The Washington times., 1907-08-12
INDIAN ANSWERS
W|FE'S DIVORCE BILL
Husband Belongs to Omaha
Tribe and Spouse Is a
Chippewa.
Declares Woman Has Been
Married and Divorced
Before.

The answer Of Francis lie Flesche TO
the petition of his wife, Rosa b. La
Flesche. FOR a limited divorce was filed
in the District Supreme, Court today.
The complainant is a member Of the
Chippewa tribe OF Indians and the de-
fendant a member of the Omaha tribe.
In his answer he states that this fact
of complainant's bill is true, but mat
the matter is irrevelant and immaterial,
the only effect being to attract addi-
tional public gossip and notoriety to the
suit
THE ceremony Of marriage" the an
swer states, was performed between
complainant. under her maiden name Of
Rosa Bourassa. and the defendant. in
the District OF Columbia. March 10. 1906 %
The defendant states he is informed that
the complainant had been married pre-
viously 10 one James Brown, who OBJ
tanned a divorce from her in a court of
the indian Territory, on January =, l9Jl
The defendant has no personal knOwl-
edge of this ne says and asks leave 10
file a supplemental answer IL he finds,
upon investigation, that the facts of SAID
divorce proceeding are material 10 his
case.
Continuing the answer states that
almost as soon as they began living
together n total difference unfortunately y
became manifest, without any fault Of
the defendant. in their ideas, tastes, and
temperaments. Every reasonable effort
and concession TO reconcile these differ
ences, to attain concord and a pleasant
domestic life was made, but complain
ant did not respond ana on tho con-
trary became discOntented, restless and
excitable, so that their home life be-
came increasingly distressing and un-
comfortable. In June. 1890. the complain
ant asked for funds 70 go back 20 the
home Of her father in Michigan, but II
happened that the defendant was not
able 20 give her the money.
Under stress OF these circumstances,
Il is stated, the defendant finally sug-
gested TO complainant that he would be
going West in November. 1906 and that
he would escort her home At regular
/ intervals money was sent 10 the com
plainant ana IL is denied that defendant
wrote TO her any letters that would
have a tendency 10 mislead her as 20
his intentions. He Is informed. he
states, that the complainant accepted a
salaried position IN Chicago and thus
showed acQuiescence in tho idea that
| thew would get along better apart"
II is denied by the answer that the
complainant has always been "an affec-
| tionate and dutiful wife 10 the de-
| fendant." as. he says. he belives that
an important part OF a wife's duty
| and affection Is 10 endeavOr 70 be ''rea-
sonably pleasant, cOngeniaI. and helpful
/ to her husband" In May, II Is stated.
Mrs. La F1esche called on her husband
at the Indian Office. where he is employ
I ed TO confer with him concerning his
! domestic affairs. II is alleged she ex-
citedly called upon the clerks 70 witness
what she was going 10 do, but they left
/ the room She then talked 70 the de-
/ fendant in a manner very far from duti-
| ful or affeCtiOnate. This mOrtifying
| scene, II is stated. in public Office,
| convinced La Flesche that he and the
/ complainant could not live together as
man and wife.