The herald., 1896-02-02
His Affidavit in His Own Simple Word.
ing as TO His Dealings With
Attorney F. D. Lewis
dia de Caplstrano and OF Gregorio
CamiIo Secured at Mission
San Fernando
Shirley c. Ward Says That Rogerio's Title Is
Finally Extinguished, But Other Law
yers of Equal Standing Claim
the Young Man Errs

The manner in which Rogerio Rocha, a
Mission Indian, now 90 years of age, was
dispossessed of his land and his home near
the Mission San Fernando some ten years
ago was undoubtedly brought about by
some of the most cruel acts of injustice
that were ever perpetrated in these United
States, under cover and color of law. All
principles of right and equity were dsre-
garded and Rogerio Rocha and his bed.
ridden wife were carried out in the rain,
and left in the road. As result of ex-
posure, the wife died.
The HERALD has heretofore referred to
some of the details of this eviction, and
incidentally given some of the facts dis
closed by the record as to the efforts that
have been since made to obtain for the In
dian the rights which appear to be his, and
which have been SO cruelty denied him.
1t was only the other day that a repre-
sentative of THE HERALD, accompanied by
an interpreter, visited Rogerio Rocha at
his present habitation, five and one-half
miles east of the San Fernando station.
Rogerio is now living in Lopez canyon,
where he has built for hitnselfa little mud
house on some government land.
about 2 80 in the afternoon and found the
Indian industriously at>work putting some
wheat through a sieve. He -drc pped his
work upon beholdng his visitors and
greeted the interpreter pleasantly, for he
knew him. The Interpreter was Pedro l..
Lopez, after whose father the canyon was
named
Although Rogerio Rocha was born in tine
year 1SOO,as near as can be ascertained,
he today stands as erect as healthy young
man should stand at 20. He is apparently
in the full possession of his mental facul-
ties, for he remembers dates, names and
occurrences as if they had happened but
yesterday. His recollection seems to be
clear and distinct and all questions he an
swers without hesitation. III
BUILDED "A NEW HOME
After Rogerio Rocha was so cruelly evict-
ed from his lands which were known as the
Cieniega rancho, and after he had laid the
body of his dead wife to rest in the Mission
cemetery, he proceeded to Lopez canyon
and located on some government land.
Although SO years of age at that time the
Indian was not at all discouraged but went
courageously to work to make for himself
a new home.
He selected very picturesque spot in
Lopez canyon and levelng a small plot on
the side of the canyon. he with his own
hands builded for himself a mud shack or
cabin.
He then proceeded to clear Off little
spot of land near this improvised house
out of which he made garden, planting it
- IL v,.,sIl lod 1le ,I,N,,
twenty feet from the house, small barn
and chicken coop. Down in the bottom of
the canyon, he set up his forge and anvil,
for he was blacksmith by trade, having
been taught that vocation by the mission
fathers away back in the early part of
the century.
All his effects which were not destroyed
at the time of his eviction he brought up
into Lepez canyon to his new home.
Here, ali alone, the Indian has lived for
the last ten years. HE had absolute quiet,
and this was apparently all that he de-
Iired. Upon his ranch now4he has with
him for company three Indian dogs, one
pat, inclined to be friendly with every
human being she can see or come across,
and about twenty chickens that are like
Wild birds, for they will not permit any one
save Rogerio to come within twenty feet of
them without running away in a great
fright. ~'77' ''''
TRULY FAITHFUL
Rogerio Rocha was taught his religion by
the mission fathers many, many, years
ago, and he has never forgotten the teach
ings that we're instilled into him by the
padres. He is today truly one of the faith
full.
His little shack or cabin is divided into
two rooms. In the first apartment he eats
and does his cooking. In the second is q
cot. and to the right of the cot is an hnpro-
vised altar wherc he performs his devo-
tions. Upon small cross rests the pin
ioned body of our Saviour, and above it a
piatHtv Of the Holy Virgin. Upon either