Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-02-12
NUEVO ME JICO.
After the Spanish Reconquest Near the End Of
the Seventh GcnturI.

the seventh Century.
For nearly two centuries after De-
Vargas and his Spaniards had recon-
Pullen. there was but little change in
the social manners and customs OF the
people. The people OF Spanish decent
dressed and spoke after the fashion of
their ancestors, the first colonists on
New Mexico; and the Pueblo Indians |
adhered to their ancient costume and |
language. AS a province OF the crown
of Spain New Mexico was ruled by
governors or captains-general APP
pointed by the Mexican Niceroy; and
after Mexico had achieved her inde-
pendencc in 1921 the governors or
political chiefs of this territory
were still appointed from tho City OF
Mexico. From the first conquest OF
New Mexico by the Spauiards down to
the present day the residence OF tho
Governor and the seat Of his authority
has been the palace" the long adobe
| building which stands fronting tho
| plaza or public square in Santa fe.
The people OF Spanish descent and
| the civilized Indians gradually inter-
mingled until the population OF u
mixed strain known in old times rs
mestizos was five or six times rs
numerous as the pure Spanish and the
Pueblo Indian population combined.
| or this class were the common laborer5
of the country, and their humble adobe
houses were built thic.ly along tho
by-streets of the towns, or about the
great ranch houses OF the ricos (rich
men) who formed the aristocracy OF
the province.
Along the Rio Grande river for
distance OF 2lO miles north and south
were strung the civilized settlement IS
of New Mexico. Each one OF these
little towns was built with the houses
facing inward about plaza or public
square. The unbrollen back wall Of
these houses facing outwardly on
every side made good fortiiication
when the Apache or Navajo Indians
came down upon the settlements as
they often did. These houses were
built of "adobes' made by mixing
clay and straw into bricks eighteen
inches long, nine inches wide, and
four inches thick, which were dried
in the sun and laid in mortar of clay
and sand. The houses were plastered
with clay mortar and were sometimes
whitewashcd. The fiat roof was GOV.
cred with Il layer OF earth two OF
three feet thick, and tho house walls
rose several feet higher forming 4
rampant, behind which the owner
could fight the Indians when called
upon to defend his home against them
Wooden spouts extended through this
rampant to carry away the water tina
fell on the level roof.
The inhabitants satisfied all thei
simple natural wants with things tina
the country itself supplied. Their sa!
. they found on the surface OF The groun
in natural beds known as salt lakes
, This they sometimes carried to tn
, more soutnerlv provinces OF Mexic
G and sold. Their substitute for glas
d was mica from the mountains or yest
!, % transparent gypsum which can
II split into sheets as thin us paper. Frol
S tanned buckskin or buffalo skins an
e from cotton and wool woven in tn
u native looms the common people mad
- their own garments. including hats an
a shoes, and their horse equipments
$ For washing they had the dubious roo
a of the palmilla, or soap plant. The
TT principal food was mutton tortillas (
h unleavened corn cakes. and trigos
u (black beans). Red peppers we,
lie used as the seasoning OF nearly ever
d dish they ate.