Heneritta Big Talk 1915 - 1945

TALK

Posted By: Connie Swearingen - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/26/2021 at 00:16:16

Sioux City Journal
28 May 1945

WOMAN DEAD HERE; 5 HELD

Body of Mrs. Big Talk Found After Alleged Fight

The body of Heneritta Big Talk, 24, 301 S. Wall street, an Indian woman formerly of Browns Valley, Minn., was found at the rear of 303 S. Wall street shortly before 8 a. m. Sunday, after she had been in what police described as a fight at 1212 Leech avenue. The women's husband is a soldier overseas.

Death apparently was due to natural causes and had occurred about eight hours before the body was found, County Coroner J.E. Swanson said Sunday night after he and Dr. A. C. Starry, pathologist, had performed an autopsy.

The examination repealed, no indications of violence, he stated, adding that a neighbor had said Mrs. Big Talk had been suffering from a severe cold.

However, five Indians, three men and two women, who were arrested Sunday morning, were being held for investigation in connection with the death of Mrs. Big Talk, police said.

The five held for investigation were booked as William Brown, 49, 1414 1/2 Washington avenue; Don Buchanan, 20, Bill Buchanan, 34, and Katherine St. Cyr, 31, all of 1212 Leech avenue, and Majorie Rice, 17, 1207 Leech avenue.

Questioning of the witnesses and taking of statements will begin this morning, Chief of Detectives Thomas Farley said Sunday night. Available information in connection with the incident was "very hazy" Sunday, Farley stated.

The body was found by a woman who gave her name as Mrs. Benton Lewis, 1205 Leech avenue, police said.

Police set the time of the alleged fight at about midnight Saturday. Officers who investigated included Detectives L L. Peterson, Tony Bucchino, Patrolmen E H. Anders and A.B. Case.

Mrs. Big Talk was born November 4, 1915, at Browns Valley.

Survivors are the widower, Pfc, Thomas, overseas in the European area, and three daughters, Edna, Doris and Joan.

The body was taken to Manning's funeral home from where it was sent Sunday night to Browns Valley for funeral and burial.