The Wind and the Sand

... and the SAND

Carries only the scrawlings of the aimless, pointless wind. The figure, a solitary Hopi, walks on, a brave figure between the wind and the sand. When, in the Spring, the wind dulls his sharpness and the sands are still in the new, warm days, here and there patches of flowers spring from the patterns in the sand, gay and brave flowers in the sand. And when the wind comes again, the flowers dance before the wind and they become part of the patterns in the sand. Only when the wind, in high rage, takes great clouds of sand and hurls them along are the patterns erased in the sand and only then are the flowers afraid, clinging so tenaciously to life. R. C.

Lorenzo Hubbell, TRADER TO THE HOPI AND THE NAVAJO

Lorenzo Hubbell is dead. Death came to him a few weeks ago at Oraibi, just as spring was awakening in the land of his beloved Hopi and Navajo. His world wasn't a large world, but in it he was known as a good and fine man and if a man's worth can be measured by the number of people who sincerely mourn his passing, then Lorenzo Hubbell was truly a great man, a man of worth.

He once said: "I am the last of the old-timer traders."

He was a trader to the Hopi and NavNavajo, and continued the tradition establish ed before him by his illustrious father, Don Lorenzo Hubbell, known as Lorenzo the Magnificent.

A friend once said to him: "Lorenzo, you are just like a Navajo yourself."

Don Lorenzo and his family settled in Ganado shortly before the Navajo people returned from their "long walk" from the Bosque Redondo, where they had been driven in virtual slavery and bondage by Kit Carson and the U. S. Army. Their beautiful peach trees in Canyon de Chelly had been cut down, their little fields burned, their sheep slaughtered. After Bosque Redondo, the Navajo were a beaten people, and the hurt they had suffered from the hand of the white man was cruel beyond description. Only a few of the fiercer members of the tribe, like Manuelito, the hard and daring young leader, defied the Army and in flight and pursuit remained free in the trackless expanses of Nava-joland.

Out of cold, expressionless eyes, the Navajo considered the Hubbell family at Ganado. They had no love for the white man. To them Don Lorenzo was a white man, like those who had taken them from their land. Hadn't they seen their old men and children die on that "long walk?" They, themselves, had been hurt deeply and the hurt was in their soul and in their eyes when they looked at Don Lorenzo and his family.

And then came two hard and bitter winters, as if the very gods conspired with the white man to persecute the Navajo people. But Don Lorenzo was a different kind of white man, and during these winters his little trading post was open to them and when they came in to the store with despair and hunger grip-ping them, Don Lorenzo gave them food and so they survived the hard winters and Don Lorenzo treated them with kindness and he respected them as men and he trusted them and they came to love him and his family in their own silent way.

And then laughter came again to the Navajo people and the hurts were forgotten, and in their land Don Lorenzo prospered. The Hubbell home became a mecca for all travelers in that part of the country, and great men and little men came there, and there young Lorenzo was reared.

In his late teens he went east to Notre Dame University and then returned to the land of the Navajo, his land as well as theirs. His father acquired the Keams Canyon Trading post for him, and Lorenzo himself became trader to the Hopi now as well as the Navajo. Later the post was sold and young Lorenzo became the owner of a smaller post at Oraibi. As the years passed he, too, prospered and at his death owned a retail and wholesale trading post at Winslow as well as Pinon and Tniebito. But the greatness of Lorenzo Hubbell should not be measured in worldly goods. Had he been interested only in money, he could have become fab-ulously rich. But he wasn't a trader with an adding machine. He was a trader with a big and kind heart.

Lorenzo Hubbell loved the Navajo and their land. "What a proud and aristocratic people they are!" he once exclaim-ed. He liked the way they rode a horse, he liked the way they smiled, he liked their dignity and he liked their grand manner. His father was like that, and so was he.

Once, several years ago, Lorenzo Hubbell came to Phoenix to receive medical attention. After several weeks he fretted to return to Oraibi. "This is not for me," he said. "I don't feel right being away from the reservation. I could never be at home here."

It would be impossible to evaluate the good he did for the Navajo and the Hopi, too. He advised them well in all matters, and his advice was given and many times taken by officials of the Indian Department in administering the affairs of the two great reservations. The welfare of his Indian friends was uppermost in his mind. He never betrayed the trust they had in him, he never took advantage of their belief in him.

His good acts in behalf of the Navajo and Hopi would fill volumes. His patience with them was beyond belief. It has been said that he never once refused a favor they asked of him, and never used a sharp and unkind word on them.

But Lorenzo Hubbell is dead now. They buried him on Hubbell Hill at Ganado. An old Navajo chief who once saved Don Lorenzo's life is buried there, and there Don Lorenzo is buried and Doña and his sister, Adela Hubbell Parker. His brother Roman of Gallup, and his sister, Mrs. Barbara Goodman, of Ganado, survive.

But Lorenzo Hubbell isn't dead. Many years from now old and venerable Nav-ajo in their hogans will tell their sons of the good man who lived at Oraibi, and when the young grow old the story of Lorenzo Hubbell will be told again and it will be carried on from generation to generation. They will recount the many small acts of kindness he performed for their people, they will recall the advice he so freely gave them. They will re-call the little jokes he made when they came to his post and they will recall the deep courtesy and respect he used when he had dealings with them. They will tell again of those hard, cruel winters and of old Don Lorenzo at Ganada, the first white man to treat them humanely.

They will tell how young Lorenzo was just like them, how he not only spoke "business" Navajo but knew the tongue of the ceremonials. They will laugh when they tell of the important man who came from Washington to see Lorenzo and how Lorenzo had him cool his heels until he sold some flour and coffee to an old Navajo mother who had walked miles just to trade with him. They will tell with pride of the many important people who came to his home and how they listened when he spoke. From Canyon de Chelly to Tuba City, from Dinnehotso to St. Michaels, the Navajo will tell the story of Lorenzo Hubbell. He has gone to Hubbell Hill, but he still lives. He lives in the honest hearts of a simple and noble people who will never forget the good he did for them... R. C.

Adventures in April

Sometimes we try to pick out our favorite in the gorgeous array of color appearing in the Spring parade in Arizona. An ocotillo with flaming red tips! The palo verde in bloom, that dazzling creation in yellow. Each member of our plant kingdom wears something special for the season, making it difficult to choose, but one of our favorites is the Yucca, the Spring portrait of which adorns our cover page this month. So for an adventure for you in April we want you to meet the Yucca, not only on our cover page, but in words and pictures within under the title: "The Lily of the Southwest," for which we are indebted mainly to Joyce Rockwood Muench and Jimmy Brewer, the latter that ranger man at Navajo National Monument. Strange plant the Yucca, and a beautiful plant and very useful one. Incidentally, don't say "You-ca" but say "Yah-ca."

If Dame Liberty were to write a book, she could well entitle one of her brightest chapters just plain "Yaqui." The Yaqui Indians are refugees in our state from Sonora, fleeing a hostile Mexican government many years ago. Dr. Edward H. Spicer of the University of Arizona tells us about this proud, brave people this month, and ARIZONA HIGHWAYS has never presented an article with more pride. Dr. and Mrs. Spicer lived in the Yaqui village of Pascua, near Tucson, from July, 1936, to July, 1937. The work done then was written up as a doctor's thesis for the University of Chicago and published by the Chicago Press June, 1940, as a book called: "Pascua, A Yaqui Village in Arizona." Mrs. Spicer, whose photographs and drawings illustrate Dr. Spicer's article, did special study on the Easter Ceremonies. As you read this, Dr. and Mrs. Spicer and their baby are deep in Yaquiland, in Sonora, Mexico, continuing the study of the Yaqui people. The work being done by them is sponsored by the Guggenheim Foundation and we understand the Spicers will live in Sonora for the next year. They have promised us sometime soon an article on the Yaqui in Sonora, as a companion piece to our article this month on the Yaqui in Arizona. Dr. and Mrs. Spicer probably know more about the Yaqui than any other scientists in the world today. All of which makes us doubly proud to have them with us. Again, if you are a little strange with the accent on the first syllable.

With Spring tripping about our land like a gay young lady, full of laughter and eye-sparkle, we would like to invite all visitors to our land not to fail to spend at least a Sunday at the Southwestern Arboretum near Superior. April, May and June are the best of the months to visit this great garden called "the most beautiful and useful garden of its kind in the world." Here in the Spring all sorts of desert plants are in bloom and thousands of other plants brought from all over the world dress up in their prettiest for the Spring parade. Frances Fisher Dubuc, a new but very able member of the family of ARIZONA HIGHWAYS takes us on a visit to the Arboretum in these pages and she doesn't overlook a thing to make our visit interesting.

And if you are out our way in the first weeks of May, spend a day or so at La Fiesta de Los Flores, the joint Spring presentation and celebration of the good people of Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora, the dates being May 3-10. We promise you a pleasant visit. There will be a bullfight, and parades, and señoritas and music in the streets, and you'll see what friendship between the nations really means when two states like Sonora and Arizona and two towns like the Nogaleses get together in comradeship and joint celebration. "Viva La Fiesta" is the word for it.

Our artist subject this month is the successful Phoenician and manabout-the-world, Oscar Strobel. He has done very well by his art and his art has done very well by him. The happy combination of the two resulted in some lasting portraits of Arizona, many of which are in galleries and private homes in this country and abroad.

If you are making a study of the Indians of Arizona, you will enjoy reading "Sons of the Captain," an essay on the Yuma Indians prepared by the Arizona Writers' Project. The Yuma Indians are not as prominent in the mind of the traveling public as the Navajo, yet they are historically important in the story of our state and their life and culture of more than passing interest.

To close the adventures in April, if you want an adventure in reading may we recommend "Apaches & Longhorns. The Reminiscences of Will C. Barnes" which appeared this winter. We have a short review of it within, but the whole book should be read to truly appreciate Barnes and the life and times on the Arizona frontier between 1880-1900.

Which is about all for now. It's been fun being with you again, and nice of you to have us. See you later! So long... R. C.

Arizona Highways

the friendly journal of life and travel in the old west Published monthly by the Arizona Highway Department in the interest of good roads and for the promotion of tourist travel over highways of Arizona. Communications should be addressed to Arizona Highways, Arizona Highway Department, Phoenix, Arizona. Subscription rates: One Dollar per year, Ten Cents per copy. Printed in the U. S. A. "Entered as second-class matter Nov. 5, 1941, at the post office at Phoenix, Arizona, under the act of March 3, 1879."

arizona highways has the privilege of bringing you, wherever you may be, portraits of the West, with special mention of spring in arizona, and a few words and a few pictures you might like if you have a minute or two to spare: The Wind and the Sand................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................