The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1918-07-04
PERSHINC'S Sprint
A Foot Race Forced by the Taunt
of a Navajo Indian.
IT HAD A CURIOUS CLIMAX.

IT HAD A CURIOUS CLIMAX.
The Rsdskin Athlete Was Flsst Rum
nsr, but the "Whits Captain" In
Spite Of q sprained Ankle Handicap,
Won the Contest In "crawI."
At the time General John j. Pershing
held the rank Of captain In the army
he on one occasion proved himself su-
perior to the best Navajo athlete In q
foot race.
The story Is an interesting one.
Pershing was stationed near the Ma
vaho and MoQui reservations I'm Ari-
zona. In 1890, when General Morgan.
then commissioner Of Indian affairs,
visited these Indians, Pershing was In
command Of a small escort which went
with him to keams' canyon to attend
q council Of the tribes. He was &C.
companied by Captain Chauncey Ba-
ker, who had been his classmate at
West Point.
While waiting for the council to be-
gin they sat on q large stone watching
the Indians at their games. The Ma
vahos were wrestling, racing on foot,
racing their ponies and pole vaulting.
It was holiday occasion, and the In
dams were enjoying themselves hugely.
One finely formed Indian saw Perish.
Ing sitting on the stone and, approach
ing, said something to him In the Ma
vaho tongue. The Navajo interpreter,
Chez, who was with the party, was
asked what the Indian wanted.
HE Is challenging Captain Pershing
to wrestle with him." said Chez.
Pershing looked the Indian over and
observing the grease upon his body re-
piled to Chez:
'Tell him that he is too dirty to wres-
tie with q white man."
When this was interpreted the In
dams who had gathered around sent up
q shout Of derision at the expense OF
the Navajo athlete. The latter was not
slow to reply, saying:
"Tell the white captain I'll run a
foot race with him, and II am too
dirty all he has to do is to keep ahead
of me-"
The Indians now laughed at Pershing,
and Chez explained to him that he
would have to run the foot race or lose
caste with the Indians, who appeared
greatly to. admire him.
Pershing accepted the challenge and
preparations were made for the race. A
triangular course was laid out, with
three stakes 100 feet apart. Pershing
stripped to the waist and put on a pair
of moccasins so that he could run with
greater ease.
Judges were chosen and a toss OF q
coin gave the Indian the inside track.
30 that he had few feet the advantage
In clearing the stakes. Both men start
ed in lively fashion. but, as Pershing
afterward explained, he purposely kept
Just far enough behind 20 that the
Navajo could barely see him out Of the
tail Of his eye. This prevented the In
dian from setting too hard q pace and
at tho same time enabled Pershing to
use the Indian N pacemaker.
Al the two sped toward the firSt stake
not q foot's difference was discernible
between them. They appeared to be
running almost abreast. Once or twice
the Indian made q squirt, but Pershing
always kept up with him and never
undertook to pass him.
They rounded the nrst stake with
the Indian still on the inside and then
started for the second stake. When
half way Pershing increased his speed
and the Indian, fearing that he meant
to try to pass him at the stake, did
likewise. Just as Pershing expected,
the Navajo shot slightly beyond the
stake. and Pershing was enabled to
come ON the inside, thereby gaining an
advantage Of several feet on the home
ward run.
Now. Pershing had previously sprain-
Cd his ankle. and his only concern In
the race was caused BY fear that his
ankle might give way. The speed OF
the two men n they ran for the home
stake was tremendous. but Pershing
maintained the lead until the expected
happened.
When within about ten feet Of the
home line his ankle turned and he was
seen to fall In heap, and the specta-
tors breathlessly watching the contest
cried out In CONSERVATION. It all hap
pened In a moment. It seemed, but
somehow Pershing doubled up like q
ball and turned q complete somersault
and landed across the line several feet
ahead OF the Indian.
Then there was q bedlam OF shout
ing. The Indians unhesitatingly pro-
nounced Pershing the victor. and the
citation Of the white men was only ex-
ceeded by their solicitude for Per
shing's weakened ankle. The defeated
Indian was jeered and tainted unmer-
cifully by the other Navahos.
They had one particular collection Of
Indian unpronounceables which they
applied to him. Pershing and Baker