The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-03
NORTH SIDE NEWS
Navaj0s Will Not Accept Free
Government RatiOns
For Fear That Their Lands Will
Be Forfeited.
BECOMING CITIZENS.
C. G.. Graden, Durango, Col,
Tells of Indian Tribes.
Other Items of Interest About
North Side Affairs.


c. G. Graden of Durango southwest
Colorado, who is visiting his mother,
Mrs. Lavina Graden, of HOP Kansas
avenue, this morning told many inter-
esting things about the Navajo Indians
whose reservation is not far from his
home. He also spoke of the mining in
dustries of that country
"a Navajo Indian near Durango, will
not accept cent from the government
| in the way of rations, ETC., unless they
earn it. They are afraid of FORGETTING
their lands if they do so although, of
course, this is a mistaken idea.
They are very jealous of the owner
ship of their land-and I believe that it
is the poorest and least desirable ter
ritory on earth.
TT is just a sandy desert, without d
stream for miles. The natives depend
on mountain streams for their water
supply. And it is into these mountains
that they drive their goats and sheep.
What the Navajo goats and sheep
live on IS mystery although of course
a little grass comes up in the spring,
and the Indians drive their f1ocks to
the mountains for paSturage. The sheep
and goat are the chief sources of revenue
for the Navajos. The famous Navajo
blankets are made from the wool One
VI luSSG OldHhelS Will last an ordinary
family life time. I bought a blanket
when 1 first went there about twenty
years ago and have used it constant
ly but it is nearly as good as new now
Gloves are made from the skin of these
goats.
Several Navajo schools are located
near Durango. The newest school, near
Ship Rock station, is. only about seven
years old. About two hundred Indians
are in attendance. Some of them are
fr7f<a
make good ranch hands also. I think
they will make good citizens.
This is more than I can say for the
Apaches who are located near us. They
are not much account. The Apaches I
have reference to were members of the
band under direct control of Geronimo
the chief who would never surrender
for good. When that warrior was cap
tured the last time and put into
prison, his band was brought to the
| reservation they now occupy under
surveillance of a sort of a patrol called
the Indian police
ITO come back to the Navajos: 7
must tell you about their work in sill
YER They will melt up silver coins and
spoons and make fine ornamen<s from
them. They hunt out turquoise and use
stones for sets in rings of their own
make. This. sort of jewelry is quite the
fad in Durango, so it is not an uncom-
mon sight to see young man decked
bracelets as an Indian chief
What are the chief occupations?
Mining and ranching. Gold and silver
are found as well as coal
AS to where the name Ship Rock is
taken, out on the desert, many miles
from any other rock, is a cliff shaped
like sea going vessel. From the base
to its highest point it is about 240 feet
On clear day, am told, it can be seen
from Durango-over 100 miles-if a per-
knows f0 for
Community Comment.
A Kingsville man asks if Governor
Stubs originated the stub pen or the
stub trains of the Central Branch of the
Missouri Pacific. Thus the best Of poll
ticians are accused of heinous crimes.
My idea of lonesomeness,' writes a
North side man who is visiting in Kan
sas City, sis to be compelled tc board
at dairy restaurant
An Indian creek farmer says that his
New York cousin writes to ask if cows
blow their horns at milking time.
Now that Topeka is invaded by
schoolma'ms, stenographers and sales
women will be at discount" says a
Jackson street beauty judge.
''Since Chief Eaton has handed down
his opinion about lightheaded women, it
is probable that peroxide will decline
III price" is the observation of a North
side man who studies the f1uciuatings
OF the I1dThetS-
"A Salina man spent considerable time
in Calculating a theory as to the cause
of thunder, and a newspaper of that
town gave it considerable space. Strange
but remember that happened in Sa-
lima is the remark of a North side
man who once lived there.
Notes and Personals.
Business is fine at the Bijou
Dream. This is only a fair demon
stration of the satisfaction which the
moving picture show gives its pa
irons. The Holy City," an elaborate
moving picture will be given there
tonight at the same admission.
Walter Skinner of Belvue visited
North side friends yesterday.
Mrs. George Knossman of Manhat-
tan is visiting at the home of Miss
Hazel Haynes and Miss Helen Haynes
at Gil Harrison street.
Mrs. F. W. Noble of Olxeeta visited
on the North side this morning while
on her way home from a visit in Hol-
ton.
The Birmingham grocery store at
1886 Topeka avenue was closed up
yesterday on short notice. T. H. Bir-
mingham, the proprietor, says he
closed to invoice as he contem plates
selling the store. He bought it OF
Berry & Rice about six weeks ago.
1t is understood that the business has
not been paying proposition.
A Halloween ghost surprise party
,, D,Iai IN