The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-08-13
WASHINGTON THURSDAY
have carried on a bitter warfare ever
BRAVE AND wAR-L1KE RACE.


since.
BRAVE AND wAR-LIKE RACE.
At one time they were very poor indeed.
Owing to the poverty of the tribe, their
leaders never returned to the luxurious
style of living of their former kings. They
were simply called chiefs" but the SUI
preme control of the tribe was still in the
hands of the old royal family, and de-
seconded from father to son. These head
chiefs were brave warriors. and under their
leadership the Pimas achieved many vic
tories. At one time the Comanche In
dams came from the east, but the Pimas
repulscd them after Il bloody battle which
was fought near the mail station OF the
Butterted coach line, called Sacaton.
At last the reign descended to Shon-
tarl-Kor-li told soldier, the last, in di-
rect lnc of the old royal house. He was
bold warrior, and highly esteemed 10y
the whole tribe. During his reign the
Marcopa Indians, imposed upon and per-
secuted by the Yumas and Mohaves, came
to the country of the PimaS in two differ
ent parties, one from the southwest and
the other from the northwest. The new
Corners asked for home and protection,
promising to aid the Pimas ill their scouts
against the Apaches. Their request was
granted, and when the Yumas, who had
| given pursuit to the Maricopas, appeared
turned out in fierce. and, united with the
Maricopas. defeated the 1umas in bat
tie fought near the present Maricopa
Wells
Since then the Yumas have not dared
to modest the Maricopas. The latter re-
manned with the Pimas, We're permitted
to cultivate a small portion of their land,
and have been ever since on friendly terms
with them. The Maricopas of to-day have
| In md
Der about 300. The Pimas have inter-
married with the Maricopas; still, the lat
ter preserve their own language, which is
that of the Yumas. Cocopas and MohaveS.
At last Shon-tarl-Kor-li, the Chief, was
fatally wounded by the Apachcs, receiv-
ing musket-ball in his forehead. Upon
his death-bed this old Chief, who had no
sons to succeed him, recommended that
Stjo-e-teck-e-m one of the sub-chiefs,
who was a renowned warrior, should be
elected Head Chief. This was done, and
the latter reigned for years, respected
and beloved by all his tribe. Young An
tonic Azul,* or A-va-atKa-jo (the man
who lifts his leg), as he WAS called by the
Pimas, accompanied by his father, the
Chief, on all his scouts when lie became
old enough to use arms, and at one time
went with him to Sonora and visited some
of the Mexican towns. Stjo-eteck-e-
Illus leu Tie MANY 'lIh'S dShiiSt 'H'
Apaches, was repeatedly wounded, but
finally died in consequence of sickness.
Upon his death Antonio Azul assumed the
position of his father, but dissension arose
!; in the tribe. Many claimed that Antonio
{ had no title to the supreme command;
that his father had been chosen Chief on
account of his holiness, bravery and wis
dom; that these virtues did not necessarily
descend from father to son. and that the
| .In,. e of Tr,,f to In lnft a..
the warriors of the tribe. Some asserted
, that distant relative of the Chief proper
was among the tribe, who, having the
| royal blood in his veins, ought to govern.
| Arispa, petty chief. well known for
his bravery in the field, and withal a
, crafty and INSCRIPTIONS man, took advan-
tage of the general confusion, and, with
the intention of usurping Antonios place,
| accused the latter of witchcraft. Antonio
was tried and declared not guilty, and
since then has been generally recognized
as Head-Chief. Still, the followers of
Arispa, who are the worst Indians on the
reservation. refuse to be guided by AntO-
Mo, and the latter evidently believes his
position to be insecure, and therefore tenn
porizes with the bad men of the tribe ra-
Their than run the risk of a revolution and
possible loss of his rank by compelling
them to behave themselves. OF course,
|
take advantage of his weakness.
Since Antonio Azul became the
Head-Chief of the tribe the overland road
from Texas to California, which passes
through the Pima land, has been establish
ed. and in consequence thereof these In
dams have been thrown in contact with
the Americans. In 1859 Il reservation,
containing 100 square miles, was set aside
for them by act of Congress, and upon
and near it they have resided ever since.
In 1862 the smallpox ragged among them
to an alarming extent. and many, partic-
ularly children, died of the disease.
1t is n lamentable fact that the Pimas
have refrigerated since the advent of the
white men among them, both morally and
physically. In 1855, when Butterfield' S
mail-coaches first passed through their
land, the Pimas were healthy race, the
men brave and honest, the women chaste.
To-day foul diseases prevail to an alarm
ing extent, many of the women are public
prostitutes, and all will pilfer whenever
opportunity offers.
sBy this name he was generally known
among the Americans and MeXicans dur
ing the writer's stay in the Pima coun-
try, 1S70-1s71.
CTo be continued)