The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1911-02-08
purposes. The Mexicans, with their
axes, haunt the yards where they see

a wood pile which must be chopped
and split. They seldom use saws. The
general wages for days work at
chopping wood is about twelve bits
Everything is priced SO much IN
bits" In fact, that is about all the
Indians know Of our language, two,
four and six bits. That does not seem
very good wages for a days work, but
l believe people would be willing to
pay more if the Mexicans were more
reliable. If they are not closely
watched they will hide the large pieces
of wood wherever they can find a
place and will chop about every other
stick just little too long for the stove
or fireplace.
About ten miles south of the city is
the San Xavier Mission, which was
founded in 1892. Near the mission is
the Indian village where live the
peaceful Papago Indians, who defend
ed the mission against the warlike
Apaches some fifty years when the
place was abandoned. Their huts
are built of adobe, grasses and trunks
of trees. Many of them have a ra-
mazda, shaded with grasses, where the
family gathers to pass away the time
during the heat of the day. Near the
hut, usually hangs an ola, which is a
porous water vessel hung where the
breeze strikes it. The evaporation
cools the water. The Indians weave
beautiful blankets and baskets, also
make unique pieces of pottery. The
Indian women are fond of dress and
bright colors. Nearly every hut
boasts a sewing machine, if nothing
else.
A short distance from the mission
is low cone-shaped mountain, called
the Mountain of the Holy Cross"
After the Jesuit and FRANCISCAN
fathers came they prayed to God to
cease the flow of melting lava. A
cross was erected over the crater in
honor of their devotion. The volcano
has been quiet for many years and to
this mountain the Indians go to offer
their devotions.
At the suggestion of Bishop H.
Granjon of the Diocese of Tucson, this
place was made permanent shrine
by excavating a grottO about half
way up the mountain side. Within is
an altar and on the door in front of it
is inlaid maltese cross, also twelve
stars. In cleft of the rocks above
is a beautiful life size statue of the
Blessed Virgin Mary in white marble.
Our kind friends drove us out to the
mission one day. Our drive took us
along the rugged mountains which
were covered with cacti of every
specie, some of them being over TWEEN
ty feet high. People lost on the DIES.
ert, tap these tall cacti and obtain
enough water to quench their thirst.
We took fine picnic dinner with US
and camped near the old well where
the Indian women came with five.
gallon cans for water. Using sort
of little head rest OF woven grasses,
they carried the full cans upon their
heads with perfect ease. We made a
camp fire and the coffee we made was
very good. We enjoyed our dinner so
much.
In the afternoon we went through
the mission itself. The interior has
never been touched, but the outside
walls have been covered again in
places in an effort to preserve the
ancient building for many more years.
1t makes a beautiful picture with the
sun shining on it's walls and towers.
The paintings within are marvellous,
having held their color so long. There
are many beautiful statues but ruth
less tourists have cut off fingers, ETC.,
to carry away as souvenirs. 1t is in
teresting to note the wooden pegs used
in place of nails. Mass is held every
Sunday and many Indians attend. The
sisters hold school in part of the build
ing for the Indian children. 1t is a
very interesting trip to take to the
mission, and we are hoping to go
again during May when so many In
dians visit their Shrine in the desert"
A very clever little booklet has been
published by young lady here. 1t is
entitled THE Shrine of the Desert"
and contains very interesting informa.
ton.
There are other points of interest
near here, an abandoned fort, an In
dian school, home for Mexican girls. a
Presbyterian home, two fine hospitals,
observatory on the Tucson mountain,
ETC. We hope to visit these places
while we are here.
People are not allowed to raise tents
within the city limits, but out of the
limits to the north is quite a settle