request, but Mrs
/ La Flesche alleges that since November
| l. 1906, her husband has contributed $l75
/ TO her support, and that he now says he
will not give her more than $50 a month,
which, she says. is not enough for her
station in life
Indians Income Large.
When the question Of marriage was dis
/ cussed between the couple, Mrs. la
Flesche alleges her Indian lover told heI
| his annual income was between $500 and
/ $3.50, and that In addition to his salary
Of S1.400 per annum as a clerk in the In
dian Office. he owned stock in the Capital
/ Traction Company, the Washington
/ Railway and Electric Company the Con.
/ soidated Gold Mining and Milling and
! Prospecting Company; that he was re.
/ ceiving a royalty on a book published by
/ him: that the rent of his ranch amounted
/ to 500 per annum and that he was re-
/ ceiving an annuity as a member OF the
/ tribe Of Omaha Indians.
/ Mrs. La Flesche declares to the court
/ that If her husband does not intend tC
/ live with her he should be required tC
/ pay her separate maintenance,
Could BE Tribal Chief.
Mr. La FIesche. who was born on the
/ Omaha Reservation. Nebr.. about 1850, and
has been employed in the Indian Bureau
since 1881. He is the son of Joseph La
/ Flesche former head chief Of the Omaha
tribe. and he could have had the Office
/ himself had he remained with his people
/ His primary education was received al
the Presbyterian mission school, on ths
/ Omaha Reservation, Nebr
He is the author Of THE Middle Five
/ published in 1900, and the joint author OF
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