The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-01-14
CREvfR AFTER IT THE ABORIGINfS Il
Information Concerning the In
dams of Arizona
THEIR MODE OF LIVING
interesting Article Relative to the
Red Men of the Southwest
United States

The following is the second letter
concerning the Indians of Arizona,
prepared by Miss Campbell. 1t Is a
continuation of the article in last
weeks issue:
There are many noticeable features
that impress one while the children
are playing at recess. Boys and girls
are separate, having their own
grounds. They seem to have have no
desire whatever to mingle. This elm
mates many of the difficulties which
teachers meet in our schools. These
children seem to have no differences;
they all play happily and make the
air ring when a stray whirl wind
comes to their notice, trying to get
in the center of it and catch the fly
ing PARTICLES. They are generous to
a fault, helping one another when
needed and seem perfectly happy that
they are privileged to live.
There are many lessons which white
children, and grown ups too, can learn
from their dusky brothers, namely,
that ability which enables one to ac-
complish an end with very little
means. i am referring to the Indian
il his home. The women make the
most beautiful baskets from willow
and devils claw, which they gather
cI the banks fo the Gila river. All
tie tools they use is an awl and a
Jack kllnsfa usually wihouts a handle.
You doubtless have seen these baskets
and purchased, perhaps, at low price
without giving a thought to the pa
tient little squaw, who had worked
possibly three months to make it,
the remuneration being about $3.50
All tribes, however, do not make
baskets. Some confine all their Ia
bors to weaving beautiful blankets
as the Navajos-- some to making pot
terry, ETC., etc.
The Papagos and Maricopas make
water jars and all kinds Of fancy
and useful articles out of Arizona
clay. The Indian men farm, raise
cattle and are very different to the
Indian found by our forefathers. In
every case, he does not work strenu-
ously, but does his work on his land
willingly and with no apparent effort
Some of the young men who have re-
turned from school and those e6ucat-
ed older ones have formed and live
iG a settlement known as ''The Coop
eratiye Village" Its name signifies
its purport. These Indians are quite
civilized; they dress well, have COM
Portable homes, farm and seem gener-
ally prosperous. They cooperate with
each other and their white neighbors
in questions relating to the general
good and are controlled, in man.
ner, by what they still term "chief.
If they happen to get lazy Indian
Ia the settlement and he refuses to
do his share of work they very short
ly, and with little ceremony, dismisa
him and try some some one else,
hence, only those who are ready and
willing at all times need apply to the
industrious citizens of the 'Coopera-
tive Village" This is step upwards,
and, I believe, if on every rescrva-
tion, this idea might be carried out,
much good would be accomplished. ]
went TO see how sick baby was
one night found the Indian wiping
dishes for his wife. think this wac
a little unusual, but it shows what
civilization is doing for them.
There Is usually a church on every
reservation; there are two on this. a
Presbyterian and Catholic. The for
nser has membership Of three hun
Continued on page 5