Canyon De Chelly
Apache Co.
Small creek rising
in Tunicha mountains almost exactly on Arizona-New Mexico boundary line. Navajo word "Tschegi" or "de,
sche-ay-e," "among the cliffs," "ghosts or evil spirits."
Hodge. Not in any dictionary but so
interpreted by Indians. Most of the year
this is a dry wash. Heads at Sonsella
buttes near State line. Flows northwest,
joins Canyon del Muerto in t. 5 N., R. 9 W., to form Chinle creek.
"The
orthography of Canyon de Chelly (pronounced "de Shay") was obtained
from Senor Donaciano Vigil, Secretary of the Province of New Spain, who states
that it is a word of Indian origin, probably a corruption by the Spanish of the
Navajo term or word, "Tse-yi': the Rock canyon." Gregory.
Kit Carson's command
had a fight here with Navajos in Jan.
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