VOA标准英语2014--Comanche Chief Quanah Parker’s Century-Old House Falling Apart

 

Comanche Chief Quanah Parker’s Century-Old House Falling Apart

CACHE, OKLAHOMA— 

One of the most fascinating people in U.S. history was Quanah Parker, the last chief of the American Indian tribe, the Comanche. He was the son of a Comanche warrior¹ and a white woman who had been captured by the Indians.

Parker was a fierce warrior until the day in 1875 when he led his people to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and took on a new, peaceful life. Quanah’s image remains² strong among his people, but part of his heritage is in danger of disappearing.

After giving up the warrior life and settling on the reservation, Quanah Parker became an advocate for his tribe. That earned him the respect and friendship of such notable figures as President Theodore Roosevelt.

Setting precedent³

Bruce Caesar, a Pawnee American Indian, said he admires the Comanche, and he credits Quanah for their success running 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,” said Caesar.

But the most remarkable⁴ physical reminder⁵ of Quanah Parker is slowly falling into ruin on this lot behind a trading post here. Parker’s house was where he lived with his family and entertained many notable guests.

Texas cattlemen who had successful dealings with Parker built him this large home in 1890. It is known still known as the Star House for its roof decorations.

Quanah’s mother Cynthia Ann Parker died before he surrendered, but he later kept her picture by his bed.

Star House

The Star House today belongs to Wayne Gipson and his sister, who inherited it from their uncle, who obtained it through a trade with Quanah Parker’s daughter in the 1950s. Quanah's daughter left the future of Star House up to the Gipson's 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,” said Gipson.

Gipson admitted he lacks the funds to properly maintain the old structure. “We had worked toward getting some funding for it, but it is basically at a standstill currently.”

 Quanah Parker's descendant Tina Emhoolah said the Comanche Nation has offered to buy the house, but Gipson would not sell.

“It is unfortunate that the property has deteriorated⁶ the way that it is, but the nation has made its offer; they chose not to take it,” said Emhoolah.

Establishing priorities

Caesar said that while preserving history is important, the Comanche Nation should use its funds on more 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,” he said.

Emhoolah regrets what has happened to the Star House, but she's philosophical⁷ about it.

“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," she said.

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

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 precedent   

n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的

参考例句：

• Is there a precedent for what you want me to do?你要我做的事有前例可援吗？
• This is a wonderful achievement without precedent in Chinese history.这是中国历史上亘古未有的奇绩。

4 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

5 reminder   

n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示

参考例句：

• I have had another reminder from the library.我又收到图书馆的催还单。
• It always took a final reminder to get her to pay her share of the rent.总是得发给她一份最后催缴通知，她才付应该交的房租。

6 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。

7 philosophical   

adj.哲学家的，哲学上的，达观的

参考例句：

• The teacher couldn't answer the philosophical problem.老师不能解答这个哲学问题。
• She is very philosophical about her bad luck.她对自己的不幸看得很开。