Arizona Sketches | Page 3

derive calculated using the method you already use to calculate
your applicable taxes. If you don't derive profits, no royalty is due.
Royalties are payable to "Project Gutenberg Association / Benedictine
University" within the 60 days following each date you prepare (or
were legally required to prepare) your annual (or equivalent periodic)
tax return.
WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU
DON'T HAVE TO?

The Project gratefully accepts contributions in money, time, scanning
machines, OCR software, public domain etexts, royalty free copyright
licenses, and every other sort of contribution you can think of. Money
should be paid to "Project Gutenberg Association / Benedictine
University".

*END*THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN
ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END*

ARIZONA SKETCHES by Joseph A. Munk

CHAPTER
I. A ROMANTIC LAND II. MY FIRST TRIP TO ARIZONA III. THE
OPEN RANGE IV. RANCH LIFE V. THE ROUND-UP VI. RANCH
HAPPENINGS VII. A MODEL RANCH VIII. SOME DESERT
PLANTS IX. HOOKER'S HOT SPRINGS X. CANON ECHOES XI.
THE METEORITE MOUNTAIN XII. THE CLIFF DWELLERS XIII.
THE MOQUI INDIANS XIV. A FINE CLIMATE

CHAPTER I
A ROMANTIC LAND
A stranger on first entering Arizona is impressed with the newness and
wildness that surrounds him. Indeed, the change is so great that it
seems like going to sleep and waking up in a new world. Everything
that he sees is different from the familiar objects of his home, and he is
filled with wonder and amazement at the many curious things that are
brought to his notice. Judging the country by what is common back east,
the average man is disappointed and prejudiced against what he sees;
but, estimated on its merits, it is found to be a land of many attractions
and great possibilities.
A hasty trip through the country by rail gives no adequate idea of its
intrinsic value, as such a limited view only affords a superficial glimpse

of what should be leisurely and carefully examined to be properly
understood or appreciated. At the first glance it presents the appearance
of a desert, but to one who is acquainted with its peculiarities it is by no
means desolate. It furnishes a strong contrast to the rolling woodlands
of the far east, and to the boundless prairies of the middle west; and,
though it may never develop on the plan of the older states, like
California, it has an individuality and charm of its own; and its
endowment of natural wealth and beauty requires no borrowing from
neighbors to give it character or success.
It has grand scenery, a salubrious climate, productive soil, rich mineral
deposits and rare archaeological remains. It also has a diversified fauna
and flora. The peccary, Gila monster, tarantula, centipede, scorpion and
horned toad are specimens of its strange animal life; and, the numerous
species of cacti, yucca, maguey, palo verde and mistletoe are samples
of its curious vegetation. It is, indeed, the scientist's Paradise where
much valuable material can be found to enrich almost every branch of
natural science.
Hitherto its growth has been greatly retarded by its remote position in
Uncle Sam's domain; but, with the comparatively recent advent of the
railroad, the influx of capital and population, and the suppression of the
once dreaded and troublesome Apache, a new life has been awakened
that is destined to redeem the country from its ancient lethargy and
make it a land of promise to many home seekers and settlers.
When the Spaniards under Coronado first entered the land more than
three hundred and fifty years ago in search of the seven cities of Cibola,
they found upon the desert sufficient evidence of an extinct race to
prove that the land was once densely populated by an agricultural and
prosperous people. When or how the inhabitants disappeared is
unknown and may never be known. It is even in doubt who they were,
but, presumably, they were of the Aztec or Toltec race; or, perhaps, of
some civilization even more remote.
The Pueblo Indians are supposed to be their descendants, but, if so,
they were, when first found, as ignorant of their ancestors as they were
of their discoverers. When questioned as to the past they could give no
intelligent answer as to their antecedents, but claimed that what the
white man saw was the work of Montezuma. All that is known of this
ancient people is what the ruins show, as they left no written record or

even tradition of their life, unless it be some inscriptions consisting of
various hieroglyphics and pictographs that are found painted upon the
rocks, which undoubtedly have a meaning, but for lack of interpretation
remain a sealed book. The deep mystery in which they are shrouded
makes their history all the more interesting and gives unlimited scope
for speculation.
Arizona is a land that is full