The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1929-02-15
2 MINOT COUPLES
TRADE MATES, KIDS
HAPPINESS RESULTS AFTER
DOUBLE DIVORCE AND
DOUBLE WEDDING

Mr.. and Mrs. Lawrence Rigans-
rud, living about % miles north
west of Minot. interviewer into
the strange story of an exchange
of husbands, wives and children,
which has focused upon them
widespread attention, r their
own romantic tales of a mutual
belief that had prevailed that they
would find enjoyment in life
if they were remated.
Toward those who would be
critical the realigned families are
scornful but to those whose COM
ments are withheld their hospital
ity BETTING the event of recent
matrimony is extended.
Spend Honeymoon" Quietly
It is the second honeymoon" in
their lives for each of the four
and they are spending it quietly.
For II years Mr.. and Mrs.
Knight had lived together and had
become the parents of five child
rem. 1t is II years since Mr.. and
Mrs. Rikansrud were married and
they are the parents of a son and
a daughter.
Now, following a double di-
dorce and a double" wedding
ceremony. the former Mrs. Knight
has gone to the home of Rikans-
rud, taking four of her five child
rem with her, and the former Mrs.
Rikansrud has gone to the home
of Mr.. Knight, taking her two
children with her and becoming
the foster mother of one boy who
remained with his father.
The wOmen took with them only
those personal things which had
been received by them as gifts and
the playthings of the children.
The remainder of the personal
property remained intact in each
home.
1t was as nearly a fair trade, so
far as household goods were con-
cerned, as could have been eff
the two women declare.
The explanatory stories of the
,wo couples told of a steady dimin-
shing affection on the part of
each with respect to his or her
nate and of an increasing fond l
for the mate of the friendly I
]
Discontentment Causes Breach
For more than two years the l
wo families, living a mile and a
lalf apart, We're the closest of
Their children played to- q
ether and the parents found en- Il
oyment together in attendance at v
ances and other serial functions. U
s this association became more 3
so dwindled the regard p
{ one mate for the other, with a L
or~responding increase in admir- p
ton for the husband or wife of p
lie neighbor. u
Gradually the breach in each ia a.
lily widened and then came the IL
imax. 1t was at the Knight p'
as both couples were max M
G ready to attend a dance, that
noisy quarrel and frank state 1o
ents and admissions were made. pl
'om this misunderstanding was Dl
'olved the plan for a double" DC
vorce, a double" remarriage to
fferent mates, an agreement on "a
'oDerty settlement and that the II
others should be permitted to w
.ep their children. But-and this III
rs a positive understanding co
ey should remain friends, and up ma
date this unanimous agreement
S not been broken. n
family has visited the in
me of the other since a new
fe and her children have come
the household, the men have
lped each other with their work,
ey have gone to town together
do their trading and the child Gle
still play together. die
Riddles Slow To Realize Ill
At present the parents are con- 1T
1trating in a little home educa- CO..
n of their youngsters attempt wv
to teach them that they have ele
papas and should so call VIII
IN. en-
blue eyed Eileen, who "a
mt with her mother to the oh
light home, is learning slowly. ing
9 told a visitor that my papa "h
there" pointing in the di- tne
ton of the Rikansrud farm. pre-
also little Eileen, by her brief Hill
nment made her mothers story Gus
the quarrel of the parents more Il
.hatic when she chirped, "Your the
was knocked off, wasn't it, con
MAJ" as
financially speaking, the couples Lal
ard the exchange as having cou
n rather costly. In all, an ex- "
diture of about $3.50 was in VIII
yed, but the new Mr.. and Mrs. one
ansrud and the new Mr.. and ana
J. Knight are those who can Mln
quoted as saying that it was i've
ap, when happiness was in i've
red. ohll
lery