The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-25

giving them counterfeit coins from
which they tried to make silver orna-
ments. that now they insisted on
breaking every silver Mexican coin be-
fore trading for it, and that the silver
smiths were held in superstitious awe
by the Indians not silversmiths.
Meets Son of Late Sitting Bull
This incident is typical of the way
in which Miss Ceora Lanham, To-
peka reader and ChautauQua worker,
has made a study of the Indians, for
she was the girl referred to. She is
especially interested in the meanings
of Indian symbols and dances. She is
writing a book as a record OF the find
ings of her Investigations.
One person who is anxiously wait
ing the appearance of her book Is
Standing Elk. son of the late fam Gus
Sioux medicine man." Sitting Bulf'
not a war chief. as many think.
Standing Elk, by the way has Travelled
all over the world as interpreter for
his people with the Buffalo Bill Wild
West Show which has appeared in To-
peka.
He met Miss Lanham when she was
giving an Indian Story Hour" at
Cnautauqua at Fairfield, Neb. He was
visiting there from his big ranch in
the Rosebud reservation, South Da-
kota. He has supplied Miss Lanham
with much material for her prospec-
tive book-also taught her Indian
dances. some of which she used in the e
given at the Grand recently.
DIR. Munk Interested.
A former Topeka man, DR.. ]. A.
Munk of Los Angeles, Cal, and a
friend of the Indian, is also greatly in
terested in Miss Lanham'S studies.
Through him, whom she met while on
a Santa Fe concert trip few years
ago, her attention was directed to the
Indian.
On a similar trip last winter DR..
Munk introduced Miss Lanham to his
friend, Dr.. Charles F. Lummis. of Los
with DR.. Hewitt of the School OF
American Archaeology. He has ma |
tional reputation as an ethnologiSt. |
He also is aiding the Topeka girl ir |
her investigations. She met him at |
an exclusive dinner given at his quaint |
home in Los Angeles. She describes
him as a genius-so busy and so re-
firing that he refuses to have his tele-
phone number made public. He has
.aught his son the back to nature
dea to the extent that the lad can
climb up a house wall with hands and
eet like a fly-so perfectly have tbs
Toung lads muscles been developed ull-
Ter his fathers instruction.
The men mentioned with Miss Ian
lam make a plea for the preserva-
ion of the Indian as an Indian. They
re protesting against the making OF
near-white man out of him. They
re standing for the developing of his ]
,est characteristics-cour bravery,
loyalty, love of his own
eculiar music.
These qualities seem to impress them
elves upon Miss Lanham as she has
,een studying their folk songs anu
egends. Then there is the art side of
heir nature which appeals to her. She
as learned that every mark and color
1 the big Navajo blankets which take
everal years to make, have a mean s
1g.
Develop Indians as Indians"
AS the little woman told her visitor 1
these wonderful things about a fast V
race her face lighted up with i
ltense interest I
"I plea for the Indian to be made
he best Indian" she said Not an
white man, consumptive from
indoor environment. And Q
peaking of that think of the Indian h
ndurance, his courage and his loyalty. T
hese qualities should be developed. O
For instance we are initiating him o
our sleeping porches. We initiate c
i'm when our music teachers tell US u
} breathe naturally.
OF crazy about farming. However,,
landing Elk told me that his people C
slike the idea of blowing up mother F