The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-07-04
indian pupils. There was so of them
III dressed alike and were trained

all dressed alike and were trained
until they performed every part
splendidly. Their little faces were 50
bright and happy and each one
seemed absolutely unconscious of the
fact that they were being stared at
by every eye present. They were ap-
plauded long and loud and we all
agreed the little Indian pupils put it
all over the Spanish and American
girls. There are no Indians living in
our town, but are settled all around
us, Bernalillo being situated be-
tween two reservations. They are
all descendants of the Pueblo tribe.
Those on the reservation west of us,
distance of three miles, are known
as the Sandals" (Which means
water melon in English and on the
reservation east are the San Do
mingos." The 4th of August is
Thanksgiving day for the San Do
mingo tribe and they celebrate each
year by giving an Indian Corn Dance.
The Santa Fe runs an excursion train
each year and accommodates the
passengers by stopping the train out
on the reservation mile from the
station. The scene upon arrival is
not altogether fascinating, as all one
can see when approaching the village
is a number of adobe houses and an
old mission. There is not a tree,
not even wisp of grapes and the
Indians march out from one of their
buildings, in the boiling heat of day
and all dressed in the fanciest garbs
and decorations of beads, bangles,
bells and feathers one could ever
imagine and dance enthusiastically
until the close of day. It's really
wonderful sight to behold, though it
is anything but a desirable place to
be on hot summer day. We could
not get a decent drink of water and
anything else which might have
tendency to refreshen one on such a
warm day, is unlawful in an Indian
reservation. No, the people have to
bear it out until the train picks us
up at 7 O'Clock in the evening.
Other than the celebration there
are many interesting scenes of OBJ
servatlon in an Indian village. To |
glance inside of one of their adobe |
tents one would never suspicion it
was occupied by family. They
have no beds, tables, stoves or chairs.
and no clothing hanging around, ap-
they do not have clothes
other than what is on their backs.
They do their cooking on a fire place,
Ill sit around the wall on the floor
when they eat, and at night roll up
n a blanket. Some of them are ed
lcated and speak English fuently.
We have a few very wealthy aristo-
ratio Spanish residents in Bernalillo
'ut the majority are Mexicans of the
most happy go lucky" Characters
les one could imagine.
We are one mile east Of the Rio
,rande river and Claude in company
With some Mexican friends has gone
sning. There is range of noun
aims 4 miles east of us, which is a
lost beautiful scene at all times.
hey never look the same twice and /!
very little canyon has a meaning
II it's own. We drive over to them
OCCASIONALLY when the intense heat is
n. Water canyon is nearest point
f interest, there being a water fall
t the top, the cold clear water rip
ling in a stream at all times to the
cunt OF the canyon.
There are numerous advantages
S well as disadvantages to living in
place like Bernalillo and New Mex
20 throughout, for climate and mois-
ure cannot be excelled, though there
J very warm feeling way down in
~ heart for good old Iowa.
With best wishes to The Re-
orter readers, I am,
Yours truly,
Mrs. C. L. Lorey,