Monte Vista journal and Monte Vista graphic-reporter., 1923-01-26

c0uOs NSSsAuV AVs uVVuS VI
ysars.-Editor.)
Probably the last Of the very
earliest settlers in the San Luis val
ley crossed the Great Divide"
whom Antonio Arellano died At his
home At Capulin January Z. He was
Is years old.
Senior Arcliano was born in Spain.
and with bis parepts immigrated tol
America in 1859. The following year
his father and fifty-four other men
came to the San Luis valley and
settled where the present townsits
Of Costilla now u. They left their
families forty miles south Of there.
returning for them the next year.
The men built an immense adobe
house. large enough to accommodate
all the families. The bricks used
were incAss By IL inches and the
wall was made three feet thick.
They vsrs then bullet proof from
any attacks Of the Indians which
roansd tie valley.
TIE elder Ssnor Arellano was .
we'll educated man. In spite Of the
hardships ald the little time which
the men had for leisure. young An
toaio's father taught him his les
soAs and st an early age he was
able 10 read the few books which
bis father had and which were con-
sidsred . great luxury.
Being = pioneer. Arellano's life
was fiiisd with many thrills. whe..
years old. the boy followed his
father to the place where he was
cutting wood. Antonio kept hid from
his father and did not return with
him. An Indian spied him and
started TO get him. Antonio ran to-
ward his fortified home and whom
almost there. he was caught by the
Indian. Several other Indians near
there who saw the chase Joined In.
Fortunately for the boy. his father
saw him captured and gave the
alarm. A battle ensued In which the
boy was rescued but eighteen In
dians and three spaniards were
killed. Al this time. the nearest
supply station was Santa Fe. N. NJ.
and the supplies were brought there
from the more eastern markets and
with great difficulty. In 1853
two men named Posto and Fred
White came 70 the settlement to see
about establishing . supply point ON
route leading from Kansas City
into northern New Mexico.
Several Of the people from the
settlement Including young Areliano
returned to Kansas City With the
men. In April. 1859 the first sup
ply train left Kansas City. There
were sixty wagons each drawn by
sixteen or eighteen oxen. making .
total Of over loeo oxen In the train.
The freight consisted OF all kinds
Of food which would keep sxcsp.
flour and meat. These items were
left out In order that there would
be more room for the whisky and
beer.
II was the duty Of Antonio TO
drive the extra oxen behind the
train. AZ this time hewas oaly
thirteen years old. He liked this
work and stayed with the supply
outfit until 1871.
Indian battles Were COMMON oe.
curancss. A skirnish vas sajoysl
because Il broke the moaoto0y.
However. Senor Arsliano thought
more was to b derived from frtssA.
ship with the Indians thaa from
their hatred and at all times dtd BIZ
bsst 70 cultivate . better fssiiag ~
tween the two races. He took
especial pains 70 be aics 70 the jess|
savage red man.
A. ons Of the rsstiag ststioas|
whsrs they remained fouP or five
aays. Arsllano made ~ especial
frissd out Of one Of the most ia
uoenelai men u the tribe. Every
time the frsishter would cone from
kansas City. the young Spaniar1
would have . few trinkess which bel
would give 70 the lnAiaa. ~ least
on one occasion. the Indiaa Der.
suaAsA his fellow trihseosa not to|
attack The fssishtss.
whsn esa6f Arsllase Suit the)
supply train ~ vsat = .Husffane
to live. Here hs fAsDs1 Tor thfes
o. four ysass. u 1878 ~ vedl
farther ssse ed js>nsA his lnAiaa
frssals vhsrs hs Ausasl <hsf4ale|
ssA other ss.s With ths. ~ sSsss|
ysars. /
Whea - rstsPnsA u ~ vailey
- taught ssAssl q Coee1DlA eaayUa|
- = =.