The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-07-05
SUBDUED HOSTILES.
Successful Termination of Colo.
mel COrbin'S Expedition.
The Capture Of 0raibe-Number Of Troops
some Nsyajoes Taken Along to Give
Them an Object Lesson.

HoLBRooK, Ariz., July 4.-Colonel Cor
bins command has returned here, the
movement against Orabie having been com.
pletely successful. When the expedition
started out fears were entertained of seri-
Gus trouble, not especially on account of
the Oraible affair, but from the danger of
an incidental conflict with the powerful
Navajo tribe, who number $4,000. The
Mokis are descendants of the old cliff
jewellers and for ages have lived in seven
small towns built upon high cliffs near the
southeast corner of the Navajo reserve.
Six of these towns have always been peace
full, but Ora.be, containing over eight
hundred inhabitants, have always been I'M
friendly, owing to the work of fanatic
medicine men. Last winter they stub
bornly refused TO be counted by the census
enumerator until persuaded by the presence
of troop of cavalry. Since then their
chief has become friendly and advised his
people TO follow American ways. This
made trouble with the fanatic
section, and they resorted to
open hostility, threatening a surveying
party with violence and also threatening
the destruction OF the government school
and all Americans connected with it. This
school is in Kearn's canon not far from the
village. The Navajoes, who had long been
in the habit OF ralding the Mokis, were
compelled some time ago TO withdraw FIR ON
the vicinity of the school. This incensed
them, and they threatened not only the
Mokis but also the Americans. a short
time ago, at the request of the Indian
agent, Captain McClernand, with a troop
of the Second cavalry, arrested Navajo
buck who had resisted the agent. This had
a salutary effect, but still throngs of idle
young bucks, all well armed, continued to
gather, and it was feared that some
mishap might send them of on a wild foray
any day. Last week Lieutenant Brett, with
a detachment of the Second cavalry, went up
TO the Oraibe village TO learn the cause of
the trouble there. On entering the narrow
street they found the Indians congregated
on the fiat house tops aimed with rifles and
bows and arrows. The war chief defiantly
rejected the offer of a parley and threat
ened to open fire on the cavalry if they
didn't leave. Lieutenant Brett, finding he
could do nothing. withdrew his troops and
reported. In response General McCook or
dered q force of the Second and Tenth cav
airy to Holbrook, where Lieutenant Col
onel Corbin assumed command. Vigorous
action had been determined On and the
command carried with it two 3inch Hotch-
kiss guns with which to reduce the houses
occupied by the Indians in case of fight.
These houses are strongly built of stone,
mostly three stories in height, with ter
raced fronts ana can only be en-
tered by ladders reaching to the
roofs. Thus each house constitutes
a fortress. The troops made sharp
march from Holbrook and reached the vii
Iage shortly after daybreak. Preparations
had evidently been made for trouble, but
on seeing the large force of troops the hos
tiles surrendered at once. Eight of the
principals were arrested and will be taken
10 For. Wingate. AL refused to talk ex-
cept one, who said they were prepared TO
fight, but had no conception that the Amer
leans could bring more than thirty or forty
soldiers against them. The presence. of
nearly 200 troops struck them with con-
sternation. Colonel Corbin assembled the
villagers, and after explaining the gravity
of their misdeeds and severely admonish-
ing them, he told them to resume their oc-
equations. Some Navajces were permitted
to accompany the troops and observe the
subjection OF the Oraibe, it being deemed
desirable to give them . lesson.