The Gallup Independent from Gallup, New Mexico • Page 13

THIS PILE OF RUBBLE once was a hospital maintained by the U. S. Army at Ft. Wingate. (Daily Independent Photo) Fort Wingate Is A Landmark In New Mexico's History In a lush, bowl-shapM valley, fed by many springs, stands old Fort Wingate.

It was established on its present site 88 years ago during the Indian strife. Today Fort Wingate is a symbol of peace between two great peoples. On the parade ground United States soldiers once drilled Ihore is playground equipment and a basketball court. A barracks which housed men of war, now rings with the laughter and chat of school is a dormitory for the Indian students who attend Fort Wingate Elementary and High School. The academic high school is one of the finest in the st-ite.

It is fully accredited by the state; has produced many of the col lego-bred young Indian lenders of today, and is the pride of the Navajo people. From the fine vocational high school department boys and girls have gone on to good jobs or to other schools with more diversified vocational program. It is the desire of the people to increase the vocational department. The United States Government and the Bureau of Indian Affairs displayed foresight and understanding in keeping Ft. Wingate's high school section, Fort Makes History Of equal importance is the part the old Fort played in tht? con- tor.por-.iry history of the state of Mexico.

11 secjTJs a shame tint many of Die old quarters are being allowed to fall into complete ruins They should be restored as permanent landmarks. At Ft. Sumncr the Navajos Glgn- ed the peace treaty June I. 18G8. This was their charter for the future-.

The federal government aL-T-oed Uip.t. "for every thirty LH between the of and 1(5. who can be induced or compelled to attend school, a house shall be provided, and a teacher competent to teach the elementary branches of an English education shall be furnished, who will reside among said Indians, and faithfully discharge his or her duties as a teacher The federal government made many mistakes. Children and pnr- Uveen the federal government and the tribal government. Ft.

Wingate High School stands as a monument to this lasting peace let it not crumble to dust. Homeward Bound The Navajos made their long trek home from Ft. Sumner and in the pleasant valley at alike were frightened by the "snatching" of children from homes to be sent away to school. But thai is pact now and there is cooperation as well as peace be- Ton Wingate lor their last pause before going no long, er were prisoners of war. Fort Wingote Military Reservation originally comprised of 04.000 acres.

Today there me approximately 1200 acres. In 1850 post named for Capt Benjamin Winj-ate who was killed at the Battle YaKi-rde. was established at CVMlHa OSe'-oy- i-tni by the I'Mitcd Slahx De- partineni and maintained us siicli until 1802. It was then moved to El Gallo near pr-xt-nt settlement of Sari Rafael. five of Gran Thi-.

wa-: Abandoned In 18G8 and for) established where it now is juct oa.it of Gallup. This plate wa called Ojo del Oso or Rig Beai Springs and was the siv of ar earlier fort called Fort Fa untie TOV. From 1882 the fort wa.s ofter nspd a.s hpadqnartors and out-fit- tinfT for and archcological expeditions. Ft. Win- pate was retained by the government as a military depot untp about 1910.

In the old btiildines were Used for the housing of 4.000 Mexican troops and their families whr Ind lieeil forced from Mesi fl diir- a tJu- Pancho Villa upvisiim. In May of 1914 W. IT. of Gallup, reported thr- arrival uf UK- Mexican fnr tht' Albuquerque Morning Journal. Tin- following is an excerpt Horn notes: "5.000 refugpcs from Old Mexico were brought to Fort and plaeed in wnirh hm 1 barbed wire fence around, with Avmy boys guarding and from four cnrnerB.

Tlie (jovernment fed them. Three trainloads came in at one time and all persons walked with firm to their lias- gage, and to the three miles to the PREWITT TRADING POST Blake Bowlin and Son, Traders VISITORS- WELCOME We Deal In Hides Wool Livestock Highway 66 Prewitt, N. M. (40 Miles East of Gallup) tent home awaiting thetfn. "S-'Vetal wealthy persons were tlk'iii Many pi'iyons died in cmnp, "They amused themselves with tliey had lots of mu- amcng them." hullilll Sell001 In Wti appropriated fnr school for the Nav- Hi" rt.

Wingnto Military Tile barracks have H-en into dormitories, and square where -soklitTi drilled 'low is and basket- I Ml roiirt I From Hi- top of th-- hill if Ft. i'-. one of tho finost in MeKinJey County. -iE fov miles a bvoiui expinpe if red eliffs. colored like PainUyJ Divert of Arizona.

the coming of llu- Amer- Navajo. iindrr Chii-f Mnriaim. iKed this secUori as an agricultural and watering plaee, Shas'lilgo fgffpB Kdftten, TnMday, Aqg. ONCE A BARRACKS FOR SOLDIERS this building now is a dormitory for Indian students who attend Ft. Wingate School.

(Daily Independent Photo) An okl Navaj'j custom made it 'mpropiT fur a woman to sing or A Xavajo woman is just as free to divorce her husband as he is to divorce her. A. woman obtains her rt-histk'; however, specially or- women could siog for ceremonial To(iay Navajo divorce by placing her husband's probably K'WJ. as miK'h as 1 and other bcloiiji in Ss out-; while but always in side the hopnn; a man gets his by subdvied tone, never loud like takinii his personal belongings and riding off. Chief Liquor Store "In The Heart Of The Business District" West Coal WELCOMES YOU WE HAVE A COMPLETE LINE OF PACKAGE GOODS "VISIT OUR MINIATURE BAR" WELCOME WE SERVE ONLY THE BEST IN MEXICAN AND CHINESE FOODS FAST SERVICE PLENTY OF PARKING La Fonda Cafe On Highway 66 West TO THE FOR SAKE ONIAL ARE PROUD TO SAY WE HAVE PAVED MANY HIGH-WAYS AND MANY STREETS IN THIS GREAT STATE OF EW MEXICO HAVE A GOOD TIME IN GALLUP MD COME BACK TO THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT AND THE INDIAN CAPITAL OF THE WORLD Paving Co 6511 Domingo Rd.

ALBUQUERQUE, N. M. Phone 5-8721.