The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1900-01-18

machinery lie rusting and dozens OF
log houses are inhabited only by rats
and Mormons, who seem to live on
rarified air and mountain scenery, as
there seems to be no other visible
means of existence.
Taking fresh start early Monday
morning, August 18th, we buck1ed up
for the big pull of eight miles up to
the top Of the divide, which we reached
at noon, and took dinner at a point
1900 feet above sea level, where two
tiny streams trick1e out of a rock, one
forming the A1amosa, which reaches
the Rio Grande and flows into the Gulf
of Mexico, and the other the San Juan,
which flows into the Colorado and into
the Gulf of California. Following the
latter, we descended into the beautiful
San Juan valley and on down to Pa
gosa Springs, where we spent several
days, dividing our time between drink
ing hot mineral w>ter and fighting
yellow Jackets, tar g an occasional
hot bath as side 1sae, and for an
unusual diversity we took an ice cold
bath at the dead hour of midnight,
once when a terrific thunder storm
came up the canyon and flooded the
land where our tent was pitched. But
as had taken several duckings while
fishing, I did not mind little rain;
but Mrs. Lyon objected when she had
to wade about half a mile through
water more than knee deep, especially
as she didn't have time to get but
one stocking on. Il didn't have any,
After fully invest eating everything
worthy of notice in this beautiful re-
gion, unsurpassed in the line of mag
nificent scenery, we turned our faces
homeward, coming by different route
than the one going, but of course al
ways going up or down. We spent
two days at the famous Brazos Gorge,
where the river runs through narrow
canyon whose perpendicular sides
reach up l 800 feet. We recrossed the
Rio Grande river and valley, and after
a drive of fifty miles over one vast
plain of sand and sage brush, we
reached picturesque Taos, the typical
western town of the country, save
Santa Fe, which is, perhaps, a little
older.
Taos is noted for its history of crime
and bloody battles, in one of which
Governor Bent was killed; and here
also rests the ashes of the old scout,
Kit Karson. But the most notable
feature is a tribe of Pueblo Indians,
who have Inhabited this fertile valley
since time ir1memoria1. These Indians
are certainly an exception to the rule
that all good Indians are dead ones,
for they are home-1oving, industrious
peaceab1e people, with friendly greet
ing for everyone, and happy manner
that is noticeable to every visitor.
Moreover they are economical in their
domestic affairs, as numerous herds of
rolling fat cattle that crowd their res
ervation and the abundant supplies of
the necessities of life clearly testify.
believe that the Pueb1os are the only
Indians that are entirely self-support-
ing, they receiving no annuity from
the government and certainly the only
DIduHSl 1uu1duo VIM dIC h0lCttA d1AACu
citizens, and, what will astonisl1 some
of you, they live in FIVE and six story
houses, not up on the sides of the cliffs
where their ancestors, the c1iff-dwe11ers
lived, but out in the broad valley they
have built immense community build
ings called pueb1os and here they all
live in harmony with one another and
at peace with the world.
Fearing that my article has already
become tiresome, 1 will stop and at
some future time give you sketch Of
these interesting people, of their man
ners, sports, etc., which came under
my notice while it was my privilege
to be their guest for week.
7. B. LYON.