Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1876-11-08
THE NOBLE pIUrE.
Some Of His Characteristics-An
Interesting Specimen Of The
Tribe.

pretty we'll understood here, where
the indians are visible every day in
primitive simplicity or surrounded
with as much of the parerphernalia
of civilization as they have up to
this time acquired, but persons
abroad may not be so familiar
with the interesting facts. 1t is
largely for their entertainment and
edification that We record some
notes taken among that wing OF the
great Piute tribe who dwell in these
immediate precincts.
Indian Charley is a character
among them enjoying modicum of
that notoriety which follows men,
ton i'll print occasionally. We have
more than once alluded to him in
these columns, have recorded his
departure on a visit to other men,
bers OF the tribe, and have, on one
occasion, done him an injustice, ~
subsequent events proved. On that
occasion he was published as a
gambler, who was accustomed to sit
i'll circle with dusky braves aud
greasy maidens and game away the
accumula ed provender OF his house,
ha,t I'd ltl,r hrs ri
gaunt hunger face to face or go abeg-
ging about the Kitchens of restau-
rants and hotels-a very humilating
thing for family like Charley's to
do. The charge lacked substantial
ton i'll fact, and the accused party
lost no time after the appearance of
the paper containing it in coming
around and demanding retraction.
The retraction was made, and the
maiigned aDoriginee was represent
ed as most exemplary Indian,
who, whatever else he might be
guilty of, would not drink to excess
or gamble. Charley has a boy about
fifteen years old, perhaps, who at
tends the public school, and who is
rather bright pupil. He is suffici-
emily we'll advanced to be able to
keep his father posted up on what is
being circulated in the newspapers
regarding his people. Nothing can
be remarked of Charley, either in
praise OF blame, in any of the home
papers, but what he will know OF it
as quickly as anybody, and will
manifest pleasure or pain in conse-
quence, according to the character
of what is said. Should anything be
written in the course of this article
to reflect untavorably upon him,
the author would surely be
made conscious of it by his attitude
after it appeared. HIS boy must
therefore read and interpret to him.
Charley is perhaps forty-tive
years old Che does not know, him
self and is a full-blood Piute. In
the early days, while he was yet but
boy. he went over to California
with party of emigrants, and re-
NAMED in Santa Clara Valley for
more than a year. He learned to
speak English pretty we'll during
that time, and has since improved
in his speech until now he can make
himself understood Quite easily. He
relates some interesting experiences
that he had in California with the
Mexicans. He found it impossible
to have horse long before the Mex
leans would steal it from him. Nor
could he recover the property, once
it was out of his hands. Scarcely
ever could he ride horse away
from homo but that he would be
compelled to come back afoot. Cal
itornia, in those days, was one vast
plain, horse stealing was legitimate
occupation with the Mexicans, law
was lax, means for its execu ton
were limited, and crime met with
scarcely restraint
The reporter of THE TIMES yes
terday visited the dwelling of this
interesting lndian, and found him
engaged in building new house for
the accommodation of himself and
family during the coming winter.
Indians are proverbially awkward
with tools, and Charley Is no en-
ception in this respect. Consequent
ly his efforts at carpentery are
neither marked by fine flush or
promising durability. The material
used bears peculiar correspondence
with the skill of the workmen, aud
consists of pieces of Old boxes,
random boards and scantlings, and
n bunch or two of shingles.