Date: Fri, 08 Dec 1995 18:18:02 -0600
From: bensmanm@msuvx2.memphis.edu (Marvin R. Bensman)
Subject: Kemo Sabe

Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of research
for its own sake: A daring and resourceful anthropologist at the University
of Indiana has investigated the tribal background of the Lone Ranger's
faithful Indian campanion Tonto and come up with, if not the facts, at
least some interesting hypotheses. Dr. Martha Kendal had little to go on.
All that is known of Tonto is his name, which is Spanish for "crazy," or
"foolish," and one expression in his own language, "Kemo sabe," which is
reputed to mean "faithful friend" or might be the Spanish "Que Mas Sabe,
"one who knows,"-but if not Spanish, in what Native American tongue? None,
apparently.

However, a 1916 glossary on the Tewa of New Mexico contains the nearly
adjacent entries "Kema" (friend) and "Sabe (an Apache).

Suppose Francis Striker, the LR creator, had read that phamphlet looking
for Indian lore. If her had erred a little on the spelling and a lot on the
meaning, he might have come up with "kemo sabe."

Another hypothesis: Striker visited the Yavapai of Arizona and asked one
how to say "the one who is white." He might then have heard "kinmasabeh,"
which refers not to skin tone but clothing. Still, it's close.

Other approximations in other languages amount to "he is secret,"
"dumpling," "stink beetle," and "red-breasted turtle," none very likely.
Dr. Kendall's research, published a long-time ago in the Smithsonian
magazine, has narrowed the field of possible further research but not
foreclosed it.

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*Professor Marvin R. Bensman, J.D., Ph.D.                              *
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Date: Sat, 9 Dec 1995 21:52:17 -0500
From: Bruce Rudesill <lranger@TSO.Cin.IX.net>
Subject: From out of the past

As a supplement to Dr. Benson's article concerning the researches of Dr.
Martha Kendal is this information from "Who Was That Masked Man" by David
Rothel. It was related to Mr. Rothel by Jim Jewell, the original director
of The Lone Ranger.

According to Mr. Jewell Camp Kee Mo Sah Bee was established by his
father-in-law, Charles Yeager in 1911 at Mullet Lake, Michigan. There was
a place nearby called Cross Village which was either a mission school or a
reservation. In the language of the Cross Village Indians kemo sabe meant
"trusty scout'. Tonto meant "wild one" but Jewell liked the sound of the
word so he introduced it to the show. The book gives no indication of which
tribe lived at Cross Village. The book also contains a photograph of
Camp Kee-mo Sah-bee dated 1919.

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Date: Sun, 10 Dec 1995 00:59:58 +0001 (EST)
From: "'A. Joseph Ross'" <lawyer@world.std.com>
Subject: Kemo Sabe


I thought it was "Que No Sabe" -- one who doesn't know.

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A. Joseph Ross, J.D.                                      617/367-0468
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