Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-06-20
GENERAL.
Arizoun LIre-.-laoO mrc- on aulc.nacL

| AN INDIAN SUPERINTENDENT ON his RouNDs--YuMA
To TUCSON.
Tucson, Arizona, March 81 1872
Leaving Yuma, two weeks aro. We arrived
here, yesterday.
>
On the fifth day of our ride We visited, a
short distance of the road, the "Aqua Caliente'
aprngs, noted for their curative effect ON con-
stitution diseases. The temperature Of the
largest is 1 l2 degrees and it is very refreshing
Others flow, a few feet from it, quite cool. The
next day, we crossed Oatmans Flat, 10 called
from tine massacre OF Texan family, several
years since, by Indians. The two daughters
were taken prisoners one died and the other
was traded to the Mojaves who had her until
few years ago, SHE having strongly objected to
leaving them.
A few miles beyond are the pictured RoclS .
consisting of pile Of huge granite buul1ers,
about sixty feet high and spread over an acre OF
ground, on the open plain, evidently placed
there by human hands. Their surface is covered
with peculiar characters, cut into the stone
about an eighth OF an inch.- They have never
been deciphered, and would form Il most inter
estlng study for the Archaeoligist, were it not
for the danger of the taxidermists who range
through there. No doubt they would give, il
correctly read, some record Of the races who
peopled this part of our country, years ago.
On the sixth day out we came in sight OF the
first cultivated land since starting, fine crop
Of barley was being raised by irrigation from
the Gila, and was a grateful sight after six days
Of desert and rocky mesa. We spent the night
at Glla Bend, where an irrgatng canal il being
constructed by company, aud will supply a
large track Of land.
Approaching Maricopa, Wells, the remarkable
profile of Montezuma, was distinctly seen on
spur Of Maricopa Mountain. Its sharpness of
outline is wonderful, and the expression of calm
'repose on the upturned face, 6ives an Impress
ion that he bides his time, awaiting his peoples
return. The Indians on the Gila worahip it, be-
lieving his spirit dwells there
The seventh day brought us to the Pima vii
lage and Agency. where we were entertained by
the Agent WHO displayed his wards with much
pride. They are an industrious tribe living
solely by agriculture, but the credit Is not due
to our teaching, as we have done little for them
save encroach on their land which was in far
better condition upon the arrival Of the whites,
than they now are. The settlers have cut of
much Of the water above them and obliged
some to cease cutivating. They still, however,
raise large quantities Of wheat and barley for
sale, and receive but little aid from the Govern
ment.
We were much interested there in school for
the children, established over year ago, and
having an average attendance OF thirty Indian
children. number could read English quite
we'll, and have made good progress in writing
and arithmetic. But In singing they excelled
the teacher leading with cabinet organ. They
We could easily imagine ourselves in an Eastern
Sabbath School, Their attendance Is only OBJ
tanned by the daily distribution Of Lread and
panachs (sweet meats) small class is taught
sewing by the Agents wife, but the boys are
taught no industrial pursuits. These, like all the
other tribes have seen, objectto the physical
compulson" necessary to that end, and the
children are simply allowed TO grow like plants,
picking up instruction AZ they wish or happen to
do.
On tbe road hare va nassad Rakaria skation
where the family Of four were killed by their
Mexican laborer's last November. Marks Of
blood were still apparent, the station not having
been occupied since the tragedy. The perpetra-
tors were soon In Sonora, whore they safely defy
our authority.
Tucson at last rewarded our wearied eyes, with
it's beautiful fields Of grain and running water,
Its white houses were great relief from mud
and mud-colored houses which only are to be
seen in the other Southern towns of the Terri
tory. 1t has about ten thousand inhabitants
half dozen fine stores well supplied. 1t being
on the main road to New Mexico,a large busi-
ness Is DONE and currency is the medium of
exchange. Notwithstanding their distance from
Arizona City where their goods are slanded from
the steamers their prices are much lower than
these with better assorted stock.
The principal buildings are first, of course the
Cathedral which ia a very ordinary adobe build
ing, facing on the main Plaza. The Court House
is better structure, but its situation ii such that
a stranger would not be likely to see it unless Q
inquired carefully. The famous mansion is OF
the better style Of Mexican houses with a central
court, and is very comfortable but without style.
The most interesting building is the Mission
of San Xavier del Bac, about twelve miles south
of the town. built by the Jesuits in their pro-
gress North over two hundred years ago 1t is
situated in fertile valley settled by the Papago
Indians, who were converted from the Pimas by
the Jesuits, and still worship there. The build
ing is cruciform, about one hundred feet long
by forty wide and sixty high the roof formed
of stucoo, supported in an arched form by the
side walls. A dome surmouns the chancel, and
two towers are in front. Five fine bells still
hang in them, which were made in Spain Sew
eral have been taken away. The interior is a
mass of carving and sculpture. Life-pize figures
of the Apostles and Saints adorn the inches, and
scroll work Of the most elaborate and massive
description, heavily gilt covers the back OF the
alter. Solid silver and gold candlestcks were
once used but only few bronzes are now left
Paintings adorn the walls Of the nave, but time
and exposure have nearly effaced them. The
entire structure evidences the work of superior
architects and manual labor aside from the
money necessary to erect such an edifce in such
a country, for such people. Those old Jesuits
evidently understood the aesthetics of religion,
in refining the taste, and elevating the soul,
thareby IT