The Columbus journal., 1909-12-29

the progress of the southwest was the
first Navajo fair. which was held at Shiprock
Agency. New Mexico. recently.
At Shiprock the past six years has been q
period OF preparation. struggle for position OF
advantage from which the ignorance and super
stition of a barbarous people might be attacked
and the influences which have fettered them
might be obliterated SO that, freed from its bond
age, the Navajo race might take its place among
the useful and beneficial elements of the nation
contributing its share toward the industry and
enjoying its proportion of the advantages en-
braced in the common stock.
How successful this preparation for and be-
ginning of their civilization has been is soon
apparent to the observer who visits Shiprock. be-
comes acquainted with the superintendent and
his assistants and realizes what they are achiev-
ing.
How important the civilization Of the Navajo
IS to that section of the country Is also apparent
when it is considered that there are some 10000
of them scattered over a reservation in New
Mexico. Arizona and Utah. which contains q
larger area than all the New England states and
includes thousands of acres of fine agricultural.
mineral and timber lands. and is almost CON-
petely underlad with coal. The increase OF
their productiveness means an increase in the out
put of the southwest Their education and per-
manent settlement upon small hOmesteads will
leave a large surplus of land to Re sold to white
settlers. Thus the work being carried on at
the people who are interested in the development
of that section.
The holding of fair this fall was not decid-
ed upon until about two weeks before it was held.
and when the decision was reached 1t was SO late
IN the season that it was necessary to arrange
for it at once. thus less than two weeks notice
was given the Navajos by means of Indian police
and messengers-ba|ely time to gather up what
they had on hand and bring it in without any
preparation or opportunity to gather or make
anything especially for exhibition.
Under these circumstances the amount and
quality of the exhibits displayed was no less than
remarkable. The extent to which they responded
to the call to bring in their products was q sur
prise to Major Shelton. the Indian agent for this
reservation himself. He knew that they could
and would make q very creditable showing.
Two hundred and ninety general exhibits
we're received and displayed. while several others
arrived too late to be accepted These exhibits
contained from five to 60 articles each. Agricul-
tural products formed the chief part Of the exhi-
bition but by no means all. as the famous Navajo
blanket was there in many styles and sizes. beau
tiful silver jewery of various and unique designs.
old blankets Of great value. few bunalo robes.
valuable pieces of bead work and dozens Of other
,,roaucts and curios, ancient and modern. Be-
sides these general exhibits there was the live
.tock show. in which horses mich cows. sheep
and goats were numerous
The sports consisted of foot races 1.-THE longest
one ave and onehaH miles. in which II entered
and four finished). horse races. games and amuse-
ments Each evening the Navajos provided
their own amusement BY participating In several
~ their ancient sacred dances. which were both
Interesting and entertaining to the visitors.
AS an example of how list Of prlze winners
n an Indian fair would read. the following ex.
tracts are given:
General exhibit OF farm and garden products
First prize double harness, -Barbor o1tcilly 1.-THE
latter IL the winners names; second. disk har.
row, Happy Jack: third. cultivator. Be-hne-be-
CAV: fourth. shovel. Dobe-bit-see.
Native blanket. all wool-First. cook stove.
Kin.le-che-ne; second. 100 pounds hour. Lenna
Oliver: third. SO pounds -four. Beka-da-na-be-ga:
fourth. Is pounds nour. Pele-canees-kin-e
Cleanest Navajo baby-First 50 pounds -four.
Lenua Oliver; second. Is pounds noaE. -Hoston'atr
sose. .s~FE -. -
The Navajo blanket collection. like all othef
exhibits. was q fine one II confirmed q t.w Of
the old-time bayetas. for which the NavaN- hrse
became famous. These were originally made
,rn,u the yarn obtained by unraveaine ~"oien