My Father Believed in Proof, in Evidence Page 53

‘Montana 1948.’ Quotes

Justice:

 ‘ And that disappointed me at the time. As long as my father was going to be a sheriff, a position with so much potential for excitement, danger and bravery, why couldn’t some of that promise be fulfilled?’ Page 17

 ‘He wanted needed, power. He was a dominating man who drew sustenance and strength from controlling others. To him, being the law’s agent probably seemed part of a natural progression – first you master the land and its beasts, then you regulate the behaviour of men and women.’ Page 20

 ‘A man who tried to turn two ways at once – towards my grandfather, who wanted his son to continue the Hayden rule of Mercer County, and toward my mother who wanted her husband to be merely himself and not a Hayden.’ Page 21

 ‘My father believed in proof, in evidence’ Page 53

 ‘You never said you didn’t believe it. Why is that? Why? And my father knew he was guilty.’ Page 54

 ‘They couldn’t arrest us – we are the law!’

 ‘What about what’s already been done? What about that, that... damage?

It’s can’t be undone. That’s passed. That’s over and done.’ Page 85

 That’s not the way it works. You know that. Sins – crimes – are not supposed to go unpunished.’ Page 85

 ‘But he’ll know. There he’ll be, day after day. With that look. I’m not going to live with that look.’ Page 100

 ‘He didn’t want to go to jail. Not here in town.’ Page 109

 ‘My brother, your uncle has run afoul of the law. I had to arrest him. I had no choice.’ Page 110

 ‘He’s acting as if this is all some kind of joke.’ Page 111  ‘This isn’t about family,’ my father said. This is a legal matter.’ Page 116

 ‘Since when do you get arrested in this part of the country for taking a poke at a man, red or white’ Page 118

 ‘We’re – your father is doing what’s right.’ But we’re the ones getting the shitty end of the stick.’ Page 130

 ‘Even then I knew we were not responsible for the circumstances of our birth or the sins of our fathers.’ Page 142

 ‘You can simply open that door.’

‘You don’t mean that.’

‘Oh, yes I do. Yes.’ Page 144

 ‘He’s guilty as sin, Gail. He told me as much.’ ‘Goddam it! What could I have been thinking of? Maybe a jury will cut him loose. I won’t. By God I won’t.’ Page 149

 ‘He’d show more remorse over a dog.’; Page 150

 ‘I can’t let him loose. Not and live with myself.’ Page 150

 ‘David, I believe that in this world people must pay for their crimes. It doesn’t matter who you are or who your relations are; if you do wrong, you pay. I believe that. I have to.’ Page 156.

 ‘You see, I knew – that Uncle Frank’s suicide had solved all our problems.’ Page 161

Religion

 ‘Lutheran of boundless devotion’ pg 21

 ‘He’ll have to meet his punishment in the hereafter. I won’t do anything to arrange it in this life.’ Page 85

 ‘My mother was willing to go on a lot less, on her feelings, her faith.’ Page 52

Racism

 ‘Good enough for the Army but not for college.’ Page 26

 ‘My father did not like Indians. He simply held them in low regard. Page 33  ‘He wears those and soon enough he’ll be as flat footed and lazy as an Indian.’ Page 34

 ‘ They’re not going to make it into the twentieth century until they give up their superstitions and old ways.’ Page 42

 ‘I knew what he was thinking; she’s an Indian – why would she tell the truth?’

 ‘He’s a testimony to what hard work will get you.’ Page 58

 ‘ – and white, we want them white.’ Page72

Sexism

 ‘A girl could so easily be mistaken. A trip to the doctor. The fear. The conclusion. An Indian girl especially. ‘ Page 119

Other:

‘I was a Hayden. I knew, for the time I was very young and without having been told, that that meant something in Bentrock.’ Page 126