The morning call., 1891-07-05
ARIZONA INDIANS.
General MCCOOk Ends The DiSafeCtiOn Of
the Clif-DWsllerS.

HoLBRooK (Ariz.). July 4.-ColOnel Cor
bins command has returned here after his
movement against the OraiDe Indians, hav-
ing been completely successful. When the
expedition started out fears were enter
tanned OF serious trouble, not especially in
consequence of the Oraibe affair, but from
the danger OF incidental conflict with the
powerful Navajo tribe adjoining. who num-
Der $4,000. The MoQuis are descendants of
the old cliff-dwelers, and have for ages
lived in seven small towns built upon the
high cliffs near the southwest corner of the
Navajo reserve. Six of these towns have a.
ways been peaceful, but Oraibe. containing
over 500 inhabitants, has always been I'M
friendly, owing to the work of the fanatic
medicine men. Last winter they stubbornIy
refused to be counted by census enumera-
tors until persuaded by the presence of a
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. threat
enlng the surveying party with
violence, and also threatening the destruc-
tion OF the Government school and all
Americans connected with it. This school
Is In kearns Canyon. not far from the viii
lage. The Navaios, who had long been in
the habit of raiding the MoquiS, were COM
PEELED some time ago to withdraw from the
vicinity of the school, This incensed them
and they threatened not only the MoQuis,
but also the Americans. A short time ago.
Mt the request of the Indian Agent, Captain
McClernand, with a troop of the Second
Cavalry. arrested a Navajo buck who had
resisted the agent This had Salutary
effect but still thrOngs of idle young bucks,
all we'll armed, continued to gather and it
was feared that some mishap might send
them off on wild foray any day. Last
week, Lieutenant Brett, with a detachment
of tue Second Cavalry, wen. up to Orabe
village to learn the cause OF the trouble
there. On entering the narrow street they
found the indians cOngregated on the fiat
EousetopS, armed with rifles and bows and
arrows. The war chief defantlY rejected
the offer Of parley and threatened to open
hre on the cavalry II they did not leave.
Lieutenant Brett, finding he could do moth
Ing, withdrew his troop and reported. In
response General AlcC0ok ordered a force
consisting of the Second and Tenth Cavalry
to HolOrook, where Lieutenant Colonel
Corbl0 assumed command. Vigorous action
had been determined on and 3he COM
mand carried with ii two 3-Inch H0tch-
kiss guns with which 10 reduce the houses
occupied by the Indians in case of fight.
These houses are strongly built of stone,
mostly three stories in height, with tPrraced
fronts, and can only be entered by ladders
leading to the roofs thus each muse consti-
tutes fortress. The troops made sharp
march frnm Holhrook and reached the viii
age shortly after dayDreak. Preparations
had evidently been made for trouble, but on
sect, g the large force of troops the hostes
surrendered at once Eight of the princi
pals were arrested and will he taken to Fort
Wlngaie. All refused to talk except one,
VINO SAID they were prepared TO light, but
had no conception that the Americans could
bring more than thirty or forty soldiers
against them. The presence of nearly 200
troops struck them with cons formation.
Colnnei CorOin assembled the villagers and
after explaining the gravity of their mis-
deeds and severely admonshlng them, he
told them to resume their ordinary occupa-
tons. Some Navajos were permitted TO ac-
company the troops and observe the subjec-
ton of Oraibe, 1t bang deemed desirable TO
give them lesson