The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1879-05-22

trudes MISSION at or about the same time
In Jus' 5O years afterwards new church
was erected, and the ruins of Tu.
macacori constitute what is left OF it. it
having also been destroyed, or partially
destroyed. by the Apaches 1S years after
its conservation. a.e
While the above named church struc-
ture did not approach San Xavier in
architectural beauty and grandeur, the
outer and communicating buildings
were more extensive and agricultural
expectations greater At this late date,
however, the ruin is not so complete
but that the passer by may see a good
deal to reward him for the qualification
OF an inquisitorial turn of mind The
seeker after Information will discover
that the main building was at least 100
feet in length by 80 feet in width; that
its shape described Greek cross; that
it was substantially and elaborately con-
structed of sun-burned and kiln burned
bricks, which were put together with a
sort of cement and concrete; that it
was well timbered and well rooted; that
It was surmounted by two LONESOME
over the chancel and one upon the
eastern or southeastern corner; that
there were pretentious residences
for the padres and their master
workmen and soldiers, and comfortable
s.bodes for their poems and neophytes; !;
that there were orchards with oranges,
lemons, lines, pears, figs and pome-
granates and gardens with flowers,
vines. exotic plants, shade trees and
fos Tk4
the chancel is still in fair state of pres
ervation, but the walls and the sur
roundings have crumbled or are cram
bling into decay; its spendid timber and
tile roof has been shiyered by time and
the elements, and its only covering now
is the illimitable canopy of heaven with
its imperishable consultations; the
orchards, with their outrageous shade
snd fruit trees, through which sun
light and shadow used to chase each
other and Enthusiastically skirmish for
mastery, and the gardens with their
hyperborean gifts, have all passed away !;
and the vast space within these conse-
Grated walls dedicated to solemn offer
ings in the sacred guise of chants,
genufexions and benedictions, is one
vast pile of indistinguishable ruin.
The mountain scenery from this place
is pictures que, sublime and enchant-
ing. There is one point upon the road,
though, say half way. between San
Xavier and Tumacacori, which presents
view at once grand and incompara-
BILE. You have left the Santa Catalini
range and its detached combinations of
castellated peaks sweeping northward
away to the far off horizon, and you
gaze first upon the Picacho del Alamo
Muerto, which rises majestically over
your right shoulder, and then upon the
Santa Rita Mountains in the northeast, t.,
which lift themselves like colossal ram
parts before you. Further south you
incline your vision again to the east,
and the Sierra Pejarito and Atascoso
Mountains, like Tltans, stand up along
your path; again you turn to the east,
and matchless panorama with Mount
Wrightson in the foreground, and the
Patagonians in the distance, thrills the
delighted senses. Each succeeding turn
in this mosaic highway paesents, like
the kaleidoscope, a new and pleasant
picture to the enraptured eye.-Cor.
Sam Francisco B7flIefi31 s -