Runke, Walter, 1879-1964

Walter Runke (1879-1964) was superintendent of the Western Navajo Indian Agency from 1901-1920 and later had a career as a postmaster in Flagstaff from 1928-1936. He also served two terms as state senator from Coconino County.

Runke’s fondest memories were of his years in Blue Canyon. Blue Canyon is one of the main branches of the Moenkopi Wash, east of Tuba City. Blue Canyon Trading Post was established by Jonathan Paul Williams at one of the only possible crossings of the wash for wagons (and cars) in 1882. He abandoned it in 1889, after giving up hope of finding gold in the Navajo Mountain area. From 1889 to 1899 the abandoned post buildings at Blue Canyon remained vacant.

In 1900, the Western Navajo Agency and Blue Canyon School were established in the old buildings. Fourteen students were enrolled at the school. Milton Needham and his wife were Superintendent and Matron of the school respectively. Mrs. Needham was Laura Runke’s (nee Williams) aunt and invited Laura - not yet 16 - to come to help her at the school to teach sewing, etc; Laura arrived in July 1901. Shortly afterwards, Walter Runke arrived from Algoma, Wisconsin, to be the school’s Industrial teacher. This was to be the beginning of a twenty-one Indian Service career for Runke. Williams and Runke quickly became close, but parted ways in 1902 and eventually married separately in 1904; both couples remained friends for years until Willams’ husband and Runke’s wife passed away in 1923 and 1942 respectively. After two years of courting, Williams and Runke married – each for the second time – in 1944.

In 1902 the government bought Tuba City from the Mormons, and during the fall and winter 1902-1903 Walter Runke worked to move the agency and school to Tuba City, effectively abandoning the buildings in Blue Canyon once again. Another short-lived trading post was established using the buildings from 1914-1920. In 1921, the buildings were again abandoned and demolished shortly thereafter.

From the guide to the Walter Runke collection, 1901-1978, predominant 1901-1903, (The Museum of Northern Arizona)