VOA慢速英语2014 科曼切族最后一位首领的住宅几成废墟

 

Home of Last Comanche Chief Close to Ruins 科曼切族最后一位首领的住宅几成废墟

One of the most interesting people in U.S. history is Quanah Parker, the last chief of the country’s Comanche Indian tribe.  Quanah Parker was the son of a Comanche warrior¹ and a white woman who had been captured by the Indians.  Quanah Parker was a fierce fighter. But that ended one day in 1875, when he led his people to Fort Sill, Oklahoma and began a new, peaceful life. 

Quanah’s image remains² strong among his people. But, sadly, part of his history is in danger of disappearing.

Quanah Parker became an activist³ for his tribe after the move to Fort Sill.  The Indian chief soon earned the respect and friendship of other leaders, like U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt.

Bruce Caesar is a Pawnee American Indian. He greatly respects the Comanche. He says Quanah led them to their success in operating businesses, like casinos, while keeping the tribe's identity.

“He did an outstanding job of bringing his people into contemporary society, where now they are one of the powerhouses of the sovereign nations in Oklahoma.”

But now an important memorial to that past is at risk. Quanah Parker’s former home is slowly falling into ruin. 

It is called the Star House. Texas cattlemen built it for Parker in the 1890s.  The cattlemen were pleased with the dealings that they had had with the Comanche leader.

Wayne Gipson and his sister are now the owners of the Star House.  Their uncle left it to them. Mr. Gipson says his uncle received it through a trade with Quanah Parker’s daughter in the 1950s.  He says Quanah's daughter left the future of the Star House up to his uncle.  

“.. if anything is to be done with the Star House, she felt it would be up to him, and if he would trade her a livable house for the Star House, she would go along with the trade.”

Wayne Gipson says he lacks the money to repair and care for the old structure.

“We had worked towards getting some funding for it, but it is basically at a standstill currently.”

Tina Emhoolah (ehm HOO lah) is a descendant of Quanah Parker. She says the Comanche Nation has offered to buy the house, but that Wayne Gipson would not sell.

“It is unfortunate that the property has deteriorated⁵ the way that it is, but the nation has made its offer; they chose not to take it.”

Bruce Caesar says protecting historical objects is important. But he says the Comanche Nation should spend its money on the tribe’s current needs.

“If you have some money to spend, it is better to spend it on jobs, benefits for the people, health, education, housing, food.”

Tina Emhoolah regrets what has happened to the Star House but she says the history remains.

“Quanah’s history is still a wonderful thing. You can own the building, but you will never own his history. The Comanche Nation, his history belongs to us."

The Comanche Nation continues to seek agreement with the owners on how to save the Star House.

Words in this Story

fierce – adj. extremely strong; violent; angry

casino – n. a business which offers the playing of games of chance  (gambling)

sovereign – adj. having independent authority and the right to govern itself

standstill – n. a state in which all activity or motion is stopped

deteriorate⁴ – v. to become worse as time passes

 

1 warrior   

n.勇士，武士，斗士

参考例句：

• The young man is a bold warrior.这个年轻人是个很英勇的武士。
• A true warrior values glory and honor above life.一个真正的勇士珍视荣誉胜过生命。

2 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

3 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

4 deteriorate   

v.变坏；恶化；退化

参考例句：

• Do you think relations between China and Japan will continue to deteriorate?你认为中日关系会继续恶化吗？
• He held that this would only cause the situation to deteriorate further.他认为，这只会使局势更加恶化。

5 deteriorated   

恶化，变坏( deteriorate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Her health deteriorated rapidly, and she died shortly afterwards. 她的健康状况急剧恶化，不久便去世了。
• His condition steadily deteriorated. 他的病情恶化，日甚一日。