The San Francisco call., 1907-02-10

W. some Of it fact. or all ~ IL
fancy? OF courss = great dsal
OF 1t comes from the imaginations 40
viii concede that In the Beginning: but
in many Of the legends there are IDEAS
and occurrences that coincide with the
history Of other nations. which fnct
leads Us 70 believe that they have had
intercourse with Asiatic countries.
The biblical ideas and references
they have been taught by the Jssuits.
but yet most OF these legends dats
back many years previous to the com
ing OF the fathers.
In the southern part OF Arizona. on
the bank OF Salt River, In the shadow
OF the Estrella Mountains. lies the
Maricopa Indian Reservation These
Indians, peaceable and law-abiding.
dwell here. each on the little patch
OF ground allotted him, by Uncle sam.
They have copied froml the white man
in many ways. but stu cling to their
old customs and beliefs. observe the
same funeral rites and ceremonies.
have the same dances and feasts. tell
the same legends that they told hun
tred years ago.
They call the Salt River Valley tho
Blessed Land" and claim Il Is theirs
by rights. as told IN the following ls-
gend:
Years and years ago the Maricopas
lived on the other side or the world
They did not know how to fish or hunt.
make baskets or weave cloth. They
lived in caves. ate berries. nuts. roots
and birds eggs. They quarreled with
each other continually and were Rl-
ways at war with their neighborS4
One day a stranger came amSnx
them. He was quiet and unobtrusive.
fr7Ht ~ md n
instead OF hindering, as was the Gus
tom OF the MaricOpas. Soon bis indu-
ence was felt and he taught the men
to hunt and fish. to till the soil and
to build houses. He taught the women
to spin and weave, TO make baskets. to
cook and to care for their children
in the proper way.
The colony began TO prosper; they
were at peace with themselves and
their world.
One day the Good Kind MAJ" az
they had come to call him. called them
all together and said: You have done
we'll with your appointed tasks. On the
other side OF the world is beautiful
land where. everything grows and
where there Is plenty Of water gave
this land to people who are not
fulflling the requirements which laid
down for them. They do not work.
they quarrel and fight with each other.
-
can 20 IN and possess the land and
havs IL for yours forever. Go home.
Pack your household goods In your bas-
kets, then form In line, the old rsn
In front followed by the next In ags.
the women and children bringing up
the rear. After you are in line. look
no place but to the front. II you look
around the promised land is lost to you
forever
Now, in those days each family. In
stead OF having a horse TO bear the
burdens, had large basket on legs
which walked anywhere as directed.
Into these the women gathered their
household goods <nd then formed IN
line as the Good Kind Man had d.
rectsd. each with her basket at her
side.
The Good Kind Man took his piacs
at the head OF the procession and they
began TO move slowly forward. -
On and on they went for many niles
Then they came 20 gopher hole. down
which the Good Kind Man led them
They travelled in the dark for long
way. but glirnnier OF light after =
while shower them an opening, and
the leaders were out in the open day,
on the edge OF the Promised Land"
There was a great crowd Of the In
habitants out TO ses the usurpers.
These people tried In every way to
make the Maricopas look backward.
but were unabIs to do 20 until coyote.
20 thfa day n pest to mankind said.
"oh, my. what a lot there are OF you.
just look at them coming Several
women turned their heads to look
The Good Kind Man knew what hsd
happened He stopped the procsssion.
but the last one had come out % the
gopher hole and IL had closed after
them, 80 he could not make them go
back. II will take your walking bas-
kets from you to punish you." he said.
and the baskets dropped to the ground.
their legs disappearing.
Each woman took up her basket ana
placed It on her head
SO they took possession OF the Prom
ised Land. which they have held up to
the present day.
Does the Good Kind Man repK sent
Christ? Does the seeking OF the Prom
ised Land recall the march OF the chill
dren OF Israeli Lots wife was turned
to pillar OF salt to punish her for
lookinG backward. Did the Marfcoosa
Get their ideas frsn ths Binlss