Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-07-12
HOW "PUSSYFOOT" JOHNSON MADE
GOOD Citizens OF indian CHARGES
Story Of Deed That win Render Johnson immortal in the Hearts
Of the Pueblo Indans-Fghts for Boy Deputy AGAINST
Forces Of Bad Government Which Ultimately
Cost Him His Official Position
ANOTHER OF JoHNsoN's GREAT EXPLOITS

The case of Juan Cruz, which Gre
ated n sensation In the West and was
instrumental In rending the Indian
department asunder, was also the
cause Of Johnson's resignation. He
could not have maintained his posi-.
ton at the cost Of letting the boy
hangi he preferred to stand by him
and unite the powerful influence of
New Mexico's politicians against him.
After the incorporation Of the terri
tory into Oklahoma Johnson's activi.
ties lay largely among the Indians Of
New Mexico and California. As chief
special officer. he had the charge Of
protecting the Indian reservations
against the, inroads of the bootleggers
and other vicious characters. II John
son had succeeded In obtaining the
answering devotion of his white asso-
ciates. he was still more blindly
trusted By his Indians. On every res
ervation today Johnson is remembered
with touching faith and child-like af-
fection. II 10 no exaggeration to say
that he has done more to put the red
man on his feet and make him self
respecting than anyone else who has
labored for the Indian In the United
States since the days of the first mis-
sionaries. More than that, Johnson SO
established the Indians reputation
that his testimony became as valuable
before jury ~ that Of white man
One Of his most Jealous followers
was certain Bill Pablo, man of I'M
bounded charity and courage, who
maintains a dozen Indian orphans on
his farm at his own expense and is
working with xll his might to improve
the morals Of his people. Yet, when
johnson met him, he was an outlaw.
18th four murders to his name. He
Was terror to the whites. Johnson's
interest in the man was aroused by
his notorious character.
lone day" said Johnson, 81 purpose
ly met him where we could talk alone,
and there we had it out together.
"'Why is it that you are always
fighting the whites?' asked.
Because they are all liars. thieves.
and whisky peddlers,' he retorted.
"'Are they all liars. thieves, and
whisky peddlerE / ventured.
$50 near there amt no difference
,ssid Pablob
. Am liar and thief and whisky
peddIsf?' l questioned.
at believe you are on the square,
Ne answered, BOOKING me straight IL
the eye.
""Then you and are on the same
job / told him. You come with me
and we will make sausage Of these
white liars and thieves and whisky
peddlers. I'll give you two dollars
day and expenses, and give you the
time of your life besides
"Bill jammed his boot-heel into the
sand couple OF times, and then grab
bed my hand. And that Indian went
out after the whisky peddlers with
the same zeal that he had displayed
IN different directions. In the three
years that followed he had moro to do
With the cleaning up Of southern Call
fornia than almost any other man.
"Bill's arrival In any hamlet within
q hundred miles Of his home was the
signal for the whisky peddlers to take
to the brush. But taking to the brush
did not help them much. for every In
dian was Bills friend, and would put
him on the trail"