CHIEF HOSKANINNI BY CHARLES KELLY*
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lies in the extreme southeastern corner of Utah, on the Arizona line. It extends from the San Juan River to Kayenta, and from the Colorado River to Chinle W a s h , including an area of about three thousand square miles. Because of its massive monument-like formations and its colorful Indian life more color film has been shot there in recent years than any other spot in Utah, and it has been used as a background for many movies. Yet as late as 1925 it was the least known section of Utah. ONUMENT VALLEY
There was a very good reason for that lack of knowledge by white men, and the reason was a Navaho chief called Hushkaaney, or by white men Hoskaninni. From 1862 until his death in 1912 he had been the emperor of Monument Valley and in most cases unfriendly to white visitors. He had a secret silver mine, and when it was discovered by two prospectors in 1880 they were killed. Many lone prospectors who entered the valley were never seen again. So Hoskaninni gained the reputation of being a very dangerous Indian, and white men as a rule let him alone in his private kingdom. Even after Louisa and John W e t h erill were allowed to open a trading post at Oljeto, there were several killings of white men in the valley. Because of these circumstances a great many legends grew up around Chief Hoskaninni, but little was known of his actual history. On various visits to Monument Valley I had noticed a tall, very dignified old Navaho gentleman, with an aristocratic profile. He was about 85 years old and was treated with great respect by all the Indians. One day I asked Harry Goulding, the trader, who he was. * Charles Kelly is a Forest Ranger, and Custodian of Capitol Reef National Monument, and is a frequent contributor to this magazine. In addition, he is the author of several volumes and numerous articles dealing with the history of Utah and the West.
