Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-12-19


Plumbago or graphite, for lead pencils,
large sample; plenty of it in mine.
Mica, fre-proof stone, natural potash and
gypsum, in abundance.
In small glass case, numerous sam
pies of the silver ores of one mining DIS
trict These are almost solid silver.
The Bennett mine, in Dona Ana coun-
ty, sends large exhibit of remarkable
mineral curiosities, being crystallized
lead, resembling yellow honey-comb, and
crystals in lime, exactly like the most
delicate frost work. This is recent dis
covery. Near by are curious specimens
OF petrifed woods that have become crys-
tallized and agatized; and, what IS still
more curious, large specimen OF molten
copper injected into wood, by the earths
fires. No where else has a similar freak
of nature been seen.
OF interest to all dealers in leather:
The indigenous root, called by the In
dams canaygra 1t grows wild and in album
dance; and has always been used by them
for tanning purposes. It does its work
in few days The scientific experts at
Washington have lately tested this root,
and think it Will ere long replace all tan
/ barks.
These Indian articles: The handsome
and costly Navajo blankets; pottery, of
the same forms as the native pottery in
Mexico and Central America; ancient
stone-hammers found in old mines; the
adobe, or large mud brick, dried by the
sun; the rough stone niafafO, on which
grain is ground by rubbing with another
stone; the coffee pea called .eanamso, used
instead of Rio or Java; blue corn-meal,
made from blue corn; the universal IA
vorite Mexican red bean; the big Mexican
white onion, sweet and non-odorous, and
very rourishing; Indian pickle, used by
young and old; native tobacco used long
before Cortez' days; and fiaon, a small,
round, brown nut, tasting like our pea
nut. The Indians use it habitually, as an
article of feod, and gather it in large
quantities when it ripens, every three
years. An array of bottled native wines,
made by the Indians for home use from
the Mission grape, which was planted by
the JesUits some $50 years or more, and
now grows ali over the Territory.
Lady visitors will be delighted with
the samples of gold and silver jewelry
and other personal ornaments, made by
the Indians of Santa F'e. No prettier
design or more delicate workmanship is
seen anywhere; that is, in this peculiar
style.
Bald-headcd people will certainly want
to see the liquid restorative, made from
the Mexican soap-root. Mr.. Sloan says
that it does not dye the hair, but makes
it grow again.
The pupils of the Indian industrial
schools send excellent specimens of their
skill in drawing and in making school
furniture.
These schools are supported, partly by
the Federal government and partly by
religious denominations.
There is large frame filed with fine
photographs Of local scenery, of the ma
tives, and of the old Spanish churches
and towns. Among these pictures is a
portrait of the celebrated mountaineer
and scout, Kit Carson.
Every bird, big and little, in the Terri
tory, is shown by stuffed specimens, in a
glass case. The mountain fishes are seen
in glass jars. Merino wool is shown, of
excellent staple.
The management invites all sons of
New England within travelling distance
to come here and join with them, on the
22d inst, in celebrating New England
Day." in grand style.
Baseball still under way, by two ia