The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-02-13
A NAVAJO WARRIOR.

aries, and antedating in their traditions
she most remote records of the white man
on the American continent, they are yet
little known.
The territory over which the tribe roams
is between the Rio Grande and Colorado
rivers, and along the valleys of the ella
and Tuni in western New Mexico and Ari-
zona The Navajos lead nomadic life,
but at periods stop to SOW and cultivate
crops of maize, beans, pumpkins, etc. When
the harvest is over they move on to seek
new scenes.
Many are rich, and have focks and herds
that would grace the ranches of white cat
tie and sheep barons, while the thousands
of handsome horses owned by the tribe are
the admiration of every visitor. To pur-
chase an animal, however, necessitStes
close bargaining, for the Navajos will al
low no one to cheat them if sharp dealing
can prevent it.
They differ widely in appearance from
the typical savage of the prairie. They are
tall, well formed, erect, and have clear
olive compilations. Their bearing is easy
and graceful, and they dress with comfort
A party of them visited by the writer had
apparel that was actually handsome. The
women wore skirts that came below
the knees, while the men had long frochs
made of some bright material, buckskln
knee breeches and wooden stockings. In
the wooden goods the most brilian: colors
were used, and the effect was most strik-
ing. The women have all their white Sis
tets' love for inery, and feathers dipped in
strong dyes manufactured by them Orna-
mented their heads and scarfs The men
had helmet shaped hats similarly adorned,
and pre- ented the appearance Of veritable
stage warriors.
The old Abrahamic form Of government
exists among the Navajos. The wealth.
est men are chiefs, and have retainers, re-
semblng the servitOrs OF the feudai lords
The chiefs confer at times and decide what
shall be done with the tribes possessions.
The Navajos will no more touch or eat a
log than will jew. It Is estimated that
they have now on their ranges 100000
sheen and 90 70 horses, besides large herds
of cattle As there are less than 10000
OF the race the wealth is quite respectable
They add to it constantly by the sale of
the famous Navajo blankets, which all
the skill Of the white man has not been
able to duplicate. They are so finely woven
that water can be carried in them without
leaking, and the dyes are of such n perma-
htnS anu VI Alildhb AAdillg AiitAt AhtJ SUI
pass all Others known. The dyes are made
and the blankets woven by the women Of
the tribe on peculiar looms of their own
devising These show great mechanical
skill They consist of three or four horizon
tai poles tied to saplings or upright stand
xrds. while straight, slender strips Of wood
sr leathern thongs reach TO the ground.
The weaver squats before the loom and
plies her shuttle to and fro, around and
between the strips, forming the warp and
wool of the blanket. The dyes are made
from certain plants and earth deposits
known only to the tribe.
The Navajos are, however, true Indians
as regards treatment Of their enemies
They have no friendship with any other
tribe, and war upon the aborigines Of the
southwest constantly. Once, when they
were fighting the Pueblos, they called a
peace council, and having gathered all the
Pueblo chiefs in a canyon, fell upon them
and attempted 90 massacre the whole
party The nimbleness of the intended
victims, who scaled the sides of the canyon
and escaped, frustrated the design.
The Navaios are not experts with bow,
arrow or rife their favorite weapon being
the spear, which they throw with great
force and skill They are fine horsemen,
and the young men are fond Of athletic
sports. Like the old Greeks, they have