The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1919-12-20

Nevada, which maintains q kind o
halfway link between the old life o
the care-free days of the American
wilds and the more trammeled mod
ern existence. OF course, the Indian
throughout the United States vary il
their habits, progress, and education
just as do the other classes of the
population. But wherever they arr
found they are sure to excite interes'
because of the knowledge the on
locker has of their connection with
dim past in the history of the Ameri-
can continent. This interest amounts
almost to a fascination for many per-
sons, whether in the middle west
when the swarthy-faced men and
squaws used to come to town from
the reservations, and sit, wrapped in
brilliant blankets, on the sidewalk on
the sunny side of a building; or
whether along the tran%scontinental
rail lines they offer their baskets and
rugs for sale; or in France, where
a company of them with scout blood
in their veins guarded cities where
their fellows have risen to honored
positions in the government.
This Nevada colony dwells apart
from the rest of the town in a dozen
or so h%abitations which are a combi-
nation of houses and tents, set up in
the sagebrush. All manner of shell
ters are found here. One long, cop
per-colored brave, several inches
over six feet tall, has a house so
dwarfed that when he is in it he must
perforce sit down all the time, with
his legs extending through the door
a foot or so. 1t was never discovered
whether he slept here or not, but
certain it is that he has often been
detected sitting solemn ly in this
diminutive house with only his legs
in sight from the outside. Upon
coming closer when he has been
found thus he Is sometimes dis
covered to be making his toilet, comb
ing out his jet black hair with great
precisness. His house is constructed
of tin sheet made from oil cans,
nailed on to the frame work of wood.
1t has no front or back yard but is
amid the s~agebrush. This Indian
bears the name of Long Charley and
he is a lovable fellow. He has a fond
ness for sitting alone in the shade of
a mesquite tree and gazing out over
the sweep of the desert. He works
heartily and faithfully when he is
called upon, or when he needs money,
and when not in demand and he is
supplied with money, he does not seek
a job.
Among this community of Indians,
Jack is the most important man. He
is the of a chief and he no doubt
exercises some of the old powers of
a chief. He has a fine bearing, looks
a chieftain's part, and, while using
ungrammatical English, yet is able to
converse and deal in~telligently as an
equal with the residents in the town.
Jack always maintains his repre-
sentative capacity. in his intercourse
with the world outside his colony, as
the leading man of his tribe. He has
a great deal of conservation with, and
advice from an attorney In the town,
and sometimes attends court and
hears the addresses. On one occasion
the Indians were much stirred over
some little difficulty, and, seated in a
circle, held high council. The day fol-
lowing the council, Jack, standing
more erect than usual, and throwing
out his chest somewhat (although on
the whole he was usually quietly dig
niied and modest), said to the attor-
ney: me big mar like you. Me talk
all night" He had evidently been
most of the council.
Mrs. Jack, or Jacks wife (these
were the only names by which the
town in general ever knew them)
was a fit consort for the son of a
chief. She was one of the finest ex-
amples Of Indian beauty found among
these Understanding races. Her
features were refined, and she pos
sessed none of the g~rossness some
times seen in the tribal women. Her
face manifested great intelligence and
her eyes were clear and sparkling.
But she smothered her comlQess I'M
der a bandana Handkerchief bound
tightly over her head, the corners
hanging down the back of her neck.
And her dress was always Of the
cheapest kind. Jack was never
dressed any better. Had these two
been clothed In the handsome attire
of well-dressed men and women, they