Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-09

tragedy-the oreamlanu OF the hnpusIei-
1t has been over-rated-yet not so much
as misunderstood. But Sonora
is land of mourning. Filibustering ex-
peditions and Apache revolutions have
scourged the country until the people are
in despair. Great numbers of mines,
haciendas and ranches are abandoned, and
the industry of the State is completely
paralyzed."
All that, however, was ended with the
capture Of Geronimo, the brave miscreant
who led General Howard, General Miles,
and the best soldiers of the United States
on such a protracted war-dance. Never
since the days of Rob Roy has there been
such a warrior as that same copper-hued
rascal, who for years subsisted on the roots
of the desert and the serpents of the noun
tains, keeping thousands of people in per-
petual terror, and devastating whatever sec
ton he descended upon. Though part OF
the time wounded and sick, and always his
own commissary and chief of transporta-
ton, he wore out a well-equipped army,
set two great Governments at defiance,
and surpassed anything in history by his
barbarous heroism.
One hears in Sonora good many points
about the wonderful campaign with Ge-
ronimo that are not known to the world at
large The final revolt, that was brought
to close by the capture Of the stubborn
chieftain, was brought about by squaw,
the wife of Chief Mangus. This Apache
Joan of Arc is described as a handsome
woman, of great force of character, and in
telligent-for an Indian. She alone it
was who planned the escape of Geronimo
from Fort Apache in May Of 1885, and
who melted the band to their most desper-
ate deeds. That expedition was truly
Amazonian, for the chief had with him
only thirty four men and half dozen
small boys and ninety-one women. They
Travelled 100 miles before camping, and
the pursuers, though close upon their
tracks, did not get sight of an Indian.
Finally, when, as the world knows, Ge-
ronimo was captured in the Businesses of
the mountains, after desperate campaign,
he was held only one night before he es-
capped again. Soon afterwards he boldly
returned to the fort with four Indians, and
Selling a white woman, told her that if she
did not inform him where his wife's tent
was he would kill her. The terrified
woman pointed it out, Geronimo took his
wife, and was again at large, having ac-
complished one of the most daring deeds
ever recorded. This notorious Indian be-
longs to the Chiricahua branch of Apaches,
who are natives of Sonora, and in their
best DAYS never numbered more than 400
warriors. Through long and fearful years
their trails were marked by the corpses of
outraged women, butchered men, and
blazing homes; but now they no longer go
about collecting tithes of blood and plum
der from travellers and defenseless citizens,
and are remembered as past evil, not as
a living curse. No romance of the noble
red man" fingers over this land where
they lived-only blood-curdling tales of
murders and atrocities innumerable.
THE YAQUI INDIANS
Are as different from the ferocious Apaches
as black from white, and it would be as
unjust to trace any parallel between the
two nations as between their respective
chieftains, Geronimo and Jose Maria
Caieme. The Yaqui nation has always
maintained a virtual independence in
Mexico, being ruled by their own customs
even during colonial times, and being
actually free from any government but
their own since 1921. They are an agri-
cultural people, the bone and sinew of
labor in Sonora and Sinaloa They claim
a royal charter for their lands from Spain,
and are quite able to-day to maintain
themselves against feeble republic which
is too poor to pay even its department
clerks. Although hard fighters and brave
soldiers, the Yaquis are inclined to peace.
and their late struggle, like several pre-
ceding ones, was for the self-government
to which they have been accustomed, as
they regard the Mexican government as
rather weak, upstart neighbor who desires
undue supremacy.
1t is 800 years since Catholic missions
were established among the Yaquis and
the rudiments of European civilization
developed. Their skill as boatmen is re-
nowned.ss Their pottery, and the cloths
they weave from cotton, wool and native
fabrics are unsurpassed, and they own great
farms, mines (which they work patiently
and Well and vast herds of cattle and live
stock. Their proper home is along the
Yaaui river, which rises in the Sierra
Madre and runs across Sonora in a south
westerly direction, crossing the Surra del
Mazarrno, and emptying into the Gulf of
California few miles from Guaymas.
Their houses are generally from six to
ten feet square, with walls Of wild cane
bound together by withes, the roofs
matched with palm leaves. There are no
windows. and the low dOor-wavs are hung
with portieres-so to speak-of old blankets
or strips of faded clotn. The Yaquis are
particularly expert in saddlery, and the
manufacture Of straw goods. Their earth
enware is remarkable, and the blankets
theY weave by hand are even better than
those of the Navaios-so firm and fine of
texture that water may be carried in them
without leaking drop. By the way, in
war they have a method of defense as novel
and efiectual as it is simple. Laying their
blankets in a stream until thoroughly wet,
each Indian carries his on pole, stretched
out straight by a cross-piece at the top,
held high enough to just clear the ground;
and it is said that showers of bullets grape
and canister, striking these swaying bull
warks, glance off harmlessly to the earth,
never penetrating one of them.
With very few exceptions, a 1aqul de-
sires nothing more than a suficiency of
food. and to be let alone in the practice of
hereditary customs and is the most peace
full, industrious and inofIensive Of creatures
when not interfered with. A pair OF wide,
short drawers. and shirt worn with
" flaps outside, is ali the clothing he has
any use for-exeept perhaps a blanket
when the nights are chilly. His wife
wears only petticost and scanty chemise,
with the addition Of 4 rebosa thrown over
her head when she desires to dress up;D
while the children, almost to manageable
age. meander the earth absolutely I'M
adorned,
LIKE MOTHER EVE
Before the fashion Of ig-leaves. Though
copper-colored, they are universally
- -. ID Eaat,,ras E-,a &C.