The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-15

ordered into the Indian country at the
head of troop of cavalry, and by the
courtesy of the colonel l was permitted to
follow their. footsteps.
have travelled through their weird and
beautiful country. spent days among them,
slept among their smokes, stated their
songs as they fell from their lips. watched
them at their games, marked their feats of
horsemanship and their shapshooters at
target, seen them weave their beautiful
blankets-no two of which are alike in
their mapX-colored devices, and all Of
which if held up at the four ends will hold
water-talked with them in their quaint lit
tie huts hogans and wicky-ups, in the val
leys and on the sides of the mountain both
by the sign language and through an inter-
prefer.
In the latter part Of October. Just before
election, David e. Shipley, the Indian
agent at old Fort Defiance, attempted
forcibly to take. as he had repeatedly done
before, twenty Indian children from their
fathers and mothers and put them in the
Fort Defiance school. But the redoubtable
Black Horse came forth and ssid: 'If you
attempt to take single child from their
fathers and mothers against their wish
will teach you lesson you will never for
GET"
So saying. he dragged Mr.. Shipley out
of a neighboring store. and would have
probably killed him on the spot had not
an Indian policeman rushed in and
rescued him after Black Horse had
slapped his face. Thereupon the old
chief started for the hills, and Shipley
has sent troop of cavalry after him.
The real question for the people to de-
49, IT
Commissioner Morgan, Of the Indian
bureau?
The Navajo is the second largest In.
dian remnant on any reservation. 1t is q
branch of the great Athabascan family
that has been traced to the Arctic regions.
Its people are self-supporting. They ask
nothing of the government. They raise
vast 1ocks and herds. They ship abroad
annually 100000 pounds of wool, and
produce possibly as many more. They
are the Switzers of the mountains. i'm
pregnably intrenched against attack be-
hind their black lava beds. And because
they are strong and independent, cOmpul-
sorry education has no clam upon them.
War would be deplorabIe nwisdom--nay,
worse--indefensible assault.
Black Horse says: II will not allow
you to take my children by force from me
and place them in school,"
Iue>e are MS reasons:
First-Dipththeria had lately broken
out among the Navajo children, and
caused widespread death throughout the
reservation, making those children that
were left doublv dear TO them.
Second-He feared that If children were
taken To- the Fort Defiance school they
would be surreptitiousiy removed to q
more distant school.
Third-That il was well known that at
that very school Indian boys and girls had
behaved in such a way to irreparably
injure its moral character.
Fourth-That compulsory education
could not be lawfully enforced upon the
children OF seli-suppcrting nation like
the Navaios.
Flith-rhat the violation Of the treaty
OF 1S6G. which provided for enc reservation
school tor every thirty children, whose ed-
| ucation should take place under the Indian
eye abrogaied all claim TO their children
Whatever. This is the round rock on
which Black Horse stands, and | venture
10 say that If all the mothers and fathers
OF little children IN this country could be-
gathered in a circle around him they
would crown that chieftaIn OF the forest
with profound approval.
The traIl which followed with a trust
worthy Indian guide, crossed at length a
dry, sandy. bottom and climbed cedared
/ bluff overlooking wild and lonely spot
/ in one OF the mountain ranges Of the
NdFIJD fE5FFhGlI0A. obpbpSA aiu RAZfu
upon the scene. 1t was beautiful NOON
light night. The sons Of rest were pulling
their cigarettes in the land OF the late
sitters up. All about me little thread-iike
smokes curied 10 curiousiy from the
Indian huts. The harsh, strong eargOyies
OF the mesa, 50 SHARPLY relieved against
the peculiar clearness Of the southwestern
| SKY by day. now lost their jagged edges
when looked at through the softenIng
eauze OF moonlight that d=aped them.
Tine gruf cedars lay ike stranded clouds
along the tops OF the peak. Hither and
yon some lone Juniper. still gird.ed IN.
half way down, with green, but blasted
allowed, solemned on the sky. gesturing
like the ghost of Miantonomoh 10 the
ruined Indian tribes, II, too arm dead at
the top"
A lillie snake Of water slipped out OF
messy spring near ~, where the branch
ing STAG still loves to come down To drink
the cold cTystai vintage OF the rock. aud
winding down the deciiy.ty won its way