Arizona weekly citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Ariz) 1880-1901, 1896-08-15
Pioture.ou. Rodsito Canyon.

3AOVuIe0QU0 8SO00ISO OoayO0s
Perhaps the moet picturesque and his
torical little work of nature over which
have ever passed lies about forty-fve
miles beyond the boundary line, in that
valley embosomed within q mountain
GUS field, where the Altar river waters
/ first begin to sweep away TO the south.
This place as 1t is known received its
/ name, diminutive, meaning q little
cattle rounding place,-from the first
settlers who, as their occupation was
undoubtedly grazing rounded up cattle
abort the place. Whoever has not seen
the Rodeito canyon can hardly be made
aware of its beauty.
This place is reached from the north
ss you descend the Plsnchas canyon in
to broad expansion which, after few
miles, becomes narrow strip OF land
enclosed by high and precipitous noun
tains. Proceeding further you enter
beneath the shade OF gigantic walnut
trees twined with ivy and wild grape
vines; the alder tree spreading it's foliage
and extending it's branches among the
willow and cottonwood trees, oil SEEM
ing to intermingle and form fairy can
opy below the clear sky. These trees
and many others of different species
thrive in fertile soil wstered by q glid-
ing brook. Beneath this arbor of trees
is heard to break over the rosr OF the
stream, the tapping of the wood pecker
and beyond among the rising cliffs the
chsttering OF the squirrel. At both sides
of the brook the rugged cliffs form pre-
cipioes Of seemingly stupendous height,
having here and there overhapRinR
rocks, which as one rides along the
winding road beneath, seem about to
fall. On the smooth surface of rocks |
like these, at different places along the
canyon, is written the history of the red |
man in symbolic characters. These are
hieroRliphic inscriptions in crimson ool-
ors representing turtles, birds, angles
and faces.
Not far from this spot the canyon
broadens and the land is seen dotted |
with little farms covered with Indian /
corn and other crops OF different vari-
ties, which from each, among the trees,
peep low chimney over q single adobe
hut which, as the common custom is
throughout the place, has Q front en-
trancewsy rooted, shedlike, with brush
and dirt, while two OF the sides are WALL
I'D with mud plastered ocotillos. The
people OF this section, who are engaged
n agriculture and stock raising, muet
i've peaceful life ia this sequestered
glen.
Now, q very interesting feature to the
traveller or the tourist is the pact history
IT this secluded place, revealed by the
many ruins existing. The foot prints
eft by the people who inhabited this
place in early days are still vivid. Prob
IDLY these early settlers we're the Span
sh missionaries, or perhaps their follow
'rs. The fact that some Indian tribe
canned 10 this place is seen by the HER
'aliphics inscribed on the rocks.
these missionaries came before
u gu bsequently TO this Indian tribe is
lot known, but it is more probable that
he missionaries came to civilize the pa-
ives. as strong indications point in that
Erection.
The first sign We see, at the foot OF |
teep mountain side around which the :
,rook curves. 1t consists of an ent8ng-
ed growth of fig trees and reed grass
attending to come distance above Oh the !,
oft clay OF the precipice. No one in
be canyon can account for this.
On the opposite side at the top of
DIV, fat hill is spot where town and
rs church once existed; but now moth
ng but ruins mark the place. There =
re several groupa OF old weather beaten ,
dobe walls resting on the ground in
ocular rows. There are also mounds :
( earth marking the decay of
ouses, and 10 the csnter Of these is q ;
ong rectangular space enclosed by two )
dobe walls worn down almost to the
round. This building YVES probably the
hurch. Many other things are to be
cen, but as passed over this cite has
lily can recall no more, therefore l
snnot relate to you any further; but,
you should ever pass through the
lace, what / have said, is perhaps {
nouRh to make you feel is picturesque ,
ess and historical interest.
LORENZO WALTERS.