Away by the usual process of
decay, but what is left of the body after the hungry buzzards and
coyotes have finished their feast, dries up into a mummy that
lasts for years.
Climate everywhere unquestionably influences life in its
evolution, but it is not always easy to determine all of its
effects in detail. In Arizona, which is but a comparatively
small corner of our country, live several races of men that are
as different from each other as nature could make them, yet all
live in the same climate.
The Pueblo Indian is in a manner civilized, peaceable and
industrious. He is brave in self-defense, but never seeks war
nor bloodshed. Quite different is his near neighbor, the
bloodthirsty Apache, who seems to delight only in robbing and
killing people. Cunning and revenge are pronounced traits of his
character and the Government has found him difficult to conquer
or control. The Mexican leads a shiftless, thriftless life and
seems satisfied merely to exist. He has, unfortunately,
inherited more of the baser than the better qualities of his
ancestors, and, to all appearance, is destined to further
degenerate. The American is the last comer and has already
pushed civilization and commerce into the remotest corners and,
as usual, dominates the land.
As diverse as are these several races in many respects, each one
of them furnishes splendid specimens of physical manhood. The
Indian has always been noted for his fine physique, and is large
bodied, well muscled and full chested. One advantage which the
southwest has over other countries is that the climate is mild
and favorable to an outdoor life, which is conducive to health
and physical development.
No single race of men flourish equally well everywhere, but each
one is affected by its own surroundings; and, what is true of a
race, is also true of an individual. The pioneer in any country
is always an interesting character, but he differs in
peculiarities according to his environment of mountain, plain or
forest. Occupation also exerts an influence and in time develops
distinct types like the trapper, miner, soldier and cowboy, that
only the graphic pencil of a Remington can accurately portray.
The eccentricities of character which are sometimes met in men
who dwell on the frontier are not always due alone to
disposition, but are largely the product of the wild life which
they live, that inclines them to be restless, reckless and even
desperate.
There is no better field for observing and studying the effects
of environment upon human life than is furnished by the and
region of the southwest.
End of Arizona Sketches, by Joseph A. Munk
