The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-07-07
OF TODAY.
Nearly $4,000 of Them Now in the Ca
yOne on Mexico-

Nearly $4,000 of Them Now in tho Can
yons on Mexico.
A deep ravins cutting in at right angles
70 tho Bacochic. in chihuahua, Mex,
closed our way to the north as we asceuded
the winding trail, and when we bad worked
our way up the steep bank some 200 or 800
feet, q favorable exit from the low scrubby
pines gave me an opportunity to look
straight across this picturesque ravine, and
! was surprised to see on the other bank.
which seemed even more precipitous than
the one on which 1 stood, a deep cave
walled up IN front nearly to the top, and
evidently indicating cave or cliff dwel!ers.
My first thought was that the curious
habitation in front Of me belonged to tho
era of similar buildings in Arizona and New
Mexico, which the best authority con-
signs to q very old period. With me, how
ever, was q Mexican gentleman, who said
that the cave was inhabited, but as the &C.
cupants were extremely timid probably we
would not be able to gee them without
forcing an entrance into their strnnye
home. He believed that most of them were
lnside peepinR at US over the rude walls
n around the very dilapidated animals
hide that served to close the door. The
cave was not over 200 yards away, and with
the aid of our field glasses we could plainly
make out its details.
~ > ASt IL ~ Luo u LnAE
these were vagabond individuals of the local
Indian tribes who were occupying this old
cave dwelling in the cliffs, much as wa see
tho corresponding class with US occasionally
occupying duRouts. shanties built into the
side OF q bill, and even caves around the
suburbs of towns. But one of the Me4icans,
who argued against forcible intrusion into
the homes of these people. said that We
would find q great number of them further
on In the deep recesses of the Sierra Madre
range, and that among so many We would
have good opportunities of seeing
them to better advantage than vs.
possibly could here. Ny Mexican friend
Chihuahua, his father and uncle owned
one OF the largest and richest mining
districts In that portion of the Sierra Madre
coward which our course was directed. and
to reach which he attached himself to our
party for a couple of days. when our paths
separated. His business called for almost
constant travelling in these parts. lie placed
the number of living cliff and cave-dwellors
in this part Of Mexico at irons, 600 to y, 600
persons. We afterward saw frou 300 to
zoo of them, which, considering their great
timidity. and the small part OF their land
traversed by MS, would give an air Of req
sonAblonsss to the estimate of Don Angus
sin Eecsrra. for such was my friends name.
Even ss We stood on the edge OF the cliff
opposite this singular home we saw an In
dian In the canos far below. He appeared
TO be- wearing only \ broeeh-clout OF ami
NAL skins. He carried a long bow and ar
ows He looked almost az dark as a
Guinea negro, and he skirted in the shad.
ows of the canyon, and his hair was long.
A rafting Of the falling chips of shals drew
his attention to Us, when he at once
skulked behind a big boulder at the base of
the elif and We saw him no more.--Cen-
fury.