Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-12-14
Odd Names
That Are HunQ
On Indians

SOME Of the od-time redskin warriors had lived to
hear the their descendants today, they prob
ably would grab up tomahawk and take to the
path angry protest way which the poetic
of Indian lore rapidly disappearing.
Red Cloud, Laughing Water Startled Fawn and Swift
Arrow of romantic memory have beer discarded favor
of timely but equally colorf nicknames all because
the Vanishing Red Skin has ceased to vanish and taking
active part in the paleface's life around him
While Mrs. Charley Knit Sweaters and Lillian Good
bit their indicate, Harry Drve-Jeep has taken
to Army life with gusto Johnny Makewings working in
aplane factory in the East and Billy Screwba proud
of the given to him by fellow ammuni-
ton factory recently not he but
cause he is college graduate experimenting with
type of rifle cartridge.
An Indians name nickname is personal property
Unlike unfortunate palefaces chrisened
Cuthbert Mamaduke Derwilinger at birth and most
patiently bear that staggering burden to the end of their
days, an Indian may change his name almost at will
have changed for him by friends neghbors
circumstances occupation changes
The Navajo Indians whose reservation spreads
western New Mexico often demonstrate humor and
caustc wit in the selection of such for their tribal
brethren, according to the New Mexico State Tourist
Bureau.
Many factors may go a Navajo's nickname, but
often than not misdeed incident character
istic commonly known to his neghbors Will be the basis for
the change.
Wealthy Navajos those who hold prominent posi-
ton the community respected with such
Tall Singer" Little Medicine Man. big Slversmith'
white Horse and Black Cattle
Siversmithy for which Navajo famous has in
recent furnished the root for two of the
lar and smpfed being adopted by members of the
younger generation Of the tribe-Smith Silver.
Mechanics believed to have started among the
Navaos when they returned to the
their istarred Imprisonment at Fort Sumner New Mexico
Each family given a certain portion of land a
home and its location often determined the family
or its nickname
The Navajos who lived on whisIey Creek came to be
known "Drtywater", Navajo for whiskey.
Their children received such Little Boy Dirty
water" Fat Boy Dirtywater.'
One incident resulted in ncknames for two Navajo
who quarreling water a spring
When the whose located
water affronted hid out near
spring when the owner appeared tossed a NANCY
dog into the pool As a result both received
names one became Mrs Dog-in heSprihg" the other,
Mrs. Stngy- Whitewater"
The white rarely escapes nickname if he has any
association with the Nave IS Traders are known 10y such
self explanatory BLACK Hat Tall Grouchy"
Wide Belly, Gray Mousache" and Angry With Silver
the last being Navajo version of tightwad
Government employees, too have felt the sharp wit of
the Navajo tongue Among the Indian Service personnel
such characters yellow Fat Boy" Hairy
Nose with Wart" ~Slow with Gas" another pale
received his name as compliment for the careful way he
drove his
eveing niclnames at tribal members The "One-
Eyed-Water named for spring which flowed through
hole in "A rock-were Sleepy" Snowman" worthless"
no Teeth" and Little Soda Pop who raised
soda water and coffee
Mechanics common among Navajo men than
In family Of daughters, the first marry
usually honored by having her husband known publicly
fathers son-in-law
When worthless one Eyed Water for example fen i'm
pretty Indian whose family
Whiskey Creek he became known Worthless Dirty
waters Son-in-Law change which, he happily felt
the better
Although Navaos among tho most Laws abiding folks
in the entire country. occasionally slips the
straight and narrow path.
Navajo boy was caught plrlcning CashHght from
trader and for his deed he known as .FloUry
Flashlght because the stolen article found hidden
"A sack Of flour
In one extreme instance nickname caused "a Navajos
the reservation was found guilty of
stealing had been left on grave for the
departed 20 ride 20 tho happy hunting ground When
his deco became known, hc spoken of whispers
Haunted Saddle.