"At 6:00 o'clock a.m. we resumed our journey and May 20 [1870] we came to a ranch about noon. The proprietor treated us very kindly, and presented us with some canned fruit and a new towel for our journey, which we resumed until 7:00 o'clock p.m. when we camped for the night, suffering from cold.
"We started on our way at 4:00 o'clock a.m., and passed many recently made graves of persons who had been killed by the Indians. One of these, we were informed, contained the remains of a father, mother and five children.
"These burial places looked so sadly neglected; the wolves had even made holes in them. The desolate, lonely places in which these poor creatures were laid to rest, and still more, their melancholy and frightful death, cast a damper over our spirits, as we had no certainty of not meeting the same fate. And yet, why should we be sad? Did we not risk our lives for the love of Jesus? And would it not be glorious to have the happiness of dying for Him? But poor nature is weak, and although in spirit we coveted the privilege of so glorious an end, yet our frail, earthly bodies shrank from so trying an ordeal.
"We passed at night the Indians' place of worship. It is a natural construction of huge, immovable rocks, on which they cut the figures of their gods. There were various planets, different animals of the forest and even reptiles. The figures appear to be well made, and are quite interesting to look at. Oh! How my heart burned to make known to them the true and only God! We camped about 8:00 o'clock and took our supper by brush light as usual.
"We had a lamb this morning for breakfast; we called it our Passover. After offering up our prayers and placing ourselves with renewed confidence under the protection of Heaven, we resumed our journey at rather an advanced hour of the day under the rays of a scorching sun, the average heat in the shade being 125 degrees. We reached a ranch at noon and were accommodated with a room where we enjoyed the luxury of a 'good wash and change of clothing,' a refreshment of which we were sorely in need.
"We dined at 3:00 o'clock and after getting a supply of fresh water for our journey we started at 6:00 o'clock p.m. We entered the Arizona desert, traveled all night, and were so much fatigued, that almost everyone fell asleep, the driver permitting the horses to go at will. Father and his driver slept so soundly that Sister Martha was obliged to drive nearly all night.
"At 8:00 o'clock a.m. we refreshed ourselves with a cup of coffee, and traveled on until 2:30 p.m. when we were out of the desert. We took dinner at 5:00 o'clock p.m. and lodged at the house of a generous-hearted Irishman, Mr. Cosgrove. Whenever we had the good fortune to come across Irish or Mexicans, we were sure of meeting with a cordial reception, and of finding in them all the characteristics of true friends.
"We started early, entering upon the most dangerous portion of our journey, as we were in danger of being attacked and massacred by the savages at any moment; but placing ourselves in the hands of Providence, to whom we had consecrated our lives, we courageously advanced, feeling assured that His all-seeing eye would protect His chosen ones from danger; at all events, that whatever might befall us would be in accordance with His most holy will.
"When we stopped at noon, there was no room for us in the inn, so that we had not even a tree to shelter us from the burning rays of a tropical sun. The ruins of some old buildings were near; Mother went there to rest, and fell asleep. A troup of nude Indians came in the meantime, who are peaceable. They had the consideration to be quiet and let her sleep. Sister Martha was resting on an old cowhide. A noble warrior perceiving her, stole softly up and sat down beside her as her guardian angel.
"The remainder of the Sisters were in the wagon, while I employed myself in washing our stockings and handkerchiefs, and amused myself by taking notes for my 'Journal.' Father and the boy prepared dinner, after which we resumed our journey. About 4:00 o'clock p.m., we passed through the valley of the Pima Indians. Their dwellilngs are constructed of straw, and are shaped like a bird's nest in an inverted position; they vary from four to five feet in height, and have a small hole as a place of entrance.
"Their costume consists of two pieces of calico or flannel, extending to the knees, one piece hanging in front, the other behind. The young squaws are clothed with the inner bark of trees, in the same manner. The 'old ladies' are not so modestly attired; they dress their hair with a mixture of mud and water, which has the double effect of destroying the vermin and keeping the hair in its place. They are a brave-looking tribe; very unlike the poor, timid Indian of the frontier."
From Trek of The Seven Sisters: Diary of Sister Monica Corrigan, 1870
"We started on our way at 4:00 o'clock a.m., and passed many recently made graves of persons who had been killed by the Indians. One of these, we were informed, contained the remains of a father, mother and five children.
"These burial places looked so sadly neglected; the wolves had even made holes in them. The desolate, lonely places in which these poor creatures were laid to rest, and still more, their melancholy and frightful death, cast a damper over our spirits, as we had no certainty of not meeting the same fate. And yet, why should we be sad? Did we not risk our lives for the love of Jesus? And would it not be glorious to have the happiness of dying for Him? But poor nature is weak, and although in spirit we coveted the privilege of so glorious an end, yet our frail, earthly bodies shrank from so trying an ordeal.
"We passed at night the Indians' place of worship. It is a natural construction of huge, immovable rocks, on which they cut the figures of their gods. There were various planets, different animals of the forest and even reptiles. The figures appear to be well made, and are quite interesting to look at. Oh! How my heart burned to make known to them the true and only God! We camped about 8:00 o'clock and took our supper by brush light as usual.
"We had a lamb this morning for breakfast; we called it our Passover. After offering up our prayers and placing ourselves with renewed confidence under the protection of Heaven, we resumed our journey at rather an advanced hour of the day under the rays of a scorching sun, the average heat in the shade being 125 degrees. We reached a ranch at noon and were accommodated with a room where we enjoyed the luxury of a 'good wash and change of clothing,' a refreshment of which we were sorely in need.
"We dined at 3:00 o'clock and after getting a supply of fresh water for our journey we started at 6:00 o'clock p.m. We entered the Arizona desert, traveled all night, and were so much fatigued, that almost everyone fell asleep, the driver permitting the horses to go at will. Father and his driver slept so soundly that Sister Martha was obliged to drive nearly all night.
"At 8:00 o'clock a.m. we refreshed ourselves with a cup of coffee, and traveled on until 2:30 p.m. when we were out of the desert. We took dinner at 5:00 o'clock p.m. and lodged at the house of a generous-hearted Irishman, Mr. Cosgrove. Whenever we had the good fortune to come across Irish or Mexicans, we were sure of meeting with a cordial reception, and of finding in them all the characteristics of true friends.
"We started early, entering upon the most dangerous portion of our journey, as we were in danger of being attacked and massacred by the savages at any moment; but placing ourselves in the hands of Providence, to whom we had consecrated our lives, we courageously advanced, feeling assured that His all-seeing eye would protect His chosen ones from danger; at all events, that whatever might befall us would be in accordance with His most holy will.
"When we stopped at noon, there was no room for us in the inn, so that we had not even a tree to shelter us from the burning rays of a tropical sun. The ruins of some old buildings were near; Mother went there to rest, and fell asleep. A troup of nude Indians came in the meantime, who are peaceable. They had the consideration to be quiet and let her sleep. Sister Martha was resting on an old cowhide. A noble warrior perceiving her, stole softly up and sat down beside her as her guardian angel.
"The remainder of the Sisters were in the wagon, while I employed myself in washing our stockings and handkerchiefs, and amused myself by taking notes for my 'Journal.' Father and the boy prepared dinner, after which we resumed our journey. About 4:00 o'clock p.m., we passed through the valley of the Pima Indians. Their dwellilngs are constructed of straw, and are shaped like a bird's nest in an inverted position; they vary from four to five feet in height, and have a small hole as a place of entrance.
"Their costume consists of two pieces of calico or flannel, extending to the knees, one piece hanging in front, the other behind. The young squaws are clothed with the inner bark of trees, in the same manner. The 'old ladies' are not so modestly attired; they dress their hair with a mixture of mud and water, which has the double effect of destroying the vermin and keeping the hair in its place. They are a brave-looking tribe; very unlike the poor, timid Indian of the frontier."
From Trek of The Seven Sisters: Diary of Sister Monica Corrigan, 1870
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