The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-07-29
Issue Day at Ignacio.
BY NJ. V. D.
Written for the vIRGINIAN.l

utash AioNhOJ vi hoCIus Vic iCduuud
ters of the southern Utes. contributing
problematic quota to the population of til,
State; holding q last lien in the region
where their forefathers, for uncountet
centuries, roved, hunted and plundered.
The reservation runs for fifteen miles
north and south with AN extent of on,
hundred miles from east to west, meeting
the Utah line-abont as badly shaped
tract-as far as keeping Indians within
its liu.its is concerned--as could be i'm
agined. To do the last, would requr,
a military Gordon of several regiments.
The inhabitants number about sever
hundred and fifty souls and are divided
into three bands-the Capoto, Weeni
muche. Moache or Cimarrou Utes. Thes,
last are furtheSt advanced in the Difficult
path which leads the aborigine toward the
civilization of his pale-faced brother.
The three bands are distinguished from
one another by slight differences in the
quality of their bead work, &C., and moi
infrequently by the fiercest tribal jeal
ousies. To the casual traveller, however
they are as one ; fed. clothed, martialed
at the same agency, and we are going to
spend this summer day with them on their
native sage brush.
| We do not go by Indian trail or trapper
path it is one of the most ludicrous in
consistencies of modern civilization that a
railway runs to the agency engines whizz
by the tepees, and the red man is not
above claiming his privilege to ride on the
cars. gratis. Of. course, it is on the line
of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway
that pioneer OF the west. which enables
you to scale the highest mountain passes
skirt sheer precipices see all the panorama
of the Rocky ranges and even venture
into the haunts of the Utes, without leav-
ing Pullman or parlor car
| The sole sensation" of the Journey is
caused by white mantle mail agent
who Leaps from the open door of the bag.
gage car to the mountaineering dolefully
and tlourislling n pistol with which he is
TREMENDOUSLY endeavoring to blow out those
brains which have failed him. Stark.
starring mad is he a sudden termination,
his fellow train men say. of long brooding
over theological dogmas. The train stops
in second officials and passengers jump
out; the unfortunate man, uninjured by
his flying leap from the moving train, is
forced into the cars, all the while exclaim-
ing that he is q serpent; IL black hearted
wretch, and is confined in the smoking
car while the train glides on. For him the
trip will end at the asylum in Pueblo.
At the little depot of Ignacio. a canvas
covered wagon is waiting, with pair of
stout horses, and in moment we are
bowling over the sandy reaches, which
border the Pinos. The agency buildings
are situated in grove of tall cottonwoods
low store houses and offices of logs and
adobe-a school house just completed by
the young Indians and a large building,
half dwelling house, half dining room.
across whose cleaning, satiny sides of
fresh, yellow pine, the lace work of leaf
shadows softly falls. In the pine woods
which form back ground to the agency
houses, are the tips of tepees; some still
constructed of skins-smoke- darkened or
rudely painted-stretched over boughs,
converging in tangled bunch at the
apeX-many more made of white canvas,
and some-alas, for the by-gone days of
the wigwam and birch bark canoe moth.
| ing more or less than small army tents,
| bought at the agency store
RrInht oe
! the sage-clothed hills, and amid the pines,
show the parties of Indians, up betimes,
for it is only eight o'clock, and on their way
to theagency. Ordinarily, the ''braye; rides
in advance, on stumbling pony, wrapped
in his bright blanket, with his beads and
fringed buckskins fiuttering. nattendance
on the pony is usually afoal as followers of
the brave, SIX or seven gaunt dogs, and
sundry squatty squaws, with olive pap
posses strapped on their patient backs.
| AS a reward for good behavior on the
part of individual Indians, the Govern
ment gives the well doors Studebaker
wagons and in these, attached to pair
of bronchos, several parties came rafting
up. In one wagon, the brave on the only
seat. was the centre of attraction. He
was oiled and painted and be-blanketed,
with his black locks tastefully wound with
colored worsted, and over his head he held
a small flounced parasol of sky blue silk.
The effect was ludlcrous-so was his ex-
IRENE dissatisfaction. His attendant
houris-the squaws, were grouped about
him. squatted on the wagon bottom.
We breakfasted at the agency "mess, ="
presided over by Mrs. Armstrong, brave
woman, and the only woman who makes
the agency her home Her friends are
afraid to visit her in what they consider
SO dangerous Il neighborhood.
The Indians were now assembling in
large numbers, for it was tissue day."
| when their rations are distributed. They
peered in the windows and obtruded them
selves so conspicuously at the doors that
we were obliged to lock the latter, in order
to enjoy quiet breakfast. OF course, ii
would be beneath savage dignity to beg,
but these Indians will seat themselves by
the table, enwrapped in blankets and
stoicism, &C., perfectly silent. watch each
spoonful as it is conveyed to the mouth
with all expression of ineffable disdain.
Eventually the partaker of the repast is
glad to offer the Indian share merely to
divert his stony gaze. Several chiefs who
could not tie locked out, byreason of theil
superior position, seated themselves neal
the table and partook of tea and bread ant
butter. They all speak Spanish. more Of
less, and CONNIE lie "a. Senior ?" is as in
telligible to their ears as to those of a Mex
lean. One was named Mariana-whethel
he resided in '.moated grange" our lin
tied Spanish forbade us te inquire. Mari
anna was fine-' cooking old fellow, with {
Roman nose and a good deal of super1uou'
red paint upon his swarthy cheeks. Hi!
adornmtnts were a tapping sombrero
trimmed with red flannel, and large hoops
of pale blue beads in his ears. His thirs
was unquenchable. Though all Los Plno'
river was waiting without to be quaffed, III
filed and emptied dipper after clipper from
the oaken pail behind the door After awhile
we began to snrmise that Mariana wa
hintin0 far some drink Of stronger kind