The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1878-03-28
The zuni Indians.

An Arizona correspondent writes:
The Zuni Indians are located in New
Mexico, few miles east of the Arizona
line. They are an industrious, eco
nomical people; are kind and hospita-
BILE to strangers, live almost wholly
within themselves, raise cattle and
sheep, weave blankets and cloth for.
their own clothing. They live in four
story buildings, the entrances being in
the top story, which they enter by
means of ladders which they take up
after them at night, and then consider
themselves secure from enemies with
out, and, so far as the rude implements
of war the Indians use are concerned,
are undoubtedly correct. These Indi-
ans have no traditions of the past that
connect them with the ancient people
who once densely populated this Terri
tory, but from their mode of living, the
architecture of their buildings, etc.,
they are undoubtedly the last remnant
of that great people who had large
towns and cities and who carried on ex-
tensive agricultural enterprises. Some
distance from this Zuni Village, on the
Arizona side of the line, is salt lake,
and all around the lake the brine has
evaporated, leaving vast deposits of
beautiful white and chemically pure
salt. To this inexhaustible fountain
the Zunis have gone for their salt for a.
period so far back in the misty past
that the unlettered Zuni has no knowl-
edge of the date. of commencement,
but probably many centuries before
our ancestors landed from the May
flower on this continent, or even long
before Columbus discovered that there
was such country, the dusky Zuni
maiden and her liege-lord repaired
hither to this bountiful source of sup
ply, and, in peace and security, gath
cred what necessity required. Time
rolled on and the pale-faces came and
settled near, and were shown this wen-
derful deposit and were invited to share
its fruits with their dusky brethren. "A
few years ago, one more avaricious than
the rest, concluded to locate and make
!. MS own privarv ProPvrty, W scttlo
there and become toll-gatherer. In
vain the Zunis reasoned with him that
they had for centuries enjoyed the free
use of this lake; that, by priority of
discovery, occupation and use they
were the rightful owners, and if any
one could make a monopoly of its use
they were the proper parties, but that
they did not seek for advantages of this
kind, but did urge, in the most solemn
manner, that it be left free for all to 90
and partake of at pleasure. The new
occupant insisted that he had legal
right to it; that it was his own proper
ty; that he intended to hold and enjoy
it for his own use and advantage. It
was not long after this that his cabin
was found abandoned; his things, such
as gun, ammunition, provisions and
blankets were undisturbed, but he has
never been heard of since. Whether
he became disguised with his own illib-
erality and wandered away to parts un-
known, or whether the Zunis sent him
on a voyage of discovery, is not known.
But no one has since had any desire to
monopolize this salt-mine, and people
of all nationalities, creeds and ton CUES
go there in harmony and gather what
salt they want, and they invite the civ
ilized world to come and partake with
them, as they claim there is enough for
all.