The Coconino sun., 1920-06-18
CHICKEN CRASHING
 AT KAIBlTO (WILLOW SPRINGS)
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By ALBERT B. REAGAN

The great ceremony is over and the savages and whites have all returned home happy. Moreover, all believe that the dawn of another and better day has arrived for the wilds of the Western Navajo country.
 Arriving at Tuba City the evening of May 13, we snatched bite of sup per and then hied by auto for Kabito, where the great event of the season was to be pulled off the next day, Ar irving at Red Lake on the way toward the midnight hour, we stopped and took another supper. Seventeen more of the palefaces had already arrived there and a lively time was already on, consisting of music and dancing, the former being furnished by our vet eran musician Roseink. Toward mon- ing we retired to the wareroom and spread our hunks on the floor, while the ladies took the sumptuous quar- ters of the residence on the second floor. But our musicians were not dis posed to let us sleep. For another hour they played and sang the popular songs of the day for the benefit of our millionaire guest, Mir. Charles l.. Bern- nclmeI, Ol NeW Ofh CiNsy WhV hSau come the thousands of miles to see the great fete pulled off. Then We slept till the millionaire's poodle dog got lonesome and started around to lick each of our paces to tell us that it was sun-up.
 After hurried breakfast we pro ceeded on our way. We passed north westward past sand cliffs and lake pools and on over dry flat Old Wild Cat peak fitted by us to the westward. Then Square mesa and White mesa jumped into view and fitted by us like screen scene. Then Kaibito rolled to view in Fairbanks Mary Pickford stunt style like toy, but such city and such toy.
 Up against bluff on the east side of a wash that is drier than a con- gressional speech stands the only white mans buildings in an area as large as the state of Massachusetts. These are the Richardson store plant. the government stockman's residence and the quarters of Missionary Merip. And as we appeared, the yards and build ings were surrounded by gala mass of Indians, all bedecked, painted, and attired in their most flashing apparel. There were turquoise beaded necklaces galore. Silver writslets flashed in the sun. And the regulation, banded Nav ajo dress and bright colored native blanket gave the wearer striking, becoming appearance.
 To the southeastward loomed up the White mesa we had passed. To the northeastward the great laccolithic dome of Navajo mountain looked down upon the valley, while the great cliff houses of it's canyons told of a better day. To the westward was the great chasm of the Colorado, which Captair Tovar. of the Coronado expedition of 1541 said was three leagues in the ail and which the simple hearted Hopis say is their entrance-way to theil heaven in the hearth of the earth. Anc to the westward of the dark line oi the canyon the mountains of Cali fornia took the sun to rest at his climbing down the sky. While tht snow clad San Fraicsco peaks stood beneath the sun at noon.
 We were there and ready for thu fray. There were 359 Indians and 4. white people on the ground. Among the whites were the following; Johr O'Farrell, John Kprley, Albert B. Req gan, Dr. Cauplin, A. c. Sianz, O. K Cook, William Boraum, Dr. D. J Roseink, Miss Mary Akin (the publi, school teacher at Tuba City), Inter preter Joe Lee, Agency Superintend ent Robert E. Burris, Supervisor Ham mond, of the Indian department, MT and Mrs. John Wetherill, of Kayenta Arizona, Mir. Charles L. Bernheimer shirt-waist manufacturer and multi millionaire, of New York city, F.. John son, of Banding, Utah, Dick Richards of Winslow, Mrs Bibb, of Tuba, MT and Mrs. Merip, c. I. Aantistevan and I. N. Duff and Ed Bergman of Shonto
 No part of the program was under taken till after dinner was served The Kaibito store gave the Indians two beeves, much coffee, and other eat ables. The coffee and beef were stew ed in washtubs by an open fire and all helped themselves to feast. The white ladies had their dinner served to them by the Kaibito merchants in the store dining hall. The white men