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Mission Indians of Southern California Making Baskets and Hair Ropes
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From HARPERS WEEKLY, Journal of Civilization, dated October 20, 1877.
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It is seldom that American Indians are pictorially represented as otherwise engaged than in scalping,
stealing, or hunting. The above sketch forms an interesting exception to the rule. The Mission Indians
around Palo and San Diego, in Southern California, are dextrous workers in baskets and. In ropes made
of horse-hair. These ropes are generally twisted with hair of several colors, forming a very pretty
and even artistic combination. They cost from ten to twelve dollars apiece, and are mostly sold in
Texas and Mexico, where they are highly prized. The baskets are manufactured out of reeds and grass,
so closely woven as to be completely water-tight. They resemble the finest Japanese wicker-work, and
are considered an indispensable article of kitchen furniture in the households of Southern California.
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