Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-12
AN INDIAN INTERPRETER.
The Navajo Apostle of Education and
CivIIizatiOn-A Rich Tribe-A Wash
ington Visit.

Chez is the Interpreter at the Navajo
Indian agency. He is a Navajo and a
man of remarkable character. He is
deeply interested in the welfare of his
people, and is an efficient helper of the
agent, Maj. RiOrdan, in his work for the
tribe. In their long rides over the great
barren reservation these two men have
had earnest talks, and have discussed the
future of the NaYajOs. Maj. RiOrdan has
told Chez of the need of education, and of
the power it had given to the white
race, and Chez has determined to devote
himself to the education aud civilization
of his people, to leading them out of the
bondage of ignorance and superstition IN
to a better life, for which they are so well
fitted. Chee's pay as an Interpreter is
$25 month. Not long ago he was offer
ed by the War Department SO a month,
for his honesty and intelligence make him
a valuable interpreter. He talked the
matter over with Maj. Riordan, and de-
cided to sacrifice his personal advantage
to the good of his tribe, and to stay and
work for them on his salary $25 month.
The NavajOs are an interesting tribe
numbering 1000. They are rich in sheep,
ponies, and beautiful blankets of their
own manufacture, and silver ornaments
(which they are skillful in making. They
are necessarily nOmadic in their habits,
wandering about their arid reservation
and the neighbOring wild country seeking
pasturage for their flOcks. Major RiOrdan
and Chez propose to have 20 or more
families settle in some arabic part of their
land, where a school can be established
for their children, and the ways OfciYiliZa-
ton put in practice. Several of these
centres might be established, and great
good would result from them. The govern
ment owes the NavajOs $500, 600, but is
nOt rnadU IN fhQm II annrnnriafnH
$3.50 towards a 81, 500 school house, and
Major Riordan had to beg the other $3.50
from friends of the Indians. Missionaries
and teachers are needed, and money is
needed to pay them.
Maj. Riordan has lately been in Wash
ington with three of the men prominent
among the NavajOs, one of them an old
chief of so. They never had been away
from their reservation before, and having
no reason to believe what white men told
them, they had grave doubts as to the
wonderful accounts of civilized life
which they heard. In Chicago, the first
large city they had ever seen, Mai.
RiOrdan took them to the lake shore for
their first sight of large body of water.
then through the tunnel under the river.
The OctOgenarian gave out, and didn't
want to see any more, so he went back to
the hotel, but the others went through
the stock-yards and the packing houses.
assembled one of the fire towers, saw the
working of the street cars and Of the teIe-
phone. They were not confused or be-
wildered, but carried away a clear idea of
all they had seen. Later one of the men
said to Maj. Ri0rdan: "My father, for Is
years l have opposed the schools of the
white man, and have not wanted my peo-
pie to read their books. l was wrong.
Those 10 years are loss. l will go home
and do all that can to have my people
learn"
This is the field for work; it will require