The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-11-18
ge auita Daily Eagle gnesaau ornno Houembe 1890.
VERY QUEER INDIANS
A REMARKABLE TRIBE SURROUND
ED BY A NATURAL WALL

Some Interesting Facts About the Nava-
sapais = They Live in . stupsndous
Canyon In New Mexieo-In Many Re-
spects They Are Civilized.
Ben Wittick, wen known photog-
rapher Of Albuquerque, N. NJ, has been
visiting friends in Minneapolis. and to
him The Minneapolis Journal is indebt-
ed for a most interesting and accurate
account Of the Nsya-Supais of the Supai
canyon Some time ago he went to New
Mexico, settling at Albuquerque. Being
man Of adventurous turn Of mind he
took trip up the canyon and located
the tribe In the narrow. valley like in
closure between the mighty walls Of
the Supai canyon Supa Is a name
which Mr.. Supai gave the canyon him
self after having made trip to the re-
gion.
On reaching the canyon he found the
Indians in the midst Of q marvelously
fertile valley, diminutive as it is, where
all sorts Of grains and fruits grow in
rank profusion, where there are splendid
climatic influences nearly the twelve
month through, and where all that tends
to build up physical powers is at hand
he made Investigations. too, into their
language, their rites and ceremonies,
their legends, and into all the phases Of
their present and past history possible.
and he is confirmed in tine belief that
they are in no way allied to the AztecS
He says, on the contrary. that as far a.
can be ascertained they are allied to the
Wallapai-
AN ISOLATED TRIBE.
The tribe is a most singular one. Their
valley home has on either side great
lodges of rocks running up in benches
thousands Of feet. In the valley are
groves of cottonwood trees, and a luxu-
rant vegetation is seen on all sides.
There are about 245 or ESQ In the tribe Of
the Supai They live absolutely alone.
They do not intermarry with other
tribes, neither do they mix with the scat
tering white people of the regions round
about. When they are in need of forage
or food outside Of that which they can
get in their own rich valley they sally
out, make their trades or purchases and
return home. They are monogamists,
every man having one wife and no more.
They do not live in a communal form
either. but preserve the family in its in
tegrity. The men are little above the
average height, they are strong and
active, and they are noted for their skill
in climbing the mountains and in bring
ing down the game they need. They are
very shy and suspicious Of Indians from
other tribes, and it is only by the most
careful and adroit means that q white
man can approach them and gain any
information as to their life. The women
are smaller in stature. very fond or
adornment and given to fantastic deco
rations Of their faces
The Supai Indians appear to be far
above many other tribes in morals.
They look with scorn upon any one who
asks them questions as TO their married
relations, holding that this ia no ones
business but their own, and the fact that
the woman Of the tribe who goes wrong
is subjected to the most pronounced
neglect, and generally is put out of the
way. is pretty good proof that they are
possessed Of a sort Of simple, heroic vir-