The National tribune., 1908-12-03

yons, wherein abide abundance Of wild
game, such 4s the turkey the regular
OF original btonzel, deer, bear of three
varieties-viz, the grizzly, black and
brown bear-mountain lions, wildcats
tne Bob White, California -quaiis, etc
Uhe need not go across the ocean TO see
the grandest sceneries on earth, but
just come to Arizona. especially to the
beautiful Cibecpa yaiiey, or go just a
little farther southwest, and view the
re.~~. .aIr River Canyon, where Is be-
| ing constructed the most extensive dam
| on earth to be used for irrigating pur-
poses.
Cibecue $3.50 miles from the nearest
| railroad point, Holbrook, on the Santa
Fe. We are so miles northeast from
Fort Apache army post, with two ranges
of abrupt mountains intervening, and
at present we-Mrs. B. and myself
are the only white people in this part
| of the country except an Indian trader,
who has recently located in the valley.
We are the pioneers in the building up
OF the Cibecue Day School, being the
first to organize the school by enrolling
and forcing the Indian children into
school (Sept. 1, 1900, at which time
not one could understand or speak a
word OF English, ana now all can speak
and understand sufficient to commune
| cate with the employees, and all can
read and write, and some are advanced
in Baulden's First Reader.
when we first brought these Indian
Kids into school they looked more like
wild animals than human beings; some
were, In fact, most were, in nude
condition, and now since we have them
scrubbed and dressed up they make al
most as respectable an appearance as
any white school children in the rural
districts.
At present the enrolment of the
school is 80 males and "a females, 54
pupils, ranging in age from five to 16
years. We give them a monday meal
prepared by the larger girls under the
personal supervision Of my wife, who
also instructs the girls to cut and make
garments. while teach the school and
superintend the Industrial work, as well
as to settle all disputes amongst the old
er Indians, etc.
Scene Of Geronimo's Berbarlties.
one of the fields of operations during
Geronimo's barbarous career. One of
my closest neighbors was one of his
lieutenants. Within 800 yards of the
school Is the spot where 20-odd soldiers
and their Captain were massacred By
the Indians in 1881. The soldiers were
sent out here from Fort Apache to ar
ieSt IL iHeuIclHe man ana DrpaK I'D their
dance. But one soldier escaped alive.
On that account I was advised not TO
come among them. but / have had no
trouble in dealing with them. In fact,
l find these Indians to be tractable and
are inclined to come to me for advice,
which give to them in a firm and hon.
est way.
Cibecue Day School is the farthest
away from civilization than any other
school in the Indian service On that
account you may wonder at the desire
of myself and wife remaining at the
place. / will tell you: The wonderful
and beautifulsceneryo on all Sides beau
tiful wild flowers lin season.. and.
above all. the healthful invigorating cli-
mate, is the principal object In remain
ing in this most OF all Isolated place for
a short time longer. at any rate. BY
and by we expect to retire from tie
service for good. and hope to be en-
ahled to enjoy some of the social fea-
lures of life amongst our old friends
and comrades yet before the last roll
caii and taps are sounded.-W. III.
Penefiel, Cibecue School. White River,
Arizona