Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1893-03-18

and palmer for its sharp contrast against
the clear blue sky. But II is wonderful
because upon its aerial heights which
look down over the green vegas and
rolling potferos arc the white and
bleaching bones Of band Of people who
fought the last fight for existence. No
one knows when this battle was given
nor who were the besiegors or the be-
sieged. There are evidences of mighty
conflict, and the little mesa which tops
the mountain bears witness TO the fear.
fulness Of tile struggle by It's carpet Of
human bones. This point, which is
known locally as La Iona dc Muerte,
or the Hill OF Death, Is prominent
landmark throughout this whole region.
IL is Stunned by Indians and super
Nitious Mexicans as well. The main
highway from Tucson to Yuma leads by
the base Of this hill, and pious Catholics
who have occasion to pass along the
route Invariably cast rock upon the
pile which has thus accumulated into a
considerable mound. Not a very costly
shrine. but built with sincere hands.
The Casa Grande Indians undoubtedly
buried their dead, but so faithfully has
the secret been kept through succeeding
generations that not q hint OF their
cemeteries ever reaches the ear Of curl
osity hunters. John Walker, who died
in the insane asylum at Napa last sum.
mer, was thought to be In possession Of
the plans Of their ancient burial mounds,
but he was aversc TO making them
public. In the early day 1t was thought
these Indians, who claim direct relation
with the Aztccs, were in possession of
knowledge which would lead TO the
. hudiug OF Aztec remains and with them
quantities Of precious jewels and stones.
/ Many a weary mile has been traversed
| By prospcciOrs and many tons OF rocl;
/ loosencd In o vain search ior these
] buried treasures. Not a sesios ever
I came to light. These people valued the
simple product Of the field more than
/ gold and silver
The MOgin tribe IN the northern por.
ton OF Arizona and New MeNico have
more elaborate funeral rites aud cerc-
monies than any other tribe OF Indians
on the North American continent The
death Of a prominent parsonage Is
followed by days Of dancing aud Wailing
and nights Of incarnation. These ser
vices sometimes extend over a period Of
a week or week and half before the
corpse IS finally laid away In its granite
bed and the soul permitted to start out
on is long journey TO the sun. The
Mogins, the /unis and the ancient Pimas
were all sun worshippcrs, aud their
modes Of burial naturally differed from
the other tribes as they d liered In ad.
vanccd stages Of civilization. Many OF
the southwestern Indians had no belief
OF knowledge Of hereafter. When
they fell In battle or succumbed TO
disease, they had reached the end. As
consequence no extra amount OF care
was taken with their remains and the
only reason for removing them at all
was directed by sanitary instincts.
on the northern border Of Mexico, or
near the border, are found the frs,
pyramidal tombs. They are the exact
counterpart, Of the Egyptian monoli,hs
save In size and perfection OF make.
Vet they indicate a near connection be-
tween the early builders on either side
Of the big water. These pyramids have
inside vaults, and were doubtless in.
tended for tombs, though no remains
have heen found in the lev scattering
structures brought TO light, A large
portion or North Central Mexico has
not yet been trod by civilized feet. 1t
may be, when this country is better
known, some wonderful archaeological
discoveries will be made, and Il new and
more interesting chapter added to that
. branch OF science.