The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1892-05-26

The Mexican is lazy and is not ashamed
of being So. There is more Of the Indian
than there is of the Spanish blood in his
veins and he has the characteristics of
both. There are few who seem to have
preserved the Costilian blood uncorrupt-
ed. There is not much that is pictur-
esque in the MEXICAN and very little that
is interesting except his taciturnity or
what Mrs. Toilette would call his "exhil-
arating reserve" I saw young Next
can at Albuquerque play at faro betting
every time the full limit. He was cool,
calculative and watchful. The presence
of party of strangers in no way discon-
certed him or drew his attention from the
game. The dealer exhibited no nervous
ness at the run of luck the young Mexi-
can had. Every once in a while some
person evidently laborer, from his dress
and appearance, would plank down $50
gold piece only to see 1t vanish in a min
ute IN the cash box of the bank. These
side bets never once drew the attention
of the Mexican from the board. His long
fingers moved the chips deliberately and
when satisfied with his winnings, he
cashed his chips, treated the crowd and
LEFT. Gambling houses are licensed in
many places ia New Mexico and are run
as open as the stores.
The Pueblo Indians own number of
cattle ranches and also cultivate the soil.
They are said to be the most industrious
Indians in the west. Many of them are
Catholics and support churches. A num-
Der of the young men go east to be edu-
Gated. Possibly contac. with civilization
may elevate a portion of these Indians
but it will be at a fearful cost to the ma
jority. 1t is hazardiug an opinion on
very slight amount of knowledge, but it
seems that for the one Pueblo who has
been elevated by contact with civilized
ways, hundreds have degenerated. There
is no Indian more mean or despicable
than the one who has lived in the neigh
Dor of the white man. He is apt to be
liar, beggar and thief, as well as pos
sessing other vices more reprehensible
The Pueblos may be making progress in
some lines and some Of them may be max
ing progress in all but most of them are
making progress in degeneracy. The
Walapis are as dirty and nideous a race
as the mind cab conceive and they are in
veterate beggars. Their cupidity is SO
great as to be disgusting. They work on
the curiosity of people Shaccustomed to
seeing Indians and will offer glances at
their dirty little papooses for fee of ten
cents. They are painted hideously and
as it seldom rains in Arizona one can
fancy the dearth of cleanliness they ex-
hibit. The Apaches are dirty and i'm
provident but they are not devoid of
spirit. Cruel as they are, treacherous as
they have proved to be, they are not as
mean as the Indians who are denominat-
ed friendly" There is something in
their appearance indicative of dignity; |
tall, lean and broad-shouldered. they are |
more inclined to look at you defantly |
than to beg for favors.
All the Indians in New Mexico and |
Arizona speak Spanish. A young woman,
one of the Pueblos, was being badgered |
by many of the editors and finally losing |
her patience said to the crowd, "procedo |
Inferno" The words had little classic
flavor and their import could easily be
gathered by one familiar with the Eng
llsh only. On inquiry I learned that all
spoke the Spanish patois and can under
stand far more English than they are
willing to admit, thus slyly profting by
that may be made within their
bearing. The Indian who is good is
BAD Indian. l have written more of tt
Indians than | intended and as the sun
s sinking behind the mountains and the
rain is rushing toward the Colorado
River l shall close and look up the Big
Five.