Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-01-03
LIFE AMONG THE pvEsLos.

LIFE AMONG THE PuEeLos.
A Interesting People Whose Civilization
Bsgxa Long Year, Ago
OF fascinating interest Is study Of
the chronological evolution Of the Pueblo
Indians, who occupy the picturesque
region between the upper Rio Grande
and the Bio Colorado. When vasquez
Dc Coronado and Cabezs de vsca
marched into New Mexico in 1870 they
found these people already In semi
culture, living In villages Of solid edi-
ices, three stories high and fortlike In
construction. That they were able TO
hold their own during almost four CEN
turtles Il the more surprising. since
they had constantly as neighbors mo-
madic tribes Of warriors and robbers,
against whose attacks they were
obliged 10 defend themselves with
their primitive weaponA
For two years they were able 70
Withstand the Spanish invaders In
their "casas grsndes.' 1t had been re-
ported to the Spanish commanders that
several hundred miles 10 the north 10y
. great empire named Cibols, which
had seven large cities. In these there
were long streets on which only gold
and silversmiths resided. Imposing
palaces lowered In the suburbs with
doors and columns Of pure turquoise.
The windows were made Of precious
stones, brilliantly polished. At the
sumptuous feasls Of the prince Of the
land enchanting slaves served the most
delicate dainties on golden dishes
There were mountains Of opal rising
above valleys revealing in jewels, with
crystal streams whose bottom consisted
Of pure silver sand.
The disappointment Of the Spaniards
was great. A number Of large Indian
villages were found whose inhabitants
subsisted upon the fruits Of primitive
agriculture. The frugality and thrift
OF the Pueblos excited the interest Of
the voluptuous Spaniards. The peculiar
architecture Of the villages and houses
also drew their admiration. Taken as
whole, the circle Of houses resembled
the cells Of wasps nest, Of which the
upper stories were reached on crude
ladder Entrance could be gained only
through small opening in the roof, not
even the sides facing the streets con.
tanning doors A few heavily grated
windows served - portfolios for their
arrows. These peculiar constructions
OF baked clay are still fashionable in
such old towns as Zuni, Taos md
others.
Situated, as the Moqui villages and
Acoma were, on top Of an inaccessible
rock, the Spaniards despaired Of con-
quering them. The supposed Cibola
not panning out according to expecta-
ton, they did not seek reinforcement
and left the Pueblos In peace. Only
toward the end OF the sixteenth cen.
fury the Pueblos had to submit to
Spanish rule, under which they re-
manned until ls4S, when the territory
embracing New Mexico and Arizona
was coded to the United States
In some respects the Spanish su-
premacy proved beneficial TO the In
dians They virtually maintained their
independence. Many innovations In
their life and customs can be traced
from this period. The only domestic
creatures In their villages were large
turkeys, whose feathers served as head
ornaments for the warriors; but horses,
COWS, sheep, goats, dogs and last, but
not least, the indispensable burros
were added to their domestic stock.
The most important change in their
communistic mode Of living dates from
the annexation Of New Mexico to the
United States and the introduction Of
railroads. Their unfriendly neighbors,
the Apaches, Comanches, Kiowas and
Navajos, were restricted TO their own
reservations.
Feeling safe under the powerful pro-
lection Of the government, these peace
able people have begun TO relinquish
their old mode Of communistic exist.
ence in the strange dwellings Until
recently there was promiscuous living
together Of large families in the nu.
merous apartments Of single house to
which access could only be obtained
through the small aperture In the roof
More modern cottages are being built
for single families, farming Is carried
on on large scale and in some parts
grape and fruit culture is attempted
wit good results.
All the villages are characterized by
. certain industrial monopoly In one
Of them, for instance, the pottery for
all the Pueblos is manufactured; in
others, like the Moqui villages, all the
people are employed in the making of
finely woven goats hair blankets, in
which occupation many are great ex.
perts. Although large number are
engaged in the sale Of blankets and In.
dian goods In the southwestern part Of
The Union, in the gold diggngs Of Cali.
Iornia, in Mormon settlements, In tho
mail railroad stations Of Arizona, the
,verage Pueblo Indian prefers settled
life. He Is domestic in his habits and
owes his family, his cattle, his farm
md his neighbors as dearly as does his
,ale-faced brother. And has he not
rood cause to rejoice and be contented
With his lot? Has he not a faithful and
wife? There are some pretty
iris Of perfect contour among the Pu.
bio Indians, especially in the TiVua