So issybird and poohbear_nc still stumped ? This appears to be a dead end then. Perhaps it is I am too old and ever strange? Or maybe it is just that I spent part of my childhood in New Mexico, with a great uncle who actually grew up there during the time the book is set, and who I am sure is the one who gave me this book when I was young.

So anyway the book in question is Laughing Boy by Oliver La Farge (Winner of the 1930 Pulitzer Prize)

So with everyone's permission I would like to designate the next person. Burrowing back through this thread it appears to me that, of those who still seem interested, Orlok has not had a chance. So next up Orlok! Or if he does not respond by end of day, then anyone who cares to jump in.