Made It Fit the Name

1901

"Red Rock, N. Y.," said a man who spent some time there, "isn't much of a place, but there is something interesting about it that I fancy all the world doesn't know. The present name is not the one it has always borne, and what its other name was I don't know. Whatever it was the people did not like it and concluded they would change it. There was no particular reason why they should call it Red Rock, but that was determined upon, and so Red Rock it became.

"Then in the course of time strangers of an inquiring turn of mind began to ask why the place had such a name, and as no reason could be given newcomers to the neighborhood began to want a name that meant something. This insistence grew so strong that the old residents began to look around for a reason for the name of their place, and at last they found a huge boulder nearby which they said was what had suggested the name. But the boulder was gray instead of red, and the progressists insisted that that would not do. At last the old timers hit upon a new plan, and, procuring a barrel of red paint, they painted the big rock red. Red Rock indeed it was now, and not only was all opposition to the name overcome, but the painting of the rock every spring has become an annual festival, and the people celebrate it with a big picnic and general celebration.

"It was a new idea to me, and if there is any other town anywhere on earth that is christened every spring with red paint or any other color I don't know where it is." — New York Sun.

Italy, the Most Famous Source for Marble

1919

Italy is one of the world's most famous sources of supply for both art and building marbles, and marble, granite and building stones are the common materials used for buildings in that country. Venice is a fireproof city, built of stone of Istria and marble; and the foundations and first courses, at least, of all palaces, public and municipal buildings, government and business edifices are of these materials.

The most important quarries in the Veneto are at and near Verona, the Veronese red and yellow marbles having been favorite building stones since the time when the Coliseum at Verona was constructed. For building, they rank next to the stone of Istria in popularity, and are true marbles, while the stone of Istria is not a true marble, although a very hard limestone, that is much used in Venice, because it resists the action of salt water.

Besides their value for construction, the Veronese marbles are in great demand for decorative work. Among the names of the several varieties of Veronese marbles are white nembro, coral pink, white peach, partridge eye, yellow snail, yellow azure, and paradise.

Pawnee Rock in Kansas

1900

Historic Indian Battle Spot Disappearing Year After Year

Nine miles northeast of Larned, Kansas, is a low, disintegrating pile of red sandstone, which is all that is now left of the once imposing Pawnee Rock.

This rock, which received its name from the tribe of Indians known as the Pawnees, has an interesting history — a history acquired during the time when this part of the country was a wild and dreary desert, inhabited only by the Indians and herds of roaming buffalo. On this rock have been waged many bloody conflicts between the Indians and travelers of the famous Santa Fe trail, and also between the different tribes of plains Indians. Surrounded by vast prairies with the trail running along its base, it afforded a good hiding place and battle ground for the savages.

In its primitive state Pawnee Rock rose to a considerable height, and from its summit a beautiful panorama spread before the lover of nature, and even now, from its reduced height, can be seen for miles a widespread landscape. Comparatively little remains to be seen of that once imposing promontory of the Kansas "desert," for the hand of man has done more in twenty years to efface it from the earth than the elements in centuries of time.

The material obtained by the destruction of this landmark of the early days, is used in the construction of dwellings, bridges, etc., by the inhabitants in the fertile valleys surrounding this spot.


Unlimited Possibilities

Chicago remarks that at her present rate of increase she will outstrip New York in population within twenty-five years. Wait till the census of 1930 and Chicago may be setting the pace for London itself. — Mexican Herald.

A Curious Legend — Standing Rock

1874

The new Indian agency between Grand River and Fort Rice, called Standing Rock, derives its name from a large boulder standing out alone upon the prairie about three miles from the river. There is a strange Indian superstition connected with this rock, and the Sioux City (Iowa) Journal thus tells it:

"Many years ago a powerful band of Indians made that section their stamping grounds. The chief of the band deserted his old wife for a young squaw. This so grieved the old Queen that she went back to the river, and sat upon the ground and mourned for several days. Upon the ninth day of her grief she turned into this large boulder.

"The Indians at that agency all believe this story to this day, and worship the boulder as a god. The rock has been decorated with ribbons, pieces of red flannel, and every high-colored piece of cloth they have been able to get hold of since time out of mind. These decorations are replaced as often as they become decayed or blown away by the winds.

"At the time of our visit it was trimmed in the most gorgeous trappings imaginable. Every portion of it was covered either with ribbons and rags or paint. Within a few inches of the sacred stone is a pail of water, which is never allowed to become empty; for it is the belief of those ignorant people that the old Queen of their ancestors frequently assumes the form of a squaw and drinks the water.

"In former years she drank much more than at present, they say; but this is easily explained. Then there was more game there, which, in wandering to the pail, drank the water. To disturb this bucket or any portion of the trimmings of the petrified squaw is considered a great offence against the Great Spirit, and is punishable by death."