Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1902-03-01
A PROTEST FROM
THE ESPAN0LA VALLEY
The Proposed Pajarito natlanaI Park Takes in
Seven Times the Area Necessary to Pro-
tect the Wonderful Prehistoric
Cliff Dwellings.
A HARDSHIP UPON THE SETTLERS
INCLUDING THE PUEBLO INDIANS

P. H. Liese Of Espanola valley, an
old settler of New Mexico and who
knows the country round about Es-
Ianola like book, yesterday, while in
Santa Fe, called the attention of the
| New Mexican to the great injustice
that is about to be perpetrated upon
the people of the upper Rio Grande val
ley by withdrawing permanently from
| settlement seven townships west of the
Rio Grande for the proposed Pajarito
| National Cliff Dwellers Park and the
Jones Buffalo Reserve. Mr.. Liese is an
enthusiastic ethnologist and has taken
many parties of scientists over the
| cliff dwellers region and knows every
foot of the section. He rejoices that
the government is about to protect the
cliff dwellings, but objects most siren
uously with the other 1000 settlers in
the Espanola and tributary valleys to
the provisions Of the Lacey bill now
pending in congress and which pro-
vides national park covering seven
townships. Mr.. Liese says that all the
cliff dwellings worthy of preservation
are included in a compact area not
greater than one township. This area
should be made a national park by all
means. but there is no excuse for TAX
ing in more townships for that pur-
pose. The segregation of so large an
area, well timbered, and containing
several fine ranches, would be a great
loss to the Espanola valley and even
to Santa Fe, and Delegate B. S. Rodey
should see to it that the bill introduced
into the house of representatives by
Congressman Lacey is amended so as
to include in the reservation only that
part of three townships, which COM
pactly covers the area of one town.
ship, upon which the cliff dwellings
are found.
The seven townships covered by the
provisions in the Lacey bill furnish
the fuel that is burned in the Espano-
la valley. In spring the settlers go to
that section cut down the timely and
allow it to dry until fall when they go
out again and haul it to the settle
ments. The Indian pueblos of Santa
Clara and San Ildefonso also get their
fuel from this district. If that is closed |
to them they will have to go without |
fuel for there is no timber to the east |
of them. There are several fine ranch |
es in the area inclu ded in the proposed |
park situated near the Baca Location
Grant, and these ranches would be cut
off from the outside world if the Lacey
bill is passed in its present FORM Mr..
Liese however, says that speedy action
must be taken to reserve and protect |
the small area in which the cliff dwell |
lings really are situated for vandals |
are creating great havoc among the |
ruins and among the cliff dwellings.
Mr.. Liese will probably draw up pc
tition to Delegate Rodey, Congressman |
Lacey, the secretary of the interior |
and President Roosevelt, signed by all |
the residents Of that part Of the Rio |
Grande valley, protesting against the !
reservation of 165,0OO acres of land for |
a national park when the reservation
Of one-seventh of that area will an
swar the Same nl1rnOse