Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1894-02-16
Miscfllauenms.
Letter from the Pacific Slope.
u. $ INDIAN SERVICE,
RouND VALLEY AaENCY,

h'uNb NbbEh h"ENtt,
January II, 1904
Editor Sentinel Those who have
never lived on an Indian Reservation
think, | presume, that it is one Of tho
dullest places an earth, especially at
christmas it was not so here, | assure
you. The weather was delightfully."-
pleasant and Spring-like, and everybody
seemed to be 10 cheerful mood. We
were, it is true, deprived Of religious
advantages, but with that exception and
the oft-recurring thoughts that carried
us back to the loved ones at home, far
beyond the snow-capped mountains, there
was nothing to mar our happiness, or
keep us from enjoying our holiday to it's
fullest extent.
We dined on Christmas Day at the
hosptabe home Of Lieut. Connolly,
Acting Agent, and his charming wife
Everything about this pretty cottage
plainly bespeaks the culture and refine
ment of the occupants. Mrs. Connolly
is never happier than when she is making
and carrying out her plans for tho pleas
ure and enjoyment of others Turkey,
plum pudding etc were served in fine
style; nothing stronger than coffee was
seen or mentioned We took tea there
also AT early candle light tho beau
tiful fir tree was brilliantly lighted aud
each guest received from the hostess
pretty little present, her own handi-
work
The Indian children, through Uncle
Sans genei osity, were given fine din
ner at the school, on the ODD, Mrs. O.,
the missionary's daughter and the EN-
ployees of the school acting as walters.
We enjoyed this immensely, for it was
indeed rare fun to see these little ones
eat. | presume they have never had
anything like it before. A fine Christ.
mas tree, loaded with everything dear
to the childish heart had been provided
be the friends of the school. One hap
by father handed me three dolls for his
little girls. OF course these beauties
occupied prominent places, and many
we're the wistful eyes turned towards
them. Each, child. large and small,
received bag of candy, nuts. etc -
These things were prepared by the ladies'
of the reservation, and we spent an after
noon engaged 10 this pleasant occupa-
ton The children sang their little
carols aud songs, to the great delight Of
their parents and friends. Rev. j An
derson presented each Indian with
neatly bound Testament, the ladies as.
sisting
The beautiful Manzanita is now 10
bloom on the mountains. | counted
seventy. two blossoms and buds on one
little spray. They are pink and white.
The shrub is an evergreen, its bark u
beautiful glossy red. We gave "Man-
zanita Tea at the school on the 28th
Round Valley, on Sunday last, looked
as fit were going back to its primitive
state. There is II tradition among the
Indians that this beautiful valley per
haTs the sun does not shine on fairer
was once lake, that it was drained
when the Golden Gate was opened many
years ago The deep, black, alluvial
soil, beds Of sand aud gravel, rocks that
have the appearance Of having been
water.smoothed, and the shell deposits
IN the vicinity, go to prove that the ira
dition is not without foundation.
II commenced raining Saturday morn
ing and kept up an incessant pouring
for two days and nights the spots Of
ground in the valley near Us, not cover
ed by water, looked like low islands.
We watched from safe distance (our
building is on slightly elevated ground)
the mountain torrents as they came rush
ing down the scenery was sublime and
magnificent The valley people do not
become alarmed when the water runs
over their fields aud around their houses
they are used to these rains and melting
mountain SHOWS The average rainfall
here during the season (winter) is about
sixty inches.
We have bad several little snow
squalls, but to-day it showed for several
hours; il does not lie on the valley for
any length Of time, severe winters come
rarely. perhaps by tomorrow it will
have disappeared entirely; it is we'll
for the poor cattle have no shelter ex-
cept what nature has provided--the live
oaks and shrubbery at the foot Of the
mountains. The work horses and dairy
cows are fed, the remainder are left to
take care Of themselves grass 10 short
now, but 10 many places il is vivid
green. Timothy aud alfalfa are the
grasses Sown here, the latter makes ex.
cellent and nutritious hay; milk is pure,
butter sweet aud firm. A good alfalfa
field may be moved several times during
the season it is said that forty acres Of
grass supply lhe reservation with hay.
Our Indian help told me that the sod
had not been broken for about fifteen
years Five thousand acres IN this part
Of the valley (nogthern) is occupied by
the u s. Government az an Indian
Reservation much Of this soil is re.
claimed marsh. And is c1nsidered by far
The mos. prOdi "iNN the State. =
! When th' icv " liou,sd alofs. ea.-
,RLD ! But what was that white sPe'