Johnston] NAVAHO POPULATION 75 



In an enumeration conducted on IMay ol, 18(57, in connection with the 

 distribution of ration tickets, a total of 7,406 Navahos were counted. 

 One month later, a Lieutenant MacDonald carried out a second 

 enumeration, and counted 2,150 men over 18; 2,530 women over 18; 

 and 2,620 children "under 18," for a total of 7,300. The reporting 

 agent concluded that there were, in all, about 7,500 Navahos at Fort 

 Sumner during 1867, including those temporarily absent.-^ 



In evaluating the sources quoted above, it is necessary to distinguish 

 between the actual enumerations conducted at the fort and the con- 

 flicting estimates of the number of Navahos who were never brought 

 to the fort in the first place. Probably the most reliable figure in this 

 period is the count of all Navahos who arrived at the fort during the 

 first year of its establishment as a Navaho reservation. Upon their 

 arrival, all Navaho groups were counted, and this record was main- 

 tained by the military authorities at the fort. 



The separate enumerations that were made of Navahos already at 

 the fort are also relatively reliable, although certain factors may have 

 tended to produce an overcount. The typical procedure in taking 

 these enumerations was the essence of military efficiency. Most of the 

 enumerations were conducted in connection with the distribution of 

 ration tickets. In order to receive his ration ticket, each Navaho was 

 made to walk through a single gate into an enclosed area within the 

 fort grounds known as the "Navaho corral." As he passed through 

 the gate, each Navaho received a ration ticket for himself, plus addi- 

 tional tickets for any member of his household who was unable to 

 present himself because of illness or duties elsewhere. 



In order to prevent duplications, no Navaho was permitted to leave 

 the enclosure until all had entered. An actual count was made of all 

 Navahos as they entered the corral, but the totals reported included an 

 allowance for the small number who were reported as absent for vari- 

 ous reasons.^^ 



Although this straightforward procedure w^ould appear to guarantee 

 a highly accurate count of the population, there is some evidence to 

 the contrary. The Navahos soon demonstrated considerable ingenuity 

 in improving their lot, both by claims of fictitious dependents and by 

 forging ration tickets. While neither of these practices could affect 

 the basic count of persons entering the corral, they may have produced 

 exaggerated estimates of the total number of Navahos at the fort 

 at any given time (Underhill, 1956, p. 136) . 



2«Dodd, 1868. These figures indicate a decline of 175 men, 180 women, and 819 children 

 in the period 1865 to 1867. The latter decline is particularly striking in view of the 

 probability that except for a few shepherds, most of the Navahos away from the fort at 

 any given time would be adults. 



27 This enumeration procedure is similar to the "recensements d'assemblage" as carried 

 out in some parts of Africa, wherein the villagers are ordered to assemble in a designated 

 area at a specified time in order to be counted by the officials. 



780-568—66 6 



