Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-10-10

| AS before stated, the pueblos are
large. that situated back OF Mr.. Rich
ard Wetherells house, containing at
least 1900 rooms.
The ladies brought back some splen-
did specimens of pottery. ON these
the Impressions oil the thumb are very
distinct. One OF these specimens in
toothed design was very pretty. 1t
| seems a little odd to handle objects
whereon the traces OF human fingers,
made ON the soft clay SO long ago, are
still SO plain Sull another design
in wayy lines won especial admira-
ton
The old stairways cut liz the rocks
were also remarkable Four OF these
are still in good repair. They are
wide, varying between and 6 feet.
By means of these it Is easy to de-
scend from the pueblos on one side
of the canon, cross the river bed and
ascend the other side.
When the ladies' tired of the ruins.
there were the Indians. They Wis
tied the Navajo in his native hogan.
which is entirely different from the
tepee of the Ute. They studied his
habits and noted his peculiarities.
The squaws grind the corn with
"A matate ON u board set on IA sheep
skin. The motion is exactly like that
a white woman uses on n washboard.
The corn the Indians grow is beauti-
ful. Not only are the ears very large
and full but the colors are so vari-
ous. 1t grows in shades OF blue
purple blue aud old rose, and is the
genuine article.
The blanket industry hae lately re
ceived u great impetus. An arroya
has been rooted by the Hyde Elplor-
alton company. aud in the building
thus constructed ten looms have been
placed. When at work the squaws
sit in twos. facing each other. For
light there is the skylight.
The ladies learned to set up blan
kets. while Mrs. Camp being acquaint-
ed with the whole process, and can
dye, card, spin and weave. The In
lians now use yarn for their blankets.
Formerly 1t was their custom to un-
ravel bayeta cloth and weave that
To this practice the beautiful red OF
the old blankets is due.
AT present the bayeta cloth Is too
expensive and difficult to procure.
It is made in Spain and costs ~ per
yard IL looks like baize. On one
side the nap is quite long, while the
threads of the other have an appear
ance somewhat like fine wire netting.
| The coloring, however, Is the notice
able part of the material. Such a
| lovely red, SO clear and soft, yet Drill
liant and vivid. the writer has never
before seen. 1t recalls to mind the
Bible passage concerning the wise
woman of whom it was said, Her
household is clothed in scarlet.
one almost suspects that there is
magic in It, Perhaps those Spanish
weavers bargained with Aurora for
the carmine with which she tinted her
rosy cheeks at dawn to dye their
| threads-who knows?
A number of the Indians were prac-
icing their dances for the Albuer-
aueraue fair. which takes place next
week. For the Yabe-cbi. II sort or
harvest festival and also for medic
| inaI purposes, the ladies' were TOO
late. The next will not be held till
some time in November.
At the Ya.bechi they make sand
pictures in all colors, red, green, yel-
low. brown, the effect being simply
beautiful The medicine men do the
| work. the different objects appearing
like relief work on the level sand.
The figures made consist OF ears
of corn. wheat, perfect circles, straight
lines, Lizards. etc. These are made
and destroyed almost Immediately.
The Ya-be-chi usually lasts five days,
and takes place when there Is sick
ness In the tribe
| The ladies stated that the trip made
them realize very decidedly the dif-
ference between the Ute and Navajo.
not only in dresg, but In tastes ana
customs. The Utes taste in 1ewelry
is still barbarous-the Navajo pre-
fers silver ornaments only-the for
mer is gentleman Of leisure. depend
ant after all-the latter is self-support-
ing.