Sharp County record., 1881-05-26

when the two missions under the ad-
ministration Of the Franciscan Fathers
are said to have been in the zenith OF
their power and glory, was commenced
the erection Of the Mission san XAVIER,
which stands to-day, remarkable and
fine piece of architecture, its main dome
rising in beautiful curves considerably
over one hundred feet above the floor:
It's unfinished tower, lofty arches and
ornamental work in low relief give 1t a
quaint Moorish aspect that attracts ana
fascinates the eye. On approaching the
entrance to the chapel we pass through
the aUrium, about seventy by thirty teetln
size, where the holy fathers Of old we're
won't to assemble each morning the In
dian labOrers for roll-call and assign
ment to their respective duties for the
day.
The church is one hundred by thirty
feet in size. 1t is in the form Of cross,
the transept forming the chapels. The
nave is divided into six portions by as
many arches resting on pillars set
against the walls. In the main chap
ell, at the end of the nave, is mag
nifcent altar, dedicated to st. Francis
Xavier, the patron saint of the Jes-
uits, who built the first church
and established the Mission. On
either side of the transept to the right
and left of the main altar are chapeIs,
each containing two affairs, decorated
with columns and arabesques in low re-
lief and gilded in true Moorish style.
The walls, where not cut by inches or
projected in bold relief in columns or
arches, are covered with frescO work.
The inches are filed with images decked
out in gold and tinsel. Raising the eye
aloft to the dome, fifty feet high, divided
into eight spaces, filed with as many
frescoes in bright, glaring colors, one
becomes bewildered and turns to look
at the little cherubs in plain white
perched on the apex Of the two main
columns over the large altar. As the
eve becomes more accustomed to the
dim light, which is only admitted
through openings on the walls covered
with canvas, against which the wind
ever keeps a low rustling sound or muir
mur, il is seen that the images have been
ruthlessly robbed. The fingers, which
once were covered with rings Of prec-
iOus metal, and the brOWs, once encIr-
cled with golden crowns, have been
broken and marred in the haste of the
despoiler. The marble baptismal font,
which once held heavy silver or gold
lining, shows clearly the mark OF its
lost wealth.
1t is said that this Mission yielded up
nearly 5000, 1000 ingold and silver orna-
ments when despoiled by the reVolu-
tionary armies during the period EN-.
braced between the year 1910 and
1927, when the Franciscan Fathers
were expelled. 1t was not until the
year 1859 that it was again put in charge
of missionary. Although period OF
over thirty years had elapsed, the In
dians had not forgotten their old in
structors. They welcomed the Padre
by assembling at the church, ringing
the bells and bringing back from their
houses articles of the church service
which they had taken for safe keeping.
Some of them recollected the prayers
and were able to sing some Of the chants
at mass. These Indians are called the F.
Papagoes, the word signifying =" hair
cut" They probably number 5000 and .
are scattered through Southern Arizona .
and Sonora, An industrious and thrifty
race, they earn living by honest toll. .
Near the mission building they can be
seen manufacturing earthenware with
out molds or tools Of any kind, with .
their hands deftly shaping the potter's
clay into oIla8 for holding water.-SdH
Chronicle.