The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-09-19
GREETED BY INDIANS.
PuebIos Turn Out in Numbers to See
the Colonel.

Albuquerque, N M, Sept. 19.-The
J great white father in the person Of
/ Colonel Roosevelt, opened diplomatic
relations with the Indians of New
Mexico, and before he started for Col
orado, had struck up a neighborhood
acquaintance with them. Most of the
day was spent in the run across the
state and whenever the train stopped
Colonel Roosevelt studied the Indians.
1t was the Pueblo Indians whom
Colonel Roosevelt met wherever he
went. The Apaches and Zunis, who
live back from the railroad, had never
heard of the Progressive party and
did not come to see its candidate.
, There was some doubt whether the
Pueblos themselves would be interest
ed in a presidential candidate and Col
oneI Cecil Lyon, of Texas, major domo
of the Roosevelt train, sent ord
ahead to the Indian villages along
the way that the great white father
of this assurance they left their little
white huts on the cliffs and came out
in full relalia.
The largest gatherings of Pueblos
was at Laguna.
There were perhaps a hundred In
dams in the crowd which was waiting
for the train. Others sat on the red
rocks above and looked down on the
scene with impassive faces. The squaws
wore white stockings, white moccasins
and flaming red shawls- The braves
were clad more somberly and all of
them wore sombreros. Heap Big In
dian" known at the Carlisle Indian
schools as Frank Simons, chief of the
LaGuna tribe, was in front to do the
honors.
AS soon as the train stopped the
hrawny Indian chief wearing corduroys
and a scarlet handkerchief around his
neck, walked solemnly forward and
thrust out his hand, while the lesser
81 II, -TT@ Nn1 0T7n1
Roosevelt grasped the outstretched
hand.
what SCHOOL," the colonel asked.
Carlisle the chief replied
That's fine, by George!' said the
colonel. There was a Carlisle boy at
all up. He ran like a coyote with
a torch in his mouth
At this utterance the Indians wagged
their heads and smiled, for the colonel
had used a bit of Indian slang which
they understood
Talks Sign Language.
"Oh, I lived among the Indians in
the north" he said, land I know a
good deal about you. See here" The
colonel thrust one arm in the air. with
two fingers apart like ".
Indian sign language" he said.
THAT means jackrabbit."
The Indians wagged their heads. Then
the colonel drew his forefinger against
his throat as II he were cutting IL.
Sioux Indians he said, and the IL
dams agreed
With his forefinger the colonel traced
an imaginary line through the air.
Commences" he announced.
BY this time the Indians were smiling
broadly. The colonel then put his hands.
with fingers outstretched. beside his head
and waved them as though they Were
huge ears. It was supposed to represent
the head of a wolf appearing over tiIe
top of the cactus.
"ApacheS,'' he called out
The great white father knows" SAID
Heap Big indian
Several squaws with baskets balanced
on their heads, walked up In the
baskets were fruit, pottery and all sor. 3
of things which the Indians make. tn
colonel who had been showered win
presents of fruits and flowers since he
began his trip, looked at them expect
antly
Ten cents said squaw holding up
There was nothing free. The squaws
were there purely for commercial pur-
poses and the colonel directed his secre-
tary to buy something from each.
A large part of the crowd which beard
Colonel Roosevelt in Albuquerque was
composed of Mexicans and there was a
scattering of Indians. Half a hundred
rode up at a gallop while the
colonel was speaking, and almost broke
I'D the meeting.