Arizona republican., 1908-02-12
THE GRAND CANYON
 10 Bt TAKEN SOON
W. E. Rollins Relates the Beautiful Legend of the Hopis, a Portion of Which the Painting Tells.

w. E. Rollins beautiful and inspir-
 ing painting of the Grand Canyon
 which has aroused an unprecedented
 interest in art in Phoenix, has been
 lost to the city and to Arizona, foI the canvas has been purchased for the Santa F'e Chicago offices through MT
 F. P. Ripley, president of the company and within a week will be carefully cased up and shipped to its final des- Iination. Perhaps after all its sphere of admiration here was too limited and small and the good that it may do will be greatly expanded and of wide influ- ence. in that larger sphere to which it goes to be admired and treasured It is said that this is the first paint ing purchased by the road and Tor which an appropriation was specially made. which fact is in itself a great tribute to the canvas, of the value placed upon it by the new possessors Certain it is that in the gallery of fine collections of merit on various SUD- iects. it will hold a pre-eminent place The painting whispers message. It's message fingers with the beholder. The lure of the wonders Of this, Nature greatest sculptured masterpiece makes it's presence felt. The canyon itself must be seen. And after the canyon again the painting. This will be its chiefest mission
 IL is stated that the painting will be placed on exhibition in the Chicago Art Institute before taken to the gal Iery in the Santa Fe offices. The price paid for the painting has not been made public at this time. It IS the purpose of the company to have an en- craving made Of the original and lith- ographic prints will be displayed in numerous other offices in the United States and along the companys lines. The purchase has placed the stamp Of merit on the work of the artist, who has in his studio many other me studies, and which will mean much to Mir. Rollins in his success as deiln- eator of picturesque types and in scenic wonders.
 The story of how the conception was first brought to the artists mind is in teresting because of the legendary lore that revolves around it ana in the tell ing of which is revealed the story which the painting has Tor theme. Yesterday MT. Rollins consented to re- late this beautiful legend. As is well known he spent two years in Oralbi, a Hopi village, studying Indian llfs; learned their language, their customs their ceremonies and much Of tnelr mythological history. The tale can well be told in Mr. Rollins own words: Tt was in this Hopi village that the inspiration came to paint the picture which you see. During my stay with the Hopis. very old men of the tribe came into my kee or house, and upon many occasions different ones greeted me thus. 'Quacha. friend, now l want 10 tell you the story of my people who lived in the Grand Canyon, lived in the underworld or something to that effect though perhaps not in those ex- act words. According to this legend, their ancestors they believe once lived in an underworld in peace, till dis session came and troupe among them selves. There were two kinds of peo- ple. the people of one heart and the people of two hearts, which is their way of expressing the good and the bad.
 After His trouble came. the peo- ple of one heart decided to come to the upper world, and held a council to learn how they could reach this oth- CT realm. Machetto who was thelr chief and councillor wrought the plan of growing a tree, so the tree was planted and as it grew sharp point appeared on its upper limb. Finally this tree with its sharp prong pierced through the crust of the world, and made an opening, called keVa, or cave. Then the people of one hear' under the guidance of their chief, LOOK their beloved katchine, (ancestrai gods). their corn and other plant seeds and their children and climbed limb by limb to the upper world. As the chief came through he stepped upon great shelf of rock where you see standing in the painting. the Indian and the Indian woman squatted, looking out over the great abyss. The chief and his people were awed at the sight of the canyon, its changeful waves of color, its moody gloom, it's scintallating hues and gor- yeously dyed towers of graven stone. Looking at the temple of rock which Americans called the Temple of Isis the chief arose and said to his people We have come to the Land of Tawa which means the sun. And all his peo- ole answer How how, yes yes, this is the Temple of the Sun And they followed their chiefs example and worshipped with prayer.
 This said Mir. Rollins is the moment of time which 1 have caught from the story and transferred to the canvas. This is the young chef Machetto looking out upon the Temple of Tawa. But the story proceeds, as told me by lhe old men. The chief said to his people that they would tarry there and build houses, grow corn by the Paisisvai the red river. Before this however he told them that they must send a message to the Sun Temple, Tawa. then the people of one heart should make peace with the God. The message to be borne was laid on oblong stone. The message was in the form of symbols, good will and bless ing, the swastika, a ring meaning the sun, a gig gag line meaning lightning or storms, and a solid square notched as a stair which meant clouds or rain About the young messengers shoulders was draped an 'ovia, blanket of sim plest weave. His feet were shod in moccasins of goat skin that his jour ney might be sure, and safe; through his hair was placed an arrow that his journey might be swift. He was ex- pected to return bearing the stone with inc message which means to them an