The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1910-01-21
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" BluulHH OIL q new era IN
the progress of the southwest was the
first Navajo fair. which was held at Shiprock
Agency. New Mexico, recently.
AT Shtprock the past six years has been
period OF preparation, struggle for a position Of
advantage from which the ignorance and super
stttion OF barbarous people might be attacked
i and the influences which have fettered them
might be oblitdrated. so that freed from it's bond
age. the Navajo race might take Its place among
n the useful and beneficial elements of the nation
contributing its share toward the industry and
4 enjoying its proportion of the advantages emf
braced In the common stock.
How successful this preparation for and be-
ginning of their civilization has been In soon
Z apparent to the observer who visits Shprock, be-
L comes acquainted with the superintendent and
his assistants and realizes what they are achiev-
ing
M How important the civilization of the Navajo
II to that section OF the country is also apparent
when 1t is considered that there are some 80 900
5 OF them scattered over reservation in New
u Mexico Arizona and Utah, which contains a
larger area than all the New England states and
includes thousands OF acres OF fine agricultural.
y mineral and timber lands, and is almost com
IS Dletely underlaid with coal. The increase of
their productiveness means an increase in the out.
L put OF the southwest Their education and per-
I manent settlement upon small homesteads will
u leave large surplus of land to be sold to white
settlers. Thus the work being carried on at
Shiprock has many points which commend 1t to
the people who are interested in the development
Of that section.
s The holding of q fair this fall was not decid.
led upon until about two weeks before 1t was held
and when the decision was reached 1t was so late
In the season that 1t was necessary to arrange
& for It atonce. thus less than two weeks notice
was given the Navajos by means Of Indian police
4 and messengers barely time to gather up what
they had on hand and bring 1t In without any
e preparation or opportunity to gather or make
n ANYTHING especially for exhibition.
Under these circumstances the amount and
quality OF the exhibits displayed was less than
v remarkable. The extent to which they responded
to the Gull to bring in their products was a sur.
prise to Major Shelton the Indian agent for this
Y reservation. himself He knew that they could
and would make very creditable showing
Two hundred and ninety general exhibits
were received and displayed, while several others
arrived too late to be accepted. These exhibits
contained from Ave to 60 articles each 'Agricul
tural products formed the chief part Of the exh
sbition. but BY no means all. the famous Navajo
BLANKET was there In many styles and sizes, beau.
tiful silver jewelry Of various and unique designs
#0ld blankets OF great value, few buffalo robes.
valuable pieces OF bead work and dozens OF other
prpducts and curtos. ancient and modern. Be
4 sides these general exhibits there was the live
stock show. IN which horses. mich cows. sheep
1 ana goats were numerous. ID q S
The sports consisted Of foot races 1.-THE longest
4 one i've and one-half miles, In which ~ entered
ana four nnahed) horse races. games and amuse.
ments Each evening the Nayajos provided
4 their own amusement by participating In several
4 AZ their ancient sacred dances. which were both
4 iinrtaresfing and entertaining TO the visitors.
n VS. Al al example OF how list OF prize winners
4 81 a. Indian fair would read. the following ex-
II krScfs are given: sss
General EXHIBIT of farm and garden products
4 prize double harness, ALPHABETICALLY (the
hnrS