Navajo Indians.
I am going to try and tell the readers a little about the Navajo Indians, near whose reservation I live. The Navajos, as a rule, are not a tall race, although there is one living about two miles from town who is over six feet. His white friends call him "Lengthy." The squaw who went to the World's Fair as being the best Navajo blanket-maker of the tribe has two photographs, one of herself and another squaw, and one of the Government Building which was at the Fair, which she delights in showing to every one that goes to her hut. She talks about "much people" whom she saw while there.
Some of the Indians are quite old, but as active as when young. One squaw has great-grandchildren who can do as much work in field or house as a man. Three years ago la grippe came among them; but few died, as they have a way of curing it which they will not reveal. One man died who had curly black hair which came to his knees—the only Indian ever known hereabouts to have curly hair. Between Fort Defiance and here, about nine miles, there is a large hill which was made by the Indians, who, as they went from one place to the other, would throw, as they passed this spot, a stone, stick, or handful of dirt on it, praying that they would accomplish their journey in safety.
It is seldom that those who have been to school for a year or two live when they return to their tribe, because, after becoming used to our food, they cannot live on their own, it being very poor and insufficient. The Navajos live principally on corn, mutton, beans, melons, and green pease, in their season, which they raise themselves, besides tea, coffee, and sugar for those that can buy or beg it. They have a bread made of a mixture of flour, meat, water, and red pepper which has a very sharp taste. There are two silversmiths in the tribe, who make buttons, belts, rings, bridles, and bracelets out of silver money. One of them had his nose hurt on the point, and he immediately filled it with clay and put plaster over it, and now the skin has grown partly over it, giving him an odd appearance indeed.
The clothing of the men usually consists of one or more calico shirts, cut and made by themselves, a pair of overalls, and moccasins, with a blanket tied around the waist, which is worn at all times, with a hat sometimes, and sometimes not. The squaw usually has four or five calico dresses, either made by herself or given to her by some white friend, with blanket and moccasins the same as the men. They make no money except a few dollars or cents now and then by doing small jobs, running errands, and selling their beautiful blankets for half what they are worth.
Mary D. Tarr, R.T.L.
Manuelito, N. M.