The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-11
THEY ARE CLIFF JEWELLERS.
Tho Moki Live I'm Seven Small Towns
the Navajo District.

The AIoki Live In Seven Small Towns IN
tho Navajo District.
Holbrook (Ariz.) special TO Detroit Free Press.
Colonel COrbin's command returned here
to-day, the movement against the Moki at
Oraibe having been most completely sue
cessful. The region traversed is a rocky
and desolate one. containing scarcely a sim
gle spring in Q hundred miles. The expe-
rience OF the troops was like the country,
~singulariy picturesque and perilous. When
the expedition started fears were enter
tanned of serious trouble, not especially the
Oraibe affair. but from the danger of Incl
dental conflict with the powerful Navajo
tribe adjoining, who number eighteen thou
sand. The Moki are descendants of the
old cliff-dwellers, and for ages have lived
IN seven mall towns built upon high cliffs
near the southwest corEe OF the Navajo
reservation. Six of these towns have al
ways been peaceful, but Oraibe. containing
over eight hundred inhabitants, has always
been unfriendly, owing TO the work of IA
matte mediterranean. Last winter they
stubbornly refused to be counted by the
census enumeration. until persuaded by the
presence of q troop of cavalry. Since then
their chief has become friendly and ad-
vised his people TO follow American wayss
This made trouble with the fanatic section
and they resorted to open hostility, threat
ening q surveying party with violence, and
nmen school and all Americans con-
nected with il. This school is in
Kearns's canyon. not far from the
villages. The Navajos, who had long
been In the habit of raiding the MOkis,
were compelled some time ago to withdraw
from the vicinity of the school. This in
censed them. and they threatened not only
the Mokis but also Americans. A short
time ago. at the request of the Indian
agent. Captain McCleiland. with troops of
the Second Cavalry. arrested 9 Navajo
buck who had resisted the agent. This
had q salutary effect. but still tbrongs of
idle young bucks. all well armed, continued
TO gather. n II was feared that some mis-
hap might send them Oft on q wild foray
any day.
Last week Lieutenant Brett, with a de
tachment OF the Second Cavalry. went up
To the Oraibe village to learn the cause of
street they found the Indians congregated
on the fat hOusetOps. armed with rifles and
bows and arrows. The war chief detiantly
rejected offer of parley. and threatened 10
open fire on the cavalry If they did not
leave. Lieutenant Brett. finding he could
do nothing. withdrew his troops and re-
ported. In response. General cCook ordered
a force OF the Second and Tenth Cavalry to
HOlbro0k. where Lieutenant-colonel Cor
bin ssumed command. Vigorous action
had been determined OF. and the
carried with it two three-inch Hotchkiss
guns with which to reduce :he houses occu-
pied by the Indians In case of a tight. These
houses are strongly built of stone. mostly
- - AZ q
and can only be entered by ladders leading
TO tho roofs: thus each house constitutes
o fortress. Tbs troops uad q
sharp march from Holbrook and reached
the village shortly after day break. They
made a grim display as they filed down the
canyoD with sOldierly precision. Prepare
tiOns had evidently been made for trouble,
but on seeing the large force of troops. the
hostiles surrendered at once. Eight of the
PRINCIPALS were arrested and will be taken
To Fort Wingatc. All refused TO talk ex-
cept one. who said they are prepared
To fight. but had no concep-
ton that the Americans could bring
more than thirty or forty soldiers against
them. The presence of nearly two hundred
troops struck them with CONSERVATION.
Colonel Corbin assembled the villagers,
and. after explaining the gravity of their
-mlsdeeds. and severely admonishing them,
he told them to resume their ordinary oc-
equations. Some Navajoes were permitted
10 accompany the troops and observe the
subsection of Oraibe. il being deemed de-
sirsble to give them . Lesson.