m^. 
 
 '^*j?'^ 
 
MV5EVMOFTHEAMER.1CAN INDIAN! 
 
 HE-YE 
 FOVND ATIC 
 NEWYOUKCir 
 
 FREDERICK W. HODGE 
 
 Huntington Free Library 
 
 Native American 
 Collection 
 
 
 
 CORNELL UNIVERSITY 
 LIBRARY 
 
The original of tliis bool< is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924100742869 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 DF THE 
 
 CATHOLIC CHURCH 
 
 -I.N- 
 
 NEW MEXICO. 
 
 BY THE 
 
 Very Rev. James H. Defouri, 
 
 Pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Santa Fe. 
 
 McCoEMiCK Bbos., Pbintees, 410 Sansomb Stbeet, 
 
 SAN rBANOISOO, CAL. 
 1887. 
 
TO TXIE 
 MOST REV. ARCHBISHOPS LAMY AND SALPOINTE 
 
 THIS LIDTLB SKETCH IS DEDICATED BY 
 
 THEIR HUMBLE SEKVANT 
 
 AND DEVOTED SON IN CHRIST, 
 
 JAMES H. DEFOURI, 
 
 PASTOR or GUAi3ALUPE. 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 OF THE — 
 
 |^alho% «^l|^siri|K «tl^ ^^ Jil ^^^^^ 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 FiBST Attempt to Found a Mission. 
 
 It is customary for a certain class of men to assert at all 
 times and places, that this continent is indebted entirely- 1& 
 the Saxon or Anglo-Saxon race for its population, its civiliza- 
 tion and its progress.* These men, doubtless, forget that.this 
 is an injustice of the gravest nature. Many others who do not 
 think for themselves, follow them, ascribing to the Anglo- 
 Saxon people the honor of winning for civilization and the- 
 glorious destiny being worked out here, a continent which is; 
 the inspiration and spur of both. The world forgets too oft- 
 en that it was a child of the Latin race, a stanch Catholic, a 
 pious hero, who conceived the idea jof the Western continent, 
 
 * Statdsfieians place the population of America at 57,000,000 souls; na- 
 tive whites 38,601,676; native Negroes 6,566,776; native Indians 64,587; 
 Germans 1,966,742; Irish 1,854, 5r2; British 917,598; Canadians 275,000; 
 Scandinavians 449,262; French 106,971; Chinese 104,468, making a total 
 of 50,907,652. I call " natives" the sons of any of these nationalities, 
 who are born in the United States. The other 7,000,000 are of scattered 
 nationalities, such as Italians, Mexicans of old Mexico, Spaniards, etc. . 
 How many Anglo-Saxons are there ? 
 
4 CATHOLIC CHOEOH IN NEW MlftUCO. 
 
 and it was a Spauish Sovereign, a stout Catholic, Isabella sur- 
 named " the Catholic," who placed at his disposal the means 
 necessary to pursue his researches in the pathless and un- 
 known Western Ocean.. 
 
 ^ Latei', the Spanish people won through the gallantry of Cor- 
 tez the Mexico of to-day, and' the splendid Territory ol New 
 Mexico is but the hopeful progeny of the civilization he 
 planted there. If we consult the best historians of those times. 
 We find the hero Cortez, after burning his vessels, for he must 
 conquer or die — marching at the head of his five hundred war- 
 riors, preceded by a banner, on which was wrought in gold, 
 a beautiful cross on a black field, and beneath the cross these 
 memorable words: Amici Seqaamur Grucem, " Friends, let us 
 follow the Cross."* Horror-stricken at beholding the human 
 sacrifices offered everywhere by the natives, he destroyed their 
 idols satiated with human blood, and in their stead he planted 
 the Cross and built churches, where devoted priests sacrificed 
 themselves to the welfare of the Indians. 
 
 Soon after the death of MoDtezuma,f the last of the Incas, 
 the Spaniards were attracted towards what is now New Mex- 
 ico, by the wonderful tales they heard from the Indians, of its 
 great riches in gold and silver. ^ 
 
 * The best periodical in the whole West, the Monitor, published in 
 San Franeisco by the true hearted S. J. MoCormick, in its No. of Decem- 
 ber 29, 1886, has the foUo^ying: The Standakd or Cobtez. — Among the 
 prized relics which are shown in the National Museum at Mexico, is the 
 
 , banner under which Cortez conquered the Empire of the Montezumas. 
 It is of red damask, with a very beautiful picture of the Blessed Virgin 
 painted upon it. She wears a gold crown, and is encircled by twelve gold 
 stars; a blue cloak and red dress, her hands united, as if to implore her 
 
 ■ Son to aid in overthrowing the idolatrous dynasty. On the otherside are 
 the arms of Castile and Leon. It is about threfe feet square, and was 
 ■preserved in the University in a frame under glass to prevent decay. A 
 few years ago it was removed to the National Museum for better preserva- 
 tion. Its authenticity is sustained by a series of accounts, beginning with 
 that of Bernal Diaz, who describes how it was borne iu the procession 
 when Cortez returned thanks to God at Cuyoaoan for the capture of the 
 city of Mexico in 1519. 
 
 + Some writers consider the history of Montezuma mythical. Others 
 consider him as a powerful monarch; it is all an error. Mexico was a 
 
 confederacy, and he was the principal chief, or president, Montezuma 
 -means the " Great Chief ," or " Worthy Chief." He receiTed a tribute 
 
 rom all the States or Provinces of the Confederacy. 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN N^W MEXICO. 5 
 
 When Cortez conquered Mexico in 1521, he came across 
 traditions among the Aztecs, who had founded the city of 
 Mexico in 1325 — traditions •which still exist among the Pueb- 
 los of New Mexico, as well remarks Hon. W. G. Ritch, ex-Sec- 
 retary of New Mexico, in his " Chronological Annals of New 
 Mexico," that they came originally from Salt Lakes, Lagunas 
 Saladas, far to the north, and that Montezuma, mounted upon 
 an eagle, subsequently led them from Pecos, where he was 
 born, or at least where he dwelt, to the city of Mexico. They 
 called what is now New Mexico, the '' Seven Cities," relating in 
 glowing terms the wealth and greatness, as well as the beauty 
 of that country. 
 
 Among these " Seven Cities" was one, pre-eminent even in 
 those remote times, called Tiguex or Tegua, now Santa Fe.* 
 That it was renowned at the time of the founding of the Aztec 
 Confederacy in 1426, is very plain from the taxes it had to pay 
 toward the general government, an account of which I have 
 read but cannot now find. It belonged to the Province of the 
 Tajnos (or Tanos) which contained forty-thousand inhabitants. 
 Tiguex played a prominent part at the time of the expedition 
 I of C|,ronado in 1541. The land of the "Seven Cities" was 
 called also by the name of Cibola. Under this name, the origin 
 of which is uncertain, it was known by the Spaniards, ten years 
 before the expedition of Caronado. Davisf says it means "The 
 Buffalo," but searching Spanish lexicons he finds it translated 
 " a quadru^d, called the Mexican bull;" Mexico was then 
 known as the country of the buffaloes. 
 
 It would carry us too far back to speak in detail of the vari- 
 ous expeditions sent from Mexico to Cibola. Nuno de Gusman 
 was the first to start, but he' never reached it, and after num- 
 berless difficulties he founded the Kingdom of New Galicia, 
 establishing the seat of his Government at Xalisco and Tolona. 
 After eight years he was deposed by the Viceroy, Don Anto- 
 nio De Mendoza, and thrown into prison. Subsequently Fran- 
 
 * More than one writer doubts the identity of Tiguex with Santa Fe. 
 But so far nothing has been brought forward, but mere assertions. On 
 the other hand Eaany others are of the opinion which I follow. I regret 
 the loss of the "List of taxes imposed upon the various pueblos," as it was 
 a document of real value which would go far towards proving my opinion. 
 
 t Conquest, p. 110. 
 
« 
 
 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 ■oisco Vasquez Caronado, a gentleman from Salamanca, in 
 Spain, but for some time established in Mexico, was appoint- 
 ■ed Governor of New Galicia. It was at that time that Cabeza 
 •de Vaoa gave Mendoza so bright an account of Cibola, that a 
 new expedition was decided upon.* This expedition was 
 placed by Mendoza, under the direction of a Franciscan friar, 
 aiamed Marcos de Nizza, an Italian by birth, of the city of 
 Nice. He was a man full of zeal and inured to hardship and 
 -danger. Marcos and his little army set out. from Culiacaa, 
 Friday, 7th of March, 1539. He went no further than Cibola; 
 -deterred as he was by the dangers surrounding him, for he 
 bad been threatened by the Indians, if he proceeded on his 
 journey. He planted a cross and took possession of the coun- 
 try, " In the name of Mendoza, for his Majesty the Emperor," 
 and called the country. El Ifiievo Reyno de San Francisco — 
 TThe new kingdom of St. Francis. 
 
 After the return of Marcos, Caronado grew excited at the 
 accounts of the Friar, set out for Mexico, and was appointed 
 Captain-general of a new expedition. A number ot priests 
 Joined Caronado, and Castaneda, the historian of the expedition, 
 was probably one of them. In any case, he was a man of educa- 
 tion and accustomed to writing, and his narrative is far 
 superior to most of the histores composed at that period. 
 His book was translated into French by Ternaux Campans, in 
 1838. 
 
 Coronado having appointed his officers, mailed to the 
 place of rendezvous, Campostella, in the State of Xalisco, in 
 separate columns, and arrived there on Shrove-Tuesday, 1541. 
 Soon after leaving Campostella, the troops which had started 
 in high sf)irits, became discouraged. The soldiers did not 
 know how to pack horses; the most refined gentlemen were 
 obliged to be their own muleteers, and necessity obliged the 
 noble and low-born to perform the same menial services. Dif- 
 ficulties increased, but Father Marcos, who was the very spir- 
 it of the expedition, encouraged the troops; thus they advanc- 
 ed by slow journeys to the New Kingdom of Saint Francis. 
 
 * Cabeza de Vaca had, as is well-known, crossed with four companions 
 the whole Oontinent from Florida to the Pacific Ocean. The learned 
 -Bendelier is of opinion that he never crossed Oibola, but far more to the 
 south. Be this as it may, he nevertheless spoke as if he had visited the 
 -country. 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. • 
 
 Soon Caroaado quartered bis troops at Cibola, and sent before 
 him Hernando Al\arado, who with twenty men was to accom- 
 pany some Indians who had come from Tiguex and Cicuye, to 
 invite them to visit their pueblos. .Alvarado treated the 
 pueblo of Tiguex, in a very harsh manner, compelling them to 
 leave their houses, and forbidding them to take anything with 
 them; he sent ivord to Caronado to come there to make his win- 
 ter quarters. This action of Alvarado, was the commence- 
 ment of that terrible hatred of the Indians for the Spaniards^ 
 which, after centuries of suffering, culminated in the overthrow 
 of the Spanish rule at Tiguex and of the whole of the territory. 
 
 In the Spring of 1542, Caronado set out for Cicuye and^ 
 thence proceeded on the plains, and reached the river of 
 " Seven Leagues," " covered with vessels," as told by the In- 
 , dians. It appears he reached Missouri, at the plaice where 
 now stands Fort Leavenworth; when, discouraged at not find- 
 ing the gold he sought, he started on his homeward journey, 
 foot sore, tired and soiled by travel, he reached again Tiguex 
 for the winter of 1542, and wintered there. \ 
 
 Many soldiers and even officers, unwilling to return to Mex- 
 ico, deserted the service and remained at Tiguex, and formed 
 the first white settlement in that renowned place. These 
 events happened at the beginning of April 1543, a date to 
 which we can well assign, the foundation of Santa Fe as a 
 Mission, although it was not called by that name until 1598, 
 when we see it called so by Juan de Onate in his Discurso de 
 las jornadas que hizo el Capritan de su Magestad desade la 
 Nueva Esperna, a la ptovincia de la Nueva Mexico, Septenjber 
 9,1598; alo/ciudad de San Franoisco de losUspanoles que al 
 presente se Edifiean. (Discourse of the journeys made by the 
 Captain of His Majesty from New Spain to the Province of 
 New Mexico, September 9, 1598, the city of Saint Francis of 
 the Spaniards, which they are now building.) It was then 
 that the city took the name of Santa Fe; some authors say 
 that for five years it was called Yonque, but this is'probably a 
 mistake; this was the first attempt at founding a mission.* 
 
 " It is possible that iu 1543 was built the celebrated church of San 
 Miguel, which stands to-day, at least as far as the lower walls are con- 
 cerned, for it was destroyed by the Indians in 1680. 
 
CATHOLIC CHUBCH IN NEW. MEXICO. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 History of the Mission of Santa Fb, 1543. 
 
 When Caronado returned from his expedition to the Mis- 
 souri river, in the Fall of 1542, he was perfectly discouraged ; 
 all discipline was at an- end, and thus he passed the Winter at 
 Tiguex. 
 
 Early in'the Spring he met with a serious accident, being 
 thrown senseless from his horse, and was confined to bed tor 
 a long time, with his life in great danger. When recovering, 
 hearing of the revolt of some Indians who had been goaded to 
 it by the conduct of some of his officers in their regard, he was 
 seriously affected and bad a relapse. Anxious to return to 
 Mexico, he caused his officers and soldiers to petition him to 
 lead them back to New Spain. Soon the soldiers regretted 
 this petition, they preferred to remain at Tiguex, and they 
 begged of him to.revoke it, but he sternly refused, and shut 
 himself up, not wishing to see any one. They resolved to 
 steal the petition they had given him in writing, but he kept 
 it about his person day and night. The desertion of officers 
 and soldiers became almost a stampede, and Caronado had 
 not a hundred men to return to Mexico, which he reached only 
 to find the Viceroy much displeased with the manner in which 
 be had conducted the expedition. Soon afterwards he was 
 deprived of his province, and fell into disgrace. 
 
 The Spanish settlement at Santa Fe- dates, therefore, from 
 the leaving of Caronado in the Spring of 1543. This is so 
 , true that Caronado left with the deserters Blathers Juan de 
 Padilla and Juan de la Cruz, with a Portuguese named An- 
 dres de C8,mpo, to wait on them. Father Juan de la Cruz 
 went on a mission to Cibola, and was killed by the Indians. 
 Juan de Padilla remained for some time at Tiguex ; soon he 
 extended the sphere of his missions, and hearing of the good 
 disposition of the Indians of Quivira, he went to visit them; 
 but he was killed by Tejas Indians while on his knees at 
 prayer. The Tejas did not wish him to go to Quivira, because 
 they were at war with that pueblo. 
 
 Father Juan de Padilla was afterwards buried in the church 
 of the Pueblo of l|ja Isleta. His coffin was made of a hollow 
 
CATHOLIC CHDKCH IN' NEW MEXICO. i) 
 
 alamo, and a strange rumor of him is current among the men of 
 the Pueblo, and the country about. It is said that no matter how 
 deep he is buried, he always rises in his cofQn to the very sur- 
 face of the ground; thus he was found two or three times. 
 His body is within the sanctaary, on the Gospel side, between 
 the wall and the altar platform. Whatever be the cause of 
 this, it is worthy of investigation, as there is but little doubt 
 that he died the death of a martyr. 
 
 Thus, for a while, the Spanish deserters and new settlers, 
 the first Catholic mission at Tiguex, and for all that, in the 
 whole of New Mexico, were left without the means of prac- 
 ticing their religion. They were not long without priests. The 
 Franciscan Order sent more Eeligious to search for the lost 
 Spaniards and to convert the Indians. Among many others 
 are named Fathers Augustine Ruiz, Francisco Lopez and Juan 
 de, Santa Maria. They were accompanied by twelve soldiers 
 who came with them as far as the pueblo of Sandia, near 
 Bernalillo. There they abandoned the Fathers and returned 
 home. Father Juan de Santa Maria came 'to Tiguex; he at- 
 tended to the wants of the settlers, converted a number of In- 
 dians who had returned to their houses. He succeeded so well 
 that he set out for Mexico to call more priests, and to give an 
 account of his micision; but be was killed by the Teguas Indiana 
 neara pueblo called SanPablo, in the neighborhood6fElPaso. 
 Father Lopez also was killed while at his devotions outside of 
 the pueblo of Paruay, on the Rio Grande, and Father Ruiz re- 
 mained alone mourning the loss of his companions. Still hewas 
 notdiseouragedandresolvedtocontinue his mission. Thegovern- 
 or of Paruay, much affected by the death of Lopez, resolved to 
 to save Ruiz by removing him to pueblos farther. up on the 
 river; but his death was resolved, and it was impossible to 
 save him. He was killed a few days afterwards and his body 
 thrown into the river, then in flood, as food for the fishes. 
 Thus, the Teguas Indians completed their bloody and unholy 
 work, putting to death three men of God, who had come only 
 with the strength of their charity and their zeal for the salva^ 
 tion of souls. 
 
 Here is the time for saying, " Fear not, little flock, for it is 
 well known that the blood of martyrs is the seed of salvation." 
 The work of saving souls was progressing everywhere, and- 
 priest sucesded priest in this arduous work. Old chroniclers 
 
10 CATHOLIC CHtfRCH IN NEW MEXICJO. 
 
 tell jns that by the year 1629, there were baptized, thirty-four 
 thousand six hundred and fifty Indians, and many others 
 ■were in a state of conversion, and at that time there were al- 
 ready forty three churches in New Mexico, all built by the In- 
 dians, except San Miguel, in Santa Fe, built possibly about or 
 soon after 1543, and afterwards destroyed and rebuilt again, and 
 Our Lady of Guadalupe, also in Santa Fe, which may have been 
 built by the Spaniards about 1598, as also other churches, 
 now forgotten. A sure fact is that in February 1614, the body 
 of Lopez was disinterred and solemnly deposited in the church 
 of the pueblo of Sandia, with great ceremonies. " A number 
 of priests" having come from Santa Fe, and the surrounding 
 pueblos, " all marching on foot and dressed in full vest- 
 ments."* 
 
 The Frsinciscan Order, alarmed at the return of the soldiers 
 to Mexico, knowing well that their priests were without help 
 in a heathen country, immediately appealed to men of good 
 will to go out and rescue -them. Antonio de Espejp, a man 
 of courage and faith, offered his services to the Franciscans; 
 they accepted them, and with the royal permission, an army 
 was fitted out, which left San Bartolomeo, in Mexico, on the 
 10th of December, 1582. 
 
 Espejo everywhere pacified the Indians; everywhere the 
 numerous priests, who accompanied him, made'coaversions. 
 He destroyed no property, and persuaded all of the In- 
 dians to stay in their houses and be friendly with the Span- 
 iards. All over he built churches, erected crosses, and 
 formed settlements of white people, alongside of the Indian 
 settlements. Espejo did much for the pacification of the In- 
 dians. Having fulfilled his engagement with the Franciscans, - 
 the three Fathers having been put to death as we have seen 
 above, he nevertheless remained in New Mexico, visiting many 
 provinces, making stanch friends of the Indians, establishing 
 parishes and forming Settlements. He returned to Mexico in 
 the beginning of July, 1584. He there wrote the relation of 
 his journey for Conde de Caruna, the Viceroy, who for- 
 warded the same to the King of Spain and the lords of the 
 council for the Indians. These documents, with many others 
 before and after, were deposited in the royal library of Se- 
 " ville, and I understand that the government of Spain is about 
 
 * See Davis, Conquest. 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEKICO. 11 
 
 to publish the whole, with magnificent charts, under the name 
 of Cartas de las Indias. 
 
 It would be out of my purpose to write in detail the suc- 
 cessive expeditions of Humana, who on account of his cruel- 
 ty, had his army almost annihilated by the Quiviras; of Juan 
 de Onate, who brought over three hundred families to settle 
 them in the territory, and established most^ of them in the 
 country about Santa Cruz and Santa Fe, but obtained permisr 
 sion to reduce " the nativeg to a slate of obedience, which 
 he interpreted by reducing them to slavery." All these facts 
 were written by Padre Geronimo de Yarate Salmeron, a Fran- 
 ciscan who remained eight years in New Mexico, visited all 
 the Pueblos, and went personally to Mexico to lay before his 
 superiors the result of his mission. His journal was approved 
 in the year 1629 by Father Francisco de Apodaca, his Su- 
 pei'ior-general. 
 
 It seems that all or nearly all the Indians being Christians, 
 as well as their rulers, the Spaniards, things should have gone 
 on smoothly. The simple-minded natives were generally of 
 an amiable disposition, helping the Spaniards in the cultiva- 
 tion of their fields, and performing other menial duties. But 
 in a few years the Spaniards began to assume the prerogatives 
 of masters; a rule of tyranny and slavery was established. In- 
 stead of letting the_ priests alone to see to the conversion of 
 the Indians, fanatical Spaniards tried to convert them with 
 the sword. In a short time they looked upon the Spaniards 
 with intense hatred; low murmurs followed, and then open 
 revolt. They were arrested and severely punished, but never 
 resigned. Thus it went on for centuries; the Church suffered 
 much ip those times, and the conversion of the Indians was 
 greatly retarded. Finally it culminated in the great Rebellion 
 of 1680, which shall be treated separately. 
 
12 , CATHOr.IC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 The Gbbat Revolt of 1680. 
 
 In the year 1680, Pope, a native of the pueblo of San Juan, 
 a man of decided ability and great eloquence, visited all the 
 pueblos of New Mexico and pictu«ed to them the wrongs they 
 were suffering, and roused them to a desire of throwing off the 
 yoke. 
 
 Pope enjoined absolute secrecy on all; the pueblos were all 
 invited, except that of Piras. Helping Pope in his endeavors 
 were Catite, a half-breed Queres Indian, Tacu of San Juan, 
 Taca of Taos, and Francisco of San Ildefonso. San Juan, 
 however, remained faithful to the Spaniards, and was on that 
 account called San Juan de los Gaballeros — The gentlemanly San 
 Juaners. Nicholas Bua, governor of San Juan, Pope's son-in- 
 law, was put to death at the hand of Pope himself, for fear he 
 would betray him to the Spaniards.* The time fixed for the 
 Rebellion was the 10th of August; all preparations were made 
 to massaci:e every Spaniard — priest and layman in the country. 
 But the Indiana of Tezuque, a few miles from Santa Fe, al- 
 though they had participated in the plot,- came to the govern- 
 or two days before, and divulged the scheme. The Indians, 
 being apprised of this, resolved upon the work of destruction 
 without delay, and all Christians, priests and seculars, wom- 
 en and children fell under their blows, except a few of the 
 handsomest maidens whom the warriors reserved for wives. 
 General Otermin, the governor, was unprepared and paralyzed 
 with fear; the capital was besieged by an army, and Otermin 
 with a few followers, unable lo defend Santa Fe,, resolved to 
 leave it to its fate, and with all the Spaniards fled, and never 
 
 * Pop^ visited Bua at night, and under the pretext of communicating lo 
 him important secrets, drew him out of the pueblo into a dark spot, and 
 while speaking to him, plunged a knife in his heart. Bua did not expect 
 such a treatment, and was unarmed. He fell with a,faint cry, and was soon 
 dispatched and buried secretly by the treacherous Pop^. It was re- 
 ported that he had gone to Santa' F^ to confer with the Spaniards. When 
 he did not return, it was said he was held in captivity by the authori- 
 ties. 
 
CA.THOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 13 
 
 rested till he reached El Paso, where the Franciscans support- 
 ed him and his followers for a whole winter. Some of the 
 Spaniards settled in Socorro, desiring to return to Santa Fe in 
 a short time. 
 
 In the meanwhile, Santa Fe was given up to pillage. The 
 churches were desecrated and partly pulled down. San Miguel 
 and the Castrense church suffered much; Guadalupe being 
 somewhat out of town fared better for awhile, but was sacked 
 the following year. The Indians, putting on priestly vest- 
 ments, were seen riding about the city, drinking from sacred 
 vessels, which could not be carried away. In other pueblos 
 and villages, the priests and Spaniards, not being aware of the 
 rising, remained quietly in their houses, and were all mas- 
 sacred with great cruelty and wantonness; then the churches 
 were razed to the ground; the worship of the serpent, with its 
 dances, including the indecent cacMna, were prescribed anew 
 to all good Indians, the estufas were reopened, and they were 
 ordered to abandon even the names of their baptism, and take 
 new ones. It was decreed in solemn council that " God, the 
 Father, and Mary, the Mother of the Spaniards were dead, and 
 that the Indian gods alone remained." They made offerings 
 of flour, feathers, corn, tobacco and other articles to propitiate 
 their heathen deities. After this, all those grim warriors re- 
 paired to the little Santa Fe river, and there, divesting them- 
 selves of their scant clothing, washed their whole bodies with 
 amole or soap-weed, to " Wash off their baptism." 
 
 Hundreds of Spaniards, among whom were eighteen priests, 
 besides civilized Indians, fell during the Eebellion and the 
 withdrawing of Ofcermin. The loss to the Indians in the vil- 
 lages which defended themselves, was.much more consider- 
 able. In Santa F e alone, with the scanty means that the 
 Spaniards had, more than four hundred were killed, and many 
 more were wounded. 
 
 On the 5th of November of the following year, Otermin, 
 equipped by the Franciscans of El Paso, started with an army 
 to reconquer New Mexico. All the old inhabitants of Santa 
 Fe, eager to recover their property, went with him. They 
 suffered greatly while crossing La Jornada del Muerto, where 
 for a distance of ninety mile^, water is not to be found, ex- 
 cept what collects in holes after a rain. 
 
 La Jornada del Muerto is properly a table-land betwe.en 
 
14 . CATHOLIC GHUECH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 raountains, and is shaped like a canoe. Its width varies from 
 five to thirty miles; a high range of mountains in the west 
 shuts up all approach to the Eio Grande, which makes a very 
 long bend to the west. It has been named the " Journey of 
 Death," on account of the number of persons killed, either by 
 Mescalero Apache Indians, by want of water, or by storms 
 while crossing it. To-day the A. T. S.' F. railroad passes 
 through it, and water has been found in about its center. 
 
 Otermin, following the Rio Grande, marched towards Santa 
 Fe; some Pueblos submitted , but only while the troops were 
 present. Still the priests, and in particular, Father Ayeta, of 
 El Paso, who accompanied the expedition, baptized many at 
 La Isleta and Sandia, but when the army reached the Pueblo 
 of Cienegilla, near Santa Fe, Juan, a Tozuque Indian, advised 
 them of a plot to destroy them. Afraid of remaining any 
 longer in the country, they set out on their homeward journey 
 and reached El Paso on the 11th of February, 1582. 
 
 Several other attempts at conquest were made in .1685 by 
 Domingo Jeronza Petrez de Cruzate, the newly appointed 
 governor. Only fragments of Cruzate's journal remain in the 
 archives of Santa Fe. We know that-he was governor until 
 1G89, but never reached his capital. 
 
 In 1692, a new expedition was entrusted to Don Diego de 
 Vargas Zapate Lnjan by the Viceroy, Count Galvas. He left 
 El Paso on the 31st of August, and by rigid marches reached 
 Santa Fe on the 12th of September, 
 
 Diewo de Vargas, deserves more than a passing notice. It 
 has been said that he was an avaricious and ambitious man. 
 It is true that later on, when he had conquered all the Pueblos, 
 and placed them under the Spanish rule, he seemed to incline to 
 those vices, but he was a man of faith, feared by the Indians 
 who remained his enemies, but kind and generous to those 
 who acknowledged his rule. All of these were placed in pueb^ 
 los, with the best lands which the country could afford. 
 
 Vargas carried everywhere with him a statue of the Blessed 
 Virgin Mary, and wherever he stopped, a little sanctuary was 
 built, and devotions were offered by the army. We may meet 
 yet several of those places, called by the people los palacios, 
 among others one near Agua Frja, five miles west of Santa 
 Fe. He entered the city by the road called El oamino de Var- 
 gas, and stood with his troops near the church of Our Lady of 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 15 
 
 Guadalupe.* Thence, crossing the Rio Santa Fe at a place 
 called yet — Puente de Vargas, he went to the very spot where 
 now stands the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary, and there 
 he erected apalacio. On the next day, September 13th, Var- 
 ga,s with his small troop, attacked the Indians, who were cen- 
 tered on a waste, which is now the beautiful plaza of Santa 
 Fe; they had fortified themselves, and were reinforced by the 
 neighboring pueblos, to thte number of ten thousand. 
 The battle raged with great ardor on both sides from four ia 
 the morning until nightfall, without apparent result. Then, 
 Vargas, in the name of his troops on their bended knees, be- 
 fore the statue of Mary, made the solemn vow, that should he 
 take the city, every year that same statue should be brought ia 
 solemn procession from the principal church in the city to the 
 spot on which they were camping, where he should build a 
 sanctuiry, and there be left for nine days, the people flocking 
 to the chapel to thank Mary for this victory, attributed to her.. 
 On the dawn of day, the next morning, he attacked with im- 
 petuosity the fortified Indians, and drove them from the 
 plaza; at eight o'clock they retired upon the loma, north of 
 the city wbere he attacked them, and by noon not an Indian 
 was seen in the neighborhood. 
 
 Faithful to his promise, Vargas built the Sanctuary of Our 
 Lady of the Rosary, and the fulfilment of the vow, commenc- 
 ed then, siill continues every year on the Sunday after the 
 Octave of Corpus Christi, by carrying what is most probably 
 the identical statue possessed by Vargas, and called by the 
 people Nuestra Senora de la Victoria, " Our Lady of the Vic- 
 tory, "f in great pomp, with music and pious chanting, from 
 the Cathedral of St. Francis to the Chapel of the Rosary, and 
 for nine days mass is chanted there, all the people making 
 daily pilgrimages in thanksgiving for the favor received. The 
 
 * The reason why Vargas crossed the river was the greater facility he 
 had of attacking the Indians from the north-west, the ground being high- 
 er and the plaza being more open on that side. Besides, what is now 
 Lower San Francisco street, was a groVe of trees in low, swampy gronnd, 
 the bed of the river not being as deep as it is now. 
 
 + It is also called la Conquistadoi-a. There seems very little doubt but 
 it is Vargas' statue. It has been somewhat repaired a few years ago, and 
 the repairs have spoiled the natural beauty of her face, for it is of fiae 
 execution. 
 
16 CATHOLIC CHUECH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 church built in baste by Vargas fell into a ruinous state, and 
 the one standing there now was commenced over the old one 
 in the year 1807, and solemnly blessed in 1808, 
 
 Santa Fe having fallen, twelve surrounding pueblos submit- 
 ted at once, and were taken possession of in the name of the 
 King of Spain. The priests baptized in Santa Fe seven hun- 
 dred and sixty -nine persons. The work of pacifying the ter- 
 ritory became easy, and soon universal peace reigned in New 
 Mexico. Vargas then repaired the churches, and among the 
 first the old church of San Miguel, but did not complete it, 
 and it remained in that state until 1710, when the front tower 
 was built by the Marquez de la Penuela, as an inscription in 
 the church testifies. Ue built the Bosario, and no doubt, re- 
 paired the old Castrense, for his own use. This church was on 
 the spot occupied now by the great merchant houses of Spieg- 
 elberg and Don Felipe Delgado. The Cathedral of San Fran- 
 cisco was re-built somewhat later, I think abput 1730, long 
 after the removal of Vargas. The church of Gruadalupe, as 
 mentioned above, being somewhat out of the city, seems to 
 have suffered less than the other churches at the time of the 
 Rebellion. 
 
 We may well say that the conquest of New Mexico termi- 
 nated there, and that the power of the Indian nations was 
 broken forever. At that epoch, the authority of the Spaniards 
 both ecclesiastical and civil, was acknowledged in all the pueb- 
 los. 
 
CATHOLIC CHDKCH IN NEW MEXICO. 17 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Los Pueblos. 
 
 The question has been often raised, "Were the Pueblos 
 placed in villages by the Spaniards, or did the Spaniards find 
 them in pueblos or towns in coming into New Mexico ?" 
 
 It requires but slight reading and examination to be satis- 
 fied that, on their arrival the Spaniards found these people 
 living in villages, many of which still exist. The old descrip- 
 tions given by Castaneda and others about the villages of the 
 Moquis, Zuni, Acoma, Jemes, Tiguex, Oicuye and others, are 
 too plain to be mistaken . 
 
 The people of these pueblos were doubtless of the old Mex- 
 ican stock. There is i^o doubt of identity of race, religion and 
 customs between the indigenous population' of Old and New 
 Mexico. Neither is there any doubt, that the description of 
 Baco and Caste'nada equally establish the identity of the 
 Pueblos they found with those of to-day. The Pueblos, then 
 as now, were a distinct people from the wild, roaming savages. 
 They lived in villages, cultivated the soil, and had trades and 
 manufacturer. 
 
 The Navajoes and Apaches of to-day, are as easily distin- 
 guished from the Pueblos as in the time of the earliest con- 
 querors of New Mexico. 
 
 Again, we find the village life of the native Mexican recog- 
 nized in the earliest Spanish records of the conquest; and 
 within four years after the landing of Cortez, provision by roy- 
 al decree was made for the protection of the system. It is true 
 that the language of the decree gives the impression that the 
 Pueblos were then for the first time to be placed in villages; 
 but a careful scrutiny of subsequent decrees, and of the ac- 
 counts left by Cortez, will show that they were, in fact, already 
 living in small and scattered villages, and that for safety, de- 
 fense, economy of government and facilities for religious in- 
 struction, they were brought into larger communities. 
 
 We possess an edict dated June 26, 1523, one of 1533, one 
 of 1538. Charles V, on the 21st of March, 1551, issued also a 
 decree from Cigales as it can be found in La Ley Ide la Ee- 
 capilacion de las Indias. Philip II, in consequence of the in- 
 
18 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MKXICO. 
 
 tention of the Emperor Charles, published a statute on the 
 founding of settlements. It would be entirely too long to 
 quote any part of these decrees, thus issued from time to time 
 by the Kings of Spain, down to the time of the revolt of Mex- 
 ico. I pass to the origin of the Pueblos. The most accepta- 
 ble opinion concerning the origin and race of the Pueblos is, 
 that they are of the same people and stock as the Mexicans 
 found by Cortez. Separated from their more favored brethren 
 of the Valley of Mexico f'who far surpass them in the arts of- 
 civilization) by two thousand miles of mountains and unin- 
 habited regions, yet evidently they were of the same origin, reli. 
 gion and language; left, doubtless in the Valley of the Eio 
 Grande at the time when the forefathers of those who fought 
 Cortez were progressing southwardly. 
 
 Learned treatises have been written on'the subject; some 
 contending that the Pueblos are of Aztec, others that they are 
 of Toltec origin. But the question remains as obscure as be- 
 fore. Their traditions say that they came from the north. 
 How did they come to the north ? I think the opinion which 
 says that they are the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, mixed with 
 some Tartars, is not at all improbable.-* I lately «aw a work- 
 in which the author tries to prove they were Phonicians and 
 not Jews. Classed by dialectSj the pueblos of New Mexico, at 
 the period of the arrival of the Spaniards, spoke four separate 
 and distinct languages, called the Tegua, the Piro, the Queres 
 and the Tagnos, This classification has passed away, and to- 
 day all the Pueblos of New Mexico are divided, as to dialect, 
 i nto five classes : 1, Sandia, Isleta, Picuri s and Taos; 2, Co- 
 
 * AocQrding to the Chihuahua Enterprise, about four leagues south of 
 Magdalena in Sonora, a pyramid cut in the. rock has been found with 
 1350 feet of base and a height 750 feet, with a winding roadway from the 
 bottom, easy of ascent, and large enough for carriages; the walls are cov- 
 ered with debris, and the suaharo and other indigenous plants cover the. 
 whole; the rocks about half way up are of gypsum; there are no windows 
 and the entrance is at the top; the rooms are one above the other, but so 
 as to leave a terrace in front of each dwelling. The next one receding 
 several feet, and so on to the top; the rooms are eight feet from floor to 
 ceiling. The great question is, who were the people who lived there and 
 at what period did they live there ? Some say they were the ancestors of 
 the Mayas, a race of Indians who still inhabit southern Sonora, who 
 have blue eyes, fair skin and light hair, and are said to be a moral, in- 
 dustrious and frugal race of people, who have a written language and 
 know something of mathematics. 
 
CATHOLIC CHDRCH IN NEW MEXICO. / 19 
 
 chiti, Santo Domingo, San Felipe, Santa Ana, Laguna and 
 Aeoma; 3, Jemes; 4, Zani; 5, San Juan, Santa Clara, 'Natnbe, 
 San Ildefonso, Pojuaque and Tezuqug. 
 
 Thus by language, these Indians are nearly all cut off from 
 verbal communication, not only with Mexicans, but with 
 Pueblos of a different dialect. Some of them speak Spanish, 
 and this is their mode of communication with other Pueblos 
 of a different native tongue. It does not follow, however, that 
 the groups by dialect correspond with their geographical 
 grouping, and this is owing to the massing the Indians in 
 larger pueblos, for the sake of economy and the facilities of 
 instruction. 
 
 The Pueblo's manner of building is very peculiar, and the 
 fact that the houses of some of the primitive races, still exist- 
 ing in parts of Old Mexico, and those now found in the pueb- 
 lo villages of New Mexico, are of perfectly similar construc- 
 tion and distribution, goes far to fix the identity of the mod- 
 ern pueblo with th^ primitive Mexican race. 
 
 I have visited several pueblos in New Mexico; everywhere 
 you find a square, small or large, according to the size of the 
 village; around the " plaza," the dwellings are erected close 
 together, so as to present outwardly an unbroken line of wall 
 to the height of two or three stories. Viewed from the inner 
 square, it presents the appearance of a succession of terraces 
 with doors and windows opening upon them. To go to the 
 house of the governor of Tezuque, for instance, you go up a 
 ladder of about ten feet. There you meet a terrace about six 
 feet wide, and the door of the sleeping apartment opens on 
 that terrace", which has another ladder to go higher. Togo 
 to the lower apartments, you place the ladder and descend 
 through a hole; these apartments have no windows, and this 
 hole is the door and the chimney. This description, with 
 slight variations is applicable to all the pueblo villages, how- 
 ever they may differ in size, position or nature of the ground. 
 
 Time, decay and want of proper care, are rapidly carrying 
 off forever many documents of great importance, sole survivors 
 of many more, which formed a part of the archives of Santa 
 Pe. Papers of value, known to have existed there some years 
 since, have disappeared; many others are in a perishing con- 
 dition, and it is said that in 1846, Governor Armijo used up a 
 large quantity of them for cartridges; and alas ! he was not 
 
20 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 the only one that did it. Among these documents the statis- 
 tical ones are particularly numerous and satisfactory. Under 
 the Spanish governments the whole military, civil and ecclesi- 
 astical administration was admirably carried out, and the of- 
 ficial reports are models of completeness and brevity. 
 
 Father J. B. Francolon, lately parish priest of Santa Cruz 
 de la Canada has yet in his possession a circular letter from 
 one of the Superiors of the Franciscans to his brethren to gath- 
 er up all the statistics, all facts worth preserving, and forward 
 them yearly to the mother house at Mexico. No doubt the 
 order was strictly obeyed. 
 
 Each pueblo has a separate and independent organization of 
 its own. Their officers are a Cacique or Governor, Alcalde, 
 War Captain, and Fiscal Major. These officers are elected 
 and receive their confirmation from the Indian agent in Santa 
 F6. The Alcalde answers to our Justice of the Peace, but his 
 decision is without appeal. All the pueblo disputes are set- 
 tled within their own villages, without a^iy recourse to our 
 tribunals. 
 
 The results of the impression made upon the Pneblo Indians 
 by the early Spanish missionaries are quite marked, but sadly 
 damaged and disfigured by the neglect of the Mexican govern- 
 ment and priesthood, and the almost total absence of mission- 
 aries for many years. Nevertheless, every village has its Cath- 
 olic church; some of them are very old. For instance, at the 
 Pueblo of Tezuque you can read on a roughly painted altar 
 piece the date 1745. 
 
 Many stories are told Of what passes in their Estuva, but all 
 this is exaggeration. However, it must be acknowledged that 
 they have a number of superstitious practices, and in particu- 
 lar have among them many secret societies that ho one outside 
 of the pueblo can ever penetrate. 
 
 They are good tillers of the ground, and some pueblos have 
 great herds of cattle and horses; their principal manufacture 
 consists of pottery. The vases and other articles they make 
 are all of classic and Biblical shapes. These vases are exten- 
 sively used through the territory. 
 
CATHOLIC CHUECH IN NEW MEXICO. 21 
 
 CHAPTEE V. 
 
 GOVEENOES OB' NeW MeXIOO. 
 
 It will not be amiss here to give the names of those who have 
 had for centuries the civil direction of New Mexico. The old- 
 est papers found in Santa Fe, bear the date of 1682, so that 
 before that time it is difficult work to form the classification 
 needed. If any one fi.nds the present chapter tiresome, he 
 may pass it over; it will be valuable to the historical student. 
 
 In 1595, Onate conquered the country, and subdued the In- 
 dians. He was the fi.rst regularly appointed and resident gov- 
 ernor of New Mexico. For a period of sixty-one years, down 
 to 1656, no records can be found in Santa Fe. The reports of 
 the governors during those years must be full of interest, 
 showing the precise condition of the country and its inhabi- 
 tants. It is highly probable that many of these reports might 
 yet be fonnd in the archives of Seville and Madrid. It is a 
 common belief that Otermin carried these papers with him to 
 El Paso; but they cannot be found there, as I know from the 
 Rev. Eamon Ortiz, for forty years parish priest of El Paso. 
 
 In the year 1600, Pedro de Peralta was.governor, and proba- 
 bly the first who used that title. During that period, accord- 
 ing to Shea's Catholic Missions, the country was nearly aban- 
 doned by the Spaniards. Still we find General Arguello as 
 governor in 1640, and* he defeated the first great insurrection 
 of the Indians. In 1650, General Concha was governor, and 
 he was called 'upon to quiet the second revolt of the pueblos. 
 He administered the Territory till 1656, when he was relieved 
 by Enrique de Abilu y Pacheco, of .whom little is known. 
 General Villanueva administered after him, and his adminis- 
 tration which lasted to the year 1675, was disturbed by con- 
 stant uprisings of the Indians who had found refuge wfth the 
 Apaches in the Magdalena Mountains. In the year 1675, Juan 
 Francisco Frecenia, who had succeeded Villanueva, had still 
 greater difficulties to contend with than his predecessor. He 
 left the government in the ^lands of Antonio de Otermin. 
 Forced, as we saw, to return to El Paso in 1680, he endeavored 
 to regain Santa Fe; but deterred by the fear of the Indians, 
 be returned to El Paso and resigned his commission. In 1683, 
 Bartolomeo de Estrada Ramirez was Governor and Captain- 
 
22 CATHOLIC CHUBCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 General. From 1684 to 1692 we fi!::d as Governor, Don Do- 
 mingo Jironza Petrez de Cruzate. 
 
 ~ From 1692 to 1694, and again in 1703 , New Mexico was ruled 
 by General Don Diego de Vargas Zapatoz Lujan Ponce de 
 Leon, who signs himself, Marque.z de la naba de Brazinas, gob- 
 ernado, capitan, restorador, c'onquisiador, a sa Casta, reconquis- 
 sador y poblador castellano, por sa Majestad, etc., etc. (Marquis 
 of the root of Brazinas, governor, captain-general, restaurer, 
 conquej'or at his cost, reconquerer, Castilian and Oastilian 
 founder for His Majesty, etc . etc.) 
 
 Don Gaspar de Sandaval Zerda Silva y Mandoza succeeded 
 Vargas in 1694; he was succeeded himself in 1697 by Don 
 Pedro Rodriguez Cubero, who gave way for the second term 
 of Vargas in 1703. From 1704 to 1710 the Duke of Albu- 
 querque governed the Territory; but during an absence of the 
 Duke of Albuquerque in 1705 we find a governor ad interim in 
 the General Francisco Cuerbo y Valdez. The Marquis de la 
 Penuela was another governor ad interim in 1708, and suc- 
 ceeded the Duke of Albuquerque in 1710 to 1712 He was the 
 first to use the word Nuevo Mexico; all the documents so far 
 give the name feminui la Nueva Mexico.'*' Juan Paez de Hur- 
 nado was governor for a short time in 1712, and was ad inter- 
 im at different other periods. In 1712 Don Fernando de 
 Alencaster Morena y Silva, etc, etc., the Viceroy of New Spain, 
 administered the Territory and visited -New Mexico, when he 
 confirmed, as governor, the appointee of King Phillip himself. 
 Juan Ignacio Flores Magallon; who governed five years, tn- 
 tering into office October, 5, 1712. In 1721, he was tried at 
 Santa Fe for malfeasance in office, and condemned to pay one 
 hundred dollars coists, but no effects were found wherewith to 
 satisfy the bill of costs, and as the document says: " The gov- 
 ernor himself non est inventus; supposed to be absent in the 
 city of Mexico." 
 
 Magallon, however, did not remain governor to the time of 
 his trial; he left in 1714 .and was succeeded by General Don 
 Antonio Valverde Cassio, who remained only one year, when 
 
 * It is he who in 1710 rebuilt the ohui-ch of San Miguel, Santa Ffe, nnd 
 completed it, as is clear from the inscription on the principal beam of the 
 gallery. His full name and title -was: Admiral Don Jose Chacon Medina 
 Solajar I Villasenor, Knight of the Order of Santiago, Governor and Cap- 
 tain-General of this Kingdom of New Mexico. ' 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 23 
 
 King Philip in October 1715, appointed Governor Martinez, 
 who was qualified at Santa Pe, December 1, 1715. In 1721, 
 Juan de Estrada y Austria, judge for his Majesty, was acting 
 governor at the trial of Magallon. Juan Domingo de Busta- 
 mente was then appointed by the King and remained in office 
 to 1730. 
 
 Gervacio Cruzate y Gongora governed from 1730 to 1736, 
 and was followed for two years by Henrique do Olaride y 
 Michelena. His successor did not take possession until 1739; 
 this was Don Gaspar Domingo y Mendoza. In 1744, Don 
 Joaquin Codallas y Eabal, was governor until 1747, when he 
 was succeeded ad interim by Francisco Huemes y Horcasitas. 
 
 The following who was a Capuchin Friar, Don Thomas Ve- 
 lez, was three times governor, during the years from 1749 to 
 1773, at intervals. 
 
 In the year 1761, we find as governor, Francisco Antonio 
 Maria del Valle; also at different times from 1762 to 1778 Don 
 Pedro Fermin de Mendineita. In 1780 Juan Bautista de Anaya, 
 and subsequently for several terms to 1800, Fernando de la ' 
 Concha. His service seems to have been alternate with Fer- 
 nando Chacon, who finally superseded him from 1800 to 1805. 
 • Joaquin del Real Ale'ncaster, followed him to 1808. Then 
 for several terms adinterim, to 1819, came Don Jose Manrique. 
 Still in 1811, we see as governor with headquarters at Chihua- 
 hua, Nemecio Salcedo; in 1815 Alberto Maynez, and " in 1816, 
 Pedro Maria de Allande. 
 
 Finally, from 1818 to 1822, Faoundo Melgares governed the 
 Territory. He is the last, governor under the Spanish rule. 
 He is represented by Pike, whom he imprisoned for being an of- 
 ficer under Alencaster, as a " gentleman and gallant soldier." 
 
 Although Facundo Melgares remained in the Territory till 
 1822, the New Mexican government sent as " Commanding 
 and political chief," (gefe superior politico) Don Alejo Garcia 
 Conde, in the commencement of the year 1821. He was suc- 
 ceeded as political chief by Antonio Viscarra, who was remov- 
 ed at the end of 1823, and in 1824, Bartolome Baca took the 
 gubernatorial chair to September 13, 1825; when 'Antonia 
 Narbona, a Canadian by birth, took the chair, followed by 
 Manuel Armijo in 1827; Jose Antonio Chavez in 1828; San- 
 tiago Abreu, 1831; Francesco Sarracino, 1833; Mariano 
 Chavez, 1835; Albino Perez, 1837. In January of that year. 
 
24 CATHOLIC CHOBOH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 New Mexico, until then a Territory, waa made a department 
 of the Eepublic, and Perez confirmed as governor. He was 
 assassinated in Santa Fe by the Pueblo Indians on the 9th of 
 August 1837, and on the following.day Jose Gonzales, a Pu- 
 eblo Indian, was proclaimed governor of New Mexico by the 
 insurgents, and as such placed in possession of the " Palace," 
 in Santa Fe.* Manuel Armijo. at the head of the military, 
 had him executed on the 27th of January, 1838. Armijo then 
 took the power in his hands, but was subsequently confirmed 
 by the national government of Mexico. He remained govern- 
 or till 1844, when in January of that year be was suspended 
 from office by the Inspector-General, and Mariano Martinez 
 acted as governor to September 18th, when Jose Chavez su- 
 perceded him to December, at which epoch Manuel Armijo 
 was again chosen governor. , 
 
 Manuel Armijo is the last governor under the Mexican rule. 
 He remained in office till August 18, 1846, when the United 
 States troops took formal possession of New Mexico. By 
 proclamation from General S. W. Kearny, who commanded 
 the troops, Charles Bent was duly appointed the first U. S. 
 Governor of New Mexico. 
 
 Charles Bent was assassinated at Taos, July IT, 1847, and 
 Donaciano Vigil was confirmed in his place; the following 
 years to March, 1851, were without a civil governor, the Ter- 
 
 * Gabin'o Perez deserves a passing uotioe. H^ was a native of the city 
 of Mexico; a man of education, he established schools everywhere. He 
 never missed church on Sunday, going as military commander to the 
 Castrense, or military chapel, and as political chief to the church of San 
 Francisco, no'w the Cathedral. It is kno\*i that the garrison who lived in 
 the Oarita near the palace, said their Kosaiy every day. 
 
 In order to sustain his schools, he established a commission to levy 
 taxes to pay half of the salary of the teachers, the general goTernmeut 
 paying the other half. This angered some men of weight in the Territory, 
 and they formed a plot against him in Tans and Kio Arriba. They roused 
 all the Pueblos, of the north, persuading them that the Governor desired 
 all to learn the language of the Americans, in order to deliver them to the 
 strangers. In a short while a thousand men were under arms, masssd at 
 Santa Cruz. They marched upon Santa Fe ; Perez with twenty-five sol- 
 diers went to meet them, and he had the courage to attack them at a 
 place called Puertecito. Two of his officers and some soldiers fell on the 
 field; Perez fied to Santa F6 with some of his officers, closely pursued by 
 the rebels. They at once mounted horses, and started for Mexico on the 
 large road called Camino de Vargas, but the Indians of Santo Domingo 
 were awaiting them, lying in ambuscade. 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 25 
 
 riiory being successively under the command of J. M. Wash- 
 ington and John Monroe,, commandants of the Department. 
 
 On the 3rd of March, 1851, the Organic Acb passed Con- 
 gress, and the Territory came again into the hands of civil 
 governors as follows : 1851-52, James Calhoun, who died 
 June' 30, 1852, and Secretary John Greiner, served .by virtue 
 of his office; 1852-53. "William CarrLow; 1853-57, David Mar- 
 iwether; 1857-61, Abraham Rencher; 1861-66, Henry Con- 
 nelly; 1866-69, Robert B. Mitchell;' 1869-71, William A. Pile; 
 1871-75, Marsh Giddings who died June 3, 1875 and W. G. 
 Ritch, Secretary, served bv virtue of his office; 1875-78, Sam- 
 uel B. Axtell; 1878-81, Lewis Wallace; 1881-85, Lionel A. 
 Sheldon; 1885, E. G. Ro&s who now occupies the "Palace" as 
 governor. 
 
 This list is as cfomplete and as reliable as possible, and 
 conld be found in the office of the Surveyor General, H. M. 
 Atkinson when he was in office.* 
 
 * Gen. Atkinson resigned his office in 1883, and after a long sickness 
 died in October, 1886. 
 
26 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Religious State of New Mexico Under the Mexican Kole. 
 
 For years Mexico had contemplated the overthrow of the 
 Spanish rule in her fair domain. Like the surge of the ocean, 
 deep, low murmurs were heard on all sides, and penetrated 
 far into the Provinces. The year 1810 had witnessed the first 
 struggle for Independence under Hidalgo. It had been quick- 
 ly repressed. But the spirit of Independence had penetrated 
 the very people. Too often the proud Spaniard had made 
 the Mexican feel that he was of pure Castilian blood; it could 
 be borne no longer. 
 
 In Europe, Napoleon Bonaparte, like a "bright meteor, il- 
 luminating the heavens for a moment, and then passing away 
 in total darkness, had run ovel Europe as over his own do- 
 mains; he had set crowns over the brows of all the Bona- 
 partes, and Spain did not escape. But when Napoleon had 
 passed away, pining on the " Forlorn rock," amid the billows 
 of the Mediterranean, the Bonapartes of Spain had quickly 
 descended the steps of the throne, and the treaty of Parig bad 
 restored to the Bourbons the throne of Isabella, the "Cath- 
 olic," but — oh ! what ruins ! what weakness ! 
 
 Now was the time. The Mexicans assembled in ayuntamien- 
 tos, and ordered away all Spaniards from Mexican soil, and on 
 September 28th, 1821, Mexico published her Declaration of 
 Independence of the Spanish rule. The rising succeeded 
 at once; it became general, and no Spaniard was left in the 
 country unless identified with his adopted country. 
 
 It was not a bloody revolution, although a few lives were 
 lost here and there, and many a Gaballero returned penniless 
 to the mother country. , 
 
 Even before the uprising of 1821, New Mexico had felt the 
 cominotions of the volcano upon which the country stood. In 
 1812, Knight, Baird and Chambers brought merchandise over- 
 land, but were treated as spies and their gouds were confiscat- 
 ed. No serious troubles were felt, however, owing to the 
 strength of the governor, Joaquin del Real Alencaster. 
 
 One of the first acts of the new Republic was from the Leg-, 
 islature, called " Provincial deputation," April 27th, 1822, 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 27 
 
 •which issued a decree to establish public schools, as follows: 
 Resolved, " That the said ayuntamientos be officially notified 
 to complete the formation of primary public schools, as soon 
 as possible, according to the circumstances of each communi- 
 ty." 
 
 On April 5th, Francis Xavier Chaves reached Santa Fe as 
 political chief, and with him a government was inaugurated. 
 The overland trade with the United States virtually dates from 
 the same year. 
 
 In the year 1824, Bartolome Baca was sent as political chief, 
 with the instruction of forming one State of Durango, Chihua- 
 hua and New Mexico. Baca resided at Chihuahua for a short 
 time. New Mexico became dissatisfied about the new arrange- 
 ment, and lent an ear to overtures made by the United States 
 to join the American Union. 
 
 From its first settlement, the Province of New Mexico had 
 been under the Bishop of Guadalajara. But about 1730, the 
 See of Durango having been erected by the Holy See, all the 
 churches of New Mexico were placed under the care of its 
 Bishop, who for the first time in 1737 visited' this vast Prov- 
 ince, the northern part of his diocese. From that time, for 
 nearly one hundred years, hardiy any Bishop visited this 
 country, till the Most Rev. Zubiria who at great peril and hard- 
 ship visited the New Mexican part of his diocese. 
 
 After the Mexican Revolution of 1821 and the expulsion of 
 the Spanish Franciscans, the wants of the parishes at first so 
 flourishing under the saintly Friars, were supplied by secular 
 priests sent from Durango. It is easy to understand that all 
 the missions could not be supplied, and that living thousands 
 of miles away from the bishops of the diocese, the discipline 
 must have considerably relaxed. 
 
 Early in the eighteenth century, the erection, of a See at 
 Santa Fe had been urged upon, and although a royal decree 
 later and a special bull of the Pope, in 1777, ordered the 
 " Erection of a College," nothing was done. 
 
 In 1798, the Franciscans had eighteen Fathers with twenty- 
 four missions; in 1805, they had increased to twenty -six Fath- 
 ers and thirty missions; and when they fled the country in 
 1821, there were twenty Indian Pueblos and one hundred and 
 two Spanish towns or ranches, all attended by Franciscan 
 Fathers, except Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Santa Cruz de la 
 
28 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 Canada, where secular priests were stationed. When the 
 Most Rev; J. B. Lamy, D. D., reached Santa Fein 1851, he 
 found twenty-five churches and forty chapels, many in a ruin- 
 ous condition. The priests, all Mexicans, were very few. In 
 those thirty years the Ohurch experienced" great losses in New 
 Mexico. 
 
 Through the want of care of both the Mexican government 
 and Mexican clergy, the province was destitute of educational 
 establishments of any kind. 
 
 In 1832, Rev. Juan Felipe Ortiz, was appointed Vicar for 
 the Bishop of Durango, with residence at Santa Fe. 
 
 A fact to be noticed, notwithstanding the lack of education 
 during that sad period, is that on November 29th, 1835, the 
 first printing press was brought to the Territory by Cura Mar- 
 tinez, of Taos. The first newspaper issued on that day was 
 called El Orepuscula (The Dawn.) It was issued for four 
 weeks; its size was letter sheet.* 
 
 In the meanwhile, New Mexico suffered greatly from the 
 frequent revolutions and pronurnnamientos, issued in the moth- 
 er country. The provincial deputation had given way as a pow- 
 er; a President of the Republic was created in 1825 and 
 Guadalupe Victorio was inaugurated April 1. He was suc- 
 ceeded by Santa Anna in 1833,who himself was overthrown in 
 1835 and a new constitution adopted. All these revolutions 
 were felt in New Mexico both by the Church and the State, 
 and religious as well as civil progress was retarded. 
 
 Much dissatisfaction was felt with the new constitution and 
 it culminated in a conspiracy by the Indians in 1837, against 
 the governor Albino Perez, and he was assassinated -by them 
 as we have seen, and the half-breed Indian Jose Gonzalez, 
 proclaimed provisional governor. 
 
 It was this dissatisfaction of a part of the people of New 
 Mexico, which gave rise to the famous Texas-Santa Fe expedi- 
 tion, which terminated so disastrously for the Texans. The 
 expedition started from the Valley of Brush Creek, near Aus- 
 tin, June 21, 1841, under General McLeod. Many of those 
 who composed it Jiad nothing else in view than trading, and 
 brought a great amount of merchandise. But this was not the 
 view of General Lamar, the President of the " Lone Star re- 
 public." Texas claimed the Rio Grande as her western bound- 
 
 * Eitch, Blue Book. ' 
 
CATHOLIC CHUUCU IN NEW MEXICO. 29 
 
 ary; many in that eastern half of New Mexico, seemed to de- 
 sire their coming and throw off the galling yoke of Mexico, 
 and Lamar with his associates, who kept their secret, wished 
 these young men to reduce Santa Fe under the rule of Texas. 
 All know how they were roughly handled by General Armijo, 
 when, after untold hardships, they were met at Apache Canon, 
 made prisoners, and, tied together like cattle, sent to the city 
 of Mexico. It is not my purpose to write the history of the 
 Texas-Santa Fe expedition. It has been well written by Geo. 
 Wilkics Kendall; he is somewhat inimical to the Catholic 
 church, but I think more through ignorance than malice. No 
 book can give a clearer idea of General Armijo than Kendall's 
 " Narrative."* 
 
 August 18, 1846, brings us to the American occupation of 
 New Mexico, by General S. W. Kearny, and to an era of pros- 
 perity, both religious and political, for the Territory. 
 
 New Mexico was so far back, on that year, that it is assert- 
 ed that " adobe palaces," alone in the Territory had window 
 glass. 
 
 The Church and the Territory gained nothing by the Mex- 
 ican rule, and it cannot be said that the government was fav- 
 orajjle to religion, and there is no doubt that many of the 
 leading men enriched thfemselves out of the funds of the 
 Church. 
 
 * Kendall's narrative may bo somewhat strained, but it is certain that 
 on the occasion referred to Armijo showed himself a cruel and cowardly 
 tyrant. When the poor prisoners were chained to march on foot to the 
 city of Mexico, he ordered his cruel lieutenant to shoot down any one 
 who could not keep up with the others, "and bring him the ears," and it 
 was done to the letter; five of them were shot, and their ears brought as 
 trophies to Armijo. 
 
30 CATHOLIC CnUBCII IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 . CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Erection of the See op Santa Fe. 
 
 *■ The Most Rev. J. B. Lamy, the first Archbishop of Santa 
 Fe, was born on the 11th of October, 1814, atLempdes, in the 
 Department of Puy-de-Dome, France. His parents were Jean 
 Lamy and Marie Die. His venerable father belonging to one 
 of the principal farming families in the country, was for 
 years maire of Lempdes, his native parish, and gained by his 
 piety, generosity and unflinching rectitude, the esteem of both 
 his fellow-pitizens and the French Government. His mother 
 was known as a woman of refined attainments and great piety. 
 
 Jean Baptiste was the youngest of eleven children, of whom 
 eight died in infancy, three only remained, the joy and pride 
 of their truly Christian parents, two boys and a girl. Etienne, 
 the oldest of the three, entered the marriage state and handed 
 down the religious traditions of the family, giving to the 
 Church several of his children, among whom we find the well- 
 known Mother Francisca, the actual Superior of the Sisters of 
 Loretto in New Mexico and the lamented Father Anthony 
 Lamy, who in the vigor of his priesthood, died Feb. 6th, 1876, 
 at Manzano, the victim of his untiring zeal; besides others wha 
 settled in the world and became ornaments to society 
 
 John Baptist's sister was named Margaret. Early in life 
 she entered the house of the Sisters of Mercy, in her native 
 land, and received the name of Soeur Marie. Later, in 1848,. 
 she was sent to America with her brother who had made a. 
 journey to France, and she died at New Orleans, Louisiana, 
 in'1851, whither she went to accompany her holy brother late- 
 ly consecrated Bisbop of Santa Fe. 
 
 John Baptist was at an early date sent to the Royal College 
 and petit seminaire of Clermont. His progress in that truly 
 religious institution was remarkable, both for science and' 
 piety. He followed the studies of the college with great suc- 
 cess, was loved both by his superiors and companions for his 
 strict obedience and kind disposition of heart, and his college 
 course was a happy time for him and a blessed one for his- 
 good parents. He was naturally so kind", so innocent, that his 
 little companions had named him " the Lamb." 
 
CATHOLIC CUUKCH IN NEW MEXICO. 31 
 
 From the college of Clermont, where he completed suooesa- 
 fuUy his course of philosophy, he passed to the Grand Semi- 
 nary of Montferrand to commence his theological studies. 
 If he had been a good and happy boy at college, he was at 
 Montferrand, no less a scrupulous and yet cheerful seminai^ian. 
 The strict obedience to rule as practised in French seminaries, 
 and particularly in the seminary of Montferrand, is wonder- 
 ful. The young seminarian followed all the rules w'ith reli. 
 gious scrupulousness. It was there, in the midst of retire- 
 ment and meditation, that was developed that vocation for the 
 mission which he had already felt moving his heart at college 
 while reading those wonderful acts of mortification, love of 
 Grod and even martyrdom of Missioners, contained monthly in 
 the " Annals of the Propagation of the Faith."* It was th^re 
 that he perfected those virtues which were to make of him 
 not only a good priest, but an untiring missionary in the 
 West, and which culminated in his rising to the highest post of 
 honor, and of labor as well — in the vast Territory of New 
 Mexico. 
 
 The pious seminarian, having completed his theological 
 studies, was called successively to tonsure, minor and higher 
 Orders, till finally on the Ember days of December, 1838, 
 he received the priesthood at the hands of the venerable 
 and ever to be remembered Mgr. Ferron, more than forty 
 years bi.shop of Clermont, who appointed the new priest vi- 
 caire at Cfaapre, where he remained only a few months. 
 
 In 1839, the lamented Dr. J. B. Purcell, late Archbishop of 
 Cincinnatti, made a journey to France and Ireland, to supply 
 with priests his new and vast diocese and increasing popula- 
 tion. The burning desire for western missions, with all their 
 sufferings and dangers, was revived in the heart of the young 
 vicaire; his zeal could not contain itself, he saw Dr. Purcell, 
 applied for admission, obtained his Ordinary's blessing, and in 
 the summer of that year started for the scene of his many la- 
 bors, with his new Bishop, forming one of a large party of 
 priests and levites. 
 
 Holy band which gave to America such men as Eev. de 
 Goesbriand, bishop of Burlington, Rt. Rev. A. Rapp the first 
 
 * At that time, these " Annals" were called Zettres edifiantes. 
 
32 CATHOLIC CHUECH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 bishop of Cleveland,* Et. Kev. P. J. Machebeuf, bishop of 
 Denver, Colorado, and those Fathers, who, without receiving 
 the mitre, worked so hard in the American portion of the 
 Lord's Vineyard, Fathers Navarron, Gacon and Cheymol. 
 
 Some of these have received their reward in Heaven for leav- 
 ing behind all they held dear, to work without ceasing for the 
 glory of God, and the salvation of souls. 
 
 The zealous young missionary was appointed to several mis- 
 sioifs in Knox, and three other counties in Ohio. For eight 
 years his labors were blessed by numerous conversions in 
 Gambier, Mansfield, Ashland, LondonvjUe, Wooster, Canal 
 Dover, Massillon, as far as Canton and Mount Vernon, in par- 
 ticular, where he resided frequently, although he made his 
 home at Wooster. He was afterwards transferred to Coving- 
 ton, Kentucky, where he spent three years in the midst of the 
 most arduous duties. These missions were not, then, without 
 much labor and danger. The settlements w«re extremely 
 scattered, the means of traveling few and of primitive 
 style, the rivers were bridgeless, and the people exceedingly 
 poor and lonely. The Catholic church was viewed with dis- 
 trust and even jealousy and anger by many non-Catholics, and 
 its progress interferred with. It mattered not; the young mis- 
 sionary had come not io look back, holding ,the plow, but 
 to look steadily forward. 
 
 Eleven years were thus spent for the Lord, when in 1850, 
 Father Lamy was created by the Holy See, Bishop of Agathon 
 in part. inf. and Vicar Apostolic of New Mexico. No time was 
 to be lost, and so, with his usual energy, tlie young Bishop, 
 only thirty-six years of age, repaired to Cincinnati, was con- 
 secrated by Dr. Purcell on the 24th of November, 1850, and 
 immediately after, set out to " conquer" his See, if I may use 
 the expression. His trials at New Orleans, his shipwreck in 
 the Gulf, his sickness and his hardships through Texas, and 
 the difficulties he met after his arrival, justify me in calling 
 him a conqueror. 
 
 Leaving his sister at the hospital of the Sisters of Charity, 
 and his niece, Mother Francisca, then a young lady, at the 
 TJrsuline Convent in New Orleans, he embarked alone on a 
 vessel sailing for Galveston and went safely through the dan- 
 
 * Although these two were somewhat delayed and did not arrive imme- 
 diately. 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 33 
 
 gers of the deep sea. But when nearing the Port de LaVaca, a 
 terrible northern wind storm arose, and the vessel was ship- 
 wrecked close to the shore. All on board were saved, but 
 everything was lost; church articles, vestments, sacred vessels 
 carried with much care for the missions, clothing, books— all 
 were lost. 
 
 Once, while a guest of Dr. Lamy, I espied some volumes in 
 his library, that seemed to have received a thorough soaking, 
 and looked like veterans battered in war, amid new recruits. 
 I inquired of the venerable Archbishop the meaning of it. His 
 eyes sparkled; a smile lit. up his kindly face, and he told me 
 that they were fished out of thcwatersof the Gulf. With 
 great kindness, and even joy at the remembrance, he describ- 
 ed to me his shipwreck, his desolation at having lost every- 
 thing, till spying quite near the shore one of his trunks drift- 
 ing seaward, he offered a small sum of money to a young ne- 
 gro boy, who swam to the trunk, and, pushing it before him 
 as he swam shoreward, brought it to land. It was opened. 
 Oh ! in what condition ! The books in my hands were of those 
 saved in that one trunk; ail else was lost. 
 
 Anxious to reach his destination and be at work in his im- 
 mense field of labor, behold the young bishop, seated in a 
 common cart, with his solitary trunk for baggage, driven by a 
 Texan, starting for Santa Fe, on the then almost trackless des- 
 ert, nothing daunted by the distance, the fear of wild beasts, 
 rivers of brackish water, with precipitous banks, want of pro- 
 visions, utter solitude, having to cross the haunts of wild In- 
 dians roaming over the prairies, who where always .on the alert . 
 for booty and bloodshed. 
 
 Nearing San Antonio, the cart being about to upset, the 
 bishop jumped to the ground; but alas ! he fell upon brambles 
 and badly sprained his ankle. Happily, only a few miles 
 away was San Antonio; there he was conveyed, and thanks be 
 to God, he was received in the house of the. priest. Father 
 Calvo. Near by was the residence of the worthy family of 
 Dignowity, well-known throughout Texas, a family of stanch 
 Catholics, and keeping up to the letter all the Catholic prac- 
 tices of their old European home. There he lay for eight 
 months before he could set his foot on the ground and restart 
 upon his arduous journey. This worthy family were untiring 
 in their attention^ to the noble guest of their pastor, and^-it 
 
34 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 is owing to the care of the good priest and to theirs that he got 
 well al all, ajid does not still suffer from this painful accident. 
 Had it not been for them he would have been, most probably, a 
 cripple for the balance of his life. 
 
 During his forced stay at the house of Father Calvo, an 
 event happened which bound the Bishop still more closely to 
 the family Dignowity. A son was born to them, and nothing 
 would do but he must stand for the child. The Bishop as- 
 sented, and amid the rejoicings of the family and neighbors, 
 Charles J. Baptist Dignowity, received the Sacrament of Bap- 
 tism, and the Bishop stood godfather. 
 
 Finding' himself getting siiroDg and ansiious to take hie flight 
 towards his expectant flock, he resolved to resume his journ- 
 ey, and soon set out amidst the regrets and blessings of his 
 friends. I pass over the untold toils, hardships and dangers 
 Dr. Lamy went through during this perilous journey. He 
 reached Santa Fe in the summer of 1851, after a journey of 
 nine months, since his setting out from New Orleans. 
 
 In Santa Fe, old persons relate a fact which shows their 
 faith . The ground was parched for want of water, all the 
 water courses and ditches were dried up, ^eep and cattle 
 were in a dying condition , and poverty was staring in the face of 
 the jjeople. But on the day of the Bishop's arrival, a bounti- 
 ful rain fellj animate and inanimate nature was refreshed, 
 grass sprung Up, and the year was one of plenty. 
 
 Though arrived at his destination,, the Bishop soon found 
 himself surrounded by great difficulties. Both the clergy and 
 -the people yrere unwilling to acknowledge the new prelate's ' 
 authority. The reason given by authors who have spoken of 
 this fact is, they say, that before its annexation to the United 
 States, New Mexico being under the jurisdiction of the Bishop 
 of Durango, in Mexico, the latter, had not had time to inform . 
 this distant portion of his flock of the action of the Holy See, in 
 erecting the new diocese of Santa Fe. This is not quite correct, 
 and the facts are contrary to it. The saintly Bishop of Durango, 
 Dr. Zubiria, had been advised in time, and had immediately 
 set out for New Mexico, visiting every missisn of the diocese, 
 and performing everywhere his episcopal duties. But he had 
 not been consulted in the dismemberment of his diocese, and 
 he felt quite unwilling to quietly stand by it. The clergy bad 
 another reason, they had been living at ease, twelve hundred 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 35 
 
 miles from their Bishop, and they dreaded the presence of 
 the new prelate among them; I might add, that many of them 
 were utterly opposed to American rule, either civil or ecclesi- 
 astipal. 
 
 The indefatigable Dr. Lamy set out on horseback, with a 
 solitary guide, for the city of Durango; he had an interview 
 with its Bishop, and everything was settled amicably. With- 
 out taking time for rest, he returned, having performed a 
 journey of three thousand miles on horseback. 
 
 In his new diocese he found but few priests, while it was 
 destitute of educational establishments of any kind. The 
 young bishop put his hand to the grand work of building up 
 Catholicity with an energy that cannot be overpraised. His 
 adventures and long, journeys over the vast plains extending 
 from Kansas City to Fort "Union, plains with no inhabitants, 
 then, save wild beasts and roving Indians, border on ro- 
 mance. Though about nine hundred miles in extent. Dr. 
 Lamy crossed these plains twelve times for the welfare of his 
 vast diocese. 
 
HG CATHOLIC CHURCH I» NEW MEXICO. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Dr. Lamy 0BTAl^fs Sisters of Loretto. — Their arrival at Santa 
 Fe. — Their Success. 
 
 Bishop Lamy, ever anxious for the good of his diocese, de- 
 sired to enrich it with devoted Sisters, to teach the young, 
 knowing well that this was the best way to reach the people. 
 Having heard of the sell-denial of Father Nerinckx's spiritual 
 children, and of the severe training they had gone through, 
 he concluded that they were the very ones whom Divine Provi- 
 dence had designed for the laborious missions which the Holy 
 See had confided to his care. He applied for a colony of Sisters, 
 and his request was cheerfully griinted. Faithful to its tradi- 
 tions, and to the injunctions of its founder, Loretto could not 
 refuse a mission which seemed to promise nothing but hard- 
 ships and privations, 
 
 Early in the Spring of 1852, the missionary Bishop left Santa 
 Fe to assist at the First Plenary Council of Baltimore^ cross- 
 ing for the first time the dreary waste called with reason, the 
 " American Desert."* In tue commencement of Jane 'he 
 reached Bardstown, and prepaiations were soon made. But 
 before returning to New Mexico, the Bishop went to New Or- 
 leans, to visit his niece who was still at the Ursuline Convent, 
 since his departure for Santa Fe. 
 
 "On Sunday," says Mother Magdalen in her "Annals of Our 
 Lady of Light," June 27, 1852. after Mass, the Sisters destin- 
 ed for Mexico, left the Mother house of Loretto; Mother Ma- 
 tilda Mills and Sisters Catherine, Mary Magdalen, Monica, 
 Hilaria and Roberta. The same day they arrived at Bards- 
 town, and on Thursday morning, July 1st, they reached St. 
 Louis, and were kindly received by Archbishop Kenfick. In 
 the meanwhile they visited the Convent of St. Ferdinand, at 
 Florissant, and spent a few days with their own Sisters. As 
 soon as they heard of the Bishop's return from New Orleans, 
 
 * It was at that Council thatu petition was made by the Fathers to the 
 Holy See, to have Dr. Lamy appointed titular Bishop of Santa Fe. The 
 Bulls were not delayed, and the Bishop of Agathon became Bishop of 
 Santa Ffe. 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 37 
 
 they joined him at St. Louis, and on the 10th of July left 
 by the steamer " Kansas," which was to convey them as 
 far as Independence. Wi4h them traveled a family and 
 some other' persons belonging to the Bishop's suite. 
 
 The Sisters had accepted the mission in a true spirit of 
 self-abnegation; yet they little dreamed, as the spires of 
 the city receded from vieWj how soon Providence was go- 
 ing to put their virtue to a test. There had already been 
 some cases of cholera on board,when, on Friday, the 16th, 
 at two A. M., Mother Mathilda was attacked; her sufferings 
 lasted till about two o'clock in the afternoon of the same 
 day, when she gave her soul into the hands of her Maker, 
 after having received the sacraments of penance and Ex- 
 treme Unction at the hands of the Bishop. Two hours 
 later the steamer landed at Todd's Warehouse, six miles 
 from Independence. In the meantime Sister Monica had 
 also contracted the disease, and the landing was truly af- 
 fecting, the Sisters following the couch of their dying Sis- 
 ter and the coffin of their dear Mother. The inhabitants 
 stood in such dread of the cholera that the Sisters were 
 not allowed to enter their houses, and were therefore ob- 
 liged to remain in the warehouse." 
 
 The next morning, July 17th, three of the Sisters, with 
 the Bishop and some other persons, accompanied the car- 
 riage which conveyed the corpse of Mother Mathilda to its 
 last resting place, in the graveyard of Independence. But 
 on the way they were met by a Sheriff who had been de- 
 puted by the authorities to forbid entrance into the town, 
 for fear of contagion. However, the Bishop's firm atti- 
 tude, and perhaps, too, compassion for the sad spectacle, 
 caused this official to relent. They continued their way to 
 the graveyard, and there they saw the cold earth receive 
 into its bosom the remains of her whom they had loved and 
 reverenced. 
 
 " The Bishop," continues Mother Magdalen, quoted by 
 Bishop Maes, " now took the three Sisters, Catherine, Hi- 
 laria and Boberta, to the town and left them there, Vhilst 
 Sister Magdalen remained in the warehouse with Sister 
 Monica. But on the night of the following Monday, July 
 18th, Sister Magdalen herself was attacked with the chol- 
 
38 CATHOLIC CHUECH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 era, and made what she believed to be her last confession. 
 The place being ill-suited for Jadies, especially religious 
 ones, sick unto death; the Bishop, unable to make better 
 arrangements, had the two dying sisters removed to tents 
 about two miles from the town. The poor Sisters were 
 much better oflf than in the warehouse, although they had 
 many inconveniences to bear, and had nothing but the 
 canvas tent to screen them from the heat of July." 
 
 After a few days Sister Magdalen began to recover. On 
 Sunday, July 23d, the three Sisters came from Independ- 
 ence, and heard mass said ^by Bishop Lamy in a tent. It 
 was impossible for Sister Monica to proceed any further, 
 her recovery being doubtful, and in spite of her great de- 
 sire to pursue the journey to New Mexico, she returned to 
 Independence until her health should be sufficiently re- 
 stored to return to the convent at Loretto. As Sister Mag- 
 dalen could travel in a carriage, although very weak, they 
 left Independence on Saturday, July 31st, to go into camp 
 some four miles distant, where the Bishop and part of his 
 suite (tor the others were waiting at Willow Springs) had 
 already encamped. There the Sisters went to confession, 
 and the next iporning received holy communion at the 
 hands of the Bishop. 
 
 After the death of Mother Mathilda, Sister Magdalen 
 was chosen to fill the office of Superior, and this election 
 was promptly approved and confirmed at Loretto. Thus 
 was Mother Magdalen chosen in the designs of Provi- 
 dence to guide this young colony-of Sisters to Santa Fe; 
 to protect them against all the blasts of trials and difficul- 
 ties; to build for then) the material and spiritual edifice of 
 their order in Santa Fe; to create schools and academies 
 to the honor of Our Lady of Light, the finest edifice in 
 America, a chapel which can compare advantageously with 
 any of the kind, even in Europe — but more about it later. 
 Dear Mother Magdalen, after thirty years of untold toils 
 and privations, has been stricken down by palsy, but her 
 head and her heart are as warm and as sound as ever, and 
 although she gave up the charge of the flourishing commu- 
 nity into the hands of another self. Mother Francisca Lamy, 
 she is still the guiding spirit of the institution — a broken 
 
CATHOLIC CHUBCH IN NEW MEXICO. 39 
 
 flower, but keeping all the perfume of virtues and science 
 ■which animated her active life. 
 
 On the evening of August 1st they reached Willow 
 Springs, a fine watering place a fe\y miles from Westport, 
 and there found the other party ready to start. So they 
 lost no time, and started all together; but they had pro- 
 ceeded only a few miles when one of the wagons broke 
 down, and there they were obliged to camp in order to re- 
 pair the wagon. 
 
 That night was a terrible one for the travelers. A fear- 
 ful storm arose; the wind blew with violence; the rain fell 
 in-torrenta; the tents could not be pitched, and all, tha 
 Sisters and other liEidies of the party, had to remain in the 
 wagons and prptect themselves as well as they could against 
 the beating storm. It lasted the whole night, and the 
 warring elements seemed to bid each other defiance. 
 Mother Magdalen, who records the fact, says that the Sis- 
 ters were much terrified at the fury of the storm, which at 
 times seemed ready to shatter to pieces their frail tenement, 
 and they sought protection in prayer. 
 
 The Bishop, regardless of the storm, was everywhere, 
 with his usual and untiring energy, now encouraging the 
 frightened Sisters, then giving directions to the muleteers, 
 saving the party from another dreaded accident, the stam- 
 pede of the animals; visiting the traveling party, never 
 taking any rest until every one was as comfortable as pos- 
 sible, thus acting the part of a father with all. 
 
 Some time was spent the next day to repair damages. 
 On the following Sunday, the 8th, the Bishop said mass 
 near an Indian hut on the banks of the Hundred-and-Ten 
 creek. Thence they passed Burlingame, and on the eve of 
 the Assumption reached Council Grove. All confessed 
 that evening, and on the next morning received commun- 
 ion at the hand of the Bishop. The Sisters,, according to 
 their rules, renewed their vows at the time of mass. The 
 next day the march was resumed, and no mass was said 
 until they reached Pawnee Fork, on the spot where now 
 stands the town of Larned, at the junction of the Pawnee 
 river and the Arkansas. For the first time, buffaloes were 
 killed by the party, and fresh meat enjoyed. 
 
40 CATHOLIC CHDBCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 Eesuming their march, on the 7th of iSeptem|)er they 
 passed the then existing Fort Atkinson, and encamped 
 some miles beyond, but still in Kansas, when a parly of 
 Indian warriors four jjiuadred strong fell upon them and 
 surrounded them. All were terrified, particularly the la- 
 dies. This was the Indians' hunting grQund, and when- 
 ever they could do so with impunity, they would attack 
 caravans. On this occasion they seemed peaceable; the 
 Bishop was even enabled to baptize the child of & captive 
 Mexican woman. Still as their intentions were not known, 
 and the Indian is often treacherous, the Bishop thought 
 prudent not to make any move, hoping they would retire; 
 but as they seemed disposed to remain, he ordered his 
 company to march in the evening, and the caravan trav- 
 eled all night, as the Indians do not generally make their 
 attacks in the dark. 
 
 The Arkansas was crossed, and on Sunday, 12th of Sep- 
 tember, Cimarron was -reached. On the 14th Very Rev. 
 P. J. Machebeuf*, then Vicar- General, with a party of 
 men and animals, met the caravan near Red Biver. I need 
 not say how agreeable and affecting was that meeting, and 
 the assistance it brought. Near Fort Union they were sup- 
 plied with fresh meat and fresh bread, a most welcome 
 food after the hard tack of the journey, which was fre- 
 quently rationed. Las Vegas was reached on the 18th. 
 This was the first Mexican town reached. The next morn- 
 ing the' Bishop said mass in a private dwelling, not far 
 from the town. There he stopped to rest, and sent Father 
 Machebeuf with the Sisters to what was then called the 
 Bishop's rancho or farm, a little over fifteen miles from 
 Santa Fe. This rancho was subsequently sold to Hon. F. 
 Manyanarez, Member of Congress, and the A. T. & S. F. 
 has established there a station called after the Archbishop. 
 To show the zeal of the Bishop for the spiritual welfare of 
 those under liis care, I must say that during the journey 
 he said mass and preached every Sunday but one, when it 
 
 *Bt. Eev. P. J. Machebeuf, now Vioar Apostolic of Colorado, had 
 followed his friend Bishop Lamy to his western diocese, and had been 
 appointed Yicar-General. He also had labored in Ohio with great 
 success. 
 
CATHOLIC CHUSCH IN NEW MEXICO. 41 
 
 was absolutely impossible; but prayers were said in com- 
 mon. 
 
 The Bishop set out from Las Vegas on Wednesday, and 
 on Thursday, 23d of September, quietly entered his epis- 
 copal city, to prepare the way for the coming caravan, en- 
 tirely unmindful of his own comforts. On Sunday, 26th, 
 the party left the ranch and started for Santa Fe, where 
 they arrived at four p. m. The people, led by Father Ortiz*' 
 and other Mexican priests, went several miles to meet 
 them. As they approached the city, the crowd increased 
 so much that the carriages could scarcely pass through the 
 streets of the ancient metropolis. Triumphal arches had 
 been erected, and the bells of the different churches were 
 pealing. They were received at the door of the cathedral, 
 presented with holy water, and led to the foot of the altar. 
 The Te Deum was sung, accompanied by Mexican mujic, 
 violin, guitars, etc., and the ceremony terminated with the 
 episcopal blessing. Thence the Sisters were conducted by 
 the Bishop, Vicar-General and clergy to the house pre- 
 pared for them, and the priests who had accompanied the 
 party were lodged in the house of the Bishop, and thus 
 ended this long and painful journey, full of accidents and 
 dangers. All felt glad at being finally at home in Santa 
 Fe. 
 
 " The Sisters," continues Mother Magdalen, " did not 
 open school immediately, as they needed some time to ap- 
 ply themselves to the study of the language of the' country, 
 Spanish. In November they received their first boarders, 
 fwo children who had lost their mother. When these were 
 admitted the Bishop remarked to Mother Magdalen; ' It is 
 well to begin with an act of charity.' The Sisters, how- 
 ever, were amply rewarded, for the two children were bap- 
 tized the next Christmas, in the convent chapel, and when 
 their father withdrew them from school he paid for their 
 tuition, whereas the teachers had not expected to receive a 
 cent. 
 
 *Pather Juan Felipe Ortiz had been Vioar-General for New Mexico 
 nndei Bishop Svbiria of Durango, and was then residing at the Ca- 
 thedral. 
 
I 
 
 42 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 " The school opened iu January, 1853, with ten board- 
 ers and three day scholars, but at the close of August the 
 number had increased to twenty boarders and twenty-two 
 day scholars. 
 
 " The house which the Sisters occupied had been ceded 
 to them by Bishop Lamy, who lived in ths same building, 
 but in another square or 'plazita entirely separated from 
 them. As their house was now too small, he, in October, 
 1853, gave up the whole to them, and rented a house for 
 himself. 
 
 Afterwards the Sisters obtained, on very reasonable 
 terms, a piece of property in a secluded part of the city, 
 and containing the best looking house in town, and called 
 La Gasa Americana, the American house, becabse it had a 
 •shingle roof, all the other roofs in town being flat and cov- 
 ered with earth. An orchard and grounds were laid out, 
 and -the Sisters began to occupy their new home in Sep- 
 tember, 1855. Since then the new province has prospered 
 beyond all humaa expectations, and besides the -house of 
 Santa Fe.in which is the novitiate, and which has been called 
 the Convent of Our Lady of Light, it possesses the follow- 
 ing houses: The Convent of the Annunciation, in Mora, 
 was established in 1854:, whilst Father J. B. Salpointe, 
 now Archbishop of Santa Fe, was parish priest at that 
 place. In 1853 the Convent of St. Joseph was established 
 in Taos under the care of the Rev. Gabriel Ussel, the par- 
 ish priest of Taos. The Convent of Our Lady of Guada- 
 lupe was first established in Albuquerque in 1866, but that 
 mission was given up in 1869. In the same year was es- 
 tablished the Convent of the Immaculate Conception, iji 
 Las Vegas. In 1870 the Visitation Academy was estab- 
 lished at Loa Cruces, through the generosity of the Kt. 
 Eev. J. B. Salpointe, then Vicar Apostolic of Arizona, in 
 whose diocese Las Cruces was included. The Convetit of 
 Our Lady of the Sacred Heart was established in 1875 in 
 Bernalillo. Later, in 1879, the Convent of Mount Carmel 
 was established in Socorro. 
 
 In 1864 the Convent and Academy of Denver was estab- 
 lished. The zealous and untiring Father Machebeuf, the 
 pastor of that rising city, and now its worthy Bishop, came 
 
CATHOLIO CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 43 
 
 himself to Santa Fe, and brought a colony of Sisters to 
 the capital of Colorado. Since then the novitiate of Santa 
 Fe, being unable to supply them with a sufficient number 
 of Sisters, they are supplied from Loretto, and have them- 
 selves formed missions at Pueblo, Conejos and elsewhere, 
 spreading everywhere the light of the knowledge of God 
 and the sweet odor of the most exalted virtues. 
 
 Before closing this subject, I could not pass over in silence 
 the fine chapel and the Academy of Our Lady of Light, 
 built entirely by the eriergy of Mother Magdalen and the 
 self-abnegation of the Sisters, who many times deprived 
 themselves of the necessary wants of life, in order to be 
 able to erect a suitable temple to the Almighty and an 
 Academy worthy of the high renown of the sister institu- 
 tion of Our Lady of Light. The chapel, comm enced in 
 1873, is built of stone, with veins and arches of the purest 
 Gothic style, constructed entirely of native material. This 
 chapel cost thirtj- thousand dollars, and is a monument to 
 the devotion of all interested in that great enterprise — a 
 chapel which can compare favorably with the finest in the 
 largest cities of the land. The Academy was commenced 
 in the spring of 1880. 
 
 In May, 1881, the first symptoms of a rheu nlatic affec- 
 tion manifested themselves in Mother Magda ien, but she 
 was heedless of the pains, confident that her hitherto ro- 
 bust constitution would eventually resist the disease; but 
 on the 28th of August she was obliged to keep her be 
 which she has been unable to leave since, leaving ' 
 younger hands the active direction of the Convent and No- 
 vitiate, and Sister Francisca was appointed Mother; but 
 still Mother Magdalen remains, by her piety and business 
 qualities, as dear as ever to the good Sisters. 
 
M CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 Bishop Lamy goes jo Eome. — He beings with him, on his 
 
 EETUBNj THE FiBST CaRAVAN OF FbBNCH PbIESTS. 
 
 Ever anxious for the good of his diocese, the Bishop 
 took no rest. One year was spent in correcting abuses 
 which had crept, unconsciously as it were, into the church 
 during the period of the Mexican rule, which — Grod be 
 praised for it — was of short duration. The MexicanG-ov- 
 ernment did not strictly speaking persecute the church, 
 but its want of care for both church and state was unpar- 
 donable, and, alas ! that we must say" it, the clergy did not 
 rise much above the governing powers in striving to pro- 
 mote the glory of God and procure the salvation of souls. 
 Dr. Lamy, ably seconded by his Vicar General and bosom 
 friend. Father Machebeuf, went everywhere to see for 
 himself, and set to work to correct abuses, to establish 
 schools, to form religious associations ; and thus they were 
 employed during the winter and spring of 1853. Then it 
 was time for Dr. Lamy to visit Kome to obtain the approval 
 and the blessing of the Holy See upon his work, and also 
 to obtain clergy a more careful of the work of planting faith 
 and virtues in the hearts of the people than were those 
 priests who for years had led their flocks in pastures of 
 their own choice, but reproved of God. In the fall of 1853 
 the energetic young Bishop set out from Santa Fe with a 
 caravan to cross those formidable plains, the American 
 Desert, the home of the Indian and coyote — a desert ex- 
 tending nearly nine hundred miles in breadth, from New 
 Mexico to the Missouri river. He rested only a short while 
 at St. Louis, Cincinnati and Bardstown, from whence -he 
 made a flying visit to Loretto to give news of the saintly 
 colony of Santa I^e and to petition for more Sisters. This 
 time also his- request was readily granted, and arrange- 
 ments were made to start for Santa Fe the following 
 spring. The Bishop, losing no time, embarked at New 
 York, soon reached France, and at once visited Monsignor 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 45 
 
 Ferxon, the old bishop of Clermont, who had ordained him 
 priest and had blessed his vocation to the missions of Cin- 
 cinnati. From him also he received warm and fair prom- 
 ises to permit young apostles from his diocese to help him 
 in his missions of New Mexico. The young clergy were 
 anxious to seer him and to converse with him. The levites 
 in the Seminary were favored with his presence, and their 
 vocation matured more and more in their hearts. 
 
 In the meanwhile, the Bishop, having paid a flying visit 
 to his brother Etienne and other immediate relatives, set 
 out for Rome, where he was kindly received by Pius IX 
 and Cardinal Barnabo, Prefect of the Propaganda. He 
 received great praise and encouragement, and also direc- 
 tion from the Holy 3ee. He soon afterward left Eome, 
 visiting several renowned cities on his route, and early In 
 the spring of 1854, reached the city of*Clermoht. A num- 
 ber of young levites presented themselves to him, and 
 to him expressed their willingness to cross the ocean and 
 work under his careful direction. Without , regrets they 
 were willing to leave behind them the fair shores of their 
 beloved France to come to the almost desolate part of the 
 field of the father of family. No hope of reward crossed 
 their minds, but the thoughts of the future buoyed up their 
 spirits. If they ever reflected over the privations they 
 were to -endure, they cast these thoughts far away, placing 
 such prospects in the hands of God. 
 
 Among the saintly men who heard the voice of God in 
 their hearts were the Reverends Taladrid, a priest from 
 Madrid, Spain, whom the Bishop had met in Rome ; Mar- 
 tin of. the diocese of St. Flour, France, an old missionary 
 in Africa, met also at Rome ; Anthony Galiard, from Cler- 
 mont, who stayed three years and then returned to France, 
 where he soon died ; Stephen Abel of Clermont, who sub- 
 sequently died parish priest of Moro ; Peter Eguillon, the 
 actual Vicar-General of Santa Fe and parish priest of the 
 cathed£al, also a priest from the diocese of Clermont. 
 
 Among the Seminarians were the Reverend Joseph Gue- 
 rin, yrho died recently, parish priest of Mora. He was then 
 deacon-, and was ordained priest on the 23d of December 
 of the past year, at Santa Fe, by Bishop Lamy; Eugene 
 
46 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 Pallet, parish priest of Belen, then a Subdeaconi and X. 
 Vaure, a cleric in minor orders, who became sick with dys- 
 entery on the plains of Kansas, and died on the day of 
 their arrival at Santa Fe. 
 
 Forming the caravan were also the Eeverend Eulogio 
 Ortiz, a priest from New Mexico, who had accompanied 
 the Bishop to Europe ; Messrs. Jesus M. Ortiz and Floren- 
 cio Gonzalez, who had been sent previously to France for a 
 course in the Seminary of Clermont; an Irish family named 
 Covington; and Mr; Maearthy, a lawyer, who acted as 
 major domo for the Bishop on the journey. 
 
 Dr. Lamy and his band of priests and levites arrived at 
 Louisville, Kentucky, towards the end of May, 1854. 
 Without going to Loretto, they reached Ctncinnati , thence 
 by boat to St. Louis, and in the summer arrived at Kansas 
 ■City and Westport, being thence directed to camp at Willow 
 Spring, a romantic spot,with a fine spring pf icy water gush- 
 ing from under a huge boulder surrounded by trees, particu- 
 larly willows of good size, with ah abundance of grass for 
 the animals. There they remained for six. weeks waiting 
 for the colony of Sisters who were to come and join them. 
 In this, however, the Bishop was disappointed, as the Sis- 
 ters were unable to send any of their number to the mis- 
 sions of New Mexico. The .Bishop had his hands full buy- 
 ing animals, wagons and provisions, and perfecting all ar- 
 rangements for" a speedy departure. 
 
 During their stay at, Willow Spring a f serious accident 
 happened to Father Equillon, which threatened to destroy 
 his right hand forever, and hinder his holy zeal for the 
 missions. While waiting for the arrival of the Bishop, who 
 was away, the party in camp had more than once been 
 obliged to supply their larder by~ hunting for game, which 
 was then abundant in Kansas. Father Equillon, with the 
 rest, strove to do his best for the common good. But, 
 "alas ! one day, after returning from a successful hunt, 
 while putting his gun into the Vagon, it slipped through 
 an opening in the bed, exploded, and the unfortunate 
 priest received the entire discharge in his right hand. 
 
 Another incident worthy of remark, which happened 
 during their stay at Willow ■ Spring, can throw a ray of 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 4T 
 
 light upon the life of the early missionaries in the wild 
 West. One day they were surprised by the arrival in the 
 camp of a lonely stranger, with beard unshaven, wearing a 
 summer linen coat and carrying a gun upon his shoulder^ 
 The stranger was tall and muscular, and there is no deny- 
 ing that they felt ill at ease. He spoke French to them, 
 and they were glad lo find an American with whom they 
 could converse. He asked them who they were, whi'her 
 they were going, why they were camping there instead of 
 being on their journey while the weather was fine. He 
 asked them many more questions, and thus rendered them 
 more uneasy. They told him all. He finally smiled and 
 told them he was acquainted with their Bishop. " Who 
 are you," they said. Smiling still more, he said, " I am 
 Bishop Miege^ the Vicar Apostolic of these Territories." 
 Oh ! the joy then !' the petition for blessings ! the kissing 
 of the ring ! -Bishop Miege at that time was purely a mis- 
 sionary bishop, without any fixed residence, for he did not 
 settle in Leavenworth till the 15th of August, 1855. He 
 was on his way from the Osage Mission to that of the Pot- 
 tawattomies, and having heard of our party, had l6ft the 
 ambulance with its solitary driver to go to camp, while he 
 made a little turn to see the young levites and cheer them 
 in their dreary solitude. Of course he had no other means 
 . to provide for his evening meal than his gun. Thence the 
 surprise of the party at seeing a Bishop in that accoutre- 
 ment and engaged in such a work. 
 
 Hardly had Bishop Lamy arrived at Willow Spring, 
 after completing his preparations, and being sure that the 
 Sisters could not come, than,- although late in the after- 
 noon, he resolved to move the camp. An order was given 
 to that effect. All was bustle in the camp. Muleteers 
 gathered their animals and hitched them to the wagons,, 
 and after a short delay all together took the broad road 
 towards Santa Fe, their destination. But they had pro- 
 ceeded but a short "distance when one of their wagons 
 broke down, and there they were obliged to stop without 
 water to allow the repairing. 
 
 The caravan consisted of four wagons and three car- 
 riages, and strange to say, as soon as they had left Willow 
 
48 CATHOLIC CHDRCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 Springs, Father Equillon, who was very sick, and whose 
 hand had been in such a terrible condition that the physi- 
 cians had nearly resolved to amputate it, felt at once bet- 
 ter. He had refused to stay behind in Kansas City, 
 preferring, should such be the ease, to die going forward 
 to his mission, than to die among strangers, far away from 
 all he held dear. So, a mattress was brought, and the 
 future Vicar-General was stretched upon it in a carriage, 
 as a victim for the sacrifice. They left Willow Springs on 
 the 18th of September, 1854. 
 
 I will not follow the travelers in that dreary journey 
 over the plains, so often described by writers of those 
 times. They suffered greatly for want of provisions, much 
 of what they had having spoiled, and also from want of 
 water, and later in the season from snow and from cold 
 winds which sweep so sharply upon the bare plains of 
 Kansas and Colorado. They had no especial adventures 
 during the journey. At Fort Union the doctor of the fort, 
 a good Catholic, sent them a wagonful of fresh bread, and 
 the blessings of the whole party were showered upon his 
 head. They were now nearer home; their hearts were 
 elated, and their hopes higher. Finally they entered 
 Santa Fe at four o'clock in the afternoon, on the 15th of 
 November, 1854, having spent two months in crossing the 
 plains. On that evening young Vaure died at ten o'clock, ■ 
 and the next day the young travelers laid their late com- 
 panion in his grave. It was sad for them to thus lose their 
 companion after the young cleric had reached the scene of 
 his labors. But God was satisfied with his good will, and 
 took him to his reward before those who had already stood 
 the brunt of the day and the heat. The priests were soon 
 placed on missions, and the levites, after completing their 
 theological studies, followed, and have worked most faith- 
 fully for years. 
 
CATHOLIC CHCECH IN NEW MEXICO. 4S^ 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Neoessitt fob More ScnooLs — Arkival of the Chbistias 
 Bbqthebs. 
 
 The Vicar- General, P. J. Machebenf, had until now re- 
 sided in Sante Fe ; but at this time it was found necessary 
 to take possession of Albuquerque, and he was sent there. 
 In January, 1854, he was given Eev. J. Guerin, a newly- 
 ordained priest, for an assistant. They experienced mucb 
 difficulty in their office, but thanks to the activity and: 
 kindness of Father Machebeuf , he had there a very suc- 
 cessful pastorate; performing at the same time the duties 
 of Vicar-General. The greatest trouble for the young" 
 Bishop and his faithful Vicar, was the great necessity of 
 schools. The girls were provided for in Santa Fe, but thfr 
 boys! oh, in what ignorance were they growing! Some- 
 thing must be done to remedy the evil. 
 
 Schools had been established in New Mexico by the earljr 
 missionaries among the descendants of the first Spanish 
 conquerors and the children of the converted Pueblo Indi- 
 ans. It was the holy practice of the Franciscans to estab- 
 lish schools along side of the churches they erected. But,, 
 alas! during the Mexican rule, every vestige of s,chool hacl 
 vanished; churches and school-houses were in a crumbling: 
 state, and ignorance reigned in the land. It is sad to re- 
 late all this, but it is the truth. This could not last under 
 the rule of the active and zealous Dr. Lamy. Something 
 must be done. He cast his eyes upon the learned and pi- 
 ous Congregation of the Christian Brothers. He received 
 some fair promises from them. He s€t about to prepare 
 for them, without neglecting a single one of his many; 
 episcopal duties. 
 
 There was then in existence on the plaza of Santa ¥£],, 
 the church of the Castrense, as has been mentioned al- 
 ready before. This church, which had been used by the. 
 goyernors and troops of SpaiOi as well as those of Mexico»^ 
 had been closed to public worship since 1846. It had beea. 
 
50 ' CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 for a long time the only church opened in Santa Fe, par- 
 ticularly under the Mexican rule. But Father T. J. Ortiz, 
 in 1846, after the annexation to the United States, opened 
 the. Church, now Cathedral,, of Sin Francisco, and it be- 
 came the parish church. 
 
 The Bishop obtained from, the Holy See permission to 
 sell the Yglesia Gastrense, and in the year 1859 he conveyed 
 it in a legal form to Don Simon Delgado ' and his mother, 
 Dofla Maria de la Luy Baca de Delgado, for the consider- 
 ation of one thousand dollars and a parcel of land with 
 building thereon, adjoining the old church of San Miguel. 
 The land had a frontage of three hundred and twenty-eight 
 feet on what afterwards became College street, and six 
 ■hundred and twenty four feet upon the Camino Real, or 
 Alto street. Having by this transaction secured a spacious 
 house, well adapted by its situatio^i for a college, his next 
 step was to procure the necessary teachers. 
 
 In the summer of 1858, the Very Rev. Peter Equillon, 
 who had succeeded as Vicar-General to the Very Eev. P. 
 J. Machebeuf, then in Arizona, was sent to France with 
 orders to treat with the Superior-General of the Christian 
 Brothers, the venerable Brother Philip, on the subject. 
 He at first met with very little encouragement, but finally, 
 through the influence of Brother Arteme, visitoT to the dis- 
 trict of Clermont, several brothers were found: willing, with 
 their superior's permission, to go on the far-distant mis- 
 sion. The brothers were appointed by Brother Arteme, 
 subject to the Superior's approval. He chose the follow- 
 ing: Brothers Hilarien, Director of the schools at Billom; 
 Gondulph, Director of that at Bamagnat ; Geramius, ' 
 teacher cf the school of the Clermont Cathedral, and Gal- 
 mier-Joseph, teacher in the Orphanage of that city. They 
 set out in the summer of 1859 with Father Equillon and 
 nine priests and ecclesiastics. Without accident they ar- 
 rived in New York, where they were given another com- 
 panion in Brother Optatien,^ belonging to the Second 
 Street Community. Making haste, they reached Kansas 
 City, then the outpost of civilization. They crossed the 
 plains in caravans, exposed to every kind of danger, and,^ 
 after untold wants and sufferings, reached Santa Fe on 
 the 27th day of October, 1859. 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 51: 
 
 The first night after their arrival, they were the guests 
 of the good Bishop. The next day they took possession of 
 the house prepared for them, and slept on mattresses laid 
 on the ground, for the house had no floor. Bepairs were 
 commenced at once, and in the meanwhile they took their 
 meals at the Bishpp's house. On All Soul's Day they en- 
 tered their new home, " finding," says Brother Hilarien, 
 "the four walls." To furnish the apartment they were 
 presented with five chairs, five mattresses, five blankets, 
 two tables, a few benches and some old carpets. Board- 
 ers were received on the 9th of November, 1859. 
 
 Brother Hilarien was unwilling to assume the responsi- 
 bility of debts in establishing a boarding school, as furni- 
 ture and almost all kinds of provisions were of exorbitant 
 price, owing to the remoteness of Santa Fe from all com- 
 mercial centers, and also owing to the failure of crops in 
 that year. The Bishop, with his ordinary kindness, as- 
 sumed all the responsibility, paying the five Brothers eight 
 hundred dollars per annum; furnishing them with board, 
 lodging, washing of linen, etc. In the written contract 
 the Brothers were to have for breakfast, bread, meat and 
 cofl'ee; for dinner, bread, meat vegetables, dessert and oc- 
 casionally wine. The Brothers, on their side, were to 
 work for the Bishop as if it were on their own account, 
 and this agreement was made for two years. 
 
 The day school was opened December 22, 1859. The 
 number of day scholars varied from one hundred and fifty 
 to two hundred and fifty from 1859 to 1869. The boarders 
 for the first year were thirty; thus the number reached, 
 with slight variations, as far als fifty, to 1868. 
 
 Brother Hilarien was recalled February 7, 1862, and was 
 succeeded by Brother Gondolph. The house, owing to the 
 good management of Brother Hilarien, was without debts; 
 even a small sum of money was left, with provisions, books, 
 stationery, etc., laid up for future use. 
 
 In 1863, Brother Gondolph had an adobe class-room put 
 up, erected porticos around the inner court, repaired the 
 roofs of the houses, and laid a floor in San Miguel Church. 
 Brother Geramius was appointed' to succeed him Septem- 
 ber 10, 1867. Under Brother Geramius the boarding school 
 
52 CATHOLIC GHUBCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 of San Miguel took the title of San Miguel College. His 
 administration was a great success. But in June 1, 1869, 
 Brother Geramius was sent to Quito, South America, where 
 he is still working with great zeal. He was succeeded by 
 Brother Domitian to November 1, 1870, when Brother Bo- 
 tulph, the present incumbent, was Sent as Superior of the 
 House of Santa Fe and Yisitor of Kew Mexico. 
 
 It was under the wise direction of Brother Botulph that 
 the College took rapid strides, and became an establish- 
 ment of much not4 in the West. In 1875 it became appar- 
 ent that, owing to the unsafe condition of the roofs and 
 the great number of scholars, a_new building was abso- 
 lutely needed. So, after consulting with the Superior- 
 General, and obtaining the approval of the Bishop, the 
 untiring Brother went to work, collecting not only in 
 Santa Pe but through the Territory, at some places meet- 
 ing with success, at others with nothing but rebuffs. Every 
 locality wished the College to be built there, or would not 
 help in the good work. In Santa Fe Brothers Botulph, 
 Baldwin and Morinus 'canvassed the city and met with 
 quite a success, the amount so collected being the sum of 
 five thousand dollars, the Bt. Bev. Bishop heading the list 
 with five hundred dollars. The clergy and the citizens of 
 Santa Fe were indeed very liberal, without passing by the 
 mite of the poor, which helped to raise the above-men- 
 tioned sum. 
 
 Early in 1878 a formal application was made to the Su- 
 periors; the desired answer came by a cablegram. The 
 contract was awarded Messrs. Monnier & Coullondon. The 
 work of tearing down th6 houses fronting on College street 
 began on April 1, 1878, and was completed in four days. 
 On the 11th of April the corner-stone was laid with little 
 ceremony, but great rejoicings in the College. The work 
 went on briskly; masons, carpenters and others industri- 
 ously plied their trades, and the classes and dormitories of 
 the new College were occupied by the scholars in Novem- 
 ber, 1879. The cost of the building, all told, was nineteen 
 thousand nine hundred and ten dollars. 
 
 The College has continued to prosper, and new addi- 
 tions became necessary. The number of boarders for the 
 
CATHOLIC CHUKCH IN NEW MEXICO. 53 
 
 year 1883 was ninety-four, and that number was increased 
 in the two following years. In the year 1879 there were 
 twenty-two Pueblo Indians attending school in a separate 
 department of the College. I have examined them myself, 
 and, like many others who had visited them, was aston- 
 ished at their remarkable proficiency in reading and writ- 
 ing English and Spanish. Their progress in arithmetic 
 was astonishing. I mention this because it is thought and 
 said by many who know not what they say that the Indian 
 is sluggish and slow in learning, whereas the reverse is the 
 case, and this can be proved conclusively by every Catholic 
 school established in pueblos throughout the Territory. 
 
 If, instead of insisting on sending these boys and girls 
 to Carlisle and Albuquerque, under the special direction 
 of Presbyterians and Methodists, where they are made to 
 forget their faith, the Government'would help the Church 
 to form schools in every pueblo, the race would in a short 
 time possess the requirements of civilization. I wi^ men- 
 tion one case in point, that of the Pueblo of Tezuque, 
 where Father Equillon, V. G. , had kept a teacher at his 
 own expense for two years, against the commands and 
 threats of the pliant tools who abuse their little authority. 
 The children in so short a time could spell and read well 
 the Spanish second and third books. 
 
 The venture made at Santa Fe was not supported by 
 the Government, notwithstanding the fairest promises, 
 and all the expensesof board, tuition, washing, etc., etc., 
 for twenty-two children, for one year, fell heavily upon the 
 shoulders of the Most Eev. Archbishop and the Col- 
 lege of San Miguel. Promises were made by the late 
 Father Brouillet; the Very Eev. Father Defouri had a me- 
 morial sent to Congress for an appropriation. All was 
 useless. Commissioner Price writing that he could not enter- 
 tain the idea, and for years the children were rounded up 
 for the benefit of anti-Catholic institutions, by the very 
 ones who should have protected both their faith and their 
 temporal affairs. 
 
 Since their establishment in Santa Fe, the good Broth- 
 ers have established several schools through the Territory. 
 As early as 1864, Eev. Gabriel Ussel, then Pastor of Taos, 
 
54 CATHOLIC CHUBOH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 visiting Prance, was authorized by the Bishop to bring 
 priests and Brothers for the missions of New Mexico. It 
 was desirable to open at once two houses, one in Taos and 
 the other in Mora. He came back with a simple promise 
 from Brother Facile, the assistant, that as soon as circum- 
 stances would permit, arrangements would be made for 
 the opening of those schools. Several months afterwards 
 four Brothers were sent for the purpose. They came under 
 the conduct of Brother Gondulph, who had gone East to 
 meet them. After a toilsome journey over the plains, they 
 reached Santa Fe August 14, 1865, and were heartily wel- 
 comed by their Brothers in religion as laborers in the same 
 field. Owing to that accession, both schools were opened 
 at once; Brother Domitian being appointed Director of 
 the school of Mora, and Brother Osmund of that of Taos. 
 Many difficulties obliged the Brothers to close this latter 
 school in the year 1867; that of Mora still continued doing 
 good for years, although much cramped owing to the hard 
 times and to the monetary crisis of the few past years, and 
 finally closed in September, 1884. 
 
 Later, in 1872, was founded the Brothers' school at 
 Bernalillo, and Brother Galmier-Joseph was appointed its 
 first Director. It has continued to prosper under the 
 directorship of Brother Gabriel, and the fostering care of 
 the good pastor of Bernalillo, Father Stephen Parisis, and 
 promises to have a bright future in a few years. Thus 
 boys were given a splendid chance for learning, of which 
 the youth of many other localities are deprived. It is only 
 just to record here that both the Sisters' and Brothers' es- 
 tablishments in Bernalillo owe a great debt of gratitude to 
 the late Don Leandro Perea and his family. 
 
 Saint Michael's College, after many vicissitudes, has 
 continued to grow, the number of boarders has increased 
 to hundreds, and, under the wise supervision of Brother 
 Botulph, now for years at its head, every day has witnessed 
 some improvement.* Thus it has done good for years; thus 
 many who claim Saint Michael as their Alma Mater have 
 been heard in the halls of our Legislature ; others are 
 prominent in different callings, and others, though follow- 
 
 *A $;L5,000 addition is now building. 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN KEW MEXICO. 55 
 
 ing humbler vocations, have honored the Territory by their 
 integrity and staunch virtues. 
 
 On the 29th of October, 1«84, the Silver Jubilee ol the 
 College was celebrated with great pomp. Extensive prep- 
 arations had been made in order to render the occasion as 
 solemn as possible. The day was clear and cool, and early 
 after the morning devotions the College band discoursed 
 sweet music, and soon after the bell of old San Miguel of 
 three centuries ago was heard tolling the people to mass. 
 The Eight Reverend J. B. Salpointe, then Coadjutor of 
 Santa Fe, celebrated a pontifical mass, as-<isted by the, 
 Reverends Roily "and Gatignol, as deacon and aubdeacon, 
 Mr. Jennings acting as master of the ceremonies, while on 
 a throne prepared for the occasion, was his Grace the Most 
 Reverend Archbishop, assisted by the Very Reverend Fath- 
 ers Equillon and Defouri. At the gospel, his Grace left 
 the throne and advancing to the rail of the sanctuary, de- 
 livered a feeling exhortation to tbe numerous congregation 
 present. He recalled with happiness the great good done . 
 in the Diocese by the Christian Brothers since their estab- 
 lishment at Saint Michael twenty-five years ago. The heart 
 of the good Father expanded at thus beholding his spiritual 
 children growing up under his eyes and spreading knowl- 
 edge and virtue around them. He terminated by wishing 
 for the Brothers a continued increase of all spiritual and 
 temporal blessings. 
 
 The mass was sung beautifully by the College orchestra, . 
 made up of the pupils, under the direction of the Brothers. 
 
 In the evening, after the dinner, which was had at four 
 o'clock (being the very hour at which the Brothers took 
 their first modest meal in Santa Fe twenty five years be- 
 fore), a grand display of fire-works took place around the 
 College under the direction of Brother Amian. The College 
 band played sonie stirring selections, the whole College 
 was illuminated to the very roof, while rocket after rccket 
 was sent skyward only to explode in mid air and fall around 
 like many beautiful stars, to the great delight and repeated 
 applause of the thousands who assembled there to witness 
 the display. All went weir ; the whole affair was a great 
 success, and no one forgot the good Brothers in the heart~ 
 felt praise they gave. 
 
■56 CATHOLIC CHtjRCH IN SEW MEXICO. 
 
 CHAPTEE XI. 
 
 Missions in Arizona. 
 
 There was no rest for the yet young Bishop of Santa Fe. 
 In the year 1859 the missions of Arizona were annexed by 
 the Holy See to the diocese of Santa Fe. Immedi- 
 ately his Vicar-General, the Eev. J. P. Machebeuf, was 
 «eat to take possession of them, calling at the same 
 time the Eev. Peter Equillon from Socorro to the Cathe- 
 <iral, with the title of Vicar-General, and as such sent him 
 to France to bring priests and Brothers. Before entering 
 into a description of the hardships, experienced by the 
 Ticar-General in taking possession of the mission, as well 
 as of his journey to Sonora, it is just to premise a few 
 "words upon those then humble missions, but destined to 
 play a great part in religious and civil history. 
 
 What I call Arizona missions are those contained within 
 the Territory of that name, which, before the treaty. of 
 Cruadalupe, in 1848, formed a part of the province of So- 
 nora in Mexico. The history of these missions, as of those 
 ■of New Mexico, is naturally divided into three different 
 epochs, according to the different civil governments which 
 bave succeeded one another — the Spanish, the Mexican 
 :and the American, and I shall divide th«se notes accord- 
 ingly. 
 
 Spanish or Colonial Government. 
 ArousT 13, 1521. . 
 
 It was under this government that were founded the 
 missions in New Mexico and Arizona, but at different ep- 
 •ochsi for, whereas, while what is now northern Texas and 
 New Mexico received the light of faith as early as the ex- 
 pedition of Coronado, but more strongly in 1550, eight 
 years later, Arizona does not seem to have been taken pos- 
 session of by the missionaries until 1682. The difference 
 
CATHOLIC CHCECH IN KEW MEXICO. 57 
 
 between these two dates is explained by the progressive 
 march of the government after the conjjtiest of Mexi6'6. 
 The march of the victorious armies took plStce first on tlie 
 eastern slope of the Sierra Madre, as it was by far the 
 more settled, from south to north, and it was over a celi- 
 tury later when it reached the western slope, to the banks 
 of the Gila river, The missionary, an angel of peace, fol- 
 lowed the conquering armies, " carrying," as well says 
 Archbishop Salpointe, "the consolations of the cross to 
 those who had been conquered by the sword." 
 
 The first missionaries of the gospel, on the eastward 
 slope of the mountains, were religious of the Order of 
 Saint Francis, and those of the western, priests of the 
 Company of Jesus. Both by dint of undaunted zeal and 
 at the price of the greatest sacrifices, including the lives of 
 many of them, they succeeded in establishing missions in 
 the countries into which they had penetrated. These mis- 
 sions, in the course of years, passed through terrible or- 
 deals and acute sufferings, on account ' of the frequent 
 revolts of the natives, who repeatedly expelled, here and 
 there, the missionaries for longer or Shorter periods. The 
 Arizona missions in particular had to stand without ceas- 
 ing, from 1751 to 1754, the attacks of two cruel and war- 
 like tribes united in the bloody work, the Pimas and the 
 Seris, who caused them great damages. In 1754 order 
 was somewhat restored, and the missionaries commenced 
 anew their labor of love and salvation. Some of the de- 
 stroyed missions arose phcenix-like from their ruinsj and 
 others were founded, but only by continually meeting and 
 successfully combating numberless difiSculties down to the 
 day when the cry of independence was heard over the 
 mesas of Mexico, announcing the overthrow of Spanish 
 rule and the succession of the Mexican Grovernment. 
 
 Mexican Goveknment. 
 FEBKUAEr 24, 1824. 
 
 The fall of the Spanish rule caused the expulsion of the 
 religious orders which this government had introdaced into 
 
58 CATHOLIC CHUECH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 its newly conquered realms. At that time the missions 
 were confided to the secular clergy established in Mexico. 
 The Bishops, no doubt, did their best to encourage zealous 
 priests to take the places left vacant by the missionaries, 
 but it was much more than they could do. The priests re- 
 sponded but feebly, and many missions, particularly the 
 mpst remote, were forcibly deprived of their spiritual di- 
 rectors, or compelled to see them at rare intervals and only 
 on short visits. It followed that in a few years many of 
 these missions disappeared entirely, the whole population 
 went back to the free life of the wilderness, and the church 
 buildings crumbled down rapidly. Out of the seven flour- 
 ishing missions in Arizona, six have completely dis- 
 appeared, and possess now only an historical interest to 
 the archeologist, testifying by their ruins to the sublime 
 labors of ancient missionaries^ Things were at that point 
 when the Treaty of Guadalupe, quoted above, placed the 
 country into the hands of the United States Government. 
 
 United States Government. 
 August 18, 1846. 
 
 At this time Arizona was inhabited solely by Indians 
 and a few Mexican families, who had settled here and 
 there upon the lands of the old missions. However, the 
 discovery of gold in California brought many people from 
 Mexico, who in their emigration had to cross Arizona, 
 many of whom, later, when tired of mining or despairing 
 of rich finds, came back to settle there. 
 
 When, in 1859, Vicar-GenTal Machebeuf came to take 
 formal possession, in the name of the Bishop of Santa Fe, 
 of the Arizona missions, recently annexed to the diocese of 
 Santa Fe, this missionary, full of zeal, braved a thousand 
 perils. Nothing daunted, he fearlessly went without delay 
 to the missions confided to him by his Bishop. The only 
 place of any importance was Tucson ^ which numbei^ed 
 about four hundred inhabitants, and that city was chosen 
 by the missionary for his place of residence. He did not 
 stay there long, for in November of the same year he went 
 back to Santa Fe. 
 
CATHOLIC CHUKOH IN NEW MEXICO. 59 
 
 Although comparatively short, the stay of Vicar-General 
 Machebeuf at Tucson produced great fruits for the good 
 of souls. His memory now is fresh in the minds of the in- 
 habitants; they tell even now how the good missionary used 
 to preach on all occasions, and of the many confessions 
 which followed those instructions night after night, some- 
 times at an advanced hour. I imagine I see the zealous 
 priest, in all the strength of his manhood, with that activ- 
 ity which he received as a gift from Heaven, and which we 
 have all admired in him! How little all these instructions 
 and confessions cost him, day and night, in a field of labor 
 entirely new, in the midst of a people so desirous of hear- 
 the word of God, and of strengthening their souls in the 
 sacraments, of which many of them had been hitherto de- 
 prived. 
 
 But, alas! the roses without thorns are few. One day, 
 in the course of his instructions, he had occasion to speak 
 against the crime of homicide, and he did it with his usual 
 force of language, intending to make an impression. He 
 spoke, however, in a general manner. By a singular dis- 
 grace, the night before, a murder had been committed in 
 the town, but the speaker knew it not, and the murderer 
 was in thenumber of his hearers. Imagining the sermon 
 directed to himself alone, and on the other hand thinking 
 he had killed a man in self-defense, he resolved to take 
 revenge upon the preacher for his words. But immediately 
 after the ceremonies, the missionary started for San Xavier 
 del Bac, nine miles south of Tucson. On his return, the 
 angered man met him in a wood, having gone there on pur- 
 pose to meet him. After a" few commonplace words, the 
 guilty murderer came to the subject uppermost in his 
 heart, to the utter surprise of the good Father, who knew 
 nothing yet of the murder, nor of the offense he had given. 
 Explanations became useless; the excited man would hear 
 nothing, and the good missionary, perceiving that with his 
 hand trembling with anger he was attempting to draw his 
 revolver from his belt, he came to the conclusion to see 
 whether his faithful beast would be able to run a race. 
 The idea was a good one. His assailant was in a carriage, 
 he on horseback. He lost no time, and was at a distance 
 
60 CATHOLIC dHOBCH IN SEW ilEXlOO. 
 
 before the man had tiine to turn his carriage to piii^sue 
 him. He started to pursue him, but it is not known hd\r 
 far he went, as the fleeing missionary did not look back, 
 but used the spurs and used them so well that the heels df 
 his boots came off, and in his rapid course the wind ble* 
 off his hat. It thus happened that the words of the poet 
 were realized: "Pileum et talos calceaminis in fuga per- 
 didit" — " He lost his hat and the heels of his shoes in his 
 flight." 
 
 From that day forth, while he remained in Tucson, the 
 missionary, without knowing or even suspecting it, was 
 guarded day and night by a number of Mexicans, who 
 were afraid of some bodily injury being inflicted upon him 
 by those who pretended to be affronted by his instructions. 
 
 It was at this time that, owing to numberless diMculties, 
 the Vicar General left Arizona for Sonora, to settle all 
 difficulties with the Bishop of that place, who had, until 
 then, jurisdiction over the missions of Arizona, as the 
 Bishop of Durango had had over those of New Mexico. I 
 kao w that the active missionary passed through a thousand 
 difficulties, both in going and in returning, and that he 
 straightened out all difficulties with the Bishop of Sonora, 
 I have had the happiness of receiving the details of that 
 journey from the lips of the traveler himself, and many 
 facts are thus brought to light, showing full well the excel- 
 lence of the Bishop of Sants Fe and the fitness of Father 
 Machebeiif to be his Vicar-General. It will be the subject 
 bf the next chapter. 
 
 There was then no church. in Tucson, that of the old 
 mission having long since fallen into ruins ; but the good 
 missionary knew how to improvise a church, at least for 
 the present. A good Mexican Catholic offered for that 
 purpose a lot on which there was a house with two rooms, 
 each of about twelve by fifteen feet. It was a beginning, 
 and one day after mass he invited the congregation to go 
 with him to a neighboring wood, the men to cut and the 
 women to carry the material for the construction of a/acdZ 
 or Indian hut. The same day saw the completion of the 
 new addition. The jacal with the two rooms gave a space 
 of about thirty-five feet by fifteen. It was a modest edifide 
 it must be acknowledged, and yet it had the honor of being 
 
C&IBOUO CHDRCH IN N£W MEXICO. 61 
 
 ihe ooly &h,4Fch in Tucson till the year 1866. It must be 
 said that at these times the houses of the people were of 
 very simple construction, and they did not think much 
 of adorning the house of God in any better manner. 
 
 The San Xavier Indian mission was the object of the 
 particular care of the Vicar General during his stay in 
 Tucson. He visited it a number of times, and caused the 
 exterior of the grand church to be repaired in the places 
 which had suffered most injury by winds and rains. He 
 was on the point of starting for a complete journey through 
 all the missions in the different pueblos upon the Gila, 
 when he was recalled to Santa Fe by his Bishop. 
 
 At his return the Vicar General gave a good account of 
 the disposition of the Catholics of Tucson to Bishop Lamy, 
 and it was determined not to leave these missions without 
 priests. Father Manuel' Chavez was sent there, but stayed 
 only about four or five months. Father Donato, an Italian 
 Franciscan friar, succeeded him, and laid the foundation 
 of the present cathedral of Tucson. The Jesuit fathers, 
 Luis Bosco and Carlos Mesea, succeeded him on the 5th 
 of April, 1863. In March, 1864, Bishop Lamy, always 
 indefatigable, went to Tucson on a pastoral visit, and cele- 
 brated the ofl&ces of Holy Week and of Easter within the 
 walls of the new church adorned with evergreens and with 
 an impromptu roof only over the sanctuary. From the 
 Book of Baptisms of the Tucson cathedral the Eight Rev- 
 erend J. B. Salpointe copies the following document which 
 I insert here : 
 
 " Hoy, dia de la festividad de la Pascua y 27 de Marzo 
 " del ano de 1864, hamos visitado esta parroquia de San 
 " Agostin del Tucson, siendo encargado de la administra- 
 " cion el Padre Dn Luis Bosco, S. J. Dimos la Confirma- 
 " cion y habiendo visto y ecsaminado este libro de partidas 
 " lo hemos hallardo en buen orden. Sigue la firma, 
 
 " J. B. Lamy, Obpo de Santa Fe." * 
 
 * To-day, festival pf Easter, the 27th gf March of the year 1864, 
 ire have vlsited'^h^' Parish of Saint Augustine of Tucson, the Bev. 
 Don Luis Bosco, 8. J,, having the charge of its administration. We 
 have given Confirmation, and having seen and examined this book oi 
 i^ouonnt;, we find it in gpod order- Attested, 
 
 ' J. B. Lamz, Bishop of Santa F^. 
 
62 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO.' 
 
 After this visit the Bishop went to the mission of San 
 Xavier del Bac, and judging a priest needed there, ap- 
 pointed Father Carlos Mesea to that post, and left Father 
 Luis Bosco sole administrator of the parish of San Agos- 
 tin, Tucson. Probably on account of the bad health of 
 Father Bosco, both Jesuit fathers l^ef t their missions on the 
 8th of August, 1864. Both worked faithfully in their res- 
 pective missions without having accomplished a great deal. 
 Intending to dedicate a. chapter to this great pastoral vi»t 
 of the Bishop of Santa Fe, amid hostile Indians and in 
 want of everything, I will say nothing of it here, and continue 
 my narrative. 
 
 The departure of the Jesuit fathers from Tucson caused 
 the good Bishop much trouble of mind upon the future of 
 the Arizona missions. These missions being dangerous on 
 account of the savage Indians, the Apaches, who infested 
 the country everywhere, the good prelate did not wish to 
 impose them upon any one. He manifested his desire to 
 see some zealous priest accept them, and three presented 
 themselves. Two were accepted. Fathers Lassaigne and 
 Bernal. These two missionaries started for their missions 
 in the spring of 1865, but after reaching Los Cruces they 
 could find no means of travel for that hundred miles of 
 desert which separated them from Arizona. They could 
 find no one willing to risk his life in bringing them through 
 the camps of the Indians, who at that time massacred all 
 white men found defenseless. After three weeks of fruit- 
 less and patient waiting, they returned to New Mexico. 
 
 Dangers awaited still. The good Bishop of Santa Fe 
 was alarmed for that portion of his flock left thus so long 
 without shepherds. He made a new appeal to the good 
 wiH of his clergy; three presented themselves, were ac- 
 cepted, and left Santa Fe on January 7, 1866, for their dis- 
 tant missions. This time measures were agreed upon with 
 General Carlton, post commander at Santa Fe, who had 
 them conveyed as far as Camp Bowie, the limit of his de- 
 partment. At Camp Bowie Major McFarland, post com- 
 mander, offered the missionaries his services, and under 
 his escort they reached Tucson safely on the 7th of Febru- 
 ary, one month after their leaving Santa Fe. There were 
 
CATHOLIrt CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 63 
 
 no reception ceremonies, they quietly entered the city, to 
 the intense joy of the population, who did not know the 
 precise day of their arrival. 
 
 Don Juan Elias, a good, kind-hearted inhabitant of Tuc- 
 son, received them into his house till one should be pre- 
 pared for them, which was done a few weeks after. The ■ 
 three heroes, who had thus left New Mexico for the wilds 
 of Arizona, were the now Most Key. J. B. Salpointe, D.D., 
 and Fathers Boueart and Birmingham. According to the 
 directions given by Bishop Lamy, Father Salpointe was 
 given the mission of Tucson with the title of Vicar; Father 
 Boucard went to San Xavier, and Father Birmingham to 
 Yuma. 
 
 When Father Salpointe reached Tucson, he found there 
 about six hundred inhabitants. The only church' which 
 could be used was the one improvised by Vicar-General 
 Machebeuf, two rooms and a jacal close together. The 
 church commenced by Father Donato had the walls up, 
 nothing more; the temporary roof on the sanctuary, put 
 up for the Bishop's visit, had long ago disappeared. He 
 resolved at once to have it covered and rendered fit for ser- 
 vice. - He met- much^ good will among the inhabitants. 
 Collections were taken up, which only sufficed for the re- 
 pair of the walls injured by the weather. Everything was 
 excessively, dear, and the contributions became smaller. 
 Father Salpointe begged the inhabitants to fetch timbers 
 from the Santa Eita Mountains, at a distance of forty-six 
 miles. The zealous shepherd went with three cars and five 
 men, but the expedition did not succeed, owing to the 
 snow which covered the mountain; the high and necessary 
 pines could not be reached, and the cars returned almost 
 empty. This happened on the last days of 1866. It was 
 proposed to go on another expedition in the spring, but 
 the ill success of the first caused it to be put off from day 
 to day, till it was completely abandoned. The discouraged 
 Father covered the sanctuary of his church with canvas, 
 and commenced to have the offices there, leaving it to Pro- 
 vidence to find the means of putting a roof on the edifice. ' 
 
 In 1867 a house was built with the intention of obtain- 
 ing Sisters to teach the girls of Tucson. The building of 
 
6i CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 tl^f^ vifkUe was accomplished without d^ffic^ultj, bu^ a roof 
 w^^ nece^^arj, a&d it is here that the dispositions of Di- 
 vine Providence became clear. The school became t^e 
 hejp of the church from thQ very commencement. The 
 pepple, anxious to have Sisters in their midst as soon as 
 possible, collected some money, which they gave to the 
 priest to have wood cut and hauled for the roofs of both 
 the Bchoolhouse and the church. Father Salpointe hast- 
 ened to send a number of men into the mountains of Hua- 
 chuca, sixty-five miles from Tucson. The timbers vrere cut 
 and hewed, but the same difficulty presented itself; no cars 
 could be found to haul them, and the Apaches were lying 
 in wait to burn them, should the wood-cutters abandon 
 their post. Three hundred dollars was spent in hauling 
 these timbers to Camp Wallow, and two merchants from 
 Tucson offered to haul them when their cars should go in 
 that direction. The lumber reached Tucson in the fall of 
 1868, and work was soon commenced upon both church 
 and school. 
 
 When the young and zealous missionaries had reached 
 Arizona, they at once tried to follow the directions of the 
 Ordinary, and open schools for children of both sexes. 
 Education has always been the great desire of Bishop 
 Lamy, everywhere, and he did not fail here. San Xavier 
 had a population of about four hundred souls, divided al- 
 most equally between Mexicans and Indians. There a 
 school was opened and confided to a layman, under the 
 direction of the pastor; but for want of means two months 
 afterwards it was closed. The same reason obliged the 
 priest at San Xavier to retire to Tucson, to live more eco^ 
 nomically with Father Salpointe. The schoolmaster fol- 
 lowed, and opened his school at Tucson. In 1866 a church 
 had also been erected at Yuma, at the junction of the Gila 
 and the great Colorado rivers. But the fever attacked the 
 priests, and Fathers Boucard and Birmingham left Ari- 
 zona, and in 1867 Bishop Lamy sent Father Jouvenceau to 
 help the only priest left in Arizona, Vicar Salpointe. Fa- 
 ther Jouvenc^aux was at once stationed at Tuma. 
 
 Under the wise direction of Father Salpointe, the mis- 
 sipQS inpreased rapid,ly in number. om$. became so import- 
 
OATHOLia CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 65 
 
 ant that Bishop Lamy conferred with the Propaganda on the 
 subject, and Arizona was erected into a Vicariate Apostolic 
 in September, 1868, but the Bishop elect, the Bt. Bev. J. 
 B. Salpointe, received official communication of the fact 
 only in February, 1869. Ho immediately started for 
 France, and was consecrated at Glermont-Ferraud on June 
 20th of the same year. 
 
 It would be foreign to my subject, were I to write the 
 history of the Vicariate Apostolic of Arizona from 1869 to 
 1884. Its interesting history of the past was necessary 
 as long as it was a part of the vast diocese of Santa Fe. 
 Suffice to say that it is in a most prosperous condition, and 
 its ^yorthy shepherd, the Bt.-Bev. J. B. Salpointe, could 
 look with pride upon his clergy, his churches, his missions 
 and his schools, when in May, 1884, he received his bulls, 
 transferring him from Arizona to Santa Fe, as coadjutor 
 with the right of succession to the Most Bev. Archbishop 
 Lamy, an appointment according to the heart of the ven- 
 erable prelate of Santa Fe, and one that caused the clergy 
 to welcome him with the utmost sincerity and happiness. 
 May he live many years, sowing the seed of Catholic Faith 
 and reaping bountiful harvests in New Mexico, as he has 
 done in Arizona. 
 
66 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 The Very Eev. P. J. Machebeuf Goes to Sonoea. 
 
 Dr. Lamy, having sent his Vicar- General, Father Mache- 
 beuf, to Arizona to take care of the missions in that terri- 
 tory, newly ceded by Mexico to the United States, the 
 latter left Albuquerqae, where he had resided till the slim- 
 mer of 1858. But having arrived there, he could not take 
 possession of the missions without having an interview with 
 the Ordinary. The States of Sonora and Sinaloa, along 
 with Arizona, had formed the diocese of Sinaloa, that epis- 
 copal see being then occupied by the saintly Dr. Losa, and 
 Father Machebeuf had to communicate to him the decree 
 of the Propaganda annexing Arizona to the diocese of 
 Santa Fe. He left Tucson on the 20th of Deceriiber, 1858, 
 and arrived in Sonora on the 24th. There he was received 
 'with open arms. On Christmas day he celebrated mass in, 
 three different places. The midnight mass was chanted at 
 San Ignacio, the second was celebrated at Ymuris, and the 
 third at Magdalena, in a private chapel. He performed in 
 those places all the duties of parish priest, by request of 
 the pastor. Father Piniera, who, knowing the arrival of 
 the Vicar-G-eneral, had made all the arrangements before 
 leaving for some far off missions at the head of the Santa 
 Cruz Valley. 
 
 At Magdalena Father Machebeuf found a number of 
 travelers and tourists who wished to go further southwest, 
 but were deterred by the news> spreading on all sides of an 
 uprising of Indians. Seeing the ever active and fearless 
 Vicar determined to proceed on his journey, they resolved 
 to join him and form a caravan. Thus they started, ten in 
 number, with carriages, wagons and horses, and on the Slst 
 of December they reached the town of San Miguel. On 
 the next day, January 1, 1859, a great festival was to take 
 place there. All things were prepared, the church was 
 
CATHOLIC OHUBCH IN NEW MEXICO. 67 
 
 adorned and the altars covered with the choicest of flowers. 
 But the priest who was to officiate did not come; so Father 
 Machebeuf was invited to conduct the services. The good 
 people were delighted. The first vespers were chanted in 
 the most-solemn manner, and the next day all went in the 
 grandest style. The major domo thanked him in the name 
 of the people, and several gentlemen on horseback accom- 
 panied him the greater part of his way. 
 
 The next day our travelers reached an hacienda nine 
 miles south of ban Miguel, and slept there. The owner of 
 the hacienda made the request that the Sefior Vicario, as 
 he was called, should on his return celebrate their annual 
 festival on the 2d of February. The Vicario readily granted 
 the request, and started on his journey. It must be re- 
 membered ihat now he was accompanied on his travels by 
 a youDg man of good family .named Pablo Analla, and by 
 the driver, for at San Miguel all the other tourists had dis- 
 persed in various directions, the country west of that place 
 being comparatively free from marauding Indians. 
 
 Thence the Vicario went to the magnificent hacienda of 
 La Labor, the residence of Governor Gandara. This gen- 
 tleman, having no chaplain, invited Father Machebeuf to 
 celebrate mass in his old but beautiful chapel, and after a 
 day's rest he started for Hermosillo^ where he arrived , on 
 the 5th of January. There he met the Messrs. Camon, 
 French merchants. They numbered seven brothers, who 
 had all acquired considerable wealth in trade and in carry- ' 
 ing on one of the most extensive establishments in that 
 country. The best church at Hermosillo was a private 
 chapel belonging to an old lady. Dona Trinidad, but a new 
 parish church was building in the most magnificent style. 
 The Vicario stayed there for the day of Epiphany, the guest 
 of his countrymen. The resident priest was a young man, 
 humble and pious, lately ordained by Bishop Losa, yet 
 having the -title and performing the functions of Vicar 
 Forane. 
 
 Father Machebeuf was glad to meet there a French priest, 
 Father Devereux, who resided at Ures, then the capital of 
 Sonora, but was acting while there as assistant priest of 
 the parish. This kind priest accompanied the travelers as 
 
68 ■ CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 far as La Cueva, another fine hacienda five miles from Her- 
 mbsillo, belonging to Padre Lacara, then Secretaiy of the 
 Bishop. Going out after supper, they were surprised to 
 find all the population on the plaza, and to behold an im- 
 mense pavilion where every preparation was made for the 
 famous play of "Los Pastores," " The Shepherds," being 
 adted every day during- the week of Epiphany. It is a very 
 beautiful play, taking in all the scenes of the shepherds 
 and the Magi, at the stable of Bethlehem, to adore the new 
 born Savior. It was acted with great decorum and in a 
 spirit of faith and devotion. 
 
 The next day the Vicario, bidding farewell to the French 
 priest and promising to visit him at Ures, set out for Guay- 
 mas, a distance of one hundred miles to the southwest. 
 The road was on an immense plateau, without water ex- 
 cept in two small valleys, where there are two ranches or 
 stock farms. But the most important was distant a\iout 
 five miles irom Guaymas, in a beautiful valley called La 
 Noche Buena. Pressing onward he reached the city, and 
 was most kindly received by General Stone, who held the 
 rank of Brigadier-General under General Sumner. He was 
 then chief surveyor for a large company, and was at the 
 same time under a contract with the Mexican government 
 to explore the coast of Sonora as far up as the Gulf of 
 California. He had with him a company of engineers, car- 
 , penters and others, also some soldiers for protection. Gen- 
 eral Stone received Father Machebeuf with the utmost 
 kindness, having been received in the fold of the church 
 while residing in California, several years before, and hav- 
 ing since remained a fervent Catholic. 
 
 Just then an American steame.- was expected from Maz- 
 atlan. The Sefior Yicario thought this a fortunate circum- 
 stance for him to sail on the vessel, and afterwards to cross 
 the mountains to the city of Durango, to show to the old 
 Bishop Sobiria the decree of the Propaganda annexing to 
 the diocese of Santa Fe all the missions of Arizona. But 
 the expected vessel came not. In this emergency, General 
 Stone generously offered a sailing vessel, the property of 
 the company, for the use of the Vicario. He fitted it out 
 at his own expense, with an officer and four men and pro- 
 
CATHOLIC CHUECH IN KEW MEXICO, 69 
 
 visions for four months, and appointed Father Machebeuf 
 captain of the Tessel. They sailed as far as the mouth of 
 the Bio Santa Cruz. There they left the vessel, and a son- 
 in-law of Don Jose Maria Almada, who by permission of 
 the captain was on board the vessel, being well acquainted 
 with the people, engaged saddle mules. 
 
 That night they reached the house of another son-in-law 
 of Don Jose Maria Almada, where they received the great- 
 est kindnesses, and the next day arrived at the mansion of 
 the venerable patriarch, who was surrounded by fourteen 
 of his married children, all living within a short distance 
 of one another, and forming a most picturesque village. 
 
 The residence^ of Don Jose Maria Almada is an immense 
 hacienda, worked by four hundred men. He owns the 
 richest mines of the country. The house has a magnificent 
 front about four hundred feet long, run in all its length 
 with a portico supported by marble columns and sculp- 
 tured capitals. The furniture, carpets and curtains are ex- 
 ceedingly rich. The house has no China ware — all silver. 
 The gardens are simply immense, and produce every kind 
 of flowers and fruit. The country for miles belongs to the 
 family, all his children being married in the neighbor- 
 hood. It would be impossible to relate all the kindness 
 done by Don Jose Maria Almada and his worthy family to 
 the Senor Vicario. 
 
 The day after their arrival there. Dr. Losa, Bishop of 
 Sinaloa and Sonora, arrived at a place called La Villa de 
 Ids Alamos, some three miles in the north, in order to ad- 
 minister Confirmation. Father Machebeuf hastened to go, 
 and, after presenting to him his respects, to settle the 
 business that brought him to Sonora. The Bishop, who 
 was lodged at the house of a gentleman named Don Mateo 
 Ortiz, received him with the utmost cordiality, and prom- 
 ised at once to write a document delivering into his hands 
 all the missions of Arizona, which had hitherto belonged 
 to Sonora, aitd in the meanwhile granted him all the facil- 
 ities necessary to practice his ministry within the limits of 
 the vast diocese of Sonora. 
 
 The next day being a Sunday, all the population of the 
 neighborhood came to hear the Bishop, who delivered an 
 
70 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 eloquent sermon and, administered the sacrament of Con- 
 firmation to a large number of persons. After a few days, 
 all the documents necessary for the cession of the Arizona 
 missions to the diocese of Santa Fe were placed by Bishop 
 Losa in the hands of Father Machebeuf . 
 
 As there was nothing now to detain him, the Yicario 
 resolved at first to continue his journey by the means 
 of the boat waiting for him at the month of the Santa 
 Cruz, in order to reach Mazatlan, but Dr. Losa dis- 
 suaded him from it, as Mazatlan was then in a state of 
 siege, the liberal and the conservative parties being at war 
 with each other. On the other hand, navigation by sail 
 being very slow up the Gulf of California, owing to the 
 strong current caused by the influx of the great Colorado 
 river, it was xesolved that he should leave the boat, give up 
 his commission as captain, and go by land, crossing the 
 magnificent valleys of the Eio Mayo and Yaqui, occupied 
 almost entirely by Catholic Indians. However, the prefect 
 and the commander of the fort there tried to dissuade- him 
 from that step, saying that it was a very dangerous journey 
 ani it would be better to return by boat to Q-uaymas. 
 
 The Yicario believed this, and determined to return; and 
 with this determination he went to say farewell to good 
 Bishop Losa and communicate to him what he had been 
 told by the prefect. The prelate smiled, and told him to 
 fear nothing, that there was no danger whatever in passing 
 through the Indian country; that, on the contrary, he 
 would be well treated, and that he would learn on the 
 journey why the prefect had endeavored to dissuade him. 
 He therefore bought from the family Almada's horses and 
 mules at a moderate price, and Don Mateo Ortiz furnished 
 him with a guide and also with all kinds of the best provi- 
 sions for the road. The officer who had been with him 
 from Guaymas insisted upon accompanying him some dis- 
 tance. Forming thus a caravan, they bade adieu to their 
 kind hosts, and started on their journey. 
 
 When at some distance from the Kio Mayo, the guide 
 started ahead, to announce the arrival of the Vicario of 
 Santa Fe. At once all was stirring in the village, and 
 twenty Indians on horseback came to meet the travelers 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 71 
 
 five miles from the place. The chief, and after him all the 
 Indians, leaped from their horses and begged the blessing 
 of the venerable Yicar, after which each one kissed his 
 hand, and, re-mounting, escorted him to the village. 
 There the whole population were assembled, and all fell 
 on their knees and received the Father's blessing. The 
 old chief, or governor, invited him into his house, and the 
 greatest Joy reigned in the pueblo. 
 
 The next day mass was solemnly chanted, and the Vicar 
 addressed words full of fire and love to the fervent congre- 
 gation, telling them he ha'd been commissioned by their 
 Bishop to announce to them the coming of the latter among 
 thera in a short while. At these words their joy knew no 
 bounds, and after mass all fiocked around him to thank 
 him. He was astonished and deeply edified by the fervor 
 of thBse Indians. 
 
 In a village half Indian and half Mexican, it was learned 
 why the prefect of Sonora did not wish the Very Rev. Vicar 
 to pass through those populations. During the preceding 
 war between the liberals and the conservatives, the liberal 
 party, to which the prefect belonged, had sacked these vil- 
 lages, profaned several churches, burnt their altars and 
 confessionals, and converted the churches into stables for 
 their horses. At the sight of these desecrations the Indi- 
 ans revolted, drove the intruders away, attacked the haci- 
 endas and villas of gentlemen of the neighborhood who 
 belonged to the liberal party, sacked and burned them, 
 and several soldiers were slain. 
 
 Traveling on, our party, consisting yet of the officer and 
 guide, accompanying the Vicario and his men, reached,"on 
 a Saturday evening, the banks of the Yaqui river, and soon 
 afterwards arrived at the village of Torin. The governor 
 came to meet them with his Indians, and the reception was 
 of the kindest nature. Mass was said on Sunday morning, 
 and the governor insisted on waiting on the padre at his 
 meals, which consisted chiefly of milk and dried fish. 
 
 The journey through these populations took two weeks, 
 
 after which the carriage, which had been left in Guaymas 
 
 under the charge of the driver, met the Vicario, and the 
 
 officer and the guide departed for their homes. 
 
 Presently he reached Hermosillo, and said mass in the 
 
72 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 beautiful chapel of Dofla Trinidad, where he found all 
 things necessary for mass, and all the members of the fam- 
 ily approached the sacraments. 
 
 Remembering his promise to Father Devereux to visit 
 him at his home, the Vicario started for Ures district, about 
 forty miles to the north. The kind priest had left TJres, 
 and the parish priest, a very young man, begged of him to 
 enroll the greater portion of his congregation in the Sodal- 
 ity of the Scapular, for, strange to say, although every- 
 body was wearing the scapular, none had ever been en- « 
 rolled by a priest having powers to do so. The young 
 priest gave the greatest example of humility and devotion, 
 by being the first to be enrolled at the sanctuary rail, in 
 the presence of hundreds of his people. 
 
 Leaving TJres, the travelers took the road to San Miguel. 
 On their way they stopped at the hacienda of Governor 
 Gandora, who had been for eighteen years Governor of 
 Sonora, but was exiled by the liberals and lived in great 
 retirement. Father Machebeuf had letters and mementoes 
 for him from two of his sons residing in Tubac, Arizona. 
 The aged parents shed tears of joy on reading those letters, 
 and asked the Father numberless questions about their 
 sons. The chapel of the hacienda was magnificent. When 
 the Vicario passed there the first time the family were ab- 
 sent from home. The next day being Sunday, mass was 
 said at the parish church. 
 
 Journeying on, the Vicario soon reached the hacienda of 
 the gentleman with whom he had promised to celebrate the 
 feast of the Purification, and that gentleman was awaiting 
 him seated under the porch of his fine residence. But, 
 having noticed signs of drunkenness on persons of passage 
 there, he, notwithstanding the most earnest entreaties, 
 refused to enter, and continued his journey to San Miguel. 
 
 After the departure of the Vicario, the distressed gentle- 
 man sent his son after him, saying that he had guessed 
 the reason why the Vicario would not enter, but that it 
 was no fault of theirs, and the obnoxious persons would be 
 sent away from the hacienda immediately. Upon these as- 
 surances; and moved moreover by the tears of the young 
 man, he promised to return on horseback the next morn- 
 ing, for, being at the very gates of San Miguel, he would 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 73 
 
 stay and rest there for the night. He accordingly returned 
 the next morning, and performed the services to the great 
 joy of the inhabitants, who received the sacraments in 
 large numbers. 
 
 In a few days Father Machebeuf reached Fort Buchanan, 
 where he rested a while after his tiresome journey, and 
 soon after reached Tucson, where he stayed some time, as 
 detailed in the preceding chapter. Soon, however, he felt 
 the necessity of starting for Santa Fe, to deliver to Bishop 
 Lamy the documents given him by Bishop Losa concern- 
 ing the annexation of the Arizona missions to the diocese 
 of Santa Fe. Besides, traveling in swampy places, with- 
 out proper care or necessary cover, he had contracted a 
 malarial fever, and nothing could cure it but the genial 
 climate of Santa Fe. 
 
 Behold now the fearless traveler, seated in his carriages 
 with no other escort than the driver and a Mexican boy, 
 about to cross a country infested with warring Apaches. 
 The party camped on the first evening upon the banks of a 
 river called El Agua Escarvada, where only a few days pre- 
 vious several soldiers had been killed by Apaches. Cross- 
 ing the river, they began the ascension of the high moun- 
 tain of Ghericasca, through what is called Apache Canon, 
 ens of the most dangerous spots in the whole south v^est.* 
 Eain was falling in torrents, the mountain road was steep 
 and difficult, and Father Machebeuf, always active and 
 venturesome, took his saddle, horse and galloped in advance 
 of the party. At the summit of the mountain^ by large and 
 never-failing springs of cool and clear water, the station 
 for the change of horses had been built by the stage com- 
 pany.f 
 
 When Hearing the house he found it surrounded and 
 besieged by Indians. Fearlessly he approached; .the chief 
 came to him. 
 
 " Tu oapitan'?" said he. 
 
 • ' No capitan^" answered the Father, showing his crucifix, 
 
 *FoTt Bowie has been built there eince. 
 
 tThis station was called La Estacion de la Sierra de loa Burros. 
 Americans called it the Soldier's Farewell. 
 
74 CATHOLIC CHUECH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 "Tu padre?" 
 
 " Si, yo padre." 
 
 "Bueno. Comoleva?" And he shook hands with the 
 priest, after which he called his savages, who all did the 
 same thing. 
 
 The chief then asked if he had seen soldiers on the road. 
 Certainly he had seen them, and even now a troop were 
 ascending the mountain. The savages hurriedly consulted 
 among themselves, and then saying, "Adios, padre," they 
 galloped away and were seen no more. 
 
 The besieged inhabitants of the station opened the doors, 
 and, coming out, looked upon the Vicar as their savior. 
 There were only three Americans there as station keej)ers. 
 They invited the Vicar into the house, and gave him the 
 best they had for the journey, and insisted on his passing 
 the night there, as it was late and the rain was pouring. 
 
 After breakfast he started for Las Cruces. He soon 
 reached Dona Ana, crossed the Jornada del Muerto, and 
 passing through the different missions of the lower Eio, be 
 arrived at Santa Fe in good spirits, the fever having-left 
 him on the way. He was received with open arms by the 
 dear, kind Bishop Lamy, who congratulated him heartily 
 upon his successful undertaking. 
 
CATHOLIC CHUECH IN NEW MEXICO. 75 , 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Missions of Coloeado — Journey op Bishop Lamy to Denver. 
 
 Colorado was contained within the Vicariate Hast nf the 
 Eocky Mountains, a limitless expanse of territory wisely 
 ruled over by the Eight Reverend J. B. Miege, S. J., who 
 was appointed by the Holy See in the Pall of 1850, and 
 consecrated in St. Louis March 25, 1851. In the Summer 
 of 1860, Bishop Miege made a long and tedious journey to 
 the gold diggings of Pike's Peak and the newly laid out 
 town of Denver. On account of the immense distance from 
 Leavenworth, the difficulties of travel over the plains, the 
 vast deserts that separated Bishop Miege from the new 
 populations, the scarcity of priests in his own Vicariate, 
 Colorado was annexed to the Diocese of Santa Fe by 
 order of the Holy See, so that the Vicariate bacame a part 
 of what now forms the Province of Santa Fe. 
 
 Already Vicar-General Machebeuf had made a journey 
 to Colorado, immediately after his return. from Arizona, 
 and as soon as Colorado was annexed to Santa Fe he was 
 sent to open missions in that Territory. A man burning 
 with zeal, possessed of an undaunted courage, and of a 
 steady nerve' and tireless activity, with a strong frame of 
 body, he at once started, obedient in all things to the voice 
 of his superior, and taking with him only one companion, 
 in the person of his worthy Vicar-General, Father J. B. 
 Raverdy, he set out for his far-distant charge, the future 
 scene of his hard labors, his mortifications and patience, 
 and finally of his amazing success and triumph. 
 
 In a very short time Colorado saw numberless mining 
 camps arising suddenly within her Territory; Denver also 
 grew in population. The indefatigable Vicar-General was 
 everywhere, preaching, hearing confessions, saying mass, 
 and administering the Sacraments. Thus passed the years 
 1861 and 1862. In the Summer of 1863, Bishop Lamy re- 
 ceived a letter from his Vicar-General, which brought a 
 great fear into the heart of the good prelate. The date of 
 he let'er was old, the postal service in the West being^ 
 
76 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICQ. 
 
 slow. It related a terrible accident of a fall on precipitous 
 rocks from a carriage drawn by fiery steeds. The letter was 
 very inexplicit, and left the good Bishop in mortal fear 
 that Father Machebenf was no more. The letter, too, was 
 from a strange hand. The good Bishop could not remain 
 idle; he set out from Santa Fe atonce to bring help to his 
 missionary, in the hope he could yet find him alive. The 
 prelate went directly to Mora, to invite the Pastor there, 
 now the Most Rev. J. B. Salpointe, to accompany him in 
 his journey to Denver. To-day the journey can be made 
 ■with ease, in a Pullman car, and in a very short time, but 
 in those times all journeys were made in a being primitive 
 manner, were very slow, and attended with many dangers. 
 No time was to be lost. The next day after his arrival, 
 with his traveling companion, the Bishop set out from 
 M ora, forgetting that the country he was to travel through 
 was almost uninhabited, and without taking provisions, 
 which were qiost necessary for such a long journey. From 
 the evening of the first day it was easy to see that their 
 supper had not the proportions of what Americans call a 
 square meal. In the morning the breakfast was still lighter; 
 infact, so light'that it would have required a deep philos- 
 opher to determine the parts appropriated by each one of 
 the guests. In the afternoon of that day the Bishop and 
 his companion, with a servant not mentioned above, reached 
 the distance of four or five miles from the village of Eayado. 
 There the travelers halted, and it was voted by acclama- 
 tion that the . servant should go to the nearest houses and 
 procure the necessary provisions, the Bishop being unwil- 
 , ling to derogate from the established custom of travelers 
 in those countries where the hostelries were few and far 
 between — that is, camping out, cooking your own victuals, 
 and sleeping under the wagon. The servant said a word 
 for Don Jesus Abreu, and it required no more. Soon after 
 the little camp was furnished with all the provisions 
 necessary to bring the travelers as far as the Rio de las 
 Animas, to-day the city of Trinidad. 
 
 The Animas River was reached on Saturday evening, and 
 the nest morning the travelers, having called together the 
 few inhabitants who had commenced to settle there, eel- 
 
CATHOLIC CHUECH IN NEW MEXICO. 77" 
 
 ebrated mass, Tiook breakfast, and started at eleven o'clock 
 on their distant journey. On the same day, at ten o'clock 
 at night, they reached a place called LasTimpas.' There 
 was some water, and it was the only place where it could 
 be found before reaching the Huerfano Eiver. " The water 
 was there," says Archbishop Salpointe, in one of his finest 
 descriptive moods, "but it was to be found at the very 
 bottom of a deep ravine and in the cavities of the rocks 
 which form its bed, a thing not only difficult but danger- 
 ous in the darkness of the night. I undertook to follow 
 the ravine, but without descending into it, being satisfied 
 to sound its depth and its contents by throwing down 
 rocks now and then. After a while the splashing below 
 told me that the rock had fallen into a pool of water, but 
 where to find a path and descend to it without exposing 
 one's self to a fall of twelve or fifteen feet ? The Bishop was 
 the first who had the courage to run down the precipitous 
 bank of the ravine, and who, little by little, helpinjf him- 
 self with his hands and feet, reached the coveted spot. But 
 vain hope ! The water was in small quantity and so cor- 
 ruga'ted that it was impossible to drink it. However, we 
 were on the way, and, following the ravine higher, we 
 found a spot where .the water was of easy access, abundant, 
 and fit to drink." 
 
 The next day the travelers reached the Huerfano Eiver, 
 and stopped at the rancho of Mr. Doyle . There the Bishop 
 and his companion learned with unspeakable joy that the 
 life of Vicar-General Machebeuf was out of danger, although 
 it was almost certain, according to the opinion of the phy- 
 sicians, that he would remain a cripple for the balance of 
 his days. Alas! that opinion was but too true, and the 
 missionary who • has since- become Vicar- Apostolic of Col- 
 orado has remained lame for life. But his natural activity 
 and his great mental energy make one forget that he is 
 crippled, and to a certain extent hide an infirmity which 
 in other men would appear much more unsightly. From 
 that time Bishop Lamy, reassured upon the actual state of 
 his Vicar-General, took more leisure in his rapid march. 
 Leaving Doyle's rancho, it was agreed that the travelers on 
 
78 CATHOLIC CHDKCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 that day would go no further than Pueblo, about twenty- 
 five miles. / 
 
 " Wb had promised ourselves," continues Archbishop 
 Sali)ointe, " to take a good view of that city, so recent and 
 already so much talked of. We had a map of the city, a 
 second New York, with splendid streets and blocks, banks 
 and public buildings, parks and public gardens, all with 
 high-sounding names. Eager to see the wonderful city, 
 we hasten our march. What deception ! What do we see ? 
 A few miserable huts of frame. On one of them was writ- 
 ten, in large letters', with charcoal, upon a board, the word 
 Saloon. By whom were these huts inhabited ? We knew 
 . not. So we left the city behind us and went about two 
 miles further and for the night camped in a cool place 
 on the low and grassy banks of the Fontaine-qui-bouille, 
 a limpid little river which rises north of Pike's Peak, forms 
 the Ute Falls, just above Manitou, and rushes madly over 
 its pebbly bed until it loses itself in the Arkansas Eiver 
 .east of Pueblo. The place was indeed v^ ry beautiful, and 
 far better than the city we had just left." 
 
 The journey was continued the next day, but no habita- 
 tion was to be found before reaching Cherry Creek, close 
 to Denver. All was a waste where now stands Colorado 
 Springs and all rising stations along the D. and E. G. 
 Kailroad. 
 
 The travelers, although in constant fear of robbers and 
 Indians .who then infested that country, nevertheless met 
 with no accidents, and were subject tp no inconveniencies 
 excepting the trials incident to their laborsome mode of 
 travel, the crudeness of camp cooking, and sleeping under 
 the stars of heaven. After several days of travel they 
 reached safely the end of their journey and knocked at the 
 house of their sick friend^ 
 
 Vicar-General Machebeuf, who has never known what it 
 is to remain. idle, was already on his feet, and, hobbling 
 on crutches, came along himself to open the door of his 
 modest dwelling. What was bis surprise at beholding his 
 Bishop? He had had no advice of his coming, and. 
 hardly expected to see him. His joy was great, and 
 expressed itself in exclamations of joy and thanks. He 
 
CATHOLIC CHUECH IN NEW MEXICO. 79 
 
 said he felt so much the better since their arrival; in fact, 
 saw to everything himself, as Father Raverdy had to attend 
 to the missions. The travelers remained five days with the 
 sick Vicar and then thought of their return journey. 
 
 This was made more at leisure than in going. They 
 took time to visit TJte Pass, the Fontaine-qui-Bouille, or 
 as it is now called, Fountain river, they saw Monument 
 Rock and the Garden of the Gods: Nothing disturbed 
 them but the reports about Indians, which all proved false, 
 but still deprived them of sleep. In the return as well as 
 in the coming, provisions were scarce; the gun was then 
 put into requisition and the hares and rabbits of the neigh- 
 borhood had to make up the dificiency in provender. 
 
 " I never shall forget," says Archbishop Salpointe, "how 
 the Bishop seemed to enjoy those meals consisting only of 
 a rabbit roasted at the end of a stick, eaten without salt or 
 pepper. I thought this mode of life exceedingly hard, 
 because I was still young in the missions, whereas they 
 seemed of familiar occurrence to my Bishop." 
 
 Thus did good Bishop Lamy forget himself and at all 
 times care for those who were under him in this vast field 
 of New Mexico, confided to his paternal ministrations. 
 
80 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO^ 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Bishop Lamy .Undertakes a Journey op Four Thousand 
 Miles, with Ebv. J. M. Coudert for a Companion. 
 
 In the year 1859, .as I mentioned before, the missions of 
 Arizona having been annexed to the Diocese of Santa Pe, 
 Bishop Lamy had sent there his Vicar- General, Father 
 Machebeuf, to settle the missions of Arizona, with the 
 ordinary of Sonora, under whose directions they had been 
 up to the transfer made by the Holy See to the Bishop of 
 Santa Fe. But the Vicar-General having contracted ma- 
 larial fevers was obliged to return to Santa Fe, and the 
 missions were left without shepherds. Hence the anxiety 
 of the father for his remotest, as well as for his nearest 
 children. He must see them himself, he must encourage 
 them, strengthen them in the faith, and procure pastors 
 for them. To these ends he had applied to the Fathers of 
 the Society of Jesus at San Francisco, and a promise of 
 to send Fathers was made. But who can tell the anxiety 
 of a Father? These were the two great objects of a journey 
 of more than four thousand.miles, made aglmost altogether 
 on horseback^ amidst a thousand difficulties, open to the 
 brutal savagery of war-like Indians and of the wild beasts 
 of the forest. But all this was as nothing to the zealous 
 Bishop. He must go, he must comfort his children, he 
 must procure for them the means of salvation. 
 
 On the 26th day of September, 1863, Bishop Lamy left 
 his Episcopal city, with his traveling companion and sec- 
 retary, the Eev. J. M. Coudert. They started on horse- 
 back; two servants followed with covered wagon, for pro- 
 visions. Their first stay was at La Isleta, where the 
 Bishop administered the Sacrament of confirmation to a 
 number of Indians. This excellent parish was -then in 
 charge of the Rev. Felix Jovet, who died there in 1865. 
 From Isleta the ^Bishop and suite went to Ciboyeta, and 
 there also on October 1st, he administered confirmation, 
 the Parish Priest being Eev. Augustine Redon, at present 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO, 81 
 
 Rector of Antonchico. Six days afterwards he left Cibo- 
 yeta for the Fort of El GallOj'fsubse'quently changed to 
 San Bafael. Don Francisco Chaves was then in com- 
 mand of the Fort, as Lieutenant-Colonel. The Bishop 
 and suite remained the guests of the commanding officpr 
 for several days, awaiting the departure of three compa- 
 nies for the west, to accompany the Bishop. It can only be 
 justice to say that Don Francisco Chaves, did all in his 
 power to receive and entertain the travelers with becoming 
 dignity. The three companies of soldiers were placed 
 under the command of Major WilliSj^and thus escorted the 
 travelers set out on their long journey. 
 
 The first camping ground was at Aguafrtcucanyon, from 
 which they made the ascent of the steep and rugged moun- 
 tain of Zuni, and then descended to camp at the foot of 
 Inscription Rock, where they spent one whole day visiting 
 the curiosities of the place. This rock is located at the end 
 of the range, and forms, as it were, the opening of a large 
 cave in the shape of a church with arched ceiling of great 
 altitude. A wall extends from the entrance towards the 
 north about one hundred feet high and six hundred fe»t 
 long. Its name come from being, covered with inscrip- 
 tions. Some of them are quite old. One, under the date 
 of 1626, runs thus: "Aquipasso N. con los carrcs del rey, 
 en caminopara Zuni."* 
 
 One under date of January 25th, 1729, is of a Bish- 
 op of Durango, whose name, is effaced, on his way 
 t6 visit the Zunis. Early the day after, the travelers 
 reached a large and beautiful spring called M 
 Oyo Del Pe&cador, which is situated at the head of 
 the great valley of Zuni and forms the head of the fine, 
 though small river that waters the valley. Close by on 
 each side are the well preserved ruins of two ancient 
 Pueblos, probably of those which formed the famous seven 
 cities of Ciboya, of which the capital was undoubtedly Zuni, 
 where it is,'Snd as it is. 
 
 The next day, the Bishop, eager to do good wherever he 
 went, left his companions at the Pescado, and, escorted by 
 
 • Here passed N. with the king's wagoas, on his way to Zuni. 
 
82 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 four soldiers, started for the Pueblo of Zuni, si^ miles dis- 
 tant. There he was received with great demonstrations of 
 joy by the Indians, and the four soldiers came back to their 
 companions who, more leisurly, with Father Coudert and 
 the servants, traveled a few miles more and encamped on 
 the banks of the Zuni river two miles from the Pueblo. 
 The next day Father Coudert, accompanied by two Indians 
 sent iDy the Bishop, went up to the Pueblo. The travelers 
 were received in the house of one of the Chiefs named 
 Juan Septimo. This Indian, who was very rich, had a large 
 mansion in which Was an extensive hall paved with flag- 
 stones, which he put entirely at the disposal of the Bishop 
 and Secretary. Not only the hall was at their disposal, but 
 also the flagstones, for these were to be their only bed for 
 the seven or eight days they remained at Zuni. Spreading 
 upon them their buffalo-robes, wrapping themselves in their 
 blankets there they had to sleep on a hard and cold bed 
 which brought on the pains of rheumatism. Their stay at 
 the Pueblo was occupied in administering the sacraments. 
 One hundred children were baptized, about three hundred 
 were instructed and confirmed, for the Pueblo of Zuni was 
 very much populated. 
 
 Among the reminiscences of the Bishop and Father Cou- 
 dert is this amusing oije. They relate how kind the Pue- 
 blos were in bringing them food prepared in their own 
 way, "However," says Father Coudert, " we bought a 
 carnero for seven dollars,- not to impose ourselves too much 
 on the Indians, but still more for the apprehension under 
 which we labored that the meat offered us was dbg 
 meat. Those Indians had then and have jet the name of 
 being very fond of that kind of meat. In fact, one of the 
 first days after our arrival at the Pueblo, we had 
 occasion to return to the camp, in order to bring from our 
 ambulance some necessary clothing. On the road we met 
 an Indian dragging with a cord a dog dead, or killed in 
 the camp. The name they bore, added to the reason of the 
 dragging of the dog to the Pueblo, the conclusion made 
 was easy; hence the stomach would not retain the meat 
 offered." 
 
 During his sojourn at Zuni, the Bishop witnessed the 
 
CATHOLIC CHUECH IN NEW MEXICO. S3 
 
 famoKS dance of the scalp, which these Indians celebrated 
 night and day for eight days, on the occasion of the scalp- 
 ing of a few Navajos whom they had surprised and killed. 
 I will not describe Ihait dance because it is too complicated 
 for the limited knowledge I have of it, never having wit- 
 nessed but one, danced at Denver by the Utes, after they 
 pretended to have scalped an-Arrapaho Indian, on the 
 plains of Colorado at the head of the Eepublican river. 
 
 Leaving the Zunis who were pleased with the visit of the 
 great Tata, the traveling party set out through a long 
 stretch of country without water, it being thirty-six miles 
 distant. But there, in the middle of arid plains, without 
 sign of creek, river or water-course of any kind, God's 
 providence bad looked down upon His traveling children 
 oh earthrand had placed there an unfailing spring called 
 Jacob's Well. Both men and animals made haste for the 
 well, which could not be seen until close to it. It had no 
 vegetation around it— notliing to distinguish it from the 
 bleak prairies. Imagine a large, round cavity, in the shape 
 of an inverted cone, in the center of an arid desert, all 
 around, the -sides being almost perpendicular, except on 
 one side where a tortuous path leads to the water, so that 
 not only man but even animals can go and drink of the 
 icy water at the bottom. The opening is about three hun- 
 dred feet in diameter, and the water is one hundred feet 
 below the surface. On the north side, near the bottom, 
 bubbles up a small spring which fills up the cavity below 
 with the best kind of water. This sheet of water is said to 
 be very deep ; but our travelers did not have the time to 
 test its depth. How great is God's providence! 
 
 The party remained there two days to give rest to the 
 animals; but there, also, they learned their first lesson in 
 cold ; If or, sleeping on the ground, and not being able to 
 have much fire, they were first aroused by a deluge of 
 water,) and they rose in the morning covered with four 
 inches of snow. Still they suffered not of this acci- 
 dent, as the cold was not intense. The party, starting 
 in the snow, which soon melted, traveled west for five days 
 without any especial incident, and reached the Little Col- 
 orado Eiver. There the good Bishop, meeting a train of 
 
84 CATHOLIC CHUBOH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 provisions belonging to Don Prefecto Armijo, of Albu- 
 querque, bought a wagon with its mules, and all its mer- 
 chandise, for the purpose -of procuring funds for the 
 journey, but particularly in order to. travel with more 
 celerity, as the soldiers, having to stay here ' and there, 
 according to the commands received from their military 
 superiors, caused the Biehop much delay, which became 
 painful to him in his desire of visiting his flock. Of course, 
 the drivers of the wagon entered the service of the Bishop. 
 They therefore left the soldiers on the banks of the Little 
 Colorado, and proceeded with two saddle horses, an ambu- 
 lance with two mules, a wagon with eight mules, two men 
 also with mules, who were to do the service agreed upon, 
 the Bishop and his Secretary, A tent had been added to 
 their baggage. " There," says the good Bishop, with a 
 laugh, " we commenced to travel in good style." 
 
 The spot where the travelers stood opened bsfore them 
 the maghifieent vista of a bearftiful valley, watered by the 
 Little Colorado. This little water-course, runs almost 
 directly west ; it is a sandy, muddy, dangerous stream. 
 They fpllowed it for sixty miles, when, thinking they had 
 a good crossing, they undertook the passage. But lo! 
 nothing was seen of some of the mules but their ears; all 
 were under water and mud. and the river formed several 
 such beds, so that they consumed a whole day in that 
 frightful work. The next day the party reached the foot 
 of the valley, where they were to bid adieu to the Little 
 Colorado and turn to the northVest. Before leaving it 
 they resolved to give a rest to their' jaded animals and re- 
 pair the wagon and ambulance. The spot was delightful 
 and comfortable; shaded by fine alamos and other trees, 
 with an abundance of water and grass. There was only 
 one drawback to all this — from one end of the country to 
 the other, over all the lomas and mesas, as in the most 
 shady nook, the Indian war-cry had been heard, and should 
 they surprise a (party, all were cruelly put to death and 
 'scalped, their provisions stolen and beasts stampeded. , It 
 became an absolute duty, therefore, to have a constant 
 watch kept, with arms in readiness, at all times. 
 
 An incident worthy of remark must be mentioned here. 
 
CATHOLIC CHUKOH IN NEW MEXICCi. 86 
 
 for the Bishop and his companion nearly lost their lives. 
 It was the first time that the new tent was put in use. To 
 make it comfortable for the dear prelate and his com- 
 panion, the servants raised an embankment around the 
 tent and warmed it with live coals placed in a pan. After 
 having slept a while the two tired travelers -were aroused 
 by a terrible sensation in the breast and lungs. Only 
 by degrees did they realize the danger they were in of 
 being asphyxiated. They could not raise themselves, they 
 could with difficulty leave their couch; but, going on all 
 fours, and little by little, they reached the aperture of the 
 the tent, where the fresh air completely revived them and 
 they- were saved. " 
 
 There they met a small caravan of Mexicans bound for 
 Canon del Diablo. As this was their route, they joined 
 the caravan for the sake of having more security against 
 Indian attacks. They first crossed a high plateau, in which 
 they suffered greatly from cold. Father Coudert, in his 
 own witty way, says : " I really believe that if this be the 
 Devil's Canon it must be far from Hell, for it was terribly 
 cold." 
 
 This cafiion, which is now crossed by the Atlantic and 
 Pacific Bailroad, was then a totally unexplored region. 
 It is a deep cha^m of several hundred feet,- narrow, with 
 a dry, sandy bed, without a tree or a shrub to announce its 
 close proximity. How the waters ever cut such a bed in 
 the rock is a mystery, for by the configuration of the land 
 about it, it could never have been a great water-course . A 
 probable theory is that it never was a water-course, but a 
 crack'in the soil and rocks after the cooling of the immense 
 volcanos, now extinct, of the Boeky Mountains. 
 
 " I remember well the encampment near the Canon del 
 Diablo," says F. Coudert, " for the good Bishop suffered 
 so much from cold that he could not sleep, and had to 
 walk about in order to warm his frozen feet. Fire, we 
 had none. The wind was terrific; the storm lasted the 
 whole night. I slept quite comfortably by the means of 
 a little ingenuity. I had on furred boots; I drew a box 
 under the wagon, placing the bottom towards the wind; 
 I put myself in it, so that it covered my head and should- 
 
iSG CATHOLIC CHUECH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 ers; I put both feet in one boot, and suffered little from 
 the storm. It was not Diogenes in a barrel, but Father 
 Coudert in a box. I have kept a vivid remembrance of 
 that night on the brink of the Canon del Diablo." 
 
 The Bishop and his suite had to cross the famous 
 canon. At ooe spot there is a narrow road, partly nat- 
 ural and partly cut into the rock, and with immense 
 labor and danger they reached the bottom, went down the 
 arroyo for half a mile where the other side was rather easy 
 of ascent. Turning south, they commenced ascending the 
 valley, which gradually rises, and forms, as it were, an im- 
 mense base to the peak of San E'raucisoo, which had. loomed 
 up before them for over two hundred miles. Late at night 
 they reached the foothills of the famous mountain, and en- 
 camped at the Gasnina Caves, where the soldiers had pre- 
 ceded them and awaited their arrival. They found an 
 abundance of water there, which was frozen, and they were 
 obliged to cut the ice with hatchets. The next day, leaving 
 the soldiers there, they went up the flank north of the 
 San Francisco, and at nightfall reached the summit of the 
 foothills. There, strange to say, is' a large spring called 
 El Ojo de San Francisco. It. is directly at the foot of the 
 peak. The party suffered considerably from. the cold. This 
 peak appears to be of lava, dried, up quickly and cracked 
 by the process of cooling. It is an immense cone, rising up 
 thousands of feet in the air, and forming the greatest 
 needle in the world. The camp of the Ojo de San Fran- 
 cisco Was in a romantic spot. Surrounding the spring, but 
 at some distance, arose a perfect forest of majestic pines. 
 On the west side of the camp was a deep trough, not made 
 by water, but by th« breaking asunder of immense beds of 
 lava, which in the course of time had permitted pines to 
 take root in the crevices. All was silent at night, men and 
 beasts alike were asleep, when a terrible noise was heard 
 no further than fifty steps from them; it was the cry of a 
 solitary lion. The camp animals strove to break loose, and 
 were cowed down at having such an enemy near and yet 
 invisible in the darkness of night. 
 
 Hastening to leave this dangerous spot, the party again 
 descended . the foothills, continuing their jouraey to the 
 
CATHOLTC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 87 
 
 south, going directly towards the Walkor Mountains, stop- 
 ping at the mining camp of Walker, to-day the city of 
 , Prescott. This journey took the travelers .twelve days, 
 with nothing extraordinary to note except the difficulties of 
 travel upon the plains. They passed El Ojo de Venado, or 
 Deer Spring — the Turkey Canon — El Canon de la Vivora, 
 or Rattlesnake Canon — the Valley ot the Cienega, where 
 was establijhed- old Fort Whip ple, twenty-five miles north 
 of Prescott. 
 
 An incident happened at Turkey canyon worthy of men- 
 tion, and is quite laughable. The soldiers had joined the 
 party again as that country was infested with Indians. The 
 whole party was under military discipline; the tattoo and 
 the reveille were sounded over the trackless expanse, as it 
 is done at the forts-. Immense flocks of wild turkeys had 
 their roosts upon the trees of the canyon. The turkey al- 
 ways chooses a dry tree if he can find it. The Bishop and 
 his companion took their guns, but after much fatigue in 
 the heat of the day, not a single turkey rejoiced their 
 sight. At night, after tattoo, Father Coudert, with one of 
 the servants, secretly determined to surprise the party with 
 an iibundance of game, and they took up their position 
 under a roost. The turkeys could be seen and heard oa 
 the dry branches. All was silence in the camp situated 
 close upon the canyon, when all were startled by repeated 
 firing from the bottom of the canyon. It was Father- 
 Coudert's work; he had not hit the turkeys, but had 
 broken a big limb of the tree which came down and fell 
 upon his head. At the same time a volley was heard from 
 abuve, bullets whistled around his ears ; he crouchejl down . 
 beliiud a rock with his companion and the bullets passed 
 over their heads. In vain they shouted, the firing con- 
 tinued, but after a while ceased somewhat so that our two 
 hunters, crawling on their bands and knees scaled the 
 ruo-ged side of the canyon and emerged on the level 
 ground at quite a distance from the camp. There every- 
 thing was astir. 
 
 The inmates believed that it was an Indian surprise and 
 were making preparations for a siege. It was soon hinted 
 about the camp how the shots h^d been fired; the Bishop 
 
88 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 scolded, the officers laughed, and everyone prepared to 
 return to his repose. But a party of officers datertnining 
 to continue the hunt, went down the canyon and set 
 fire to the grass to see the turkeys better, but instead of 
 hunting they had to run for their lives on account of the 
 flames, and the camp aroused by the danger of the spread- 
 ing flames, was only saved from destruction by the united 
 efforts of the soldiers and the travelers. 
 
 The day after leaving Turkey canyon they fell in with- a 
 large party of Apaches called Apaches Tontos, to distin- 
 guish this clan from a number of other Apaches called by 
 different names. They came through curiosity and also 
 for plunder and murder, but seeing that the party was too 
 strong for them, they contented themselves by extending 
 their hands and saying in broken English: "How do ye do, 
 tobacco?" 
 
 The canyon De La Vivora had also one thing very re- 
 markable; the side on which they came was very steep, so 
 that they had to tie cords at the rear wheels, and forty 
 soldiers and men were detailed to hold the wagon and 
 keep it from falling upon the mules; the same was done 
 for the ambulance and other wagons. So the good Bishop, 
 always kind and even gay under trying circumstances, 
 jokingly remarked that they had crossed the Rubicon, and 
 nothing was left them but to go forward, return being im- 
 possible by that road. He therefore gladly sold his ambu- 
 lance to an old officer who was journeying with his family 
 to take the command of the new Fort Whipple. 
 
 There the Bishop and partyremained until December 20, 
 1863. Ke sold there not only his ambulance but his wag- 
 on, mules and merchandise. He was again on horseback 
 at the start with two servants to wait on him and his 
 companion. They spent a great deal of those days hunt- 
 ing buffaloes which abounded there. The fishing was also' 
 excellent and they had the satisfaction of killing an ante- 
 lope. On Christmas eve they reached the camp of miners 
 located on Granite Creek, near the summit of the moun- 
 tain, in the immediate neighborhood, if not on the very site 
 of Prescott. A large quantity of snow fell and the cold 
 was intense. : A miner offered his cabin to our travelers; 
 
CATHOLIO OHUKCH IN NEW MEXICO. 8& 
 
 it was about eight feet square, cut in the side of the moun- 
 tain, the front was made up of pieces of dry goods boxes, 
 the roof of the same material which left the snow free ac- 
 cess into the cabin. There they had to sleep, eight men 
 all counted. But this was Christmas, so the cabin was 
 turned into a chapel; the ceremonies of Christmas were 
 performed; the miners stood partly within the cabin, 
 others shook with cold outside ; the Bishop and his 
 Secretary both celebrated mass. It is said by both 
 of them with smiling faces that this Christmas on the town- 
 site of Prescott was the coldest they had ever celebrated, 
 having been obliged several times to bring the chalice to 
 the fire to thaw the ice, and at the same time snow fell 
 over the altar, so that now and then it had to be brushed 
 off. They reflected truly that this birth of the Lord upon 
 the Prescott mountains was by far worse than his birth in 
 the stable of Bethlehem. There they left their vestments 
 and other Church things, with two horses, in the custody 
 of a good Mexican named Don Manuel Irrisarri. 
 
 The Bishop resolved to visit the Mojave Indians ; to do 
 this he had to cross a desert of two hundred miles, without 
 roads, and surrounded by Apache Tontos, ready to fall on 
 belated travelers at the first occasion. He therefore bought 
 horses from the miners and procured enough provisions to 
 last for six days. He relied on Divine Providence for the 
 rest. The dangers they had to encounter were the Indians, 
 who were oti the war-path everywhere, the imperfect roads, 
 the scanty provisions, and the bad quality and scarcity of 
 the water. Instead of six days, they were thirteen days in 
 reaching the Mojave Village. 
 
 They were very nearly doomed to perish in that deserl. 
 A bad young Indian of the tribe of the Hualapai's 
 came bearing a paper recommending him as an inof- 
 fensive Indian, excellent at taking care of horses, and 
 generally useful. The Bishop and party did not believe 
 all that, and yet put more confidence in him than they 
 ought to have done. He was given employment. On that 
 day it rained, and afterward snow fell, the wind blew and 
 the cold was intense. The Indian slept with the other men 
 on horse blankets near the camp-fire. The horses were in 
 
90 CATHOLIC CHUKCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 a thicket close by. When all slept, the Indian, arising 
 noiselessly, like a fox, went to the thicket and stole all the 
 horses, leaving the mules tied up to trees. Not long after 
 the departure of the Indian was noticed, the alarm given, 
 and the men, with the mules, started after him. His route 
 was quite plain on the recently fallen snow. He was soon 
 overtaken, when the coward jumped his horse to hide in 
 the woods. It was one o'clock in the morning when the 
 pursuers returned to the camp with the horses. In the 
 morning they gave notice to Col. Torres, who was camp- 
 ing at a short distance with a party of engineers and sur- 
 veyors. The Indian had reached the camp with his 
 usual paper. The Colonel had him tied up and he 
 received twenty-five lashes with a blacksnake whip for 
 what he had done to the Bishop, and was ordered out of 
 the place, which, however, did not binder him from re- 
 turning at midnight and stealing the very best horse in 
 camp. 
 
 Leaving this camp, which they named Dry Camp, on 
 account of the want of water, our travelers took to a 
 vast plain before them, and soon found a canon called 
 Eailroad Canon, resembling perfectly the bed'of a railroad. 
 They camped at the head of it. They had water, but of 
 a very poor 'quality. The want of water and scarcity of 
 feed had' rendered several of the animals unfit to be used 
 for the travel. The following day they continued their 
 journey through that valley, surrounded on a,^ sides by 
 high hills, and re.'iembling a basin. They crossed an old 
 road made by Mexicans crossing Arizona in 1858 to go to 
 the geld fields of California. There they came in sight of 
 brt)ken stoves, plates, wagon wheels, and other furniture. 
 They were on the. spot of a terrible massacre done by In- 
 dians, whom the Mexicans call Garroteros. That name is 
 given them from using in war a club crooked at one ex- 
 tremity exactly like the club used by the Mexicans in base- 
 ball-playing, which they call la garrota; hence the name of 
 Garrottros, because these Indians use it as a powerful wea- 
 pon, in imitation of the mace of the ancients. This 
 maseacre was done upon defenseless emigrants going, in 
 1858, frc m Mex.co to California. This knowledge rendered 
 
CATHOLIC CHUKCH IN NEW MEXICO. 91 
 
 the travel somewhat painful and dangerous, but they saw 
 no Indians. ' 
 
 At night they camped on top of a high hill west of ihe 
 basin they had crossed, upon a bed of the finest carneliaus 
 and agates in the world ; some were quite large and of a. 
 great variety of colors. There the prelate left hislitii^ 
 band to start with a guide for Fort Mojave, sixty miles 
 distant. The others followed, and three days afterwards 
 reached the fort without accident. 
 
 At Mojave they took several days' rest, camped close to ' 
 the fort, and were well cared for by the officers. They bought 
 provisions and horses in abundance, for the Bishop had 
 resolved to push on as far as Los Angeles, in California, 
 and even to San Francisco, regardless of fatigue and dan- 
 gers, in order to procure priests of the Society of Jesus for 
 his poor but interesting missions in Arizona. 
 
 Port Mojave was then a small station built on the very 
 banks of the great river of the West, the Colorado, about 
 three hundred miles from its mouth, in the Gulf of Cali- 
 fornia. To-day the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad crosses 
 the river at Mojave. Having met a gentleman from Cali- 
 fornia ready to start on his return journey, the Bishop 
 made arrangements with him to take their provisions in a 
 wagon he had ; he procured two horses, the provisions were 
 placed in a boat and safely ferried across the great Col- 
 orado. There they are on the march again, well provis- 
 ioned for themselves, but in Ihe hurry the provisions for 
 the horses had been left out, relying upon an abundance of 
 grass. But, sad disappointment! not a blade of grass is 
 seen — all is burnt by the beat of Summer or blasted by the 
 the cold of winter, which even there is sometimes severely 
 felt. By chance they met a Californian on his way to Mo- 
 jave. Upon much solicitation he consented to sell the 
 Bishop fifty pounds of corn for twenty-five dollars. 
 
 Before them was a high plateau, or rather a succession 
 of plateaus, which they gradually ascended, so that they 
 believed they were crossing a high part of the land anrd.no 
 more. At their right they beheld five ranges of moun- 
 tains, which at first they thought to be one and the same. 
 But each one was separated by a vast plain and each was 
 
92 CATHOLIC CHUECN IN HEW MEXICO. 
 
 different in aspect and vegetation. They left these ranges 
 and plains to their right. ' One of these plains was a forest 
 composed of a peculiar kind of palm tree, called the Palm 
 of Saint Peter; many of them were fifty feet high, with 
 trunks entirely bare, and with bare branches also, while at 
 their extremities were tufts of green leaves, long and pointed 
 like that of the palmilla. In another they saw an incredi- 
 ble amount of hares and rabbits; so plentiful and so tame 
 were they that they could easily be caught with the 
 hand. 
 
 They finally reached the summit of the so-called plateau, 
 when they beheld an immensity before them, extending to 
 the veiy waters of the Pacific. They were on the summit of 
 the San Bernardino mountain, which is very high and very 
 abrupt on its western slope. Before them in the valley 
 they beheld a city of considerable size and importance and 
 a good road leading to it from their mountain summit. 
 They took the road leading from the acclivity of the moun- 
 tain, so that the descent was comparatively easy. The road 
 was through a canon called the Toll Gate, for there was a 
 toll gate towards the bottom, close to the residence of a 
 gentlemaUi whose name they did not learn, who had built 
 the road, and took a toll from travelers who went over it. 
 Soon after they encamped close to San Bernardino, a town 
 built by the Mormons, and a road diverging from the 
 one they had followed, put the San Bernardino Mor- 
 mon settlement in correspondence with Salt Lake. 
 
 There the good Bishop had a most pleasant surprise. An 
 Irish gentleman, named Quinn, who had been. years before 
 one of his parishioners in Ohio, having heard of his arrival, 
 hagtened to him and quickly brought the whole party to a 
 good hotel in the city, where he placed them at his charge, 
 and all kinds of good ofiSees were bestowed upon them. 
 Mr. Quinn could not do enough to make them forget the 
 lung and tedious journey they had gone through, and the 
 hardships and wants they had experienced. Still, not sat- 
 isfied with this, he brought them to his own residence, and 
 th^se they passed several days in repose, after their severe 
 fatigue: 
 
OATHOLie OHDEOH IN NEW MEXICO. 93 ' 
 
 It was now the 27th of January, 1864. The Bishop 
 could not delay, so leaving his men in the care of Mr. 
 Qainn, he took the coach with Father Coudert and started 
 fi.)r Los Angeles. There they remained eight days, the 
 guests of the good Bishop of Los Angeles, Monsignor 
 Amat, who was untiring in his hospitality. With him 
 they visited the whole city and neighborhood. They saw 
 at leisure the port of San Pedro, the Mission of San Gab- 
 riel, and other places. The Priests of the Cathedral were 
 very kind to them. They recall with pleasure the names of 
 Fathers Adams, Mutt, Duran and Laster. The pastor of 
 the Cathedral, now Bishop of Los Angeles, the saintly Dr. 
 Mora, was absent. 
 
 At Los Angeles, the Bishop, having learned that the 
 Jesuits who had been promised for the Missions of Arizona 
 had already reached their destination by another route, did 
 not go to San Francisco, as was his intention, but con;- 
 menced preparing for the return journey. They passed 
 again the San Gabriel, and as the coach rolled by, admired 
 at their -leisure the splendor of tljie magnificent orange, 
 olive and lemon trees, which seemed to' spread with 
 pride their triple crop of flowers, green fruit and luscious 
 ripe ones. They reached San Bernardino without acci- 
 dent. 
 
 Beturned to San Bernardino, the Bishop, helped by the 
 good Mr. Quinn, commenced preparations at once for the 
 tedious journey home by purchasing horses and provisions. 
 In their return, according to the Bishop's written notes, 
 they were to visit La Paz, White Water, Aguas Calientes, 
 and Indian Wells. It is not necessary to say that this 
 part of the country is very hot and unhealthy, being con- 
 siderably lower than the waters of the Pacific. Thence 
 our travelers reached Tres Palmas, a place having then a 
 name for its hot springs. Thus they journeyed without 
 special incidents, or forgotten ones, for this is written upon 
 reminiscences of what they saw and heard, they having 
 kept no journal of the roiite. 
 
 The Bishop relates with pleasure, however, that at a cer- 
 tain station, the name of which he has forgotten, owing to 
 a terrific rain, they had to find shelter under a tent ten feet ' 
 
94 CATHOLIC CHUKCH IN KEW MEXICO. 
 
 square, where ten men found refuge, it being the only cov- 
 ered spot in the whole station ; so that the men employed-, 
 in the station and the travelers were all huddled together 
 in that narrow space, where they had to pass the night. 
 Tlie horses had no better fare. Tbey had been placed at 
 ■some distance in a stone corral, in some parts covered with 
 the skins of animals left there on posts to dry. During the 
 night an army of coyotes came, stole the skins, scattering 
 over the hills the sacks of corn, and stampeded the horses. 
 The day was nearly all spent in bringing back the horses 
 and gathering up the corn. 
 
 But, how admirable are th« ways of Divine Providence! 
 Close by were two really Christian families, the Gallardos 
 and Bevenos. They soon learned the adventure of the 
 Bishop, and at once brought him and his suite to their 
 houses. A large room was improvised for a cbapel in the 
 house of Gallardos. The next day was Sunday; all was 
 astir in those mansions. They prepared for the Sacraments, 
 of which they had been deprived so long. Mass was cele- 
 brated; all approached the Sacraments, and Confirmation 
 was administered after Mass. It was a day of grace and 
 joy in that settlement of two families, and the heart of the 
 good shepherd expanded amidst these sheep lost in the 
 desert. They had there a strange system of chimes, which 
 resounded near and far, and were echoed by the surround- 
 ing hills. It consisted of three bars of steel of different 
 lengths, fastened by a wire, within an iron triangle, making 
 music not at all disagreeable to the ear. Early in the 
 niorning they were aroused from their sleep by one of the 
 family striking lustily upon the steel bars and calling every- 
 one to Divine service. 
 
 / There a valuable acquisition was made to the small com- 
 pany, by the arrival of Mr. Leon Pambeuf, who joined 
 the travelers. Mr. Pambeuf is now residing at Antonchico, 
 ]Sew Mexico. Leaving Gallardos they proceeded towards 
 Weaver, a mining camp having a great name at that time. 
 Weaver is fifty miles south of Walker, and one- hundred 
 miles south-east of La Paz. A vast desert, little known 
 and difficult to travel, separates the two places even to this 
 day. The days were warm; the mar jh went on, but slowly. 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 95 
 
 The Bishop bought an ambulance at La Paz but it could 
 hardly proceed. It was perhaps the first time that such a 
 vehicle essayed to cross the desert. 
 
 All arrived without any mishaps at the mining camp at 
 Weaver. As the party were to be detained there two weeks 
 by urgent business, it was decided that Father Coudert, 
 with Leon Pambeuf for a companion, should go north to 
 Walker and bring back the church vestments left there 
 during the previous December. They were soon ready and 
 the day after the arrival, early in the morning, while the 
 caravan formed a more permanent encanapment under a 
 rock, near a spring of water, the two travelers set out for 
 their adventurous journey of fifty miles and return. The 
 country was then overrun with politicians on a tour among 
 the various camps. Some of them deaired to join themselves 
 to the traveling party, and it was agreed that they would 
 wait for them at the first water, seven miles distant. As 
 the day advanced and the politicians did not make their 
 appearance, our two heroes set out by themselves, because 
 the place was too favorable for a surprise by Indians. They 
 traveled the whole day without rest, and yet could not cross 
 the breadth of the valley. High hills surrounded them, 
 they felt that they were watched by the Indians, so they 
 stopped only late at night, and went into a thicket at some 
 distance from the path', the night being dark, hoping thus 
 to deceive the scalpers; they slept on the ground, supper- 
 less and fireless, one standing guard while the others slept. 
 At the dawn of day they left their cold bed, and knowing 
 that they were in the neighborhood of the redskins, for 
 they saw recent tracks of them, they did not turn from 
 their road to reach some water that was about two miles 
 distant, but spurred on their horses to reach a spring that 
 was in the next valley. They had to pass at the foot of a 
 high hill, from which the whole valley could be surveyed 
 at a glance. On that hill were the Indians; it had even 
 seemed to them that they had perceived some heads. They 
 reached the water on an open and high prairie which could 
 be watched on all sides. Mr. Pambeuf lit a fire and pre- 
 pared breakfast, while thepriestwithagun on his shouldei*. 
 attended to the horses. 
 
96 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN HEW MEXICO. 
 
 After breakfast the two men started and in the same creek 
 found a camp of miners, six in number. They had formed 
 some paths going from one mine to another. They lost 
 sight of their route, traveling then upon rocks and took a 
 by-path, which disappeared after two miles. Not wishing 
 to turn back, they faced north and for the whole day 
 ascended the mountain they had before them. They 
 reached its summit after dark. They were on a vast divide 
 running east and west, and throwing the water courses 
 north and south. They found there a hollow place where 
 there was good wood and frozen snow. They started a large 
 fire, thawed the snow and took a comfortable supper, after 
 which they had a sound sleep till daylight, when Father 
 Coudert could recognize Granite Creek, on which was 
 Walker's mining camp. At nine o'clock they reached the 
 house of Don Manuel Irrisarri, where the vestments had 
 been left more than two months before. The first question 
 of their host was^ " Where do you come from?" "Prom 
 Weaver." " What news have you of the massacre on the 
 road?" 'We heard of no massacre." The evening before, 
 news had been brought to the camp of the killing of eight 
 men, three Americans and five Mexicans, who had left 
 Walker to go to Weaver, and had been surprised by a party 
 of Apache Tontos and all murdered and scalped. The same 
 news had been brought to Weaver, and this was the reason 
 why the politicians did not start and had failed to reach our 
 travelers. But why did they know nothing of the massa- 
 cre ? For a very simple reason. From Weaver to Walker 
 are two roads, one passing west of the hill mentioned 
 above, the other on the east, quite close to its base and 
 meeting a few miles further. Father Coudert and com- 
 panion had taken the east side road, and the massacre had 
 taken place on the west side. 
 
 Who can depict the^ anxiety of the good Bishop when 
 such news was brought to the camp ? He mourned his 
 priest whom he considered as already put to death by the 
 Apaches. As usual he found relief in appealing with tear- 
 ful prayers to heaven. No doubt his prayers were heard, 
 for his secretary was safe at the house of Don Manuel. 
 He found the church vestments, but the Bishop's horse 
 
CATHOLIC CHTJECH TN NEW MEXICO. 9T 
 
 and his own, with all the mules of Don Manuel had 
 been stolen by the Arabs of the American desert of the 
 west. 
 
 After one day of rest, the travelers, with three Mexicans, 
 who desired to go to Weaver, left the hospitable roof of 
 Manuel Irrisarri and set out for the return journey. When 
 they arrived at the forking of the roads, they deliberated a 
 moment to know what path they should follow. The opin- 
 ion broached by Father Coudert, that the path of the mas- 
 sacre was more secure, prevailed. It became|clear to all who 
 knew anything about Indians, that having committed a 
 crime on the path, they were hid at some distance from it 
 to avoid a surprise. In ascending the western slope of the 
 dangerous hill, they met about sixty miners who'had come 
 there to avenge the death of the travelers, and bury the 
 dead. They were returning to their mines having failed 
 to meet the enemy. When they reached the place of the 
 massacre they could see close by the road the graves of the 
 victims. 
 
 " We have been told," said Father Coudert to me, "that 
 one of the victims, a Mexican, was horribly mutilated. 
 They cut his arms and legs in pieces, opened his breast and 
 ate his palpitating heart. The reason of this particular 
 cruelty was that he defended himself more bravely than 
 the others, and also because they found on his feet Indian 
 mocassins, he having taken, some time before, a prominent 
 part in an expedition of United States soldiers against the 
 Indians, whom they had routed and cut to pieces. " 
 
 On the seventh day after their departure the travelers 
 reached Weaver, to the great joy of the good Bishop and 
 amid the congratulations of the whole camp. There was 
 now no reason for delaying in Weaver, and they proposed 
 to start for Tucson, two hundred and fifty miles distant. 
 No rest was taken. The tent was folded the next morning, 
 the wagons were made ready, and at night they camped on 
 the very place where to-day is located the town of Wicken- 
 burg, close to a spring called elj^nto del Agua, the Point 
 of the Waters, because after this they had to travel eighty 
 miles without water on a dry and arid plain. In order to 
 suffer less from the want of that element, the Bishop an- 
 
P8 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 nounced the departure at four o'clock in the afternoon. 
 They traveled the whole night, and in the evening of the 
 next day reached el Rio Salado, near its junction with the 
 Gila. It is a large and deep stream, but the- bed being 
 rocky, it was crossed without difficulty, and "the caravan 
 encamped on the banks of the Gila, the water of this 
 river being far better than the brackish water of the Salado. 
 There they remained two days to rest the animals after the 
 hard drive from Funto del Agtia. 
 
 The Bishop, preceding his party, left them to follow 
 at leisure, and went directly to the station of the Casa 
 Blanca, situated at the forking of the roads to Yuma and 
 Prescott. . This station adjoins the village of the Fimas. 
 The Maricopas are located two miles lower, also on the 
 Gila. Leaving their place of encampment, they ascended 
 the right side of the river. The Maricopas flocked around 
 them to sell them some provisions and mares. Among 
 other objects for sale they had the finest kind of wheat, 
 which was remarkably clean. Thes.e Indians, as well as 
 the Pitnas, were then good Indians, clean and decently 
 clothed. Tradition said that the Pimas and Maricopas, 
 about twenty thousand strong, although not Christians, 
 were of an irreproachable morality; but alas! tradition, re- 
 lates, too, that there is a disastrous change in their morals 
 since the close approach of civilization. 
 
 These Indians are remarkable for their dexterity in ball- 
 playing. Their ball is a round stone, of the size of our 
 common baseball. They throw it with the bare foot at 
 incredible distances, always on the run, without stooping 
 to take the ball, but passing their toes under it and throw- 
 ing it while on the run, while the adversaries run as swiftly 
 as they can to precede the thrower, their best man taking 
 the lead. Thus they go on a perfect run over the smooth 
 road and return. Their hair is fine, glossy as silk, and 
 curly. The reason of this is that they keep their head cool 
 by smearing it with mud, thus having a plaster which 
 covers their head. When afterwards they wash their head 
 they have the finest kind of hair, glossy, but invariably 
 curly, in both men and women. 
 
 From Casa Blanca the travelers hastened through El 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 99 
 
 Zaritan, on tbe Gila, El Agua Azul, on the plain, south of 
 the Gila, El Picacho, renowned for the numberless attacks 
 made upon its inhabitants by almost every tribe of the 
 desert, reaching in good time El Charco del Yuma, thir- 
 teen miles from Tucson. There the Bishop was met by 
 Father Messea, S. J., with a troop of horsemen, who, with 
 great demonstrations of joy, firing of guns, etc., escorted 
 the prelate to Tucson. Two miles from the city, Father 
 Bosco with a numerous company came to meet their pastor. 
 The reception was grand and was carried on with as much 
 pomp as the city could afford. All formed in line, men 
 and women on foot, with their children, led by Father 
 B.osco, the horsemen led by Father Messeg. ; all entered or 
 stood around the new church commenced by Father 
 Donato, the Sanctuary having been covered with a canvas 
 by Father Bosco, while the balance of the church remaineii 
 uncovered. This- solemn entrance of the first pastor into 
 Tucson, which in the near future was to become an epis- 
 copal city, took place on the Feast of St. Joseph, March 
 19, 1864. The Bishop, with his usual kindness, addressed 
 words of blessing to the multitude eager to see and 
 receive the blessing of their first pastor. Fathers Bosco 
 and Messea, of the Society of Jesus, were the two mission- 
 aries sent .from San Francisco, and who had arrived about 
 two months before. Father Messea being pastor of San 
 Xavier del Bac and Father Bosco remaining at Tucson. 
 
 Three weeks were spent at Tucson and vicinity. The 
 Sacrament of Confirmation was administered at Tucson 
 and at San Xavier. This magnificent church, built of 
 burnt adobes, stones and bricks, keeps to-day all the splen-- 
 dor of the antique Moorish architecture. It will repay the 
 reader to peruse a pamphlet, admirably written by Arch- 
 bishop Salpointe, telling the history of San Xavier del 
 Bac. The deserted towns of Tubac, Tumacacori and 
 Casa Blanca, on the Sonoita, near old Fort Buchanan, 
 now on the very line of the railroad to Sonora, are all 
 in the neighborhood of Tucson. 
 
 On the Monday of the second week in April several 
 companies of soldiers started en route for !New Mexico, 
 under the command of Captain Johnson. The Bishop and 
 
100 CATHOLIC CHUKOH IN NEW MEXICO, 
 
 suite put themselves under their protection. Both of&cera 
 and soldiers were kind to the Bishop, and rendered him ■ 
 many services on the way. Oq the route, without any spe- 
 cial notice, were passed Cienega, San Pedro, Sulphur 
 Springs, Dragoon Springs, Apache Pass, or Fort Bowie, 
 Cienega San Simon, El Agua Escarrada, La Estation de 
 la Sierra de los Burros, the Cow Springs, Rio Miembros, 
 Fort Cummingg, and finally the Pecacho and La Mesilla. 
 From thence the Bishop let the soldiers go their way, and 
 went to Las Cruces, where he spent a few days, ad- 
 ministering confirmation, as also at Dofia Ana and Fort 
 Selden. As the Jornada del Muerto was to be crossed, the 
 Bishop procured two fresh horses from Father Donato, 
 who was then stationed at Las Cruces. As we have seen, ' 
 Father Donato was a Franciscan friar, who had com- 
 menced the church in Tucson; but, compelled by sickness, 
 he removed to Las Cruces, and in 1866 was massacred with 
 great cruelty by the Indians between El Paso and Chi- 
 huahua. 
 
 Starting in the evening from Selden, at about midnight 
 they encamped at Perrillo ; early in the next morning 
 they reached El Aleman^ but-- as there was not enough 
 water they went out of their course to the Ojo del Muerto, 
 where the balance of the day was passed. They visited 
 Fort MacCrea, in the neighborhood, and the next morning 
 they reached San Marcial, Fort Craig and Socorro, which 
 was reached at three o'clock in the morning. The kind 
 Father Benito Bernard, since dead, was absent from home, 
 but returned during the morning. The Bishop reached 
 Socorro much weakened by wants of every kind; in fact, it 
 was feared for his life on the road between Fort Craig and 
 San Antonio. He became so weak that he could not stay 
 on horseback, and was in a kind of comatose sleep, hardly 
 breathing, and unable to proceed, notwithstanding all the 
 careful attention and ministering anxiety of his traveling 
 companion. From San Marcial the Bishop was alone with 
 Father Coudert, the others having been left behind to pro- 
 ceed at their own leisure. Having left Socorro in the 
 afternoon, they passed the night at Jojita, fording the Rio 
 Grande at Alamillo ; thence they made a flying visit to. 
 
CATHOLIC CHUBCH m NEW MEXICO. 101 
 
 Father Ealliere at Tome, and, spurring on, they reached 
 Albuquerque for the night. The next day they went to 
 Bernalillo, and late on the same day they reached Santa 
 Pe, April 28, 1864, having spent six months and two days 
 in the entire journey. 
 
 Thus did the good shepherd, at his own peril, go and 
 
 search for his sheep scattered upon the desert; thus did he 
 
 reap holy fruits from his wants and sufferings. Eternal 
 
 honor to such men, who are willing to sacrifice their lives 
 
 . for the well-being of those confided to their pastoral care. 
 
102 CATHOLIC CHUKCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Bishop LiMr PfiocaKES Sisters op Chakity. 
 
 The good Bishop has returned from his long and tedious 
 journey, but his mind is not at rest; the zeal of the House 
 of God burns his heart; the good of the souls and bodies 
 of those confided to "his eare stands now before him. There 
 is no house for the fatherless, no house for the poor orphan; 
 no asylum for him who has been struck with sickness, no 
 hospital. This want must be supplied. So the kind father 
 of all goes to work at once. It will coat him large sums — 
 it matters not ; th'e asylum, the hospital, must be had for 
 orphan and the infirm. He is needed in his diocese — he 
 cannot absent himself; but he knows the charity and kind- 
 ness of the daughters of Saint Vincent. He at once opens 
 • a communication by letters with the Superior of the Sisters 
 of Charity at Cedar Grrove, near Cincinnati, Mother Jo- 
 sephine, whom Divine Providence had again placed at 
 the head of that community for the good of all.* His terms 
 are accepted, and on August 21, 1865, four Sisters bid 
 adieu to the mother house and to their dear companion 
 sisters to start for the extreme West in search of new fields 
 of labor — in search of new wounds both of soul and body, 
 that they might staunch them and alleviate their pain. 
 
 The four heroines who thus left all they held dear to go 
 far away at the command of duty did not seek notoriety; 
 but their names are framed in the hearts of many a hard 
 toiler, who recovered under their modest roof the health 
 of both soul and body. Their names were: Sister Vicenta, 
 as Superior, and Sisters Theodosia, Pauline and Catherine. 
 They left Cedar Grove on the 21st of August, as already 
 mentioned, and traveling by rail, they went to Omaha, 
 
 * Mother .Josephine has since gone to her jeward. She was a woman 
 of superior qualities, and as a Beligious her humility and unostenta- 
 tious piety were models for all. 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 103 
 
 Cheyenne, Denver, Pueblo, without taking any rest. At 
 Pueblo they took the stage, and reached Santa Fe in the 
 middle of September, 1865. 
 
 As soon as the Sisters reached Santa Pe they were gi^ en 
 possession of the house destined for them, and named it 
 St. Vincent. They at once opened both the hospital aud 
 the asylum with a good number of patients and orphans, 
 but for several years they had considerably more of the 
 latfer than of the former. 
 
 The number of patients and orphans increased steadily, 
 and in a few years as many as seventy-three patients and 
 sixty children received shelter at once under their hospit- 
 able roof. It was thought necessary to build a larger hos- 
 pital with ampler accommodations. Many adobe houses, 
 classrooms, wards, etc., had been added from time to time, 
 but these were insufficient, 'jod had sent a true help iu 
 Sister Blandina. She collected everywhere, and, with the 
 permission of the Bishop and the Superiors, and under the 
 guidance of the local Superior, work was commenced on 
 the new hospital on the feast of St.' Blandina, 1877. It 
 went slowly up. Collections were made and donations re- 
 ceived, fairs were held, and concerts, etc., given in order 
 to raise money to finish the hospital. It was roofed in in 
 1880. The interior work was finished in 1882, and the Sis- 
 ters took charge on the 15th of March of that year. 
 
 It is a large brick building completely furnished with all 
 modern improvements. It is heated by steam, but the 
 steam power and the kitchen are in separate buildings, leav- 
 ing the hospital perfectly free of all danger of fire, and 
 nauseous smells. It is three stories high, with a fine cupo- 
 la. The wards and the private rooms, as well as the various 
 passages, are kept scrupulously clean, which adds much to 
 the comfort of the patients. The orphans remain in the 
 old adobe buildings. 
 
 The Superiors who have been at the head of the commu- 
 nity since Mother Vincenta, are Mothers Theodosia, Augus- 
 tine, Cephas, Eulalia, Sebastian, and Gabriella, the pres- 
 ent incumbent. Only two Sisters have died since they 
 came to Santa Pd. Sister Martha, who went to the Lord 
 March 18, 1884, having received the Sacraments of the 
 
104 CATHOLIC CHUBOH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 church on the day previous, St. Patrick's day; and Sister 
 Josephine, who died at Albuquerque the 28th of August, 
 1885. ■ , 
 
 Many improvements to the house and grounds have been 
 made in the last few years. The improvements in front of 
 the hospital commenced in February, 1883, and are not 
 yet completed, but even in their unfinished state they add 
 greatly to the beauty of the hospital. It will be shortly a 
 delightful place for convalescents to rest their weary limbs. 
 To the small band of four who came first many have been 
 added since. On the 18th of February, 1870, Father Man- 
 necani obtained two Sisters from Cedar grove, and two 
 from Santa Fe. He had prepared for them a large and 
 convenient house, and schools were at once started, which 
 are even now in a most prosperous condition. Sister 
 Augustine was appointed Superior. 
 
 Albuquerque needed schools, and the late Father Donatp 
 Gasparri called the Sisters to teach schools in his mission. 
 Mother Josephine, accompanied by three Sisters, went 
 there in September, 1881, and at once opened a large 
 school. Under the fostering care of Father Salvador Per- 
 sonne,a new school-housewas commenced in what is called 
 the old town, and is now finished, ready to receive pupils; 
 whereas a fine academy has been erected in the new town. 
 
 Not only Albuquerque and Trinidad desired the services 
 of the good Sisters of Charity, but Pueblo having a large 
 body of workmen in the rolling mills started there by the 
 A. T. and S. F. E. E., could not expose them to the 
 dangers of machinery without having a place to go in case 
 of an accident. The Jesuit Fathers built a fine church 
 close by, and Sister Theresa was sent to preside over the 
 house. They have built a large hospital, and the commu- 
 nity is in a flourishing condition . 
 
 Thus the work goes on. The Sisters have accepted the 
 Parochial Schools of the Sacred Heart Church in Denver, 
 where they have also a large select school. 
 
 In 1885 they took hold of the schools of San Miguel, 
 and through the kind efforts of Father Fayet, the pastor, 
 they have already another bright page to add to the history 
 of the labors of the Sisters of Charity in the West. So it 
 
CATHOLIC CHUKCH IN NEW MEXICO. 105 
 
 is true that when a master hand sets the machinery in mo- 
 tion it goes on every day improving and turning out fine 
 work. The master hand of the venerable Archhishop has 
 set in motion the whole religious work in this vast territory, 
 left almost stagnant under the Mexican occupation, and 
 the good work goes on and will go on, and the many helped- 
 by him in every way will call blessed his venerable but not 
 decrepit old age. 
 
106 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MKXICO. 
 
 CHAPTEE XVII. 
 
 Council of Baltimore. — Bishop Lamy Brings to Rome the 
 Acts of the Council. — His Fight with In- 
 dians on the Plains of Kansas. 
 
 The Second Plenary Council of Baltimore was to take 
 place in the year 1862, but owing to the difBculties caused 
 by the Civil War it could not take place. Peace having^ 
 been restored in 1865, Cardinal Barnabo, Prefect of the 
 Propaganda, in a letter to the Most Bev. Archbishop of 
 Baltimore, Dr. Spaulding. ordered him to convene a Coun- 
 cil for the year 1866. The Archbishop of Baltimore, in a 
 letter to all the Archbishops, Bishops and others in the 
 United States entitled to a seat in that Council, convoked" 
 them for the first Sunday in October of that year, feast of 
 our Lady of the Eosary. 
 
 Bishop Lamy, with the Theologian he had chosen, the 
 Eev. J. M. Coudert, left Santa Fe in the middle of Au- 
 gust, 1866, and taking in on his way, Leavenworth, St. 
 Louis, Alton, Cincinnati, Louisville and Loretto — in all of 
 which places he stopped some days — finally arrived at Bal- 
 timore three days before the convening of the Council. 
 
 The great work of the Second Plenary Council of Balti- 
 more is known to all. Its praises have been sounded by 
 eloquent pens, and it would be out of my purpose to speak 
 of that venerable and holy assembly, following the voice 
 of the Holy Ghost for the good of the people. Saffice it 
 to say that Bishop Lamy took, a deep interest in it. His 
 voice was heard on several occasions to the edification of 
 all, and his suggestions had great weight with the Fathers 
 of the Council, He was so much appreciated by them that 
 he received the singular honor of being intrusted alone to 
 bring the Acts of the Council to the Holy See for its appro- 
 bation. Bishop Lamy, whom we have seen lately so great, 
 BO noble, in the poor cabin of the miner or the hut of the 
 
CATHOLIC church: in new MEXICO. 107 
 
 Indian in the deserts of Arizona, was as much in his place 
 in the halls of the Vatican, at the feet of the holy Pontiff, 
 Pius IX. 
 
 Having performed his duty so well as ambassador of the 
 Plenary Council of Baltimore to the Holy See, he now 
 thinks of his dear Santa Fe. His heart longs to be again 
 with his flock. But he will not return empty handed. He 
 must bring more laborers into that far distant field of the 
 church. He must endow his diocese with those men who 
 forever stand .foremost in the battles of the church against 
 Satan and the world — the Jesuits. Having an interview 
 with the late lamented Father Beckx, the Superior General, 
 the account of whose death is- still fresh in the minds of 
 most of my readers, things were easily settled, and three 
 Fathers and two Brothers, of the Province of Naples, were 
 to come and found a mission in the Far West. The three 
 Fathers destined for the mission were Fathers L. Vigilante 
 as Superior, Kafael Bianchi and Donate M. G-asparri. The 
 two Brothers were Prisco Caso and Rafael Vezza. 
 
 Never before had the Company of Jesus penetrated into 
 New Mexico. The Jesuits had possessed houses, however, 
 and others had been offered them, but all on the frontiers, 
 and never in the interior, for the country had been con- 
 fided by the Holy See to the F-athers of Saint Francis. 
 Indeed, in 1842, if I remember right, a petition had been 
 sent to General Santa Anna, President of the Republic, to 
 obtain Jesuits, and by a presidential decree he had per- 
 mitted them to enter into several provinces, particularly 
 into New Mexico, as the decree says, " to civilize and con- 
 vert the Indians." 
 
 The Jesuit Fathers and Brothers, having been called; 
 from their different places of residence, met their Bishop^ 
 in France. There a large accession of priests and laymen, 
 was made to the travelling band. The Bishop sailed from- 
 Havre on the steamer " Europa," of the Transatlantic 
 Company, May 9, 1867. The company consisted of Rev. 
 J. M. Coudert, his Secretary, Father Paoli, a priest from : 
 the island of Corsica, the Jesuit Fathers Gasparri and Bi-- 
 anchi, Father Stratigo, an Italian clergyman, and the- 
 Jesuit Brothers Oaso and Vezza ; alao the students in mi- 
 
108 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXIJO 
 
 nor orders, J. B. Brun, A. Fourchegu, F. Lestra and 
 Noverfc, L. Remuzon and Chabrier, who had received ton- 
 sure only, Masters Anthony Lamy and J. B. Lamy, nephews 
 of his Lordship, the Bishop. There were also the father, 
 mother and sister of the Eev. J. B. Brun. May 19th, being . 
 a Sunday, the Bishop celebrated Mass on ship, and deliv- 
 ered an instructive sermon to his hearers, upon the sancti- 
 fication of the Sunday. On the next day, near Newfound- 
 land, the vessel entered into a kind of gulf called by the 
 sailors "The Devil's Place," They suffered a terrible 
 slorm and nearly perished. All suffered greatly from the 
 effects of the storm. 
 
 Early in the morning of May 23d, the young band saw 
 for the first time that American land, the future theater 
 where was to be acted the stirring scenes of their apostolic 
 labors. They landed at New York at four o'clock in the 
 afternoon. Leaving that city as speedily as possible, they 
 spent the Sunday of May 25th at Baltimore. There the 
 Bishop left under the care ofvFather Dubreuil, Superior of 
 the Seminary of St. Sulpice, Messrs. Fourchegu, Lestra, 
 Novert, Eemuzon, Chabrier, Ant, Lamy and Romulo Ei- 
 chera, a young Mexican who had completed his classics in 
 Montreal, and at 9 o'clock, P. M., May 30th, left Baltimore 
 for St. Louis, where he arrived with his suite on Sunday 
 morning, June 2d. In St. Louis he was joined by three 
 Sisters of Loretto and two Brothers of the Christian 
 Schools. On the 6th of June they went west to Leaven- 
 worth, where they were all lodged at the Bishop's house 
 and were most kindly treated by Bishop Miege, while the 
 Sisters were entertained at the Academy by the Sisters of 
 Charity. There they met with Fathers L. Vigilante and 
 J. De Blieck, S. J ., who were also destined for the missions 
 of New Mexico. They had also in the party Paul Beau- 
 bien, a young Mexican from the St. Louis University, en 
 route for New Mexico, Jules Masset, the Bishop's business 
 agent— finally, Antonio and Antonito, two Mexican serv- 
 ants, the whole party consisting of twenty-six persons. 
 
 "On Friday, June 14th," says Father Gasparri in his 
 narrative of the journey, "we started from Leavenworth 
 in caravans, that is to say, in wagons and carriages, for 
 
CATHOLIC CHUECH IN NEW MEXICO. 109 
 
 New Mexico. We were in the carriages and the provisions in 
 the wagons." They started by what is called the Lecomp^ 
 ton road, passed the Stranger creek without difficulty, and 
 on the 18th of June they camped on the banks of Grass- 
 hopper river, at what is called " Indian Mills," close to the 
 house of James Quaney, an excellent Irish Catholic. On 
 the 19th they passed through Indianola, in sight of Topeka, 
 the capital of Kansas, and on the 18th reached St. Mary's 
 of the Pottowatomies. The good Jesuit Fathers of the 
 mission, with all the boys, came to meet the party several 
 miles from the college. They greeted the good Bishop and 
 preceded him with banners and music to the gates of the 
 hospitable mission, where they were welcomed by the 
 Fathers. The Sunday was spent at St. Mary's, to the 
 great joy of all. 
 
 The Bishop and party left St. Mary's on the 24th of 
 June. On the 29th, feast" of St. Peter and St. Paul, 
 they camped a few rniles fr,om Junction City. Towards 
 noon four peaceable Indians— perhaps spies — came to visit 
 them, and remained awhile with them. Having, near 
 Junction City, crossed the Smoky Hill river, they bid 
 adieu to civilization. They were now left to their own 
 resources against Indian attacks. Now commenced the 
 life of the plains. Now they began to se^ve their severe 
 apprenticeship at Western missions. Now was the time to 
 strengthen their- nliids and hearts, as well as their bodies, 
 in order to successfully encounter a thousand privations 
 and a thousand dangers. 
 
 On the 1st of July they came up to a Mexican caravan, 
 eighty wagons strong, and the men, who were well armed, 
 received the Bishop of Santa Fe with every demonstration 
 of joy and veneration. The caravan formed two lines bet- 
 ter to resist any possible attacks from Indians, and the 
 Bishop's caravan was placed in the center for the sake of 
 protection, whether on the line of march or in camp. Every 
 precaution was taken against a surprise. Guns and pistols 
 were loaded, and knives were made ready for a hand-to- 
 hand fight. The captain of the whole caravan, Don Fran- 
 cisco Baca, was all over, seeing to everything. He sent 
 out scouts who reported that there were a thousand Indians 
 
110 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 in the neighborhood, who all manifested a desire for mas- 
 sacre and pillage. The party encamped near a pool of dark 
 and muddy water, the sole drink for both men and animals. 
 There two Mexicans having gone out of camp to seek their 
 oxen which had s'trayed during the night, became them- 
 selves lost in the immensity of the desert. Men were sent 
 after them and brought them back fo camp only after 
 twenty-four hours of, hard searching. There, also, they 
 met the buffalo in large herds and killed quite a number of 
 them. 
 
 On the 14th (Sunday) the good Bishop celebrated mass 
 and delivered a pathetic address to his hearers, in which he 
 impressed upon them the necessity of bearing with forti- 
 tude the evils of this world, and of giving strict obedience 
 to orders. It was an impressive and solemn sight_to see 
 that band of travellers prostrated on the desert, sur- ■ 
 rounded by enemies, raising their hands and hearts to 
 Heaven for grace and protection. -About this time symp- 
 toms of cholera were noticed, and for two weeks it raged . 
 in the camp, carrying off a number of victims, but sparing, 
 through God's interposition, the great majority of the 
 band. 
 
 On the 16fh they camped about three miles below Tort 
 Dodge. Several times in the journey they had sighted 
 little bands of Indians, but now they gathered closer'to the 
 travellers, not unlike those wolves which a,re said to gather 
 far and near to attack strayed sheep in the desert. On 
 the 17th, at dark,^while the animals were being unhar- 
 nessed from the wagons, they were attacked for the first 
 time by about fifty Indians. The day, before they bad at- 
 tacked a train a few miles further west. This train was 
 coming from New Mexico. The Indians, in that affray, 
 killed two, and wounded three, men, and stampeded five 
 hundred and thirty oxen. Another train, composed of- 
 fourteen wagons and twenty-five men, all Americans, five 
 of whom were soldiers sent from Fort Dodge as an escort, 
 ■ were two miles before them. There some renegades, lying 
 in ambush behind some brush, fell suddenly upon them as 
 they were preparing to encamp, and discharged a vol- 
 ley in upon them. The Americans, nothing daunted, pur- 
 
CATHOLIC CHUKCH IN NEW MEXICO. Ill 
 
 sued them upon the hills near the camp, and for two hours 
 fought them determinedly. It is not known how many In- 
 dians fell, but in the travelling party a young American, 
 sixteen years old, was killed by being stabbed in the heart, 
 and a soldier was severely wounded, while several of the 
 Americans received slight wounds, and an ox was Jjilled. 
 After two hours combat the Indians disappeared, and the 
 next day attacked the caravan of the Bishop. It was near 
 the Arkansas river that these fifty mounted Indians ap- 
 peared suddenly upon a hill at a short distance and rushed 
 madly upon the party, shouting and discharging their fire- 
 arms. The good Mexicans of the caravan turned upon 
 them and chased them some distance without loss. 
 
 Every one knows the Indian's war tactics. He never 
 fights in regular battle. He tries to surprise his enemy, if 
 he be not constantly on the look out ; to harrass him ; to 
 kill any man or animal lagging- behind. He comes with 
 all the fleetness of his steed, discharges his arms, (and he 
 is generally a good shot,) and retires with the same fleet- 
 ness, his body entirely hid behind his horse, so that you 
 hardly see his foot and hands. He returns on the first 
 favorable occasion to renew his peculiar skirmish. 
 
 On the 18th twenty soldiers from Port Dodge came with 
 an ambulance to carry away their wounded comrade. They 
 took ten men from the caravan to follow the Indians and 
 chase them from their dens, but after travelling five or six 
 miles, they returned without having encountered them. 
 
 The 22d day of July was a memorable day for our trav- 
 ellers. At ten o'clock in the morning Jules Masset was 
 seized with cramps, an infallible symptom of the cholera. 
 He was taken care of by the band of levites, and his body was 
 rubbed. The poor boy called in vain for his mother, and 
 at three o'clock he was no more. But at two o'clock, while 
 he was dying, they camped closer to the Arkansas river, at 
 a place called Cimarron Crossing. About fifteen men, who 
 had been detailed to ascertain the whereabouts of the sav- 
 ages, returned at full gallop, pursued by more than four 
 hundred Indians. Two of the men escaped being made 
 prisoners by going at a distance to turn around to camp. 
 Two Indian spies had been seen awhile before by the sen- 
 
112 CATHOLIC CH0KCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 tinels. The Mexican caravan had already crossed one 
 wagon from the left to the right bank of the Arkansas. 
 The Indians were lying down upon their breasts in the 
 weeds, like snakes, when they were seen by the scouts. 
 Their idea no doubt was to let other wagons cross, and then 
 attack without danger the balance of the party in camp, 
 and seize the booty left defenceless upon the other bank. 
 But the wary sentinels discovered them to soon. 
 
 "The Indians," writes Father Brun in his journal, 
 stopped a short distance from our camp, and forming into 
 a batallion, held a council of war. After a few moments 
 of apparent hesitation, the Indian batallion, mounted on 
 fine horses, approached, but a general discharge from our 
 American rifles, which were of very long range, forced 
 them to retreat. Soon, however, they returned and were 
 driven back again. Then ten Or twelve detailed from the 
 batallion paraded a few yards from us. They passed before 
 our camp with an incredible celerity, discharging their 
 firearms as they rushed by. Some even came on foot, in 
 order to induce us to pursue them, and then to fall upon 
 us, who had not more than thirty horsemen. 
 
 " With the same intention they had placed on the hill, 
 in sight of the camp, the five hundred and thirty oxen 
 stolen a few days.before, from the outgoing Mexican train. 
 They hoped we would leave camp to go and fetch them ; 
 but they were frustrated iii their design, for the Bishop 
 and the captain of the caravan gave express orders that no 
 one should go outside of the stockade, which was made of 
 wagons bound together, forming an oval figure, with the 
 animals in the center. The good Bishop was everywhere 
 encouraging the men to fight bravely and defend themselves 
 to the death if necessary. He held a gun in his hand, and 
 gave orders with great coolness and deliberation, showing 
 to all an example of courage and calmness. Every one 
 was at his post behind the wagons, and when the Indiana, 
 in single file, passed before us, shaking their bucklers 
 made of buffalo skins, and discharging their guns or shoot- 
 ing their arrows, we returned their fire, and observed sev- 
 eral fell from their horses, and immediately, dead or only 
 wounded, were surrounded by their companions, replaced 
 
CATHOLIC CHDRCH IN NEW MEXICO. 113 
 
 on their horses and taken away. "We could hear the bull- 
 ets whizzing over our heads, several were imbedded in the 
 wheels of the wagon, but fortunately none of us were 
 wounded. 
 
 " Father Coudert distinguished himself among all by his 
 coolness and valor." 
 
 Here I must interrupt for a moment the interesting jour- 
 nal of father Brun, to relate an incident that was told me 
 about this melee with the Indians. My informant stated 
 that an English speaking Indian came nearer than the 
 others to the camp. Father Coudert shot at him alone. 
 He fell, but was surrounded at once by his comrades. 
 Father Coudert had hit him in the shoulder as he arose 
 from behind his horse, and this proved to be the decisive 
 point in the battle. Who could he be ? Keport said that 
 it was Charley Bent, the son of Governor Bent, and one 
 of the principal chiefs. This young man had been thor- 
 oughly educated in the Catholic Universities, but he 
 strangely enough, preferred the wild life of the Indian to 
 the sedentary Jife of a whlteman. It was said also that he 
 was soundly berated by the Governor, his father, for par- 
 ticipating in this skirmish, and had to promise liim never 
 again to attack any caravan in which there were Bishops or 
 priests. How true all this is I know not. 
 
 " After more than three hours of such a fight," continues 
 Father Brun, " the Indians iVent off in small bands, sep- 
 arating from one another in order the better to avoid our 
 bullets. Some of them on horseback stayed behind the 
 others, as if to dare us to follow them. This is a trick of 
 the Indians, who thus simulate a, flight, and then suddenly 
 return to attack the camp, which may be exulting over its 
 victory. About thirty of us, forgetting this ruse of war, 
 left the camp in order to explore the battle field, examine 
 the five dead or mortally wounded horses; the spoils of the 
 Indians, saddles, bridles, the beautiful slippers adorned 
 with precious stones of the principal chief, arrows, bows 
 and quivers, pistols and guns, etc. Suddenly an Indian 
 troop, with the swiftness of the wind, turned back on the 
 imprudent men, who, however, noticed the movement soon 
 enough to flee back to the camp. The Indians, frustrated 
 
114 CATHOLIC -CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 there, turned back and joined their main body about a 
 mile away. Then they crossed the river to rest, and to 
 lob at leisure the wagon left alone on the other side of the 
 stream. There they remained facing us on the right bank 
 of the river till nine o'clock, when they set the wagon on 
 fire. 
 
 " Daring that time some Indians lurked around our camp 
 screaming, ' Amigos !' a new tjick of the enemy to draw 
 lis to them. But we took care not to notice them, and a 
 fusillade was the only answer to their 'Amigos !' We were 
 now shooting in the dark, but it is to be believed that some 
 never uttered a cry any more. During' the night, having 
 placed the animals between the camp and the river to let 
 them graze a while, some Indians swam the river stealthily 
 to stampede them. But our sentinels were on the alert 
 and could not be caught by any such stratagem. In a 
 moment the whole camp was on foot, a volley followed the 
 swimmers, and the Indians, whether in the river or on its 
 banks, finally abandoned their designs. 
 
 " We learned sometime after that three of the principal 
 chiefs had been killed and one severely wounded. As for 
 us, we were protected in a visible manner by Divine Prov- 
 idence. Having for hours fought an enemy five times as 
 numerous as ourselves, and more accustomed to fight, we 
 did not have a single member of our party wounded. Our 
 good Mexicans attributed this wonderful protection of Grod 
 to the presence of Bishop Lamy and the missionaries, and 
 showed still more zealously, if possible, their respect and 
 devotion to him. 
 
 " Some days later, when we reached Trinidad, we read 
 in the Denver ' Gazette': ' The caravan of Dr. Lamy, Bishop 
 of Santa Fe, composed of fifteen missionaries and five Sis- 
 ters, have been attacked by the Indians. Monsignor and 
 his priests have' been massacred and the religieuses led 
 away captive by the savages.' 
 
 " It is thus that histpry is written." 
 
 " On the 23d," writes Father Gasparri, " we continued 
 our journey, and toward evening Sister Alphonsa Thomp- 
 son, a native of Kentucky, fell sick. Night setting in, we 
 camped, and she being very ill, received the Last Sacra- 
 ments. The other Sisters waited on her all night, and the 
 
CATHOLIC CHUKCH IN NEW .MEXICO. 115 
 
 next day we had to continue our journey. She was put into 
 a wagon with the four other Sisters, and when we had 
 halted, she died at ten o'clock July 24th, being not quite 
 twenty years old. We all felt most sensibly the death of 
 that Sister, so much the more as no remedies could be 
 procured in these desert plains to relieve her. On the other 
 hand the Indians would not let her die in peace. She was 
 buried in the evening, near the road, in a place well 
 marked and known to the Mexicans. A coffin, the best 
 that could be had under the circumstances, was made for 
 her, and all accompanied the body in procession, a Jesuifc 
 Father performing the funeral ceremony, and the Bishop 
 assisting. Before leaving the place a cross was planted 
 over the grave. The poor Sister had expressed a desire 
 not to have her body left there, but to have it taken on 
 with us to New Mexico, fearing perhaps that the -wild In- 
 dians, finding it, would desecrate it. But this was not 
 done, above all because the cholera had broken out among 
 us, but also because it is said that the Indians always 
 -respect dead bodies. God, moreover, would protect in a 
 special manner that body, in which had dwelt a soul as 
 pure and innocent as Sister Alphonsa's." 
 
 Referring to the sad deatji of Sister Alphonsa, Bishop 
 Lamy wrote : " The youngest Sister of Loretto died on the 
 24th of July, from fright, as I consider it, caused by the 
 attack of the savages. She was eighteen years of age, well 
 educated, and a model of virtue." * 
 
 The following lines written by an unknown friend in 
 the Ave Maria, were handed to me. Let them be the epi- 
 taph of dear Sister Alphonsa : 
 
 * Three yearj afterward, while pastor at Topeka, Kansas, I received 
 a note from Bishop Lamy, requesting me, on my frequent yisita on the 
 plains, to find the grave of Sister Alphonsa. Aoaompanied by two 
 men of those who were cmplfoyed by. the Eailroad near Cimarron 
 Crossing, I forded the rirer and following the old track, quite plain *■ 
 yet, we saw, or thought we saw, the grave by the roadside, the spot 
 being marked by a higher tuft of grass. The cross, however, had dis- 
 appeared, burnt probably by the Irequent prairie fires. We could not 
 delay long, as the evening was advancing, and we had strict orders 
 fronfthe camp not to stay long for fear of the Indians. The fact is 
 the track layers were working with tools as usual, but having a gun 
 close by to repulse attacks, which were quite frequent. The grave 
 was in good condition. 
 
116 CATHOMC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 TBE DESEET GE.4.VE. 
 
 [Suggested by the death of a Sister o( Loretto, while crossing the 
 plains in the train of Bishop Lamy, which was attacked by Indians.] 
 
 A lonely grave on the desert plain, 
 
 Where the howling winds and the driving rain 
 
 Chant their wild requiem over my head, 
 
 As if I were one of their early dead — 
 
 Here is the chosen spot for me 
 
 To rest in my virgin purity. 
 
 Till the Bridegroom cometh 'to call me hence 
 
 To be crowned' in his heavenly i esidence. 
 
 Hush ! a footstep over my head ! 
 
 I remember the hurried and stealthy tread. 
 
 'Tis the savage Indian- tracking the train 
 
 That is passing across this desert plain. 
 
 I knew by the sound of the warlike shriek, 
 
 'Tis one of tribe I came to seek. 
 
 Oame to this howling wilderness, 
 
 With a sister's love to redeem and bless 
 
 Their outcast life ; by uq hope enticed. 
 
 Save to win their savage souls to Christ ; 
 
 One of the tribe for whom I gave 
 
 My life in return for this desert grave. 
 
 They met us passing the lonely road : 
 " Ho, ho ! " they cried, " 'tis the white man's code ; 
 " Let us murder and rob the pale faced crew, 
 "And do unto them as they also do." 
 
 Sick unto death with the fever's blight, 
 
 I heard the sounds of the deadly fight. 
 
 Visions of foul dishonor rose 
 
 In my woman's fear, and with terror froze 
 
 My virgin blood. Too weak to fly 
 
 From the dreaded fate, I prayed to die. 
 
 Then my soul fulfilled its virgin vows 
 
 And escaped to the arms of its heavenly spouse. 
 
 When God shall call for His martyred dead, 
 From my desert grave I will lift my head. 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 117 
 
 On the 26th it was resolved to leave behind the Mexican 
 caravan because- it was too slow, and also to free them- 
 selves from cholera, which continued raging among the 
 Mexicans. It was a touching separation. The chiefs of 
 the caravan came to the missionaries, all together recited 
 the Litanies of the Saints in^thanksgiving for their wonder- 
 ful preservafion. All having knelt down on the bare 
 ground, the Bishop gave them his benediction, which they 
 received with great faith and devotion. At four o'clock in 
 the evening, leaving their companions, they travelled the 
 whole night for fear of attracting the attention of the In- 
 dians. 
 
 The travelers were looked upon by all whom they met as 
 ghosts from the other world, the news of their massacre 
 having spread everywhere. On the 3d of August they were 
 in sight of Trinidad. Father Yermare, the Priest of 
 the place, came a long distance to meet his Bishop and 
 confreres. On the 5th, having crossed the Eaton, they 
 were met by Father Guerin of Mora, with Fathers Bousset 
 and Bourdier, then in minor orders. 
 
 From that time the coming of the Bishop to his Episco- 
 pal city appeared as a triumphal march. "From all the 
 parishes processions of men with their pastors at their 
 head came out to welcome him. They came five oi; six 
 leagues distant to meet their father. As soon as they saw 
 him they gave shouts of joy, then falling on their knees, 
 they kissed his hand asked his blessing. The women and 
 children came afterward on foot. Thus they crossed Mora, 
 Sapello, Las Vegas and San Miguel. 
 
 On the 15th of August, an auspicious day, from the hills 
 they beheld Santa Fe. There the demonstrations of joy 
 surpassed anything witnessed elsewhere. More than two 
 hundred horsemen went to meet their Bishop at a distance 
 of twelve mil^s. They served as an escort. The Christian 
 Brothers, with their bands, were the first ; other bands of 
 music followed ; the Bishop entered the Cathedral, at the 
 door of which the Vicar (3-eneral welcomed him in the 
 name of the clergy, after which the Bishop solemnly gave 
 his benediction to the people. Glorious Prelate, amidst a 
 well beloved clergy and a well beloved people ! 
 
118 CATHOLIC CHDEOH IN NEW MEXICO., 
 
 His heart was now full. He had brought with him a 
 new and powerful element of education for that dear 
 people whom he so much loved. He had enriched his dio- 
 cese with a religious Order that was to do so much for the 
 cause of religion. In one word, he had brought with him 
 the Jesuits. 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 119 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 The Jesuits in New Mexico. , 
 
 The Jesuits in New Mexico date the history of their la- 
 bors from the 15th of August, 1867, Feast of the Assump- 
 tion of the B. V. Mary. 
 
 The Bishop, in his ijiterview with the Father General, 
 had promised to give the Jesuits a property in their own 
 name, with a church and a house. On the journey he told 
 them that he had determinecl what church he would give 
 them, and after reaching Santa Fe, he informed them, 
 through the Vicar General, that the place he had deter- 
 mined upon was Bernalillo, and that while Father Vigilante 
 should stay some days in Santa Fe to arrange matters, they 
 would proceed at once to Berna,lillo, and there be installed 
 by the Vicar himself. 
 
 On August 20th, after a few days rest, accompanied by 
 the Vicar Eguillon, Fathers Eafael, Bianchi, Donate, M. 
 Gasparri and the two Brothers, Caso and Vezza, started for 
 Bernalillo. Father de Blieck had come only for his health, 
 and did not belong to the mission. The travellers passed 
 one night at the Pueblo of Santo Domingo, and early on 
 the second day they reached Bernalillo, and Father Eguil- 
 lon brought them to the house of Don Pedro Perea ; but 
 in the evening they insisted on going to their own house, 
 no matter in what condition it should be. The Vicar Gen- 
 eral solemnly installed them on the following day. The peo- 
 ple were called by the sound of bells to divine service, and 
 the Fathers were presented to the people as their pastors. 
 Father Eguillon afterwards returned to Santa Fe. Father 
 Vigilante, the Superior, arrived on the 1st of September, 
 and the Company commenced work among the faithful. 
 Their life in Bernalillo was not different from that of any 
 otherparish priests, attending to all the spiritual needs of 
 those' confided to their care. Besides Bernalillo and its 
 missions, they had for the present the charge of Pefia 
 Blanca and its missions, and Jemez and its missions. 
 
120 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 Besides the administration of theSe missions, the Bishop 
 had confided to them the care of teaching moral theology 
 to a young seminarian. They commenced in September, 
 and two more were added in October. They remained till 
 the commencement of December, when the Bishop called 
 them to Santa Pe to ordain them. In the meantime many . 
 among the Mexicans who knew the Society and her col- 
 leges in the East, were anxious that they should open' 
 schools of some kind. On the other hand", the clergy de- 
 sired that they should take good and virtuous young men, 
 with capacity for study, so that they might be prepared for 
 the priesthood, and have thus a native clergy, and not to 
 depend entirely upon priests from Europe, who could not 
 always be obtained. But besides those ideas, thus ex- 
 pressed, nothing more was done on the subject. 
 
 The Bishop at that time desired that a retreat should be 
 given to the clergy. Father de Blieck, who had been placed 
 at the service of the mission by the Father General, was 
 charged with it. The retreat took place at Santa ie in 
 November ; after which another was given to the Sisters of 
 Loretto, and a third to the Christian Brothers. Afterwards 
 sermons and lectures were given for a while at the Cathe- 
 dral to 8,11 persons who spoke the English language. These 
 lectures took place on Sundays and Thursdays. 
 
 In the meantime Father Eguillon, V. G., expressed the 
 desire that a mission. should be given to the people of Santa 
 Fe. Fathers Bianchi and Gasparri were accordingly sent 
 to take charge of it. A triduum was given first to the 
 children, commencing on the 8th of December and lasting 
 to the 12th, when they all started in grand procession from 
 the Cathedral to the church of our Lady of Guadalupe. 
 An immense concourse of people were present, and Father 
 Gasparri addressed them with much unction, producing 
 the best effects. On the evening of that day commenced 
 the mission, which lasted to the 25th, the great day of the 
 Nativity of our Lord. The two missionaries spared no 
 means, no labor, to produce fruits of virtue in the souls of 
 their hearers. And indeed these fruits were wonderful, 
 and the number of those who took part in the general com- 
 munion on Christmas day was incredible. Cold and indiff- 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 121 
 
 erent hearts were warmed up to fervor, persons Jiving a 
 bad life perhaps for years, gave up their evil ways, mar- 
 riages not" sanctified, by the blessing of the church were 
 redressed, many evil habits were given up, so that really 
 the population of Santa Fe, always animated by a religious 
 spirit, on account of the zeal of its clergy, became a model 
 people, anzious to frequently receive the Sacraments, in 
 an edifying spirit of faith which characterises the Catho- 
 lic population to this day. Both the Bishop and his Vicar 
 Oeneral expressed themselves as highly satisfied with the 
 mission. . 
 
 Besides the actual gopd of the mission in casting out 
 evils from among the people, a permanent effect was pro- 
 duced by inculcating a great devotion toward the B. V. 
 Mary, establishing the practice of the Eosary, enrolling all 
 or nearly all, in, the Scapular, so that the zealous priests 
 afterwards not only continued these practices, but ladded 
 others, such as the devotion to the Sacred Heart, the So- 
 dality of the Children of Mary, and the various Sodalities 
 for both males and females, which in their way increase 
 the devotions of the people of Santa JPe every day, and 
 make the parishes in which these pious societies are fos- 
 tered the models of all others in the diocese. 
 
 These missions, almost unknown before the advent of 
 the Fathers, were now asked for everywhere. "When that 
 of Santa Fe was given, the Legislature was in session, so 
 that the greater part of the Senators and Representatives 
 took part in the exercises. Afterwardsj on returning' to 
 their homes, they spoke to all of the happy fruits produced 
 by the rnission, and. kindled in the hearts of those who had 
 not attended the desire of enjoying the same benefits. The 
 Fathers commenced at home in the first months of the 
 year 1868, they gave missions at Pefia Blanca, Santo Do- 
 mingo, Jemez, Los Corrales and Bernallilo. At that time 
 — it being Lent — Father Gasparri started to visit all the 
 missions. He confined himself to Bernalillo and Jemez 
 because a priest had just been appointed pastor of P^fia 
 Blanca. His success was great. But before he could visit 
 them all, it was thought of transferring the Jesuits to Al- 
 buquerque. The affair thus came to pass. 
 
122 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 The Bishop had promised the Father General to give the 
 Jesuits a church, with a house and a piece of land, as their 
 own property. When he sent them to Bernallilo, which 
 contained these three requisites, of course he promised to 
 give them the title thereto as soon as possible. ''But 
 there arose difficulties which hindered him from it. The 
 church, house and land were within the property of a cer- 
 tain Dona Dolores Otero, the deceased wife of Don Fran- 
 cisco Perea, who at his death left it to his two children yet 
 minors. When the church and house were built the title 
 of that property had been given to the Bishop, as also the 
 possession of it. But the title had bfien lost before being 
 registered. The children being minors neither they nor 
 their guardian could either sell or give. Now the Bishop 
 could" not give to thej Fathers a title before he obtained it 
 himself, consequently he desired to transfer them to an- 
 other point, Albuquerque. For that purpose the Bishop, 
 on March 16, 1868, went personally to Albuquerque. The 
 next day he returned to Santa Fe, and soon after had an 
 interview with Father Augustine Truchard, then parish 
 priest of Albuquerque. Whether he was the first to offer 
 bis resignation, or simply gave his consent, is uncertain, 
 but before leaving Albuquerque he made some conditions. 
 But for ■ this transaction it will be better to quote Father 
 Gasparri's word in his " Historia de la Compania de Jesus 
 en Nuevo Mejico," a work never yet printed, but kept in 
 the archives of the Society. Here are his words, trans- 
 lated from the Spanish : 
 
 " The conditions were that we should assume his debts, 
 leaving in eur favor a property belonging to him, that he 
 should remain in Albuquerque until after Easter, and that 
 we could not enter it until after his departure. The first 
 condition was the heaviest. The debt amounted to three 
 thousand six hundred dollars, a part of which was to be 
 paid in silver. The property which he gave us — the house 
 and the land — had not cost him more than two thousand 
 dollars in paper, and he sold it to us at that price . The 
 sixteen hundred dollars were to be paid thus : eleven hun- 
 dred in paper and five hundred in silver. 
 
 " All appeared well to Father Vigilante, who desired 
 
CATHOLIC OHUBOH IN NEW MEXICO. 123 
 
 this change more than all, and accepted all the conditions. 
 He went to Albuquerque during Holy Week, bought the 
 property for two thousand dollars, obligating himself to 
 pay the balance, and, perfectly satisfied, wrote to the 
 Father General and to the Patner Provincial what he had 
 done. It is certain that he received answers very little 
 satisfactory, but he never manifested it. At the time ap- 
 pointed, Father Truchard left Albuquerque. He came to 
 ^Bernalillo on the 20th of April, and on the following day 
 Father Vigilante, accompanied by Father Bianchi, went to 
 Albuquerque in order to take possession of the new parish. 
 Father Gasparri and the. Brothers remained in Bernalillo 
 one week more to settle all business." 
 
 Being now established in Albuquerque, the Fathers sol- 
 emnly celebrated the exercises of the month of May, and 
 on the last day — Feast of Pentecost— a great number of 
 people approached the Sacraments. , F. Gasparri gave, in 
 the month of August, a retreat to the Sisters of Loretto, . 
 to the clergy, and to the Christian Brothers. While in 
 Santa Fe the Rev- J. Guerin, parish priest of Mora, 
 asked him to give also the exercises of a retreat to the 
 people of hig parish. The Rev. F. Gasparri agreed" to 
 give it .in December. So at that epoch he and Father 
 Bianchi started, passing through Santa Fe and San Miguel. 
 At Las Vegas the pastor took them in his carriage to Mora. 
 That mission produced great fruits of piety in that place 
 and neighborhood. It eommeneed on the morning of the 
 8th of December by a short mission to the children, which 
 terminated by a general communion on the Feast of Our 
 Lady of Guadalupe. That evening the great mission com- 
 menced. After a few days Father Bianchi felt ill, but he 
 continued as usual, to preach and hear confessions. It was 
 so very cold that the Precious Blood froze in the chalice j. 
 but despite all climatic severities he was at his post. On the 
 18th he preached a remarkably eloquent sermon on Death.. 
 After the sermon he went to bed, never to rise from it 
 again in life. He grew fatally sick. Two doctors were, 
 called, and said he was attacked with pleuresis. Father 
 Guerin and Father Bourdier, were unremitting in their 
 attentions to him. A third physician was called, but it 
 
124 CATHOLIC CHDKCH JN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 was of no avail. On Christmas Day he received Holy 
 Communion with unusual devotion. Soon after, the symp- 
 ptoms grew alarmingly worse, and on the 29th — Feast of 
 the Holy Innocents — a little after five in the morning, 
 he gave up his beautiful soul to God. In the afternoon 
 his body was carried to the church, where ail the people 
 flocked to see the dead missionary. The concourse was 
 immense. News of the event was spread at once. Father 
 Fialon, of Sapello, and Fathers Coudert and Peyron, of 
 Las Vegas, came in due time to take part in the solemn . 
 ceremonies. 
 
 Tuesday, December 28th, 1868, the good missionary was 
 buried in the church of Mora, i"n the sanctuary, on the 
 epistle side. Father Gasparri celebrated mass, assisted by 
 Fathers Fiallon and Lujan, retired priests in Mora. All 
 the stores remained plosed on that day; an immense con- 
 course of Protestants and Jews, as well as of Catholics, 
 were present. Everyone felt that a saint had died. Even 
 •the two legislative bodies, in session at Santa Fe, passed 
 appropriate resolutions', and put on mourning to the end of 
 the session; a fact so much the more remarkable, since it 
 is seldom done, and moreover several of the members, both 
 of the Senate and the Assembly, were not Catholics. 
 
 Father Eafael Bianchi was born at Casentino, Province 
 of Aguila, in the Kingdom of Naples, December 19, 1836. 
 He studied the classics in the schools of the Society at 
 Aquila. He entered the novitiate at Conochia, August 7th, 
 1852. He studied rhetoric and philosophy while teaching 
 grammar at Naples. Expelled with other Fathers from 
 Italy in 1860, he was sent to France to study theology. He 
 was ordained priest at Laval, September 19, 1863. The 
 following year he was sent to Spain, passed one year at 
 Maurega, taught philosophy at Tartosa, and started for 
 New Mexico, April 18, 1867. In a word, he was a man of 
 as great regularity as the most fervent novice. He was 
 held in great esteem by all who knew him. 
 
 The mission of Mora finished on the day of the Nativity 
 of Our Lord. Ijb produced much good among the people. 
 There the first mission cross was planted in New Mexic6. 
 The death of Father Bianchi was the seal of that mission, 
 
CATHOLIC CHtJBCH IN NEW MEXICO. 125 
 
 and confirmed many in their good resolutions. Afterwards 
 Father Gasparri, assisted, now by the pastor, then by his 
 assistant, Yisited all the missions of that parish, and the 
 number of those who did not approach the Sacrament was 
 exceedingly few. 
 
 In the meanwhile, another mission was preparing at 
 Taos. This parish needed a mission, 'especially on account 
 of a certain schism which existed there. This schism had 
 started in this wise: Father Jose Antonio Martinez had 
 been appointed parish priest of Taos in the year 1826. He 
 governed that parish till 1856, when he spontaneously re- 
 signed his palish into the hands of Bishop Lamy, and 
 another priest was sent to administer the parish. Subse- 
 quently, owing to some difficulties between him and the 
 new pastor, he regretted having resigned, and claimed to 
 be the rightful pastor of Taos. Not having the use of the 
 church, he built a chapel in his own dwelling, and there 
 performed all the duties of parish priest. As he had been 
 many years parish priest of Taos, and his family being one 
 of the most noted in that district, he drew to himself a 
 party, either in Taos or in the missions that were attache.d 
 to Taos. 
 
 For many reasons Biehop Lamy, after the accustomed 
 canonical admonitions, was compelled to suspend him, 
 along with Father Lucero, who acted as his assistant. This 
 exasperated him and strengthened the spirit oi schism, 
 which the zealous priests who succeeded one another in 
 Taos have not been able entirely to destroy. Thus re- 
 mained affairs to the death of Father Martinez, July 28th, 
 1867, who gave no sign of submitting to the Bishop, and 
 demanded, before dying, to be buried in his own chapel, 
 and Father Lucero buried him, acting as pastor of the 
 schismatics. 
 
 The Bishop, being at Taos in October of the year 1868, 
 proposed to Father Gabriel Ussel, the parish priest, to have 
 a mission given to his>people. Then Father Gasparri was 
 in Mora; he was communicated with at that place. Father 
 Ussel himself coming to Mora. Both went to Sapello, 
 where was the Bishop, in order to take his advice on the. 
 subject. By that time Father Bianchi was dead, and it 
 
126 CATHOLIC CHDKCN IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 wa8 decided that F. Gasprarri would go alone and preach 
 that mission. He left Mora with Father Ussel on the 12th 
 of January, 1869. The mission forthe people commenced 
 on the 17th and lasted two weeks. The difficulties and 
 prejudices were great, but happily the family of Martinez, 
 the most notable in the parish, gave a bright example of 
 obedience, and was one of the first to ask to be reconciled 
 with the Church. After this the difficulties were much 
 less, and the mission produced abundant, fruits among 
 the population. 
 
 In Albuquerque affairs continued as usual. Father Vigi- 
 lante, being alone, asked for Father Boucard, but he be- 
 came sick and left, and Father Foui'chaigu, who was then 
 in Santa Fe was sent to him to help in the best way he 
 could, as assistant. On the return of F. Gasparri, Father- 
 Fourchaigu returned to Santa Fe. The Bishop in the 
 meanwhile reinstated Father Rodriguez, who lived close to 
 Albuquerque, and gave him permission to say Mass, and 
 also to administer the Sacraments, so that he could help 
 the Fathers. 
 
 In March, 1869, the Jesuits commenced paying their 
 debt. Things became more prosperous. At once schools 
 were started, the church was improved, and much needed 
 work was done, both at Albuquerque and in the missions. 
 Soon after. Fathers Leone and Tomassin came to give 
 their help, and enabled F. Gasparri to start on a Mission 
 among the Navajoes, in July, 1870, with a view to establish 
 a permanent mission among them; but the promises made 
 by the Government failed, he was obliged to abandon the 
 mission, and it was passed over to the Methodists. 
 
 In the Spring of 1871 great preparations were made, to 
 celebrate with becoming pomp the Feast of the Sacred 
 Heart. At the same time took place the Jubilee of Pius 
 IX. The alms given for the Jubilee were employed in 
 making a silver heart with a gold cross. The names of 
 the donors were placed in it, and the whole was sent to the 
 Sovereign Pontiff. 
 
 In the same year the Rt. Rev. P. J. Maehebeuf, Vicar 
 Apostolic of Colorado, offered Conejos, a beautiful location 
 in the San Juan Valley, to F. S. Personne, who had lately 
 
CATHOLIC' CHCTECH IN NEW MEXICO. 127 
 
 come from Europe, and in the next year Father Pinto, 
 also recently arrived, was given the mission of Pueblo. In 
 the meantime the Fathers in Albuquerque were not idle. A 
 far more convenient place fof a cemetery had been pur- 
 chased, three miles from the city, on elevated ground, and 
 there the corpses of thousands who had been buried for 
 centuries in a low, swampy place were removed in a most 
 solemn procession. 
 
 In the year 1872 also that Father Gasparri commenced 
 to print books for the benefit of the church and mission. 
 
 Soon after was established a novitiate, which later on 
 was removed to Las Vegas, and finally discontinued alto- 
 gether for want of means — the young novices being sent 
 since that time to Florissant, near St. Louis, the great 
 novitiate of the Province of Missouri. 
 
 In 1873 was formed a new parish from missions belong- 
 ing to Mora, Sapello and Antonchico, located at La Junta, 
 and dedicated to the Sacred Heart. Eev. F. Tomassini 
 was appointed its first pastor. 
 
 The year 1874 was occupied in giving a number of mis- 
 sions to the various parishes of the diocese. One given in 
 Las Vegas produced such fruits that the whole population, 
 through a select committee, desired the Fathers to estab- 
 lisha college there and remain among them. Don Manuel 
 Romero offered a house for that purpose until such time 
 as they would be able to erect a suitable college. The 
 offer was accepted; and soon after several of tlie Fathers 
 removed to Las Vegas, while F. Baldassare, the new Su- 
 perior, remained at Albuquerque with the others. 
 
 The, first number of the Revista Galolica was published 
 January 2d, 1875. It was then severely handled by all the 
 papers, impious and malicious, published in Colorado and 
 New Mexico. It nevertheless withstood their attacks, and 
 has continued to increase and prosper, till now, under the 
 editorship of learned Fathers, and the carefulness and pa- 
 tience of Father Ferrari, its publisher, it has become one 
 of the foremost weeklies published in New Mexico. 
 
 The generous population of Las Vegas continued asking 
 for a college ; offers of help were made; land was pur- 
 chased, and in November, 1877, Eev. Salvador Personne 
 
128 CATHOLIC CHITHOH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 was installed as first President of the institution in the 
 house of Don Manuel Eomera, which answered the pur- 
 pose for a while. There the President, and his faculty 
 dwelt for one year, commencing with twenty-five boarding 
 pupils and about one hundred day scholaTS. 
 
 On the 2l8t of June, 1878, the foundations of the new 
 college were laid, and in November of the same year it was 
 blessed and made ready for occupation. The faculty con- 
 sisted of Eev. Salvador Personne, President, with the 
 Keverends Alphonsus Rossi, S. J.; Lawrence Pede, S. J.; 
 A. Minaci, S. J., and two auxiliary Brothers. God alone 
 knows the privations and sacrifices which the little band 
 had to endure. Three thousand dollars were given by sub- 
 scription, but where the balance came from is the secret of 
 God; but we do know that they built and paid for their 
 building. 
 
 ' In December, 1882, the Rev. Dominic Pantanella, S. J., 
 was appointed President of the College, and Father Per- 
 sonne was called to replace the lamented Donato Gasparri 
 in Albuquerque. His work there was great. He com- 
 pleted the new Church of the Immaculate Conception in 
 New Albuquerque begun by Father Gasparri;, and built 
 with brick and of beautiful interior finish. The church in 
 Old Albuquerque was also rendered one of the finest of the 
 Territory. ' ' 
 
 In August, 1874, Father Pantonella, having beeii called 
 to establish a new college in Morisson, near Denver, Col., 
 Father Personne returned to Las Vegas as President, being 
 replaced in Albuquerque by the Very Key. Father Balda- 
 sare, S. J.* , 
 
 The college is increasing yearly. It had, in 1883, as 
 many as ninety boarding pupils and two hundred and 
 seventy-five day scholars. The year 1884 was more bright 
 than ever. W-hen classes commenced there were seventy 
 pupils present They came from various places— 'Mexico, 
 Chihuahua, Sonora, Texas, Colorado, each furnishing 
 
 * Father Baldasare was afterwards stricken with paralysis and went 
 back to Sunny Italy to recover his health, but in vain. He has gone 
 to his reward. 
 
CATHOLIC CHUECH IN NEW MEXICO. 129 
 
 separate contingents — and some even came from Phila- 
 delphia. 
 
 I never would finish this interesting subject were it not 
 my space is limited. I must mention two great losses 
 suffered by the Society and I will have done. I allude 
 to the deaths of the Eevs. , Diamare and Gasparri. 
 
 The JRevista Catolica of the 29th of April, 1882, speaks 
 in the highest terms of the virtues of the Rev. James 
 Diamare, S. J. It says: 
 
 "At 10 o'clock A. M. of the 25th of April, the Eev. P. 
 James Diamare returned his beautiful soul to God; he was 
 over 43 years of age, and had been over 17 years a member 
 of the Society of Jesus. He was boin in the city of Naples, 
 on the 22d of February, 1839. He studied the classics in 
 the Jesuit schools of Naples. Pious always, he felt at- 
 tracted to the priesthood, and entered the Urban Seminary 
 in his native city. In 1863 he was ordained priest secular, 
 and a year after entered the Society of Jesus. He entered 
 his novitiate at Rome, and soon after was sent to Reggio, 
 in Calabria, as secretary to Monsignor Ricciard, Bishop of 
 that city. Later he was sent by his superiors to Sezze, in 
 the Pontifical States, to teach theology. He came to New 
 Mexico in October of the year 1873. ' On the 2d of Feb- 
 ruary, 1876, he took his final vows, and made his solemn 
 profession at Las Vegas. He was charged with the busi- 
 ness of the Bevista, which he rendered every day more 
 attractive. Sent to give missions, he took no rest; and 
 Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Mexico and Texas heard in turn 
 his powerful voice. He returned from Texas overworked 
 and sick, and a few days later returned his innocent soul 
 to God." 
 
 Father Donato Gasparri, S. J., died at Albuquerque on 
 the 18th of December, 1882.. He was 48 years of age, and 
 was born at Bicarifc, in Italy, and educated at Salerno under 
 the tuition of the Fathers of the Company of Jesus, enter- 
 ing into the Society at the age of sixteen. He studied and 
 taught in several colleges of the Society till the civil 
 troubles of 1860. The revolution reached him as it did 
 others, and he was sent to Laval, in France. Ordained 
 priest, he was sent to Spain. Calatzud, Balaquer, Sara- 
 
130 CATHOLIC CHUKCH IN NEW Me6c0. 
 
 gosa and Valencia were the various fields of his labors. 
 Chosen by the Superior-General to accompany Bishop 
 Xiamy to New Mexico, he hastened to Prance, and was soon 
 on his way to this land that was to be the field of his labors 
 and his tomb. I need not speak of his great works — they 
 are emblazoned in the minds and hearts of all Catholics in 
 New Mexico. May the faithful servant enjoy now the glory 
 of his Master ! 
 
CATHOLIO CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 131 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 Erection of the Province of Santa Fe — Archbishop Lam? 
 Receives the Pallium. 
 
 I pass over several years consecrated by the good Bishop 
 J. B. Lamy to the advancement of the Catholic cause in 
 New Mexico. I say nothing of his constant journeys through 
 hU diocese, the foundation of new parishes, the establish- 
 ment of schools, nor of his voyages to Europe for the good 
 of the people. All these things are sacredly recorded in 
 the hearts of both clergy and people. I hasten to s^Deak 
 of the honors conferred upon the zealous prelate by the 
 Holy See after a quarter of a century spent solely for the 
 glory of God and the salvation of souls. 
 
 In the Consistory held by Pious IX, Monday, December 
 21st, 1874, along with several others. Bishop Lamy was 
 raised to the dignity of Archbishop, and Santa Fe was 
 erected into a province, with Colorado and Arizona, 
 although yet vicarates, as suffragans. 
 
 It may not be amiss to say a few words upon the dignity 
 and insignias of an Archbishop. I hope it rhay interest 
 my readers, as some Catholics may read it who are una i 
 quainted with the government of the -church, and who are 
 sincerely anxious to learn something about the Church and 
 those appointed by Heaven to guide it. 
 
 In the Catholic Church the Episcopate is one, if we con- 
 sider it under its general aspect; no one is, by Divine right, 
 greater or less than another. The Roman Pontiff alone 
 received of our Lord Jesus Christ himself, the founder of 
 the Church, supremacy over all; not only over the flock, 
 bu,t- also over the shepherds— so that he is forever the head 
 of the whole Church — the Bishop of the Bishops — the chief 
 of the Christian society. For the facilitation of the uni- 
 versal government the Church established degrees in the 
 Episcopate, and hence arises the beauty and the greatness 
 of the ecclesiastical heirarchy. The Sovereign Pontiff, who 
 
132 CATHOLia OBTTBCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 holds the plenitude of jurisdiction in the whole Church, 
 ceded, so to speak, a part of it, and among the bishops 
 elevated some to a higher degree, and created thus the 
 Archbishops, the Primates and the Patriarchs. 
 
 Two things are to be noticed here. The first, which is a 
 consequence of what has been said above, is that the de- 
 grees in the Episcopate are of ecclesiastical right, although 
 in one sense it can be said of Divine right, since Jesus 
 Christ gave to the Church all the powers necessary for its 
 government, and the degrees referred to are not only con- 
 venient bjit necessary. The second thing, which is also a 
 consequence, is that the Sovereign Pontiff can increase, 
 diminish, or, even remove entirely the functions conceded 
 to Patriarchs, Prinjates, and Archbishops: in one word, he 
 can abolish these degrees in the Episcopate whenever 
 the good of the Church demands it. 
 
 The attributions granted to these degrees haye not been 
 the same always and everywhere. In our days we call an 
 archbishop a prince, or chief of bishops, in an ecclesiasti- 
 cal province. Different bishops, called suffragans, form a 
 province, and the archbishop at their head, is called 
 Metropolitan; Many archbishops have no suffragans over 
 whom to preside, nor ecclesiastical province, without for 
 that cause ceasing to hold their name and rank as such. 
 Also the primates hold the first rank in a nation, and the 
 patriarchs over several, but in the same manner as the pri- 
 mates without any jurisdiction, there are patriarchs who 
 hold that nama only as a pure honor. 
 
 In the United States, there never were, until lately, arch- 
 bishops of pure title, but all were with the metropolitan 
 dignity, over a corresponding province, We have now 
 twelve such provinces, and no doubt, with the increase of 
 Catholic population, new ones will be formed. 
 
 Passing over what concerns patriarchs and primates^ I 
 will mention that the dignity and title of archbishops arid , 
 metropolitans are very old in the Church. The name of 
 metropolitan comes from the ancient civil right of the Eo- 
 man Empire. In it we find that the title of metropolitan 
 was given to some distinguished cities, as it were cities, 
 mothers of others, which enjoyed certain honors and pre- 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO 133 
 
 rogatives, and whose governors were of a higher catagory 
 and jurisdiction. The Church adopted the institution, and 
 hence the bishops who were appointed to such cities were 
 called metropolitans^ or bishops of the metropolis, andin 
 the course of time the metropolitan bishop was naturally 
 given a certain rank" over the bishops of the neighboring 
 cities, and thus were formed the provinces. Many councils 
 afterwards confiimed this natural division. To these me- 
 tropolitans, or bishops of metropolitan cities, was given 
 subsequently the honorific title of archbishops, a title 
 which seems to have been used for the first time to address 
 Saint Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, in Egypt. 
 
 Archbishops, in quality of metropolitans, enjoy a pre- 
 eminence of honor and some prerogatives over the bishops 
 of their provinces, as can be seen in the canon law, but it 
 is purely a matter of ecclesiastical discipline. 
 
 The insignias which in our days distinguish and ennoble 
 metropolitan archbishops, as well as the primates and pa- 
 triarchs, are the carrying of the cross and the pallium. 
 These insignias in olden times were proper to the Sovereign 
 Pontiff alone, as a mark of the plenitude of his power — in 
 those prelates it is the mark of their greater authority. The 
 privilege of the cross consists in this, that the metropolitan, 
 the primate, or the patriarch can b3 preceded by the cross 
 in all the territory of his province. 
 
 As to the pallium, as it is in use in our days, it consists 
 in a collar made of white wool, with two bands hanging 
 over the breast and shoulders, and three black crosses on 
 the front band. On the Feast of St, Agnes, January 21st, 
 two white lambs are blessed in Eome, and from their wool 
 some religious women weave the palliums. The Sovereign 
 Pontiff himself afterwards blesses them upon an altar con-' 
 tiguous to the toihb of the apostles Saints Peter and Paul, 
 and they are deposited over the same tomb in a che.st, from 
 which they are taken to deliver them to the prelates. 
 
 Without entering into a discussion of the antiquity of the 
 pallium, which would be very uninteresting, I "will say .a 
 few words about its use. A metropolitan archbishop 
 can perform no function of his degree and positi^on 
 without having received first the pallium froip the Sov 
 
134 CATHOLIC CHUECH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 ereign Pontiff. In olden times the metropolitans were 
 obliged to visit the tomb of the Holy Apostles, in Rome, 
 and there were invested with the pallium. 
 
 At the present it is petitioned in the consistory in 
 which the Pope preconises the bishops, by themselves or 
 -by some one delegated for the purpose. The pallium is 
 used on certain festival days, marked by canon law— it is 
 personal, and serves only for the See to which the arch- 
 bishop has been appointed. If the archbishop is trans- 
 ferred to another metropolitan See, he needs another 
 pallium; and when he dies he is vested with it, and it is 
 buried with him. 
 
 On March 16th, 1875, Cardinal Franchia sent this official, 
 letter to the Most Rev. Archbishop-elect, J. B. Lamy, pre- 
 conised first Archbishop of Santa Fe, in the consistory £eld 
 on Monday, December 21st, 1874: 
 
 " Illustbious and Most Reverend Sik: — The Rev. Mon- 
 signor Roncetti, Chamberlain of Honor of His Holiness, 
 and officer of this Holy Congregation, sent in the quality 
 of Abligate to present the red beretta to the Most Rev, 
 Father and Archbishop of New York, who has been ad- 
 mitted by the Holy Father in the Sacred College of the 
 Cardinals, will deliver to your Lordship the apostolical let- 
 ters by which his Holiness has been pleased to appoint you 
 Metropolitan of the new province of Santa Fe. At the 
 same time your Lordship will receive the faculties which 
 His Holiness has granted you and the sacred pallium. 
 
 "In the meanwhile, I pray God to keep you in health 
 for a long time. 
 
 " Given in Rome, at the house of the S. C. Propaganda. 
 -Filed March 16th, 1875." 
 
 The ceremony for the imposition of the pallium was fixed 
 for the J.6th of June, 1875. Mgr. Salpointe, then Vicar 
 Apostolic of Arizona, being in New York when Monsignor 
 Roncetti, Chamberlain of His Holiness, delivered the beretta 
 to Cardinal McClosky, had an interview with him. The 
 Roman prelate, already fatigued with the journey from 
 Rome, was much pleased to delegate Mgr. SalpOinte and 
 charge him with the delivery of the pallium. 
 
CAIHOLIC CHUECH IN NEW MEXICO. 135 
 
 The prelate returned from New York on the 7th of June, 
 and as his many duties recalled him to his- diocese, which 
 he had left only for urgent reasons, it was determined that 
 the ceremony should take place on the 16th. Mgr. Mache- 
 beuf, Vicar Apostolic of Colorado, hastened from Denver, 
 and if we consider the difficulty of travel in those days, 
 and the circumstances in which the country was, the assist- 
 ance was absolutely immense. The people had several 
 meetings, in which were organized the various committees 
 who were to give more splendor and order to the ceremony. 
 
 The old cathedral being entirely inadequate for the 
 occasion, and, on the other hand, timorous persons, fearing 
 some accident, it was resolved to have the ceremony per- 
 formed at the house of the Christian Brothers, or College 
 of Saint Michael. The place is very large, and the whole 
 range of houses having porches, was thought convenient 
 against the rays of the sun. All preparations were there- 
 fore made for the purpose, and in the afternoon of the 15th 
 all was in readiness. The greatest part "of the clergy of the 
 diocese were present — a few hsld not, on account of the 
 distances, been apprized of the ceremony. 
 
 The 16th of June was as one of our spring days here, 
 clear and quiet. At the break of day the roar of the cannon 
 aroused the faithful. Immediately after the band of the 
 College of Saint Michael was in the garden of the Arch- 
 bishop's residence and discoursed fine music, which was 
 wafted upon the morning breezes. At nine o'clock the pro- 
 cession was formed at the cathedral, the clergy, the Bishop, 
 and the Archbishop arrived, and all the societies proceeded 
 down San Francisco street to the plaza, thence turning to 
 the left, went up College street and reached Saint Michael 
 — all that multitude of people found room in the vast 
 grounds of the College. 
 
 At ten o'clock solemn Pontifical Mass was commenced by 
 Mgr. Machebeuf, while before the altar stood the Arch- 
 bishop-elect, assisted by Fathers Equillon and Gasparri. 
 Mgr. Salpointe, delegated to deliver the pallium, had an 
 elevated seat on the epistle side. After the Gospel, the 
 Very Rev. P. Equillon addressed the people in Spanish, 
 and after Mass Mgr. Machebeuf spoke in English. These 
 
136 CATHOLIC CHDRCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 sermons produced a great effect at the time ^upon the 
 hearers, both Amiericans and Mexic^ans. 
 
 Immediately after communion, according to the rubrics, 
 the pallium was placed on the altar, covered with a veil of 
 red silk, and the Archbishop put on the Pontifical vestments. 
 The reading of the Pontifical briefs and letters followed in 
 Latin, Spanish and English, in order to give more satis- 
 faction to all. After the reading of these documents, the 
 new Archbishop, vested in bis Pontifical vestments, ap- 
 proached the altar, and there, kneeling down, pronounced 
 his profession of faith, took the oath of office according to 
 the ceremonial of the bishops, in the hands of Bishop Sal- 
 pointe, delegated for the purpose of imposing the pallium; 
 after which the Bishop, standing, placed the pallium on 
 the shoulders of the new Archbishop, saying, at the same 
 time : 
 
 "For the honor of Almighty God and the Blessed MaPy, 
 ever Virgin, of the holy apostles. Saints Peter and Paul, 
 of our Lord Pope Pius IX of the Holy Roman Church, and 
 of the Church of Santa Fe confided to your care, we de- 
 liver you the pallium taken from the tomb of Saint Peter, 
 which signifies the plenitudes of the episcopal power, with 
 the title and "name of Archbishop, which you shall use 
 within your church on certain days, as is determined in the 
 privileges granted by the Apostolic See. " 
 
 After this, the new Archbishop, having on the pallium, 
 arose, and turning to the people, directed to them words 
 arising from his very heart. They were expressions of 
 gratitude towards the Holy -Father, of confusion for him- 
 self thus raised without any merits of his own, of thanks 
 to the clergy and people, who had taken so much interest 
 in the ceremony in his honor. The Benediction was then 
 given while all that multitude, be they Catholic or not, 
 bared their heads under the blessing hand. 
 
 All the people returned in procession to the ArchiepisT 
 copal Palace, preceded by the band of Saint Michael, and 
 that of the city, and after repeating with one voice, " Long 
 live the Archbishop!" retired. The clergy, as an expres- 
 sion of their love and veneration, had invited the two 
 suffragans, all the clergy, and many gentlemen of the Ter- 
 
CATHOLIC CHUECH IN NEW MEXICO. 137 
 
 ritory to a bountiful banquet. A pavilion was erected in 
 the garden, that never-failing monument of the Arch- 
 bishop's taste and care, and there they assembled. Speeches 
 in honor of the Archbishop were made by a number of the 
 most prominent gentlemen, boih. Americans and Mexicans. 
 In the evening a general illumination took place in the 
 city. Before the cathedral were four beautiful transparent 
 portraits of Pius IX, Archbishop Lamy, and Bishops 
 Marohebeuf and Salpointe. Music was played on the 
 plaza; the people flocked thither from all parts of the city. 
 Seats had been placed for the prelates and the clergy. A 
 speech was delivered in English by Mr. W. Breeden and 
 another in Spanish by Major Sena. These speeches were 
 much applauded. After this a torchlight procession was 
 formed, and the Archbishop and his guests Were conducted 
 to the Archiepiseopal residence, and the celebration termi. 
 nated, the memory of which remains fresh in_the minds of 
 those who witnessed or participated in it. 
 
138 CATHOLIC CHUECH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Episcopal Jubilee or Aechbishop Lamy — Eeview of the 
 Situation. 
 
 On the 24th day of November, 1874, a few months only 
 after the erection of Santa Fe into a proTiiice, was cele- 
 brated the Episcopal Jubilee of the great Archbishop, he 
 having been consecrated Bishop of Agathon and appointed 
 Vioar Apostolic of New Mexico on the 24th of November, 
 1850. 
 
 We call a shcerdotal qr episcopal jubilee the happy anni- 
 versary of twenty-five or fifty years since the ordination of 
 apriest or his consecration as bishop. It is not rare for 
 priests to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of their 
 ordination, but it is rare to see a bishop celebrate the 
 twenty-fifth anniversary of his consecration. For this 
 reason it is the cilstom to celebrate it with pomp and 
 rejoicing. 
 
 Of late years it has become a practice in the Catholic 
 world to celebrate these occasions with solemnity, and it is 
 just — it is the expression of the devotion of the people for 
 their pastors. We call these celebrations jubilees in imi- 
 tation of those which the Church celebrates every twenty- 
 five and every fifty years. To distinguish them the first is 
 called the silver jubilee and the latter the golden jubilee. 
 In many countries they are called silver wedding and gold ' 
 wedding, and it is not without reason nor without mystery 
 that Christian people here preferred the latter name to the 
 former. And truly the people are right in, their preference. 
 The ordination of a young priest, the consecration of a 
 bishop, are greatly like a marriage ceremony. Both Sacra- 
 ments have been instituted by Jesus Christ for the creation 
 and raising of men to God — one is a material creation, the 
 other a spiritual creation. Why do the people call the 
 priest by the sweet name of Father? Because, by the 
 Socrament of Baptism he begets them spiritually into the 
 
CATHOLIC CHOKCH IN NEW MEXICO. 139 
 
 Church, and by the "Word of God which he dispense^ to 
 them he raises them in faith and spiritual manhood. 
 
 In the present economy of Divine Providence, although 
 Jesus Christ placed His vicar, the Pope, to represent Him 
 on earth, He has no less decreed that the Christian family 
 should be divided into fractions under His bishops, and 
 subdivided under the priests. And the Church, the Im- 
 ' maculate Spouse of Jesus Christ, has confided to all these, 
 according to their rank. — to the Pope, the whole Church 
 his spouse; to the bishops, their dioceses; to the priests, 
 their parishes — so that the faithful of a parish acknowledge 
 their father in their pastor, those of a diocese see their 
 father in the bishop, and those of the whole world recog- 
 nize the Pope as the common father of all the faithful. 
 
 If, on the one hand, it is right for children to present 
 their respects and offer their good wishes to the beloved 
 . father who has been for so many years in this elevated 
 pastoral ministry, it is, on the other, no less an obligation 
 to give thanks to God, who -gave suet a father and has 
 preserved him, and beg a prolongation for many years of 
 that precious life, as the Church .chants with so much joy : 
 Ad multos annos. 
 
 The administration of Dr. Lamy in those twenty-five 
 years is a bright page in the history of New Mexico, and 
 has produced beneficial effects on that simple, loving 
 people. The state of the Church in New Mexico when the. 
 venerable Archbishop took possession of it in 1850 was 
 certainly not over prosperous. But for the love of truths 
 I "say that it could not be otherwise, because the spiritual 
 center was so far away, at Durango, whereas the civil center 
 was still further away, at the City of Mexico. The great 
 distances of the two places, with their diflSculty of holding' 
 communication, permitted the true principles of both spir- 
 itual and civil life with difficulty to reach the itola^ed 
 population of New Mexico. >In the same manner that a 
 star gives much less heat if it be far off, and if its rays^and 
 light are to pass through denseisloadb, iti the same manner 
 the light pf faith will' be-iJireaker, and its heat will be 
 'greatly diminished by being too far removed ttota. ita 
 spiritual center. 
 
140 CATHOLIC CUTECH lif NEW MEXICO. 
 
 But darkness was to give way to light in this Terri- 
 tory; it was to enter into a new phase, both civil and 
 religious. Leaving out the civil side of the question, I will 
 say a few words in review of the situation from a religious 
 point of view. The bishops assembled at Baltimore, soon 
 after the annexation of ^ew Mexico to the United States, 
 made it a point to advise the Vatican to separate the newly - 
 annexed province from the Diocese of Durango. The Holy 
 See entered plainly into these views, and the separation was 
 resolved upon; and the first bishop of that diocese was then 
 zealously working among the Catholics of Ohio, his mind 
 and views far away from the thorny crown, under the guise 
 ■of a mitre. How inscrutable are the ways of Divine Provi- 
 dence ! 
 
 Holy Scripture calls Our Saviour a Sun which gives light 
 to the whole world, and He is essentially the light of the 
 world. The same is said of the Apostles and their suc- 
 cessors, certainly in a manner far inferior and by essence. 
 They are suns but by participation, in so far as they re- 
 ceive from the essential Sun, sind reflect in the various 
 parts of the world the splendors of Jesus Christ. Now, 
 from the sun two great effects are appearing, light and 
 heat. As soon as the sun rises in the east he at once dis- 
 sipates the. darkness of the night, and throws light upon 
 all things, and shows all things in their true colors; but, at 
 the same time, by the means of the heat, he gives life to all 
 things, and raises them, as it were, from death to life. 
 These two effects are the part of the administration of a 
 bishop, as also in due proportion of any true minister of 
 Jesus Christ. Among the parts or effects of that admidis- 
 tration are, first, the instruction given the people upon the 
 truths of our holy religion, and afterwards the administra- 
 tion of the Sacraments. With the instructions is dissi- 
 pated the darkness of ignorance, errors fall to the ground, 
 evangelical virtues are propagated — in one word, the light 
 of revelation is poured out. With the administration of 
 the Sacraments men are given a new life, life is given 
 the sinner through the means of grace, and in all is devel- 
 oped charity, which unites him tb-God. Am I, then, not 
 right in saying that the twpnty-five past years of the ad- 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 141 
 
 ministration of the Most Kev. Archbishop Lamy in this 
 Territory have been an epoch of light, an epoch which has, 
 seen from uncertain rays, the regal suns of justice, truth 
 and Catholic civilization spread over this diocese, continu- 
 ally widening their mighty prestige and increasing their 
 effulgence? 
 
 And so shall these praiseworthy plans of the saintly 
 Archbishop continue to bless the pious children of his 
 " diocese. 
 
 . As regards religious instruction. Dr. Lamy has created 
 and developed it in every way, and he has seen that his 
 zealous clergy did the same in every part of the diocese. 
 He summoned religiouSj both men and women, to instruct 
 the little ones of God, and when this could not be. done, 
 he procured good and competent teachers to instruct the 
 young. For what purpose did he make so many journeys, 
 both to Europe and the United States, if not for the diffu- 
 sion of knowledge in his diocese ? to bring there bodies of 
 religious whp would help in the great work ? He increased 
 wonderfully the number of parishes and provided good and 
 zealous pastors for them. He brought the Fathers of the 
 Society of Jesus particularly to give missions and renew 
 the spirit of fervor which lay latent in the people. In all 
 the schools and colleges under his direction religious in- 
 struction formed the basis of all education, and with the 
 principles of sciences the young of both sexes received, 
 what is far more precious, a knowledge of the eternal 
 principles upon which are planted the solid foundation of 
 Catholic faith. 
 
 Visit the classes of the Christian Brothers, of the Sisters 
 of Loretto, Sisters of Charity, and others, and you will 
 find the truth of this. 
 
 He helped to found the Mevista Catholica for the diffusion 
 of the same principles, and to convey religious instruction 
 at the very firesides of the people. The people of New 
 Mexico have great reason to give thanks to God for the 
 good done among them in those twenty-five years by His 
 faithful minister, Dr. Lamy. 
 
 And another point, equally important, must be noticed, 
 which has been caused by the wise administration of the 
 
142 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 venerable Archbishop. With instruction and the frequent 
 reception of the Sacraments, immorality has been removed 
 from the family; morality, virtue and religion have been 
 made to flourish in the desert of past passions. Certainly 
 all are not virtuous — there are some yet found vicious, but 
 where is the wheat field that does not contain some 
 cockle? where is the .garden in which, amidst the most 
 brilliant flowers, a serpent may not lie hidden? There is 
 no doubt that vices have diminished, and in the same pro- 
 portion virtues have increased, public opinion has been 
 corrected and reformed in many ways, and scandals can- 
 not be created as easily as of yore. 
 
 Finally, in those twenty-five years New Mexico has felt 
 many beneficent influences, both of the spiritual and the 
 civil kind. When Congress was organizing it as a Territory 
 Kome Organized it as a Diocese. The civil Government 
 formed counties, districts, etc. — the Church formed par- 
 ishes, colleges, hospitals, schools, etc. It is a question 
 whether the Government could have done as much as it 
 did were it not for the Church. May the venerable Arch- 
 bishop see many years more, and continue to see his work 
 progressing and bearing heavy bunches of fruit in the Lord's, 
 vineyard. He has stood the heat of the day in that vine- 
 yard, may he also gather its delicious fruits and be com- 
 forted with the heartfelt gratitude of his spiritual children. 
 
 He has spent twenty-five years as Bishop of New Mex- 
 ico, may he spend twenty-five more years as Archbishop, 
 so that all may* celebrate his golden jubilee. This is all 
 we can desire, and that our desire may be consummated 
 we shall fervently pray to Heaven. 
 
CAIHOHO CHUKCH IN NBW MEXICO. 143 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 Aeohbishop Lamy Builds Hi i Cathedeal. . 
 
 One of the greatest monuments of the zeal of Arch- 
 bishop Lamy is the Cathedral of San Francisco. Ii is not 
 completed yet, for want of the necessary means. This 
 great structure has been in- progress for many years. The 
 corner-stone was laid on the 14th of July, 1869. The cere- 
 mony was very solemn, and all the inhabitants of every 
 denomination were present. The stone contarined the 
 names of the President of the United States, General 
 Grant, of the Governor of the Territory, and other Terri- 
 torial. ofScers, together with some coins of gold, silver 
 and copper, and also some documents and newspapers.. 
 Three days afterwards some miscreant, for the sake of lucre,' 
 stole the corner-stone, with its contents, and nothing has 
 bten heard of it since. 
 
 The Cathedral was at first commenced by an American 
 architect, whose name has escaped me; but he did not 
 understand the work, and the contract was rescinded and 
 given to two very good French architects by the name 
 of Antoine Mouly and his son, Projectus Mouly. Thei 
 foundations being irregular, and not well constructed, 
 they had to be recommenced, and for four years the work. 
 went on wfthoufc ceasing, carrying the walls as high as the 
 top of the windows. In the meanwhile Antoine Mouly 
 commenced, little by little, to lose his sight. 
 
 The Sisters of Loretfo, on the other hand-, desired for 
 a long time a chapel near their Academy. Projectus 
 Mouly, undertook the work, made the plans, and after 
 five years finished a chapel that will stand favorable 
 comparison with any other in the United States. He 
 carried out himself his. own plan, and made of this a 
 monument for himself. Shortly' after its completion he 
 died, a real loss to the Church in Santa Fe. 
 
144 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 -In 1874, Antoine Mouly became totally blind, and. 
 Father Equillon brought him to Prance, and in Paris a 
 successful operation was performed- upon his eyes. The 
 Cathedral remained in that State from the summer of 
 1873 to the fall of 1878. On the 1st of November of that 
 year the Very Rev. Equillon, V. G., was appointed parish 
 priest of 'the Cathedral, and Father Fiallon was joined to 
 him to prosecute the work upon the Cathedral, which he 
 did for two years. Fatigued, and growing sick with much 
 labor, he resigned and went to Europe, and the work upon 
 the building was somewhat slackened. However, the cut- 
 ting of stones, under the care of Michael Machebeuf, was 
 continued without interruption, and a large quantity of 
 blocks were prepared. Father Fiallon had carried the 
 outside walls as far up as the cornice. After his departure 
 Father Equillon gave the contract of placing the cornice, 
 raising the north tower, and completing the front, to 
 Vicente Digneoand Cajetano Palladino. They were helped 
 by several artists who cut the front window, or rosace, at- 
 least partly, being completed by Machebeuf , who had the 
 sole direction of the whole work, and acted as architect, 
 builder and stonecutter. 
 
 In 1882 a contract was made by the church authorities 
 on the one side, and Messrs. Moflnier and Machebeuf on 
 the other, to complete the church as far as the arms of the 
 cross, for the sum of nearly forty thousand dollars, the 
 window-glass not included. The contractors obligated 
 themselves to complete it. in three years, they finishing the 
 inijer walls, the ceilings, roofing, flooring, plastering and 
 painting, in one word making the church ready for use, 
 as far as the arms of the cross. When the cross and the 
 sanctuary will be built is a question of time, but it will be 
 done. 
 
 The old cathedral, built about one hundred and fifty 
 years ago, has been demolished, and its adobes and rocks 
 are now doing other public work. The people of Santa Fe 
 have shown a great spirit of kindness. Under the super- 
 vision of the untiring Don Carlos Couklin, .who did it 
 simply for God, the people came during the whole month 
 of August, 1884, some tearing down, others taking out the 
 
CATHOLIC CHDBCH IN NEW MEXICO. 145 
 
 timbers, while others were loading and driving wagons . 
 Not one cent was asked for either the use of wagons or the 
 labor of the same. 
 
 The windows are the gift of a few persons. They have 
 been put in position and produce a grand effect. They are 
 very fine, and came from the stores of Felix Gaadin, Cler- 
 mont "Perrand, Prance. The one in front represents Christ 
 sending His Apostles to preach. The six on each side are 
 filled bythe twelve Apostles. The window over the door 
 is filled by a beautiful stained etching representing Christ 
 among the doctors in the temple, expounding to them the 
 Scriptural law. This is in honor of the city of Santa Fe, 
 the city of the Holy Faith. There will also be paintings of 
 San Francisco, the Patron of the Church, of the Blessed 
 Virgin Mary, and St. Joseph. 
 - The part of the church completed to the arms of the 
 cross is one "hundred and twenty feet long, and sixty .feet 
 broad, while the height of the ipiddle nave is fifty -five feet. 
 The ceiling is arched in the Roman style, as is also the 
 whole church. The walls are all of native rocks, quarried 
 in the neighborhood of Santa Fe, except the inner walls, 
 which were taken from Lamy Junction, eighteen miles 
 away. The whole structure is of cut stone and presents a 
 fine appearance. The ceilings have this peculiarity, they 
 are made of red volcanic lava, exceedingly light, some 
 weighing less than common hard wood. There are im- 
 mense quarries of the same on the summit of Cerro Mogino, 
 a small mound twelve miles from Santa Fe. The towers, 
 also of cut stone, are now eighty-five feet high from the 
 ground, and the spires, which will crown them will be 
 seventy- five feet more, in all one hundred and sixty-feet. 
 
 The cathedral thus far has cost one hundred and thirty 
 thousand dollars. Almost all this has been collected in 
 New Mexico. Santa Fe at first gathered in nine thousand 
 dollars. The clergy helped everywhere, but the greatest 
 part comes from his Grace the Archbishop and his worthy 
 Vicar General, Father Eguillon, who many times hardly 
 permitted themselves the bare necessities of life in order 
 to advance the great cathedral. It would be wrong, how- 
 ever, not to mention some gifts offered for God by 
 
146 CATHuLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO; 
 
 Duna Maria Ortiz, whp, although not rich, presented the. 
 Archbishop with five thousand dollars, and some rich and 
 costly sacred vessels. Dona Maria was the sister of the^ 
 ever to be rpmembered Rev. Juan Felipe, who was Vicar 
 General when Dr. Lamy took possession of his diocese in 
 1851. 
 
 God alone knows the acrifices made to advance thus far 
 the building. For months the venerable Archbishop 
 was far away in the dioceses of Mexico and Puebla, in 
 Mexico, fulfilling the duties of a simple bishop in those 
 parts, laboring constantly and sending home the alms he 
 received, in order to pay for his cathedral. God bless him, 
 God bless his labors ! May he be preserved a long time, 
 and have the happiness of beholding the consecration of 
 this great monument of his sacrifice! 
 
 Behind the altar of the old cathedral are two treasures 
 that ought to be recorded here, and will he kept most, 
 sacredly in the new. Behind the wainscoting on the north: 
 side, is a double headstone covering a sepulchre in which- 
 are contained the bones of the body of the venerable Ger(j-». 
 nimo de la Liana — an apostolic man of the Order of Saint 
 Francis — which were brought from Gnarac de las Salinas 
 on the 1st of April, 1759j at the cost of the Governor 
 Francis Antonio Marin del Yalle, and placed there. Also;, 
 the bones of-the body of the venerable Aseneio Zarate, of the 
 Order of Saint Francis, brought from the ruins of -the old 
 .church of St. Lawrence of Picuries, on the 8th of April,. 
 1759, and located in the parish of the city of Santa Fe on 
 the 31st of August of the same year. It is known that . 
 ■whenever the saintly Zubiriaj Bishop of Durango came to 
 Santa Fe, he ordered the opening of the sepulchre to ven- 
 erate the relics brought there from afar. 
 
 The whole of the wall of the old sanctuary is a stone 
 monument of this same Governor DelValle and his spouse. 
 It is a rare monument and worthy of the utmost care. 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN , NEW MEXICO. 14:7 ' 
 
 • CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 The Akchbishop Receives the Sistees or Meect. 
 
 It would be doing a wrong to the zealous prelate who 
 has ruled so wisely for years oyer the great Archdiocese of 
 Santa Pe were I to omit the introduction among us of the- 
 Sisters of Mercy, who supply a want long felt in this popu- 
 lation. The Sisters of Loretto have established many mis- 
 sions; so have the Sisters of Charity; but they could not 
 supply all the demands for Sisters, and therefore recourse ■, 
 was had to- the Sisters of Mercy, who happily heard and 
 answered the call. 
 
 In the northeast part of the diocese, between Las Vegas , 
 and Mora, and the rivers of Sapello and Las Manuelitas, 
 some years ago, many families from Santa Cruz and other, 
 p'aces in Rio Arriba, formed a colony, and moved upon 
 the Sapello, forming the settlements called Los Alamos, 
 Soon they asked for a priest, and after several petitions, , 
 the Right R6v. Bishop gave them as pastor the Rev* 
 Francis J ouveneeau, late Vicar-General of Arizona. This 
 was as far back as the year 1859. 
 
 The first di£6.calty was to find a suitable location for the 
 church. The Vicar-General of the diocese, the Very Rev. 
 Father Machebeuf, chose the place where it now stands as, 
 the most likely to be surrounded by a large population. 
 He was disappointed in' this, and the settlement of Los. 
 Alamos increased the most. The people were generous; 
 they loved their pastor, and both with money and hard 
 work built a fine church, which was the first in New Mex- 
 ico with a shingle roof. The same year the church was 
 dedicated to God under the name of Our Lady of Guad- 
 alupe. This church is said to have cost six thousand dol- 
 lars. Father Jouvenceau was removed Jaly 19, 1866. 
 
 Rev. John Paure succeeded him for only a short timsj 
 and then it was attended from Las Vegas to Septmebep 
 
148 CATHOLIC CHUECN IN KEW MEXICO. 
 
 23d of the same year, when the Eev. Alexander Mathonet 
 was appointed pastor. He remained only to September 1, 
 1857, when he was relieved of his duties by the Rev. 
 Joseph Fiallon. The debt upon the church was paid by 
 him, the population increased and spread as far down as 
 the junction of the rivers, now called lia Junta, yet the 
 parochial work was done by the pastor, with an assistant 
 priest. 
 
 Later on La Junta was formed into a parish and given 
 to the Jesuit Fathers, who built thers a fine church, dedi- 
 cated to the Sacred Heart. The work was too hard for 
 Father Fiallon, whose health began to fail, and he there- 
 fore asked to be relieved of his duties, which was done on 
 the 16th of November, 1875, by the appointment of the 
 Eev. Anthony«Fourchegu, now pastor of Mora. 
 
 Father Fourchegu did much for the church. In Sep- 
 tember, 1875, a terrible storm had destroyed one of the 
 towers, and the roof was in bad condition, but nothing 
 could be done before 1879 for want of necessaty funds, 
 when the church was repaired almost anew, to be thrown 
 down again on the 29th of January, 1883; the walls, how- 
 ever, withstood the storm. For awhile it was thought it 
 would be entirely abandoned. However, thanks to th« 
 efforts of Father Fourchegu, both by his own labor and 
 monej', it was again repaired, so that it is said now to be 
 in better shape than ever. 
 
 What precedes shows how willing are priests and people 
 under the hand of a prelate so revered as Archbishop 
 Lamy. Such a priest and people could not be satisfied 
 without schools, and therefore application was made, and 
 it was granted with pleasure. 
 
 At Los Alamos, in 1854, Don Jesus Maria Montoya had 
 built a small chapel at his own cost, but it had become 
 too small, and was in a ruinous condition, when, in 1879, 
 it was thought prudeiit to build another. People came 
 generously forward, and thanks to their offerings, and 
 more still to those of their pastor, a far larger and better 
 chapel was built at the cost of twenty-two hundred dollars. 
 There was to be the new convent, there the new school, 
 because there was really the people. Pastor and people. 
 
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO 149 
 
 as soon as they had the approbation of the Archbishop, 
 went to work, and soon a large convent was built. The 
 Sisters of Mercy were invited to take possession of it, and 
 in the fall of the year 1881 the schools and academy com- 
 menced their work. Numerous young ladies flocked to 
 the new academy. Day scholars hastened to place them- 
 selves under the direction of such kind and learned teach- 
 ers, and the school has been a complete success. 
 
 Father Fourchegu wrote to me : 
 
 "We cannot help congratulating ourselves on such a good 
 success, and without wishing to give the Sisters of Mercy 
 more praise than they deserve, we must say truly that we 
 congratulate them for the success so far obtained. We are 
 proud of them!" 
 
 This Convent of Los Alamos is for the present the 
 mother house of the Sisters of Mercy in Nejv Mexico. 
 There they have their novitiate, and the vocations are not 
 wanting among those pious Mexican young ladies who, be- 
 sides being raised piously at home, have learned at school 
 the worth of the Sisters; and thus, leaving all behind them, 
 enroll themselves n the, ranks of these followers of Christ, 
 whose aim is to imitate the mercy of the Divine Master by 
 supplying the necessary wants to both, soul and body of 
 those who come in contact with them. Their existence as 
 a training body in New Mexico is of but yesterday, and 
 already their influence is felt and the blessed soil of virtue 
 which they brought with them produces great fruits in this, 
 the Lord's western vineyard. 
 
150 CATHOLIC CHFKCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 CHAPTEE XXIII. 
 
 Archbishop Salpointe is Appointed Coadjtjtoe — Resigna- 
 tion OF Aechbishop Lamy. 
 
 The work so well begun in the vast dioceae of Santa Fe 
 has progressed every day. A number of new parishes have 
 been formed of late years, so that they now number thirty- 
 four; churches and chapels have been built everywhere, 
 and to-day, besides the parish churches, they number two- 
 hundred and thirty-eight. From a small number the clergy 
 have increased to more than sixty. New schools have been 
 established wherever possible. Now the good soldier, who 
 for thirty-five ye.ars has fought the battles of the Lord, 
 feels the need of resting his tired limbs and place a part of 
 the burden upon younger shoulders, hence Archbishop 
 Lamy applies to Bome, the tender Mother of all, for a 
 Coafljutor. 
 
 Still, before getting his needed rest, much is to be done. 
 All the Fathers-of this flourishing Church of America are 
 called in solemn council to Baltimore. Advanced in years 
 as he is, the venerable Archbishop did not refuse the duty. 
 Accompanied by his two suffragans and bosom friends, he 
 starts for the extreme East, to bring his learning and his 
 experience into the councils of the Catholic Prelate of 
 America. 
 
 The venerable Archbishop, with Bishops Machebeuf 
 and ^alpointe, the latter lately named Coadjutor, with 
 right of succession, left Santa Fe on the 30th of October, 
 1884, to take their part in the labors of the Plenary Coun- 
 cil. Arrived in Baltimore, the venerable Coadjutor- re- 
 ceived from Bome the notification of having been raised to 
 the dignity of Archbishop, with the title of Archbishop of 
 Anarzaba. 
 
 . I need say nothing of the weight and learning brought 
 in that august assembly — all this is a matter of official 
 
CATHOLIC CHUHCH IN NEW MEXICO. 151 
 
 history. Keturning in haste from the Council, Arch- 
 bishop Salpointe went to Tucson, his episcopal city, - 
 while Vicar Apostolic of Arizona, in order to settle all 
 business in that Territory and bid adieu to his faithful 
 flock before assuming higher but no less arduous duties. 
 
 On the 19th of February, 1885, His Grace made his 
 entry into Sfnta Fe to assume the responsibilities of his 
 office. 
 
 The Friday, 1st of May, was the day assigned as the 
 day for the consecration of Rt. Eev. Peter Bourgade, 
 D.D., the Vicar Apostolic of Arizona, "chosen by the Holy 
 See to replace Archbishop Salpointe. The ceremonies 
 were conducted with solemnity; His Grace^Most Eev. Arch- 
 bishop Lamy being the consecrator, assisted by Arch- 
 bishop Salpointe and Bishop Machebeuf , of Denver. The 
 Cathedral was beautifully decorated, and at nine o'clock 
 the procession was formed. An immense number of peo- 
 ple took part in it. All the religious societies of Santa Fe, 
 with their banners and' with the sweet music of three 
 bands, were present. 
 
 The procession having enter ed the Cathedral the im- 
 posing ceremonies of consecration commenced. The 
 venerable Archbishop himself addressed the vast assembly 
 in Spanish, and Rt. Rev. Bishop Marchebeuf in English. 
 •After the ceremonies the procession returned to the Archi- 
 episcopal residence, and the, balance of the day was spent 
 in festivities, terminating in the evening, as on the eve, by 
 a fine display of fireworks and the booming of the cannon. 
 A day never to be forgotten in Santa Fe, as it was the 
 first ceremony of the kind that ever took place in the 
 ancient city. ' 
 
 iKow we come to the resignation of the Most Rev. 
 ■Archbishop Lamy, a breaking of the bonds so long bind- 
 ing together the Pastor and his people, the Father and 
 his childreri. Nothing could compensate us for such 
 a loss, were it not that, like Christ to St. John, he points 
 his worthj successor to us and says: "Behold your 
 fatherl " Never tired of doing good, his very last official 
 !♦ct■w^B 6ne of th^ gi'eateAt kindness, in giving us such 
 a paetor as , Archbishop Salpointe. He will be cherished, 
 
152 CATHOLIC CHDKCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 not only for his own well-known arid distinguished merits, 
 but also because he is j to , his children the gift of a 
 Father. 
 
 On the first Sunday of September, 1885, the following 
 circular was read in all the parochial churches of the arch- 
 diocese: 
 
 " For some years past we had asked of the Holy See a 
 coadjutor in order to be relieved of the great responsibility 
 that rested on our shoulders since the year 1850, when the 
 supreme authority of the Church saw fit to establish a new 
 diocese in New Mexico, and in spite of our limited capacity 
 we were appointed its first Bishop. Now our petition has 
 been heard and our resignation accepted. We are glad,, 
 then, to have as a successor the illustrious Archbishop. 
 MoHs. Salpointe, who is well known in this bishopric, 
 and wortty of administering it, for the good of the souls 
 and the greatest glory of Grod. 
 
 What has prompted this determination is our advanced 
 age, that often deprives us of the necessary strength in the 
 fulfillment of our sacred ministry, though our health may 
 apparently look robust. We- shall profit by the days left 
 us to prepare ourselves the better to appear before the 
 tribuual of God, in tranquility and solitude. 
 
 We commend ourselves to the prayers of all, and par- 
 ticularly those of our priests who, together with us, have 
 borne and still bear the burden of the day, which is the 
 great responsibility of directing the souls in the road of 
 salvation. Let the latter remember that, in order that 
 their holy ministry be of any benefit their example must 
 accompany their instructions, It is with pleasure that we 
 congratulate the most of the clergy of this diocese for 
 their zeal and labors; and we desire that those who might 
 have failed in- their sacred duties may give, hendefortb, 
 better proofs of being the worthy ministers of God. 
 
 We also commend ourselves to the prayers of the faith- 
 ful, whose lively faith has edified us on many an occasion. 
 We exhort them to persevere in this same faith, in their 
 obedience to the Church, in their faithfulness to their daily 
 obligations, in the religious frequence of the Sacraments, 
 
CATHOLIC OHCBOH IN NEW MEXICO. 153 
 
 and in the devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, which 
 is one of the most efficacious means of sanctification. 
 
 Finally, we hope that the few religious communities that 
 we have had the haippiness to establish in this new diocese 
 will offer some momento in their prayers for our spiritual 
 benefit. t 
 
 We ask of all to forgive us the faults we may have com- 
 mitted in the exercise of our sacred ministry, and, on our 
 part, we will not forget to offer to God our humble pray- 
 .ers for all the souls that the Lord has intrusted to us for 
 so many years. 
 
 f J. B. liAMY, Arehbishop. 
 Given at Santa Fe, N. M., on the 26th day of August, 
 1885." 
 
 One consolation is left his venerable successor, his clergy 
 and people, the firm resolution taken by the venerable 
 Archbishop not to leave the Territory, the land of his 
 adoption, the scene of his labors and struggles, th^ witness 
 of his virtues and of his triumphs. 
 
 The new title of Archbishop Lamy in retirement is 
 Archbishop, of Gisicus, • 
 
154 
 
 CHAPTEE X»XIV. 
 
 The Most Eev, J. B Salpointe, D.D., Akchbishop op 
 
 Santa Fe. 
 
 Archbishop Salpointe assumed his title of Archbishop of 
 Santa Fe on the Feast of St. AugustinOj August 28, 1885. 
 
 Archbishop J. B. Salpointe was born at St. Maurice de 
 Pionsat, a parish of the Diocese of Clermont-Ferrand, in 
 France, on the 25th of February, 1825. His parents be- 
 longed to one of the best families of the place. Thoroughly 
 Christians, they cultivated from his earliest infancy the 
 desire he manifested for the priesthood, and those fine 
 dispositions of the mind and of the heart which have made 
 him beloved by all who came near him. 
 
 At*an early age he was sent to study classics at the petit 
 Seminary of Agen, in the Department of Creuse, after- 
 wards he completed his preparatory studies at the College 
 of Biom, and finally, after passing the most creditable 
 examination, entered the Seminary of Montferrand, where . 
 he studied theology, canon law, and all those other branches 
 which are necessary for the ministry. Always of a pious 
 tendency, he matured that disposition more and more 
 in the silence of that retreat of Montferrand, known to 
 have produced so many shining lights in the Church. He 
 was ordained priest in 1851. 
 
 Soon after ordination. Abbe Salpointe was sent as assist- 
 ant priest successively at SoUedes, Menat and Clermont, 
 and rising constantly, according as his merit was better 
 known, he soon after was appointed Professor of Natural 
 Sciences in the Diocesan Seminary of Clermont, acting at 
 the same time as the Procurator of the Seminary. Thus 
 in a few years he had risen, filling one of the most im- 
 portant offices of the Diocese, with the well-founded hope 
 of rising still higher in a very few years. 
 
CATHOLIC OHUEOH IN NEW MEXICO. 155 
 
 But Providence had decreed it otherwise, and those 
 bright qualities of the young priest were to be developed 
 in a far away country that needed them more. In 1859, 
 Father Eguillpn, Vicar-General of Santa Fe, was sent by 
 Bishop Lam'y to get new recruits for his vast dioaese,- Nat- 
 urally he went to Clermont, the nursery of missicfnaries, 
 for the New World. Father Salpointe, giving up all worldly 
 hopes in his native land, offered his services, and having 
 obtained the necessary permission from his Ordinary, the 
 venerable Mgr. Ferron, embarked for America on thelTth 
 of August, 1859. In that holy band were Fathers J. E. 
 Eaverdy, actual Vicar-General of Denver; Francis Jouven- 
 ceau, pro- Vicar-General of Arizona, under Bishop Salpointe; 
 Bernard and Bernol, both dead, the one at Socorro and 
 the latter at Sinaloa. In their company were also a num- 
 ber of Christian Brothers. After a long and tedious jour- 
 ney on the plains, they reached Santa Fe in November of 
 the same year, 1859. 
 
 In Santa Fe, also, the young priest rose rapidly, and , 
 after a short time in the diocese we find him parish priest 
 of Mora, one of the rnost important positions of the diocese. 
 But what were these things to the young priest ? He had 
 come to work, in the vineyard of the Lord, it mattered not 
 vFhere. Thus disposed, thus always ready for the call, it 
 is no wonder that we see him giving up his large parish, 
 with all its advantages, to follow the voice of his Bishop.' 
 There are missions in the district, Arizona, withput shep- 
 herds — the faith of. those Christians is in danger. It mat- 
 ters not whether there are vast, deserts separating New 
 Mexico from Arizona, that the Apaches are on the war- 
 path, that other apostles have been slain, and that others 
 more fortunate have fled with their bare lives — Father 
 Salpointe hears the voice of his Bishop calling on devoted > 
 men, who count dangers as nothing, who are willing to 
 make ihe greatest sacrifices, and the ddsiim of his ordina- 
 tion resounds sweetly in the ears of Bishop Lamy. The 
 good Father does not command — he only appeals to his 
 children. The dangers are great, the sacrifices immense; . 
 but there is the man of heart; he presents himself, Ja 
 accepted at once, and on the 7th of January, i8§6, he 
 
156 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 leaves Santa Fe for his distant and dangerous mission, 
 aocompani^d by Fathers Boucard and Birmingham -and 
 an ecclesiastical student, Mr. Vincent. After one month's 
 journey across the deserts of southern New Mexico and 
 eastern ^Arizona, then infested with Apaches, the generous 
 missionaries reached Tnceon. The metropolis of Arizona 
 ^as then a small Mexican town, without church or priest'^ 
 residence. 
 
 Father Salpointe, before leaving Santa Fe, had been 
 appointed Victor-General for the missions of Anzbna, with 
 Tucson as his residence. The young vicar went to work 
 at once, and, after three years of hard work as we 
 have seen elsewhere, he succeeded in building a substantial 
 edifice, used to this day as the Cathedral. 
 
 Under his supervision a large convent was erected', ^ere 
 to-day a great number of young persons receive a thof&ugh 
 Catholic education. 
 
 During bis stay in Arizona as Vicar-General, several 
 churches were built, particularly one in Yuma, where a 
 priest took up his residence. Saint Xavier del Bac, that 
 monument of art, was not forgotten, and there also resided 
 a priest, and a school was established. 
 
 Now the Church had her motherly eyes fixed upon the 
 generous priest. At the close of the Second Plenary 
 Council of Baltimore, Arizona was separated from the 
 Diocese of Santa Fe and erected into a Vicariate Apostolic, 
 and Father Salpointe, as everyone could foresee, was ap- 
 pointed-by aPapal Bull, of September, 1868i Bishop of 
 Dorzla and Vicar Apostolic of Arizona. 
 
 He resisted such honors, but on receiving the order 
 from the Holy See humbly submitted, and, starting for 
 France, was solemnly consecrated in the Cathedral of 
 Clermont. 
 
 The consecrating Bishop was the same venerable Mgr. 
 Ferron who had confirmed the boy, ordained the priest 
 and consecrated the Bishop. The heart of the venerable 
 ptelate wanhisd up again in bis old age at such an honor 
 conferred upon him by the Almighty, as he used to fre- 
 quently express it. 
 
 !^rom France the new Bishop went to Borne, the foun- 
 
CATHOLIC CHPECH IN NEW MEXICO. 157 
 
 tain of all good, and after receiving the commendations of 
 Pius IX, started at once for his Vast field of labor, accom- 
 panied by sis students, who were in holy orders. The 
 Vicariate of Arizona had then only two priests on the 
 missions. 
 
 His life and labors in that post of duty are too well 
 known to speak of them extensively. Suffice it to say, that 
 during his sixteen years' administration several parishes 
 were formed, churches were erected, convfents built, and 
 schools established in all the larger settlements. It is 
 enough to say, that when he left Arizona, at the voice of the 
 Sovereign Pontiff, the Vicariate counted fifteen churches, 
 fourteen priests, seven convents and two hospitals. 
 
 The Indians were not forgotten or neglected, for the 
 good shepherd gave his special attention to those poor 
 children of the forest. Several times he visited the 
 Apaches on their reservation, and on various occasions sent 
 priests among them. 
 
 The school he established at San Xavier del Bac was for 
 the Papago Indians. The struggle was long and hard, 
 but by his perseverence he had the happiness of seeing 
 restored to the Catholics the Agency of the Catholic In- 
 dians of Arizona. But it was of short duration, for the 
 Agency was lost again through the intrigues of the Gov- 
 ernor of the Territory. - Father Salpointe was the first to 
 establish free Catholic schools for boys at several points of 
 his Vicariate. 
 
 His labors and toils can be appreciated only by those 
 who have labored under his guidance, and his memory 
 lives to-day in Arizona in the hearts of all, be they Cath- 
 olics or not. All saw in him a public benefactor, a noble 
 citizen, a worthy minister of Jesus Christ. 
 
 Events succeeded one another rapidly. In 1885, Bishop 
 Salpointe was transferred to Santa Fe. In the beginning 
 of the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore he was raised to 
 the dignity of Archbishop, and only a few months after- 
 wards he was again transferred to the See of Santa Fe, left, 
 vacant bythe resignation of Archbishop Lamy. 
 
 Archbishop Salpointe received the pallium in the chapel 
 of the Sisters of Loretto at the hands of Archbishop Lamy 
 on the 21st of November, 1885. 
 
158 CATHOLIC CHORCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 The End. 
 
 The work so well commenced in this diocese is progress- 
 ing every day. New parishes are formed, churches and 
 chapels are built, new schools are established everywhere; 
 the. zealous clergy are enlarging their missionary labors; 
 the religious are improving their aeadamies, colleges and 
 schools, so that from a religious point of view the diocese 
 is making rapid strides toward* perfection. 
 
 It is improving, also, from a temporal point of view. 
 Eailroads are entering more and more into every recess 
 of our mountains and valleys ; new towns are built; a 
 new population enters daily into the Territory; the mines 
 are developing fast, many new mining companies are 
 formed and manufactures of all kinds are being established 
 everywhere. 
 
 One subject, dear to the heart of Dr. Salpointe, is the 
 Indian question. Much has been done for them in the 
 past years. The Archbishop has. been unceasing in his 
 labors to get those poor, benighted children of the prairies 
 under the civilizing and sanctifying influences of the Cath- 
 olic Church. Towards the accomplishment of that pur- 
 pose he has undertaken journeys to Washington and 
 elsewhere in the East,, to plead his case with the country's 
 Bepresentatives . 
 
 He has visited every pueblo, has spoken to the fathers 
 of families', has written letters after letters, has given, 
 money of his own, notwithstanding his poverty, to start 
 schools, and thank God he has succeeded admirably. 
 
 Taos, San Juan, Santo Domingo, San Felipe, Jemez, 
 
 ' Isleta Orcom a, Zuni, have their schools,while a large school 
 
 is put up m Banta Fe for the boys of pueblos too small 
 
 to be able to have schools, and the Sisters of Loretto, in 
 
 Bernalillo, take care of a large number of giils. 
 
CATHOLIC CHUECH IN NEW MEXICO. 139 
 
 The Indian is very apt in learning, and makes rapid 
 progress. It is a mistake with many to think that the 
 Indian child is dull of comprehension, and cannot learn 
 science and art. He learns fast ; he learns well. Alas ! 
 that we should have to say so ! Under preceding Ad- 
 ministrations the po«r Pueblo child was placed in non- 
 Catholic schools, qp-called " unsectarian." But neverthe- 
 less his faith was tampered with, names were changed, and 
 often the child returned home neither an Indian nor 
 a white man. He returned home ashamed of his father!s 
 Indian name. How could such* boys as Washburn Col- 
 lege, or, Diode, the Kid ever be able to know their father's 
 names ? 
 
 Thanks be to God, all this is changed; the efforts of 
 Archbishop Salpointe are partially covered with success; 
 we have every reason to be hopeful ; journeys, time, 
 money, Dr. Salpointe gives all, and he is well seconded 
 by Father Antonio Jouvenceau, who has imbibed for 
 years the spirit of self-denial which is so characteristic 
 of his Bishop. 
 
 The civil administration, too, is more favorable, and 
 with the uncompromising Father Stephan in the Bureau 
 of Indian Affairs, and the worthy Agent, Williams, all is 
 well. The times are passed when an Indian Commis- 
 sioner upon representations made in the name of Arch- 
 bishop Lamy, would answer and say that he could not 
 entertain our views or our offers. 
 
 It must be noted here that there are nearly twelve 
 thousand Catholic Pueblo Indians in the Territory, with 
 many Mescaleros, baptized in the Church. 
 
 These historical documents are far from being •omplete, 
 from want of the necessary means foi' reaching all points. 
 However, what has been written is history, and no fiction. 
 I invite with all my heart any document that might conduce 
 to a better understanding of the history of New Mexico, a 
 a vast mine far from being developed — an immense field 
 only partly plowed. 
 
 The idea of writing these notes is not mine, it comes 
 directly from Eome. In 1884, the Congregation de Propa- 
 ganda Fide desired a succinct history of New Mexico in a 
 
160 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN HEW MEXICO. 
 
 religious point of view. Archbishop Lamy charged me 
 ^with the work. I wrote it as briefly as possible. It was 
 sent as written, with its erasures and corrections. The 
 venerable Prelate received a letter of thanks, which, how- 
 ever, contained the desire of seeing something a little more 
 developed. This desire was a command, and it has been 
 a labor of love. ' 
 
 These remarks are my preface and conclusion. May 
 this little work prove useful to religion find science, and in 
 time receive more facts, more documents, and thus form 
 the nucleus of a history of New Mexico. 
 
CATHOLIC CHtlRCH IN NEW MEXICO. 161 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 The foliowiug documents, certified as correctly copied 
 from the original Spanish journal of Vargas, by the actual 
 librarian, the venerable Samuel EUison, is of great impor- 
 tance to show the antiquity of the Church of St. Michael. 
 The said Governor and Captain-General de Vargas, as 1 
 read it in his own journal, makes an entry under the form 
 of a mariginal note, thus: " The said Governor .and Cap- 
 tain-General orders the the Captain and Governor of the 
 walled pueblo, as also Antonio Bolsas, and together go to 
 examine the Hermitage of St. Michael, so that it, being 
 repaired, it may serve as a church till the coming of sumr 
 mer." 
 
 I will now lay before my readers this command of Vargas, 
 as well as the other, which refers to the burial of the re- 
 mains of the Eev. Father John, of Jesus, martyred at 
 Jemez in 1680, at the time of the revolution of the Indians. 
 
 Following these documents is the certificate of Mr. Elli- 
 son, which will serve, no doubt, to give authority to these 
 documents, the original of which may be seen by any 
 inquirer in the archives of Santa Fe. 
 
 A. D. 1692, December 18, 
 
 On the said . day, month and year of the date, I, said 
 Governor and Captain-General, very much grieved on 
 account of the severity of the weather and the cold (suf- 
 fered by the Indians) who in troops while away the time 
 visiting the (ranch) huts in the plain. And, in order to' 
 act in everything with necessary prudence, I mounted on 
 horseback, and with a few military officers and the Cap- 
 tains Francisco Lucero de Godoy and Eoque Madrid, I 
 went to examine the church or hermitage which was used 
 as a parish church for the Mexican Indians who lived in 
 the said town (villa) under the title of the invocation of 
 their patron, the Archangel St. Michael. And having 
 examined it, though of small dimensions, and not for the 
 accommodation of a great number; notwithstanding, on 
 account of said inclemency of the weather, and the urgency 
 
162 GATHOLIC CHtJKOH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 of having a church in which should be celebrated the 
 Divine Office and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and in 
 order that Our Lady of the Conquest may have a becoming 
 place, I, said Governor and Captain-General, recognized 
 that it is proper to roof said walls, and to whitewash and 
 repair its skylights (windows) in a manner that shall be the 
 quickest, easiest, briefest and least laborious to said na- 
 tives. 
 
 The parties alluded to being present, and the said Gov- 
 ernors of aforesaid pueblo, JToseph and Antonio Bolas, I 
 ordered that they should send said natives; having taken 
 measures in respect to lumber aforesaid, and having offered 
 them axes, and mules for its fast conveyance, that those 
 who were adapted to hewing said, lumber should do so, 
 and that those who were fit for the trade of masons in re- 
 pairing said walls should be ordered in like manner, and 
 that I, on my part, should have the Spaniards whom I had 
 with me to assist thereat. 
 
 And that said work should be immediately executed, I 
 went with them to aforesaid pueblo, and being within their 
 village square (plaza), I ordered the natives who were there 
 in the manner before described. And I also exhorted them 
 to go with cheerfulness to said labor, and that such it really 
 was not, to make a house for God and Ms Most 
 Blessed Mother, our Virgin Lady, who was enclosed in a 
 wagon; and that if a lady came they were obliged to furnish 
 her with a house, and that such was their duty; and mine 
 it was to issue ^ch orders with much force, because that 
 the Lord our God might punish us, seeing that, being 
 Christians, we did not make the church immediately, which 
 they promised to accomplish, as I had ordered; and they 
 (afterward) sent for the axes which I gave unto them im- 
 mediately and a hide to make a ladder. 
 
 And for the authenticity of these proceedings, I have 
 had an act thereof drawn up and signed it, with my secre- 
 retary in civil and military "ffairs. 
 
 D. Diego de Vaegas Zapata Ldjon Ponoe dh Leon. 
 
 KoQUB DE Madrid. 
 
 Before me, Joseph de Contkeeas. 
 
 Antonin Balverde, 
 
 Military and Civil Secretary. 
 
CATHOLIC OHUECH IN NEW MEXICO. 163 
 
 On said tenth day of August, aforesaid date, having 
 heard Mass and the sermon, on the feast of the holy martyr 
 Saint Laurence, of this day, theEev. Father Vice-Guardian 
 Fr. John Munos de Castro and the other Eeverend Fathers 
 Missionaries Apostolic, came to bid me welcome. Governor 
 and Captain-General as aforesaid, and presented their 
 congratulations for my success and triumph, and most of 
 all in that in which they were so interested, the investure 
 of the bones which were judged to be, and are undoubtedly 
 considered to be those of the Eev. Father Friar, John of 
 Jesus, missionary, who was Apostolic? Preacher in the Con- 
 vent of the Pueblo of Jemez, who, on the eleventh day of 
 August, one thousand six hundred and eighty, was in- 
 humanly killed. And having in my room said bones, with 
 the scull, I exhibited and showed them to them in a box 
 of medium size, witk lock and key. They were arranged 
 in two (parts), the nrst of damask mandarin of two colors, 
 crimson and yellow, the other of Brittany, with a large 
 ribbon, and in this form said bones were collected and 
 enveloped in said box, the key thereof being given to 
 aforesaid Eev. Vice- Guardian; and it appearing that it was 
 his wish to bury them the next day, which is to-morrow, 
 the eleventh of month aforesaid; and they (meantime) 
 remain in my said room, thence to be carried forth for in- 
 terment. 
 
 And for the authenticity of the aforesaid, I have signed, 
 with my aforesaid secretary in military and civil affairs. 
 
 D. Diego de Vakgas Zapata Lujon' Ponce db Leon. 
 Before me, 
 
 Alfonso Eael de Aguilae, 
 Secretary in Civil and Military Affairs. 
 
 On the eleventh day of said month of August, of the 
 date (aforesaid) and year, to carry forth for burial the 
 bones and skull which are judged to be those of the de- 
 ceased missionary, Father John of Jesus, which are in my 
 room where I sleep, there came the Eev. Father Commis- 
 sary and Vice- Guardian of said Kingdom, Friar Juan 
 Munos de Castro, in company with the other discreet 
 
164 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NEW MEXICO. 
 
 Fathers ■who are in this town (villa), and he asked me, as 
 did also said Bev. Fathers, Missionaries, to proceed to the 
 translation and interment of the bones and skull aforemen7 
 tioned, and that I should give them the certificate relating 
 therein the circumstances in the manner narrated by me 
 authentically in said acts, which I gave unto them imme- 
 diately, and my civil and military secretary having trans- 
 cribed it, I ordered it to be entered in said acts. And they 
 proceeded to translate and inter said bones and skull, 
 placed in said box, closed and fastened, in the chapel 
 which is used as a parish church for this garrison; which 
 they did on the gospel side of the high altar, I, sa,id Govr 
 ernor and Captain-General, having been present with a 
 concourse of soldiers and vassals who were present in this 
 aforesaid town. 
 
 Witness my' hand, with that of my military and civil 
 military secretary. 
 
 D. Diego de Vargas Zapata Lujon Ponoe de Leon. 
 Before me, 
 
 Alfonso Bael de Aguilar, 
 Secretary in Military and Civil Affairs. 
 
 I do hereby certify that the foregoing two pages contain 
 a true and correct copy taken by me from the original 
 journal of Diego de Vargas Zapata Lujon Ponze de Leon, 
 then Governor and Captain-General of the then Kingdom 
 and Provinces of New Mexico.' Said journal remains 
 among the Spanish and Mexican archives in my charge as 
 Librarian and ex-officio custodian of said archives. This 
 19th day of November, a. d. 1885. 
 
 I Sam'l Ellison, 
 
 Territorial Librarian. 
 
mmmmm 
 
 &^-*^.- 
 
 :\* •. 'i. >