The herald., 1894-10-30
ARIZONA INDIANS.
CAPT. GEORGE A. JOHNSON TELLS
OF THE VARIOUS TRIBES.
Peculiar Origin OF the Name Given to
the Ynmss- Their True Name CO.
chanos Tribal Friendships
and Animosities.

San Diego Union: ~ cav in the
Union the other day." said Capt. G. A.
johnson of this city, 'an article giving
the origin of the names OF the various
Indian tribes OF Arizona, and mention
ing the tribes along the Colorado river.
l have had considerable experience
along that river-irom May, 1850. to
1s77-and can perhaps give you few
points.
II was with ferry party at the place
where Yuma is now situated, from May.
1850, until tho establishments of the
post by Major Heinizslmen on Novem-
Der 81, OF the same year. | learned
then that there is no such word as
Yuma in the tongues OF the people in
habiting that country. The name was
accepted by the Yumas from the officers
commanding the government expe-
ditions into California. 1t was
the cuetom of the Indians liv.
ing around the junction OF the
Colorado and Gila to have scouts
posted oat on both east and west trails,
who, upon the approach OF whtea from
either direction, would signal the main
body with spiral smoke, made by
covering burning brush with green
sprigs. The Mexican guides of the gov
ernment expeditions called these humos
(smokes), and finally called the Indians
by that name-Humcs. The officers
made their notes accordingly, and the
indiana accepted the name.
"The real name OF the I1mas. aH
known to all the Indian tribes, is Co
chan (plurGl Cochanos). | remember
hearing from Don Joaquin Ortega the
etory of how his father, q soldier in the
Spanish army stationed st San Gabriel
as early ee the year 1900, used to carry
the mail from Mission San Gabriel to the
newly established mission of Concep.
cion, on the Colorado, about eighteen
miles above Yuma. When nearing the
river on one trip. Ortega learned OF the
destruction OF the nnisaion by tho Co.
cbgnoe and the massacre OF the ocCu-
pants. | have often ssen the foundation
stonee and walks that mark the spot
where this mission stocd.
Sometime previous to the establish
msnt Of the mission, the junction OF the
Ciila and Colorado was occupied by the
Coco-maricopahs. The Cocopahs in.
habited the country at the mouth OF the
Colorado. You will readily see by the
similarity OF names that they were the
same or branches OF the same people. |
know they ars great friends, talk the
same language and have the same
habits. The Cochauos inhabited the
great valley of the Colorado. extending
from above Ehrsnburg to Wiliiams'
Fork, distance OF about seventy miles,
the richest and largest valley on the
Colorado. About 1890, ss near as
could get the date from the Indians, the
Coohanos and their friends the Mo-
hsves made decent upon the Coco.
maricopahe, driving them out and
taking possession. The Maricopaha
moved to the country they now occupy,
adjoining the PiInas.
II recollec. that as late as 1857 the
MohaVesand Cochanos (Yumas) made
raid ON the Marieopshs. Tho Coco.
pahs learned OF the intended raid and
warned the Mericopahs OF it. The latter
lay in ambush, and ont of 40 Yuma
warriors only one returned. The Mari
copahs pursued their ancient enemy,
the Cochsnos, and followed them to
within II miles of Yuma, whore they
killed the last but one. The survivor
was named Jose Maria. and was an old
hand of mine, being my interpreter
when | first went on the river, and ac-
compsnying me on the exploring expe-
diticn above Yuma"