Weekly journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1908-1929, 1914-01-14
GIVEN A TASTE OF
HIS OWN MEDICINE.
(From Saturdays Daily)

Cruel and CHASTITY was the MUIR
der committed a few days ago on
the Fort Defiance Military Reserve
Of Apache county, when the medi-
cine man OF the Navajo Indians,
met his death in barbaroUl man
ner because he had failed to cure
his patient.
Particulars OF the shocking trag-
edy were learned yesterday after
noon when Deputy U. S. Marshal
B. Anderson brought to the county
Jail the four bucks who are accused
Of the crime. Nj prisoners are hac
types physically of this tribe and
as IS characteristic of the Indian.
each is i-lbued with the faith Of
idolatry, hence the taking OF hui
man life is considered as nothing
more nor less than. a matter of
fact transaction.
1t appears as il the medicine man
had been importuned to go to the
village to treat a very beautiful
young squaw, who was seriously
ii Bedecked in his orthodox ap-
5arel, and with the renown of hav-
ing effected more cures than any
other Indian of his rank, the trip
OF many miles was made on pony
and the wickiup was reached. The
girl was found in a dying condi-
ton and this fact was appreciated
by the medicine man. He consult
ed the stars in the heaven and
returned with the Information 70
her parents, brothers and other rel
atives that the stricken one was
"hoodoocd." To support this YER
sion OF the impending fate OF his
patient, he stated that he had seen
a large wheel in the sky and two
men were throwing dirt and ashes
into the same. Continuing his sup
plications, he gave no encourage
ment whatever to her relatives and
in few hours thereafter the girl
passed away
The next morning after the corpse
was prepared for burial, a black
spot was seen over her heart and
instantly there arose CONSERVATION
among the hundred or more Nav
ajos that foul play had been prac-
siced, by the girl being shot through
the heart with black bead. A long
pow-wow followed, when it was de-
cided to kill the medicine man, the
four closest relatives Of the dead
being ordained by the father TO
carry out the cruel work. The
medicine man was found in his
wickiup III meditatiye mood. Three
OF the NayajoS took hold OF him
and the fourth one sank an axe
into his head and frightfuliy mu-
tillatcd the upper portion OF the
body. The exccutioners then left
the place and returning to the
wickiup where the girl was lying
cold i'll death, her funeral took place
amid scenes OF glee and satisfaction
that the quack doctor had paid the
debt OF causing the death OF this
maiden. the eldest of the we'll known
sub-chief OF the tribe.
The body OF the medicine man
was not molestcd but laid in the
open until outside Indians came
along and threw II into gully IS
a mark OF their condemnation Of his
method OF effecting a cure.
White men converSant with the
condition OF the girl stated that
there was no doubt but what she
was the victim OF tuberculosis and
was beyond human aid. The In
dian doctor summoned was aware
OF this and fer consistently obeying
the laws OF idolatry. he paid the
penalty with his own life.
The four Indians now III the city
TO be tried for the crime OF muir
der are OF high station among the
Navajos. They bear the names ot
Natona Bach Honka. Ohio Noeth,
Natha Y-No Tah, and Bctse No
Dozci. They face their crime with
/ matter OF fact urconcern. and
say the God OF the Happy Hunt
ing Grounds authorized the medi-
cine man to be PVT out OF the way.
pr0rpAI COITRT HERE