Coronado Eagle and Journal, Volume 6, Number 32, 22 December 1917 — , ‘ Indians ' have a. “hoover” [ARTICLE]

, ‘ Indians ' have a. “hoover”

According to Mr, E. E. Smith, of 1 Hotel'del Corohado Curio Store, the Havashpal or : "Blue Water” Indians Of J northwestern Arizona have had a footl -dictator ;for many years, and is nothing new to that tribe., Th'e. Supais, as they are called, appoint a food administrator each' ■ydar; } itfd be; irf/made responsible -Tdtf *tttefcnrpiak 'food, thatvs put storage to -.guard against famine. .The, leaders-of- the tribe meet In , cqunpil gnd .decide, bow much food fo /put aside, and dried beans, 'peachfes, figs and other foodstuffs that will keep for One or two years are put in Jars-and tbe whole is •stored -in : a jpatural- cave that is . above .high water mark. , The month, of.the caVe is then sealed up "so tna’t even a/strange Indian cannot locate it, and ‘‘Mr. Hoover” iff expected to visit the cave at least once each day, to see that the stores are safe., ,-Every three months or sp the edve Ip opened and the food examined for, traces of bugs, mice, etc., after which it/ls again sealed. If the cave Un broken Into, the matter • Is- reported- -- to the tribe; and measures ;•are- taken, to discover the • thief- : -i... * - : Mr. Smith lived- among these Indians for 12 years, and has a number *of • interesting tales to tell of tlieir doings and customs.