Willmar Tribune

STORIES OF
GREAT INDIANS
By Elmo Scott Watson
Copyright, 1921, Western Newspaper Union

MANUELITO, THE GREAT CHIEF
OF THE NAVAJO

IT HAPPENED at Fort Defiance, Ariz. One "issue day" a crowd of Navajoes gathered around the corral looking hungrily at the steers-big, rangy longhorns which would soon be fresh beef for them. Unnoticed by anyone a little Indian boy slipped under the fence and toddled out into the inclosure.

In an instant a big steer had trotted out from the herd and, shaking its long, sharp horns, advanced upon the tiny figure, who curiously watched the animal's approach. There was a moment of horrified suspense-then a tall, straight Indian jumped from the corral fence and in a few flying leaps had placed himself between the baby and the oncoming steer. There he stood with arms folded across his breast.

At the same instant the steer charged. The animal came on with the force of a locomotive. At the last second it stopped and stood swinging its head back and forth with the points of the sharp horns just missing the breast of the Indian. But the erect figure did not flinch. Not a muscle moved. The steer was puzzled. Evidently deciding that it was not worth while to bump his head on something which might be a post, the longhorn turned and trotted back to his fellows.

As the Indian walked back to the corral fence with the baby on his shoulder there was no agitation in his manner. For was he not Manuelito, war chief of the Navajo? He gained this position in 1855 while the Navajoes were a constant terror to the early settlers of Arizona. Several expeditions sent against them had failed, but in 1863 Col. Kit Carson, the famous scout, whipped them so thoroughly that they never again were guilty of any organized hostility towards the whites.

After that Manuelito, the war chief, became a peace chief, and in 1872 he was appointed captain of the native police force organized to keep order on the reservation. Once when a number of young bucks were planning an outbreak Manuelito called them into council. Picking up a handful of sand he said, "Do you know how many grains of sand are in my hand? There are just that many white men for you to fight. Now do you wish to make war?"

They did not, for Manuelito's symbol of the Americans' strength brought them to their senses. From then on until his death in 1893 he proved himself a wise and far-seeing leader and his name is still revered by the Navajo.