The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-02-03
THRIFTY NAVAJO INDIANS.
They Dwell in New Mexico and Are
Getting Ahead in the
World.
Their Picturesque Appearance in
Their Autumnal Trading
Visits TO Town.
Something Aboat Their Past History
The Lesson That KIT Carson Taught
Them Years Ago.

"Tho most interesting people that I saw
Of the many races OF the southwest, - said
the tourist newly returned from a trans
continental trip. "werc the Navajo Indians
I'm New Mexico. Arriving az Albuquerque
late 90 night. I had begun 90 dress about
half past O'Clock thencNt morning. when
a trampling of hoofs called me 90 the win
dow. and looking out the town seemed TO
be ia the hands of Indians Through the
doors OF the large stores on the main street
Indians werc passing Ina aud cut OF,
grouped upon the platforms were exam
ining aud choapcning goods as earnestly
us country people might do in a New Eng
land village on cattle show day. But how
picturesque. even in sordid bargaining,
were these dusky children OF the plains
and mountains
"Down the center Of the wide sandy
street a dozen mounted Indians were driv-
ing a hand Of young, unhrokcn horses.
some riding ahead 20 prevent a stampede
IA that direction, and the others, in a half
circle behind. urging forward the herd
Here were perhaps so Wild steeds which
had never known stable fodder, bride or
spur. stepping high and prancing, with
wild eyes glancing suspiciously about aud
tossing NAMES and tails. Every few yards
they would an gather together with their
heads toward the center. and il was with
difficulty that this circle could be broken
and the horses urged along. At square
d little way down the avenue the herd was
held by its riders, crowd of people gath
cred. and trading evidently begun al once
Ht a lively rate.
What does all this crowd Of Indians
meant / asked Of the boy from Missouri
who brought mp my hot water.
'Thcm's Navajos. he said. The first
lot of EN- just got inter town ter do their
fail trading. They've brung blankets and
ponies ter swap for silver dollars and store
truck
"After breakfast, when I went out on
the street, / was much impressed by the
appearance and ways Of these ahorigines.
Both men and women are of good size, with
massive figures, open, intelligent faces
and impressive dignity Of manner. Light
cr in tint than many Of the Indian tribes,
their features display markedly the Tartar
characteristics. To me they az strongly
suggested "a Mongolian as some other In
dian peoples do a Semitic derivation.
"They come ia from their reservation
every autumn in parties varying in num-
Der from a single family up 10 so or 60
members and camp just outside the town,
sleeping in the open air or sheltered by
old army tents and blankets stretched from
poles. Every day of my stay they came
into the public square or upon the main
street 70 trade. To see these sf-ri-v riders
sitting in unstudied pictures, us attitudes
upon their ponies, holding iu check herd
OF restless horses while waiting for buyers,
was a sight that beat pictures. They wore
sombreros or old style but costly fur caps
bought from the traders. and some of them
had Mexican spurs at their heels Other /.
wise their costumes were pure Navajo, 7
with buckskin or calico jumpers. buck skin 4
leggings, moccasins and massive silver or
namentsi in the shape of bracelets, earrings /
and crescent charms hammered out from
Mexican dollars by their native jewellers.
Here and there in the chill morning "A Ma
vajo would stalk along draped in one Of
those splendid wooden blankets which they
weave themselves of most substantial tex
ture in great variety of harbaric colors and
designs. Although their features were in
general impossible, there was an intan-
Rible air among these Indians of being on
"a picnic, and sometimes at some mishap,
such as the struggle Of a purchaser with
an intractable colt, they Would roll in
their saddles in uproarious laughter There
were no signs that any of them had in
dulged in frewater, and ! think that
among Indians in general the Navaios,
like the Pueblos, rank pre-eminent in so
briefly. They are too good business men
% take the chances Of loss through drunk
enness. The squaws, who rode astride
their horses man fashion, were comely.
luNuriant and shapeiy Of figure and both
modest and independent IL sometimes
little fierce Of demeanor.
"Ihe Navajo Indians mp 10 a time about
30 years ago were the scourge of all civil
.ized races of New Mexico. the peaceful
Pueblo Indians being favorIte victims Of
their Expectations. Unlike other Indians.
they, owing perhaps 10 the Tartar origin
already limited az. have always Inclined 10
a pastoral life and to accumulate focks
and herds. The Utus and Apachcs, when
raidlng ranches and villages would feast
-lordinatcly upon the flesh Of cattle and
iac-p. manning and slaughtering many
animals from mere wautonness They
would take hacb 20 their rauchcrios- viii
lnges with them only horses and mules
and asses which could De ridden or driven
ahead at "a gaiiop. The Navajos. ou the
contrary would drive 90 their mountain
businesses AN the cattle sheep aud goats
they coald capture and collect % add 70
the stock they already bad. When the IA
NOUS fruutiefsAan, Colonel Kit Carson. ia
la0@, made his historic campaign against
the Naya5us. Doe found uo way So effective
To reduce them to submission as, after
wasting their fields aud destroying their
village. 100 kill an their stock
"olnce the lesson of that campaign the
Aafaln- have never hreu ou ths warpath,
but having renewed their fiochs and nerds.
WIN some early assistance frum flc gov