Men of Stone

Among the natural wonders of the South-western states of America, says the Pendleton East Oregonian, are the Superstitious mountains, which loom up from the arid desert to the east of the Salt River Valley. These mountains are so curious that, as long as Arizona has been settled, the Indians would have nothing to do with them. In consequence they are full of deer, ibex, bear, and other big game. The Superstitious mountains rise out of the level surface of the desert like the pyramids of Egypt.

On the crest of this unique range, and in full view of the rarefied atmosphere for an immense distance from the plain, are hundreds of queer figures, representing men in all attitudes. When you look first you are sure they are men, and when you turn your gaze again to them you are as absolutely certain of it as you can be of anything.

They represent ball throwers, outlooks mere viewers of the country roundabout, men recumbent and contemplate, others starting on a foot race, and in every conceivable posture and position. They are not real flesh and blood men, however-nothing but stone sienite-yet, nothing can convince the Indians and some white men that they are genuine. They say they are real mortals turned to stone, petrified by the peculiar condition of the air on the mountains.

This belief has grown out of an Apache legend handed down for hundreds of years. They have it that an ancient chief, who had learned of the curious character of the Superstitious mountains, forbade any of his people to go there. A large band, however, one day discovered a way to get in by a precipitous route, and finally reached the top. It resulted as the chief had said-they never got down alive.

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