Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-05-21

I felt Just as weak as a little child"
The Indians both threw down their
guns al the traders direction. and ait
CT he conIiscated the weapons he RODE
on to the nearest fort. and the COW
boys we're relieved. Since that day
old Ya-be-nee has been strong FOR
he government. and most Of the time
has been Jealous and efficient mem
Der Of the Navajo police force. Others
IN the force have records when
hey have atoned for by faithful serV'
zee in behalf of the law.
The CHIEF of the Navajo Indian pc
ice is Doctor John. one Of the best
orators and most influential men gen
rally in the tribe The Indian has
weakness for oratory, anal Doctor John
IS a speaker whose iluency would
"ouse the envy OF some OF our famous
silver tongued" statesmen But MS
Gift OF elonuence is not all OF Doctor
Johns qualifications. He knows every
hole and corner of the reservation
and when he is told to get" an Indian
ne brings in the culprit, no matter 10
What unfrequented part of the noun
aims or plains he has TO travel.
Above all. he is strong for the gov
,rnment and the white mans ways
and uses his powerful influence in get
ting the Indians to spend less time
dancing and more time cultivating
their crops. Doctor John speaks few
words Of English. and most Of his or
lers are received through the agency
Interpreter but he is more valuable to
he agent than many Of the men who
boast education at the white man S
schools
Several times the Indian police have
lad cornbats with horse thieves who
nave undertaken to run stolen herds
INTO the Businesses of the reservation
So many horse thieves have been cap.
,ured by the Nayajos that the horse
stealing gentry now give the reserva
ZION wide berth.
Stamping Out sootlegging.
In stamping ont Bookkeeping the
noliCe have rendered efficient aid
There is little or no liquor brought on
the Navajo reservation. The white
men engaged in this traffic have had
7 sad experience at the hands Of the
government agent and his police. and
stick 10 the dry" towns adjoining the
"eservation, where there is less vigil
NICE IN evidence.
IF the Indian police err at all. it is
n excess o. tailhfuness in carrying
1ut orders" said Mr.. Shelton recently
i had that proved in a laughable man.
Ter not long ago. a tramp applied al
the agency for work. but | told him
here was nothing and he went on his
way That night ! thought OF some
hing he might do if he were really
in earnest about earning an homes.
dollar. and told one OF the Indian po
ice 70 catch up with him and tell him
that wanted TO see him.
The tramp didn't know what
wanted and refused 10 come When
ne persisted in going on his way the
indian policeman roped him, tied him
hand ard foot and came jogging back
20 the Office with The tramp on his
horse. The tramp was furious and no
explanations that | could make would
Soothe his wounded feelings. He
spurned the work offered and FINAL!
had TO order him off the reservation
by the shortest route-which didn'
happen to be the one he was taking
when the Indian policeman cauGh:
him.
There at'e no frillS about the Navajo
Indian police They ride hard mouth
ed little ponies and ride them with
little mercy Some of the police are
sheer owners ami wealthy. Most OF
them are farmers and own little
punches OF cattle. Big Man. Big
Horse. Shorty. Red Goat Black Horse
and Oliver Jones are the names OF
some of Doctor Johns assistants il
nraservtng the peace of Navajo land