court shall, if
necessary, set off to the wife and children under fifteen years of age,
of the insane person or to either sufficient of his property of such
kind as it shall deem appropriate to support them for twelve months from
the time he was adjudged insane. [Sec.3467.]

[Sidenote: Custody]

The priority of claim to the custody of any insane person, habitual
drunkard, or spendthrift aforesaid, shall be:

1. The legally appointed guardian.

2. The husband or wife.

3. The parents.

4. The children. [Sec.3470.]

CHAPTER VI.

APPRENTICING AND ADOPTION OF CHILDREN.

[Sidenote: Minors.]

Any minor child may be bound to service until the attainment of the age
of legal majority as hereinafter described. [Sec.3471.]

[Sidenote: Indenture.]

Such binding must be by written indenture, specifying the age of the
minor and the terms of agreement. If the minor is more than twelve years
of age and not a pauper, the indenture must be signed by him of his own
free will. [Sec.3472.]

[Sidenote: Consent of parent or guardian.]

A written consent must be appended to or endorsed upon such agreement,
and signed by one of the following persons, to-wit:

1. By the father of the minor; but if he is dead or has abandoned his
family, or is for any cause incapacitated from giving his assent, then

2. By the mother; and if she be dead or unable, or incapacitated for
giving such assent, then,

3. By the guardian; and if there be no guardian, then by the clerk of
the district court. [Sec.3473.]

[Sidenote: Natural guardian removed.]

Upon complaint being made to the district court of the proper county,
verified by affidavit, that the father or mother of a minor child is
from habitual intemperance and vicious and brutal conduct, or from
vicious, brutal and criminal conduct toward said minor child, an
unsuitable person to retain the guardianship and control the education
of such child, the court may, if it find the allegations in the
complaint manifestly true, appoint a proper guardian for the child, and
may if expedient, also direct that said child be bound as an apprentice
to some suitable person until he attains his majority. But nothing
herein shall be so construed as to take such minor child if the mother
be a proper guardian. [Sec.3492.]

The same proceedings may take place and a like order be made, when the
mother, who for any cause became the guardian of her minor child, is in
like manner found to be mani