El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-02-11
Navajo Indian Character and Ideals
By T. ]. Skaggs, Pennington, N. M.
HE books written on Indian history
and character as a rule shed but 4

be books written on Indian history
and character as a rule shed but
little light upon the Humorous
side OF the indian Possibly the average
indian is deficient in those attributes
which are supposed to make up the
sentimental side of man, of which a
sense of the hdicrOus and the humorous
is an important part as viewed by the
I'alefaee. Not. altogether 50, however,
with the Navajo tribe As one instance
OF the sense of humorous comparison in
sJme OF them, an old Navajo buck came
dashing down the Street on his pony at
cyclone speed, as though la'boring under
great fear and excitement. When
accosted to ascertain the cause of such
haste III leaving town, the cunning cid
leather skin smilingly replied. 'sThe
white men have broke out again" and
pulled out down the road under full
speed Later 1t was learned that a
couple of young men had a slight alter
cation up the street which prompted the
Navajo to run for his mount and give
the sarcastic alarm.
The Navajo Reservation.
There are some $4,000 Navaios on the
reservation. Pennington is situated only
three miles from the east line, and as
the indians are constantly coming in for
supplies. a splendid opportunity is af
forded to study them at close range.
and the impression is gained that in
many ways the Navajo is superior TO
many other of the indian tribes. vet
possessed OF the weaknesses of human
nature much the same as other mortals
of all races and nationalfties. The
NaTalos are merely grown-up children.
They have code of right and wrong
which IS at variance with ours to a
marked degree. If taken literally their
frankness and straightforward manner
OF speech at times impresses one as COM
ing from an innocent child. No better
illustration is needed than the confession
OF CHS hllling-beoay for the killing of
Richard Weatherill which occurred at
Pueblo BOnito. go miles south of Farm
ington, last June. ALI indians ON this
extensive reservation apparently place a
child like trust in Mr. Shelton. the indian
agent at Ship Rock, and Immediately
after the crime the indian made haste
TO reach the agent, to whom he fully
unburdened himself. and as the subse-
quent commitment trial indicated. with
held nothing. The murderer in one
night rode from the scene of the crime
to Ship Rock, more than 100 miles
across country, of which there is per
haps none more rough and dangerous in
New Mexico.
Chis-chilling- begay's Confession.
Under our code of criminal laws and
procedure the confession of this Navajo
to 1he agent probably would without
support or verification condemn anv
man if taken literally under the white
mans Interpretation. He fully confessed
the killing and related the details of the
crime, how it was planned and at great
length his grievances of long standing
rsn loI 10, hfa ~.
indians view point of Justice. and his
code of law handed down through tradi
ton doubtless he felt himself justified
and already exonerated before firing the
fatal shot The courts have vet to pass
judgment But the unrese1ved story he
went to the indian agent with brings
out the Navajo traits and character. 1t