Evening star., 1899-08-12
The Unconquered Yaqui Indians of
Northwestern Mexico.
A CONSTANT SOURCE OF DREAD
Their Former War Against Mexico
Under the Leadership of Cajemi.
SOME INTERESTING HISTORY
From the st. Louis Globe-Demccrat

From the ST. Louis Globe e-DeHGcTat.
The present hostile attitude of the Yaqui
Indians in the mountain districts of north
western Mexico, revives interest in what is
perhaps the most remarkable tribe of abor-
iginals known to history. The Yaquis diff
fer materially from the numerous other
tribes inhabiting this section of the globe.
While thoroughly partaking of the fero-
ciOus nature Of the Apaches of the Ameri-
can frontier, and entertaining quite pro-
nounced hatred for all people of more
civilized tastes. they are characterized by
very distinct prediiection for intelligent
forms of government But that any re-
strictiOns or obligations should be placed
upon them by an alien people. such as they
have ever been disposed to regard all man.
kind not of their tribe. they are disposed
to consider as unwarranted interference
with their hereditary customs, and hence
intolerable. The Yaquis have been a con-
slant source of dread to the MeXicanS ever
since the first attempt at civiIizing the
northwestern section of the republic. to
which movement the former have been
most strenuously opposed Like other
North American tribes, they hold that the
territory they inhabit is theirs by right of
inheritance from their forefathers, and
every foot of land that has from time to
time been wrenched from them has ulti-
rnately been paid for by the life's blood of
the invaders.
An Absolutely Independent Nation.
When the Spaniarls first came to Mexico,
in 1919. the Yaqui nation numbered a pepu-
lation of 800. 900. The territory controlled
by them was bounded on the south by Du-
range. and stretched away to what is now
known as the northern boundary of Colo
rsdo. They were absolutely independent
owing allegiance to no government other
than their own. and were looked upon as
the most formidable of all the tribes of
Mexico. Like all uncivilized natives at that
period, the Yaquis were given to strange
customs and rites, many of which were ap-
palling in the extreme One Of these was
their practice Of destroying, at birth, all
puny or deforn1ed infants. which cruel GUS
tom IS claimed 10 account for the superior
physical development characteristic of them
even to this day. The first war with the
1aquls precipitated by Coronado, who
during the period of Spanish occupation
led an armed expedition into their territory
The progress of the invaders was strenu-
OuSly opposed by the Indians, but. owing
to their superior arms and equipments, the
Spantards eventually succeeded in penetrat-
Ing through their country This war lasted
a year. during which period the Yaquis lost
ep,iap of their warriors and were forced to
abandon a large amount of their territory
TO the invaders. Their intense hatred for
the Spaniards, cherished even to the pres
enJ time. vas ensendered in the Yaquis at
that remote date. Throughout the succeed
ing centuries they have been almost inces-
sanity at war with the Spaniards and their
Mexican descendants, and by degrees their
once powerful tribe has been reduced until
at the present Cay 1t numbers less than
1j,e00 members. OF their former broad do
main all the possessions that now remain
10 the aQuiS are a few leagues of land
situated in the lower valleys of the Rio
Iaqui. in the southern portion of the state
OF Sonora. Here, during the brief intervals
of peace which they have occasionally ex-
Ierisnced. they have made their homes. fol-
lowing their natural pursuits of farming
stock raising and mining. This is the land
that has been officially assigned to them
by the Mexican government. Back of it.
however. in the fastness of the great Sierra
aaadTes. lies a territory that is theirs by
right OF their exclusive ability to penetrate
and. when necessary to inhabit it. This is
The war home of the Yaauis. Here, in the
conflicts OF later years. they have proved
tnyincible. unconquerable. 1t IS a country
Of rugged mountain sleeps. of deep. fur
nace-hke defileS. and desolate, sw-eltering
cradle to anything human, save only the
SaQt1s. Such is the stronghold in which
this race of fighters is intrenched today.
History of the Tribe.
The history of the Yaquis during the pres
ent century is especially conspicuous from
the fact that in the second quarter thereof
the tribe settled down to an apparently per-
1ranent peace The manifestation of a trait
so utterly at variance with the previous
hoSPGsAtiOn Ot the tflDe was the OCCASION or
quite much wonderment as relief on the
part Of the Mexican people. In justice to
the. Yaquis. however. be it said, that had
the tribal rights been respected by more
advanced civilization in the beginning not
only would nearly three centuries of per-
petual warfare have been averted but Mex
tco might have boasted an aboriginal ele-
fnenr without peer among her present
population. Porferio Diaz himself an In
dian. has always entertained the profound
est admiration for the Yaqui character. and
recently characterized them as the "arms
of the state Of Sonora" In 1920 the Yauuis
numbered upward of 3oOeo and during the
ensuing year rallied to the standard of Gen
lturbide. taking a prominent part in the
var for Independence against their natural
enemies. the Spaniards. When. in Septem-
Der. 1871. the war ended. and the freedom
of the Mexicans had been won. the Yaq1is
returned to their remote hauntS in the
northwest and entered upon their long un-
precedented interval of peace. Therein was
experienced the first prosperity they had
known since Cortez's time Then came the
war between Mexico and the United States
In 1871 Even quarter century of peace
had not banished the Yaqui's Inherent pro-
PensiIes ror war. and Immediately 5000 of
their braves Joined the Mexican forces But
when peace was again restored in Feb
ruary of the following year the Yaau!s who
mad served throughout the war did not re-
turn 70 their peaceful pursuits They
Claimed the Mexican government had
oroken faith with them relative to certain
tahds tflat mad been promised them as re-
ward for their participation in the war. The
result was the precipitation of a series of
nostluties lasting throughout a period of
more tnan htty years and the end of which
mas not yet been reached. Within that SAN
suihary interval the Mexican government
mas sacrificed 5000 soldiers and many mil
N.nS OF dollars in its fruitless endeayors to
enectualy subdue the Ya1us and restore a
permanent peace. The tribe apparentIv 70
fuses 20 become reconciled to the loss of its
SSai SSteisEs territory. and are resolved upon
nshuns out their grievances to the ~
dner Protracted warfare has cost them
Sse' -o.ep members OF their tribe besides
many towns and haciendas they had before
1he war. or the 1900 Yaquis to be found
m sonora at the present time. ii Is innos.
sible to correctly estimate the pronortjnp %,
actual fighters F'poi 'ion VI
boys Instructed In warfnre
The boys are instructed in warfare from
their very infancy. and at the age OF fo,,r-
yen one Is seldom found who is not an ex-
pert In the use Of every weapon known 10
their craft. The first ambition of every
faqui youth is TO possess a WINCHESTER
rIlfe, and 70 ACQUIRE this he xrtlI .o;r -.