Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1903-08-11

again homeless. Reports from the in
terror of the island are indefinite.
There is great encouragement among
the inhabitants of the island"
FIRE DEPARTMENT
PUTS OUT A MUTINY
Carthage Mo-, Aug. 11-Fifty prison.
ers in the county Jail mutined at mid
night and made demand for better
food. The fire department was called
out and finally subdued the prisoners
by turning the hose on them.
SIS x s s x s S s s = s s s s = s
with it, thus opening the warp for the
more ready placing of the woof. They
use no shuttle; the yarns of different
colors being wound in balls and these
are passed back and forth between the
warp threads in the same manner as
the ordinary shuttle, excepting that
they cannot be thrown, but must be
slowly worked along by hand. The Ma
vajo woman carries a color along until
{, the pattern demands change, when
| the first ball is dropped, after having
E,nde a loop of the yarn to prevent its
unwinding, and the next color to pre-"
serve continuity, and thus the process
goes on, back and forth, single thread
at time passed in and out through the
warp, the woof being laid loosely to
prevent the weave from drawing in at
the sides. AS the work progresses the
yarn is beaten down in the warp by
using thin, hard stick as II batten,
and the firmness of the weaving de-
pends largely upon the use of the bat
ten the hard, almost waterproof spec
linens indicating the conscientious ap-
plication of this implement. This
manner of weaving results in single
ply fabric; the pattern being the same
on both sides.
"Sometimes the main frame of the
loom is dispensed with and the trunks
of pair of standing small trees are
utilized in its stead. But this is of the
most primitive form, and lacks many
of the features of an approved Navajo
loom, though it serves to illustrate the
simplicity of construction that may be
made to answer the purpose.
while weaving the squaw sits on the
ground and weaves from the bottom
upward. When the work has progessed
so far that she cannot reach it easily,
the rope on the upper beam is loosened
as is also the top bar of the warp
frame, permitting the latter to slide
down on the frame sides to the proper
position. 1t is now fastened again, the
warp being drawn taut and the mn
lished portion of the blanket sewn tight
| ly to the lower beam of the main
| frame.
"The Navajo blanket is a gem of bar
barrie weaving. OF a startling comblna-
ton of bright colors it would be hid
eous except for the perfect harmony IN
the arrangement of the colors. There
may be faults Of weave, texture or
pattern, but never really fault in the
blending of colors. Blue, or black and
white are effectively used with colors
| in maintaining this harmony"
Some of the largest and best collec-
tions of Navajo blankets in the country
are owned in New Mexico. Mr.. Hollis
ter says that the collection OF Sellg-
| man Bros. of Santa Fe, is probably the
most complete and handsome IN the
world. Another elegant collection IS
that owned by Colonel Max. Frost,
editor of the New Mexican. Mr.. B. e.
Wilson of Albuquerque, possesses col
lection of wide range which includes
many rare specimens.
! Mr.. .Hollisters book not only thor
ougfnly covers the matter of weaving
blankets, but tells many interesting
facts about the Navajos as tribe.
The book is finely printed and hand
somely illustrated and contains many
pictures of blankets in their correct
colors.
| It is of great literary merit, shows
thorough research and intimate knowl-
edge Of the subject Mr. Hollister
/ is evidently close student of archae-
ology, Indian folk lore, legends and tri-
, bal myths. It is a valuable contribution
to the history Of the Navajos, the
greatest Indian tribe in the southwest.
I 1T will prove Of material aid to the col
lectors Of these beautiful specimens OF
Indian art, as we'll as Of great interest
to scientists, to students, and to all
those desiring to know about the char
,acteristics and history Of the Indians
OF the great west.
]