The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-02
Where Billiards
Are Yet Unknown.
Winter AS 1t Is Known i'm San Diego,
= In the Western Land of Flowers.

San Diego, Cali, Feb. 12.-As ! glance
over the telegraphic news from day to
day, as chronicled in the San Diego
papers, 1t seems hard to comprehend
the fact that the same month, of the
same year, on the same continent, can
present so great Il contrast in climate
and scene. While you are enjoying life
with the thermometer below zero, we
are basking in sunlight that between
the hours of ten and four o'clock, neces-
states carrying parasols, ana makes
the shady side Of the street the popular
thoroughiare. How | wish 1 could
transmit n portion of the sunshine,
ozone, beauty of scenery and charm Of
easy living to my many friends in the
east.
The journey out was comfortably
made. We were taken at lightning
speed over the Pennsylvania limited
by the way of Pittsburg and Chicago
Every comfort that the most fastidious
person could desire is provided on this
train. The long stretch of Hat. unn-
teresting travel between Illinois and
Colorado, was made over the Chi
cago, Burlington and Quincy and Santa
~ IpUltSs nv lDNt lOI lllt SIdIlu plN
hills and mountains, which ! consider a
part Of my birthright, prevents my be-
ing perfectly happy when | am located
where | cannot look out upon them.
We hailed with delight the change of
scene which Colorado presented, for
very soon after entering the state we
found ourselves at an elevation of 1000
feet above the sea, with Pixies Peak in
sight. The Spanish Peaks, crowned
with snow, were a source of constant
enjoyment.
Uncle Sans Ample Domain.
As we approached Ration Range the
grade was simply terc, and required
two engines to haul the train at pace
hardly faster than a walk. So swiftly
the ascent was made at times, that it
seemed like walking up a steep hin, to
walk to the forward end Of the car. As
we passed the boundary line between
Colorado and New Mexico we reached
the highest elevation on the route
1900 feet. A number Of the passengers
were unplcasantly affected at this great
altitude by faintness, nausea, and
ringing in the ears Throughout New
Mexico the altitude averages 1000 feet.
1t was while travelling through the
states of Mexico and Arizona that we
were made to realize that there is land
and to spare for every man, woman and
child on our broad continent. The
greatest surprise to me has been the
relatively small area of improved land,
and the hundreds of miles of land, COW
cred only by pine trees, cacti and sage
brush without a spear of grass to be
seen. What a pity that the great horde
of lazy, indolent tramps that infest our
cities cannot realize that a good living,
with very little effort, awaits them out
here. 1t would only necessitate owning
ten acres of irrigated land to become an
Independent farmer.
The Mexican villagers do not show
much sign Of thrift They seem con-
tent with small adobe huts, and spend
much of their time summing themselves
as they sit in rows along the sunny side
of their houses To look upon the In
dians as they gaze idly but peaceably
on travellers and tourists passing
through their villages. it hardly seems
possible that so short time has elapsed
since the press teemed with accounts of
butcheries and massacres committed by
them. 1t was not until the railroad was
introduced that a feeling of peace or
security prevailed. Strange to say,
there are very few destitute people
among them. This information / ac-
quired from Thomas Dryden. a former
resident of Carbondale, who is now liv-
ing at Albuquerque. He went out
there q number of years ago to take
charge of the government Indian
schools, but has resigned the work. and
is now following his profession as attor-
ney-at-law. He also fills the position
of United States commissioner. 1t was
through n letter of introduction to him
from a Scranton friend, that we were
enabled to visit the Indian schools To-
Gated here.
In Typical Indian school. :
The reservation consists of sixty
eight (6S) acres, and is located two miles
out of the city. Three hundred and
sixteen young Indians, ranging from
five to twenty, are being taught, not
only the English branches, but some
industry that will fit them for useful
lives There was n mixture of Navajo,
ADdtllf' ! utllb anu Ni'liNV Nll'NS' w
think the man who conceived the idea
that an intellectual and religious train
ing alone would never fit the redman
for life among civilized people had n
very wise head. The industrial school
fills the need The kindergarten de
partment fine work is being accom-
plished. Young Indians of five and six
years are apt scholars, and the progress
they had made In a few weeks was
amazing In the shoe shop the foreman
was a full-blooded Indian. Boys of six
and eight years sat on the cobbler'S
bench taking preliminary lessons while
those n little older did the finishing
work. In the harness shop, older In
dians were at work on the fine harness
which the government buys of them.
and arterward furnishes the Indians
with out on the reservations.
A quaint picture presented itself to
us as we looked in the tailoring depart
ment The young Indians from fifteen
to eighteen years of age, were sitting
in true tailor notwithstanding, fell
ing and pressing, | imagine that not
many girls of equal age, at the present
time would like to compare their work
with them. The older Indians are
being transformed into carpenters, farm
ers, etc. while the girls are being taught
household arts. including sewing.
First View of the Coast.
We enjoyed greatly the old part of the
town. and should like to have seen more
of Mexican towns and life, but the time
allotted is too short. After leaving Al
buquerque we encountered four wrecks
inside of forty-eight hours. The unus-
ually severe rains had caused much de-
vastaton along the route, and has
caused delay in trains and mails ever
since. How gladly we welcomed the
gardens and groves of California, and