Do etin

The inspiration for Do etin, Gekin Yashi's father, is one of the most documented of all. Do etin is a fierce man who learns of the abuse his daughter has experienced at the Indian boarding school in Mesa (Tuba City).  When she next comes to his hogan, he refuses to let her return.  Tragically, this decision leads to his death.

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The Vanishing American:

"I don't blame him a damn bit for that," retorted Blucher, brutally. "But Gekin Yashi is not the point with me. Do etin has bucked me. He has opposed me. He will make me look weak to all the Indians. But how to make an example of him!"

Morgan leaned forward to whisper tensely. "Send Rhur, the policeman, Glendon and Naylor, at night to arrest Do etin. Do etin will refuse to consent to the new rule of the government. He will resist arrest." (Chapter XII)

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(Later Morgan talks to a farmer)

"Go to Blucher," replied Morgan.

"I just left him," returned the farmer. "He wasn't interested—sent me to you. I reckon he was upset by his men havin' to kill an Indian last night."

"That so? I hadn't heard," rejoined Morgan, with no especial interest. He might not have been aware of the grey desert eyes bent upon him...

"That was unfortunate," said Morgan, gravely shaking his head. "But Indians must learn to obey." (Chapter XIII)

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A nationally publicized murder trial that concluded not long before Zane Grey's 1922 trip to Kayenta included evidence presented to the U.S. Attorney General by U.S. Attorney Thomas A. Flynn:

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U.S. Attorney Report:

Pursuant to your [the U.S. Attorney General] wire of February 7, 1916, directing me to co-operate fully…in the matter of the killing of Navajo Indian, Taddy Tin…guided by a brother of the deceased, who led us to within a short distance of the “hogan” where the killing occurred… the opening of which had been barred by some logs of fire-wood…On entering we found nothing in the “hogan” except the body of the deceased, lying apparently where he had fallen, and covered only by a blanket…the only wound delivered in the front part of the body was one “two and one-half inches below the sternal notch”…the wound in the back was an entrance wound there can be no doubt and with respect to this the defendant’s statement were absolutely silent.

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Taddy Tin had been shot in the back by killers in the same manner as Do-Etin in The Vanishing American.